Headquarters Daily Report MAY 15, 1998 *************************************************************************** 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 MAY 15, 1998 Licensee/Facility: Notification: MR Number: H-98-0077 Crystal River Date: 05/15/98 Subject: Fire at Emergency Diesel Generator Exhaust Manifold Discussion: On May 11, 1998 Crystal River station reported excessive smoke at the Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG-1B) exhaust during a routine surveillance. The engine was promptly tripped and one of the operators used dry chemical spray to extinguish the fire. The fire was not severe enough to actuate any fire detectors or sprinklers. The fire brigade responded to the scene and a fire watch was established. The licensee determined that the cause of the fire was the failure of a section of exhaust gasket, allowing the accumulation of unburned residual oils to be discharged out onto the adjacent insulation, then ignited as exhaust temperatures approached normal values. The licensee stated that this oil in the exhaust system is an expected condition that occurs in engines of this design. This accumulation of oil is normally burned off as the engine is operated at load. The failure of the gasket was due to loose bolts in the area of the leak. The licensee has not determined conclusively the cause of the loose bolts, but the flange was disassembled during the last outage. The long term corrective action for this deficiency is to perform preventive maintenance in the form of checking the torque of these fasteners on a regular basis. Contact: Thomas Koshy, NRR/DRPM/PECB (301) 415-1176 E-mail: txk@nrc.gov _ REGION I MORNING REPORT PAGE 2 MAY 15, 1998 Licensee/Facility: Notification: MR Number: 1-98-0027 Babcock And Wilcox Date: 05/13/98 Parks Township,Pennsylvania Telephone Dockets: 07000364 License No: SNM-414 Subject: REPORT OF ELEVATED BIOASSAY RESULT Discussion: On May 13, 1998, Babcock and Wilcox notified Region I that they were investigating a positive urinanalysis result reported by their contract bioassay laboratory for an individual at their Parks Township, PA facility. A sample taken on March 15, 1998 indicated a potential for significant exposure. The licensee is investigating the circumstances to determine the validity of the results, other supporting data, and assessing possible dose consequences. An additional urine sample was obtained and sent for analysis, with results expected next week. The licensee stated that other currently available information does not support this laboratory result. Region I is closely following licensee followup actions. Contact: T. Jackson (610)337-5308 M. Miller (610)337-5205 _ REGION IV MORNING REPORT PAGE 3 MAY 15, 1998 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Entergy Operations, Inc. MR Number: 4-98-0028 Waterford 3 Date: 05/15/98 Killona,Louisiana Senior Resident Inspector Dockets: 50-382 PWR/CE Subject: Update of Single Failure of Nonsafety Component Affecting All ECCS Valves Reportable Event Number: 34237 Discussion: This updates the information provided in Event Report 34237. The configuration of the nitrogen system includes a pressure regulator installed at the outlet of the liquid nitrogen tank, which reduces pressure from 2300 to 750 psig at a flowrate of 879 scfm. The design system pressure rating downstream of the regulator is 800 psig with a single relief valve normally installed, at a setpoint of 950 psig at a flowrate of 170 scfm, to prevent over pressurization of the system. The nitrogen system provides the motive force for operation of valves in the ECCS, EFW, and other systems. The ongoing architect/engineering inspection identified a postulated event that involves the failure of the 2300/750 psig regulator, which would result in 879 scfm of nitrogen passing into the downstream system. Since the downstream relief valve only has a relief capacity of 170 scfm, the pressure in the downstream piping would increase to a value greater than the 800 psig rating of the piping, potentially causing a rupture/failure in the piping system. A rupture/failure would cause the ability to operate the affected valves (ECCS, EFW, and other systems) to be lost. To address this issue, the licensee opened a normally shut manual isolation valve to place another relief valve in service. This valve has a relief capacity of 1419 scfm, and when added to the other relief valve with a capacity of 170 scfm, relief capacity (1589 scfm) is greater than the capacity of the pressure regulating valve (879 scfm). The licensee declared the system operable when the second relief valve was placed in service. Regional Action: The resident inspector and the A/E inspection team are monitoring the licensee's ongoing evaluation. Contact: Phil Harrell (817)860-8250 _