Protecting People and the EnvironmentUNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
SSINS No.: 6830
Accession No.:
8002280657
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
April 3, 1980
IE Circular No. 80-07
PROBLEMS WITH HPCI TURBINE OIL SYSTEM
Description of Circumstances:
During 1979 a number of events were experienced at BWRs in which the High
Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) system failed to perform its function due
to HPCI turbine problems. Most of the failures were found during normally
required surveillance testing, although others occurred during demand
conditions. Events which are examples of these occurrences are described
below. The turbines in these events were Terry Steam Turbines.
Failure Due to Water in the HPCI Turbine Oil System:
Georgia Power Company reported on June 4, 1979, that the Hatch Unit 2 HPCI
system failed to function upon receiving an initiation signal. The turbine-
driven HPCI pump failed to start because the turbine steam stop valve failed
to open. Investigation revealed water in the turbine oil system, which is a
combined lubrication and hydraulic control system. Hydraulic oil pressure
is supplied to the turbine control and the stop valves and also to system
bearings by an auxiliary DC powered oil pump during startup and then by the
Shaft-driven hydraulic oil pump when the turbine reaches operating speed.
The water contamination changed the oil characteristics; as a result,
sufficient hydraulic oil pressure was not developed to open the turbine stop
valve.
Two sources of water in leakage into the turbine oil system were identified.
One source of leakage was determined to be from a defective mechanical seal
on the HPCI pump seal injection line. A second source of in leakage was
determined to be the oil cooler. Repairs to the cooler tube sheet and
mechanical seal were made. Additional corrective action included locking
open the bracket cavity drain valve which had not been included on system
drawings or procedures, and the initiation of routine sampling of the
turbine oil system.
Failure of Hydraulic Cylinder Seal in HPCI Turbine Stop Valve:
Nebraska Public Power District reported at the cooper Station that on August
9, 1979, upon receipt of an auto start signal, the HPCI system did not
properly start. However, a short time (14 minutes) after the initiation
signal, the HPCI did start and maintained reactor vessel water level.
Investigation showed that the initial failure of the HPCI system to start
was
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IE Circular No. 80-07 April 3, 1980
Page 2 of 3
due to the failure of the HPCI turbine stop valve to open. Further
investigation revealed a failure of the seal rings in the hydraulic cylinder
actuator of the turbine stop valve. The seal rings were allowing oil
leakage to bypass the piston of the operator and insufficient force was
available to open the stop valve at full system steam pressure.
The HPCI turbine stop valve is a vertically mounted, hydraulically operated,
piston type globe valve with the actuating cylinder on the bottom and an
internal balance chamber of top of the globe valve piston. The balance
chamber functions to provide smooth operation of the valve during its
actuation. This function is provided by an internal orificed steam
passagewhich permits a portion of the incident steam pressure to accumulate
in the balance chamber. During this event the valve actuation did not have
sufficient force, due to the leaking seal rings, to overcome the initial
steam pressure in the balance chamber. As the main steam pressure decreased
to about 600 psig after the reactor scram, the force on the valve actuator
piston became sufficient to open the stop valve thereby permitting the HPCI
turbine to start and aid in restoring the water level in the reactor.
The failed piston ring seals were fabricated from resin impregnated leather.
The design and failure cases were reviewed by General Electric together with
Terry turbine and component suppliers and the review resulted in
recommending that the hydraulic cylinder be examined for bypass leakage and
replacement of the seals upon determination of excess leakage. It was also
recommended that subsequent seal replacement by placed on a five year
schedule.
Recommended action for BWR licensee's and permit holder's considerations:
All holders of operating licenses for BWR power reactor facilities having
Terry turbines should be aware of the potential problems described above (it
is noted that the seal problem is related to the HPCI turbine and not to the
RCIC turbine which does not use a hydraulic actuated stop valve). It is
recommended that the matters identified above be reviewed at your facility
in the following respects:
1. Each BWR licensee should assure that the as built system is consistent
with operating procedures and drawings and that their preventive
maintenance program includes the means of routinely detecting water or
other deterioration of the turbine oil systems. Periodically, the
turbine oil should be sampled for moisture immediately following
turbine operation. Procedures specifying appropriate corrective
actions should be provided as necessary.
2. Each BWR licensee should initiate an examination of the stop valve
hydraulic cylinder seals for excess bypass leakage and proceed with
seal replacement on determination of excess leakage followed by the
recommended 5 year schedule. Thereafter, periodic re-examinations of
the seals are to be made to provide assurance that seal replacements
are functioning as required.
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IE Circular No. 80-07 April 3, 1980
Page 3 of 3
All holders of construction permits for BWR power reactor facilities
shouldbe aware of the potential problems identified above and initiate
appropriate procedures prior to initial fuel loading.
This Circular is being forwarded for information to all other power reactor
facilities with an operating license or construction permit. No written
response to this Circular is required. If you need additional information
regarding these matters, contact the Director of the appropriate NRC
Regional Office.
