Headquarters Daily Report MARCH 06, 1997 *************************************************************************** REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED HEADQUARTERS û REGION I û REGION II û REGION III û REGION IV û PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - HEADQUARTERS MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Part 21 Database MR Number: H-97-0013 Itt Barton Date: 03/06/97 Subject: Part 21 - Failure of Model 763 pressure transmitter strain gage Discussion: VENDOR: ITT Barton PT21 FILE NO: 97100 DATE OF DOCUMENT: 02/13/97 ACCESSION NUMBER: SOURCE DOCUMENT: LETTER REVIEWER: PECB, J. Tappert Summer provides supplementary information from the vendor on previously reported failure of model 763 and 763A gage pressure electronic transmitters. Whereas previous failures were determined to have been caused as a result of mechanical damage to very small wires during calibration, recently reported failures at Summer may have involved wire embrittlement during wire soldering. Related to Pt21 File Nos. 96700-96703. _ HEADQUARTERS MORNING REPORT PAGE 2 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Part 21 Database MR Number: H-97-0014 General Electric Date: 03/06/97 Subject: Part 21 - Failure of hex head set screw attaching buffer paddle to trip shaft in GE-AK-15 and AK-25 circuit breakers Discussion: VENDOR: General Electric PT21 FILE NO: 97130 DATE OF DOCUMENT: 02/14/97 ACCESSION NUMBER: 9702210229 SOURCE DOCUMENT: LETTER REVIEWER: PECB, D. Skeen NEW ISSUE. GE reports on possible failure of the hex head set screw that attaches the buffer paddle to the trip shaft of AK-15 and AK-25 circuit breakers manufactured before 1976. _ HEADQUARTERS MORNING REPORT PAGE 3 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Part 21 Database MR Number: H-97-0015 Itt Barton Date: 03/06/97 Subject: Part 21 - Sulfur-induced corrosion of Model 753 gage pressure electronic transmitters Discussion: VENDOR: ITT Barton PT21 FILE NO: 97010 DATE OF DOCUMENT: 01/10/97 ACCESSION NUMBER: SOURCE DOCUMENT: EN 31570 REVIEWER: PECB, D. Skeen NEW ISSUE. The vendor provides information on sulfur-induced corrosion of #40 AWG copper strain gage lead wires and the beryllium-copper link clip in Model 753 gage pressure electronic transmitters that exhibit abnormal drift. Supporting documentation is also available at NRC NUDOCS Accession Number 9701150043. _ HEADQUARTERS MORNING REPORT PAGE 4 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Part 21 Database MR Number: H-97-0016 Abb Combustion Engineering Date: 03/06/97 Subject: Part 21 - Omission of main steam safety valve piping pressure loss in safety analyses Discussion: VENDOR: ABB Combustion Engineering PT21 FILE NO: 97020 DATE OF DOCUMENT: 01/17/97 ACCESSION NUMBER: SOURCE DOCUMENT: EN 31616 REVIEWER: PECB, E. Benner NEW ISSUE. The vendor provides information that the piping pressure losses between the steam generator and main steam safety valve (MSSV) inlets have not been fully evaluated with respect to MSSV performance or not fully addressed within plant safety analyses involving MSSV actuation. These pressure losses reduce MSSV effectiveness, which will affect the overpressure protection capability of the MSSVs. Supporting documentation is also available at NRC NUDOCS Accession Number 9701230192. _ HEADQUARTERS MORNING REPORT PAGE 5 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Part 21 Database MR Number: H-97-0017 Master Builders Date: 03/06/97 Subject: Part 21 - Potential nonconformance of Masterflow 713 (CMTR) grout Discussion: VENDOR: Master Builders PT21 FILE NO: 97030 DATE OF DOCUMENT: 01/08/97 ACCESSION NUMBER: 97011300161 SOURCE DOCUMENT: LETTER REVIEWER: PECB, J. Munday NEW ISSUE. The vendor provides information regarding a 11/14/96 report it received from Grand Gulf about nonconformance of the subject material in several tests: foaming/frothing, segregation, shrinkage, setting dynamics, and compressive strength. _ HEADQUARTERS MORNING REPORT PAGE 6 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Part 21 Database MR Number: H-97-0018 Coltec Industries (Fairbanks Morse) Date: 03/06/97 Subject: Part 21-Deficient operation of the control valve using replace- ment powerpills to control diesel generator lube oil temperature Discussion: VENDOR: Coltec Industries PT21 FILE NO: 97040 DATE OF DOCUMENT: 11/27/96 ACCESSION NUMBER: 9612060083 SOURCE DOCUMENT: LETTER REVIEWER: PECB, J. Munday NEW ISSUE. Seabrook provides information regarding this problem. The powerpills are made by RobertShaw Manufacturing and supplied by the vendor. The powerpills did not allow lube oil temperature control within the operating band. Subsequent testing of the powerpills revealed that they did not meet the minimum acceptance criteria for stroke as defined by RobertShaw. Should the powerpill not reach full extension, the lube oil control valve will remain in the heat exchanger bypass position and overheating could result. _ HEADQUARTERS MORNING REPORT PAGE 7 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Part 21 - Database MR Number: H-97-0019 Limitorque Date: 03/06/97 Subject: Part 21 - Substandard component discovered in motor operated valve actuator at a nuclear power plant Discussion: VENDOR: Limitorque PT21 FILE NO: 97060 DATE OF DOCUMENT: 01/27/97 ACCESSION NUMBER: SOURCE DOCUMENT: EN 31665 REVIEWER: PECB, D. Skeen NEW ISSUE. The vendor provides information on this discovery. The subject component had failed, resulting in actuator inoperability. The failed component was not manufactured by Limitorque and was deficient in several critical attributes. The component was not installed in a safety-related actuator. Supporting documentation is available at NRC NUDOCS Accession Numbers 9701290314 and 9702120340. _ HEADQUARTERS MORNING REPORT PAGE 8 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Part 21 Database MR Number: H-97-0020 Victoreen Date: 03/06/97 Subject: Part 21 - Frozen digital display in control room Discussion: VENDOR: Victoreen PT21 FILE NO: 97070 DATE OF DOCUMENT: 01/30/97 ACCESSION NUMBER: SOURCE DOCUMENT: EN 31692 REVIEWER: PECB, N. Fields NEW ISSUE. The vendor provides information on this condition of safety- related monitor R44B at Diablo Canyon. Further testing determined that although the alarm relay changed state after inserting a test signal, the relay output did not change. This is an unidentified fail condition in the design. Supporting documentation is available at NRC NUDOCS Accession Number 9702040150. _ HEADQUARTERS MORNING REPORT PAGE 9 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Part 21 Database MR Number: H-97-0021 Phoenix Power Date: 03/06/97 Subject: Part 21 - Unstable power supply transformer operation Discussion: VENDOR: Phoenix Power Systems PT21 FILE NO: 97140 DATE OF DOCUMENT: 02/27/97 ACCESSION NUMBER: SOURCE DOCUMENT: EN 31864 REVIEWER: PECB, C. Petrone NEW ISSUE. Clinton provides information in consultation with the vendor on this problem. Transformer model number P3C015C6/EAN, used to provide power to a 1E 120v safety-related distribution panel, tripped several times. An investigation of the cause determined that the panel deenergizes when the transformer trips on addition of step load from a low or no load condition. This model requires 2 amps per phase to remain stable. The purchase specification, however, requires voltage control from the no load condition to unit rating. _ REGION II MORNING REPORT PAGE 10 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Babcock And Wilcox MR Number: 2-97-0013 Naval Nuclear Fuel Division Date: 03/06/97 Lynchburg,Virginia Dockets: 00700027 License No: SNM-42 Subject: URANIUM SOLUTION SPILL UPDATE Discussion: An ALERT was declared by the licensee at 4:40 a.m. on March 4, 1997, after an overflow and spill of approximately 47 liters of 1% enriched uranyl nitrate solution occurred from Project Sapphire downblending equipment. The resulting acid fumes caused an evacuation of the Uranium Recovery Facility. The spill was cleaned up and the ALERT was terminated at 9:32 a.m. A Post Incident Review Team was established by the licensee immediately after the ALERT was terminated to determine the cause of the spill and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence. As of 8:30 a.m. on March 6 the investigation had not been completed. Early indicators point toward a combination of high air sparge flow and high level in the low level dissolver column from which the overflow occurred. Sapphire downblending operations remain shutdown pending approval of the team's preliminary investigation results by the Emergency Preparedness Committee. Regional Action: The Resident Inspector is continuing to follow the licensee's actions. Contact: C. Hughey (804)847-7343 _ REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 11 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Ohio State University MR Number: 3-97-0038 Columbus, Ohio Campus Date: 03/06/97 Columbus,Ohio LICENSEE TELECONS 03/4,5/1997 Dockets: 03002640 License No: 34-00293-02 Subject: MISSING SHIPMENT OF PHOSPHORUS-32 Discussion: On March 4, 1997, the licensee's Radiation Safety Office learned that a package containing a vial of 250 microcuries (9.26 MBq) of liquid phosphorus-32, received at the University from Dupont on February 26, 1997, was missing. Packages containing "Limited Quantities" of radioactive material pursuant to 49 CFR 173.421 are not required to be labeled to indicate that the contents contain radioactive material. These packages are delivered directly to the requestor by receiving department personnel along with other packages and goods. On February 26, 1997, the person who was to deliver the missing package of P-32 to a researcher made a total of thirty-three deliveries to different campus locations. Of the thirty-three deliveries, eight were made to researchers that received radioactive materials. The licensee is in the process of querying all individuals that were delivered packages of any kind on February 26, 1997, in an effort to locate the missing material. The licensee suspects that the package containing the P-32 was erroneously delivered to one of the eight researchers that received radioactive material on February 26th. The vial of P-32 is housed in a shielded container, packaged within a styrofoam insert and cardboard box. Consequently, the package does not represent a radiological hazard provided the integrity of the packaging is not significantly compromised. Regional Action: Monitor the licensee's search efforts and review this matter during a future inspection. NMSS has been notified. Contact: WAYNE SLAWINSKI (630)829-9820 JOHN MADERA (630)829-9834 _ REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 12 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Consumers Power Co. MR Number: 3-97-0039 Big Rock Point 1 Date: 03/06/97 Charlevoix,Michigan INSPECTOR AT SITE Dockets: 50-155 BWR/GE-1 Subject: SMALL FIRE IN CONTROL ROOM Discussion: On March 6, 1997, at 0852 a plant fire alarm was initiated in response to a small fire in the control room. The fire brigade responded. A small amount of smoke and the odor of burning electrical components was present in the control room. No fire suppression media was required. The small fire lasted less than ten minutes; therefore, the emergency plan was not entered. The failed electrical components were four small capacitors in a circuit board associated with tone relay equipment for the 138 KV electrical power supply tothe station. It appeared that the electrical fault opened and de-energized the circuit. The 138 KV line remained closed supplying power to the station. The licensee is troubleshooting the cause of the capacitor failures. The control room was continuously staffed as required. Regional Action: The senior resident inspector responded to the control room and monitored the licensee's actions. Contact: BRUCE BURGESS (630)829-9629 _ REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 13 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Commonwealth Edison Co. MR Number: 3-97-0040 Zion 1 2 Date: 03/06/97 Zion,Illinois 03/05/97, RI VIA TELCON Dockets: 50-295,50-304 PWR/W-4-LP,PWR/W-4-LP Subject: ZION MANAGEMENT CHANGE Discussion: The licensee announced that, effective March 4, 1997, Mr. Robert Starkey, the current Unit 2 Plant Manager, is assuming the position of Plant General Manager. Mr. Starkey will retain the Unit 2 Plant Manager responsibilities until that position is filled. Regional Action: For information. Contact: M. DAPAS (630)829-9628 _ REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 14 MARCH 6, 1997 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Commonwealth Edison Co. MR Number: 3-97-0041 Byron 1 Date: 03/06/97 Byron,Illinois RI VIA TELECON AND PC Dockets: 50-454 PWR/W-4-LP Subject: REACTOR STARTUP FOLLOWING A PLANNED SHUTDOWN AND OUTAGE Discussion: REFERENCE MORNING REPORT OF 02/14/97 AT 1:02 P.M. (CST), MARCH 5, 1997, BYRON UNIT 1 ACHIEVED CRITICALITY. THE UNIT WAS PLACED ON THE GRID AT 7:05 P.M., MARCH 5, 1997, ENDING A 20-DAY FORCED OUTAGE. WORK ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR THE OUTAGE WAS INSPECTION AND REPAIR OF THE 1C AND 1D REACTOR CONTAINMENT FAN COOLER (RCFC) HEAT EXCHANGERS IN RESPONSE TO REDUCE FLOW. THE LICENSEE IDENTIFIED AND REMOVED ESSENTIAL SERVICE WATER MECHANICAL DRAFT COOLING TOWER FILL MATERIAL THAT HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE END BELLS OF THE 1C AND 1D HEAT EXCHANGERS. FLOW CHARACTERISTICS WERE RETURNED TO NORMAL FOR BOTH RCFC'S. DURING THE PLANT COOLDOWN, THE 1A RESIDUAL HEAT REMOVAL (RH) PUMP DEVELOPED A SEAL LEAK. AFTER INVESTIGATION, THE LICENSEE IDENTIFIED THAT THE 1A RH PUMP AND BOTH 1A AND 1B CONTAINMENT SPRAY PUMPS HAD THRUST BEARINGS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. REPAIR OF THE THRUST BEARINGS AND RECOVERY FROM TWO SEPARATE FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION EVENTS FOR THE CONTAINMENT SPRAY PUMPS CAUSED A STARTUP DELAY OF APPROXIMATELY 8 DAYS. UNIT 1 IS CURRENTLY HOLDING AT LESS THAN 30 PERCENT POWER FOR CONDENSATE DISSOLVED OXYGEN REDUCTION. Regional Action: THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR IS MONITORING THE ACTIVITIES. Contact: R.D. LANKSBURY (630)829-9631 _