ENS 52692
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:00 Feb 27, 2017 | |
| Title | Part 21 Report - Control Rod Drive Mechanisms Contaminated with Chlorides |
| Event Description | Dale E. Porter
GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Safety Evaluation Program Manager 3901 Castle Hayne Rd., Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 819-4491 Dale.Porter@GE.Com The inappropriate addition of chlorinated water from container box desiccants into the CRDMs [Control Rod Drive Mechanisms] during leak testing after rebuild could potentially initiate Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking (IGSCC) or Transgranular Stress Corrosion Cracking (TGSCC). These two types of SCC could cause a separation of the stop piston or separation of the index tube contained within the CRDM. The stop piston separation could cause a slower scram speed and damage the drive so it could not be withdrawn. An index tube separation could result in a similar type of rod uncoupling event that would have the potential to result in a rod drop accident (RDA). The piston tube located within the CRDM is a reactor coolant pressure boundary (RCPB) and is an ASME component. There is a possibility of cracking causing a RCPB leak. SCC initiation on the Cylinder Tube and Flange (CTF) area of the CRDM could result in a separation that could prevent a scram or normal insertion of a CRDM. Reports have been issued to River Bend, LaSalle Unit 2, and Hatch Unit 2 providing the results of an evaluation that concludes that the condition will not create a substantial safety hazard or potentially cause a Technical Specification Safety Limit violation for a minimum of one operating cycle. The Browns Ferry Unit 2 drives were shipped but were not installed prior to recall, thus a short-term evaluation for Browns Ferry has not been completed. River Bend, Entergy, Shipped Date: 2017, Quantity Shipped: 15, Customer PO Number: 10478763 LaSalle Unit 2, Exelon, Shipped Date: 2017, Quantity Shipped: 24, Customer PO Number: 00414787-66 Hatch Unit 2, Southern Nuclear, Shipped Date: 2017, Quantity Shipped: 15, Customer PO Numbers: SNG50295-0001 & SNG50295-0002 Browns Ferry Unit 2, TVA, Shipped Date: 2017, Quantity Shipped: 32, Customer PO Number: 2424171
Pursuant to 10 CFR 21.21(d)(4), GEH is providing the final report with the conclusion that, in limited cases, the chloride contamination could create a substantial safety hazard. Attachment 1 identifies the potentially impacted plants and Attachment 2 contains the final report information. The enclosure provides additional details of the evaluation. Updated Attachment 1 notes: A portion of the CRDMs at the Hatch Plant are Reportable while the remainder are not. Summary of updates to Attachment 2: The inappropriate addition of chlorinated water from container box desiccants into the CRDMs during leak testing after rebuild could potentially initiate Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking (IGSCC) or Transgranular Stress Corrosion Cracking (TGSCC). These two types of SCC were initially considered for the potential to cause a separation of the stop piston or separation of the index tube contained within the CRDMs that are constructed of 304 Stainless steel. The completed evaluation indicates that a stop piston separation could cause a slower scram speed and damage the drive so it could not be withdrawn. The potential exists for the control rod to drift out. The piston tube located within the CRDM is a reactor coolant pressure boundary (RCPB) and is an ASME component. The possibility of cracking causing RCPB leakage was eliminated by the evaluation. An index tube separation was eliminated as a potential failure mode. Likewise, the potential for SCC initiation on the Cylinder Tube and Flange (CTF) area of the CRDM resulting in a separation that could prevent a scram or normal insertion/withdrawal of a CRD was eliminated. The long-term evaluation concluded there is no concern for TGSCC. This evaluation also determined the stop piston to piston tube separation is the only failure mechanism that could occur, and only if those components were manufactured from 304 SS. GEH initiated a Root Cause Evaluation (RCA) to determine why this event occurred and has implemented process changes to ensure that the condition does not reoccur. Actions to prevent recurrence, such as eliminating the desiccant material and flushing the closed loop water system, have been completed. For Hatch Unit 2, the 12 CRDMs that have the 304 SS piston tubes should be replaced prior to those CRDMs exceeding 10 years in service. See table below: CRDM S/N, Piston Tube SE0474, 304 SS A8737, 304 SS A9423, 304 SS A6791, 304 SS 3095, 304 SS A8729, 304 SS 7253, 304 SS A6786, 304 SS SE0368, 304 SS A5409, 304 SS 7080, 304 SS A9484, 304 SS Interim Reports were issued to River Bend, LaSalle Unit 2, and Hatch Unit 2 providing the results of an evaluation that concluded the condition would not create a substantial safety hazard or potentially cause a Technical Specification Safety Limit violation for a minimum of one operating cycle. The Browns Ferry Unit 2 drives were shipped but were not installed prior to recall, thus a short-term evaluation for Browns Ferry was not provided. GEH has completed the long-term CRDM evaluation with the following results: A Safety Information Communication is being issued to River Bend, LaSalle Unit 2, and Browns Ferry Unit 2 stating that the CRDMs exposed to the chloride intrusion will not cause a substantial safety hazard, or cause a Technical Specification Safety Limit violation and is therefore not reportable (see enclosure 1 for details). For Hatch Unit 2, the introduction of chlorides could cause a substantial safety hazard for the 12 CRDMs that were manufactured from 304 SS material, and is therefore a reportable condition per 10CFR 21.21(d); however, the 3 CRDMs manufactured from XM-19 material would be considered not reportable. The results of the short-term evaluations for all three plants where CRDMs were installed remains valid. Notified the R2DO (Bonser), R3DO (Peterson), R4DO (Proulx), and Part 21/50.55 Reactors Group by email. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Ge Hitachi Nuclear Energy Wilmington, North Carolina (NRC Region 1) | |
| Organization: | Ge Hitachi Nuclear Energy |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+1231.48 h51.312 days <br />7.33 weeks <br />1.687 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Lisa Schichlein 10:29 Apr 19, 2017 |
| NRC Officer: | Bethany Cecere |
| Last Updated: | Jul 12, 2017 |
| 52692 - NRC Website | |
Ge Hitachi Nuclear Energy with 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 526922017-02-27T04:00:00027 February 2017 04:00:00
[Table view]10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component Part 21 Report - Control Rod Drive Mechanisms Contaminated with Chlorides ENS 485852012-12-13T05:00:00013 December 2012 05:00:00 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component 60-Day Interim Report Involving an Evaluation of a Design Change to Magne-Blast Circuit Breakers ENS 483502012-09-27T15:01:00027 September 2012 15:01:00 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component Error in Main Steam Line High Flow Calculational Methodology ENS 476302012-02-01T05:00:0001 February 2012 05:00:00 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component Part 21 Report - Failure of Crd Collet Retainer Tube/Outer Tube Weld 2017-02-27T04:00:00 | |