Morning Report for May 23, 2001
Headquarters Daily Report
MAY 23, 2001
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REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT
ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED
HEADQUARTERS X
REGION I X
REGION II X
REGION III X
REGION IV X
PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION I MAY 23, 2001
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Baltimore Gas & Elec Co. MR Number: 1-01-0013
Calvert Cliffs 1 Date: 05/23/01
Lusby,Maryland
Dockets: 50-317
PWR/CE
Subject: CALVERT CLIFFS - SPECIAL INSPECTION AT UNIT 1
Discussion:
Based upon a preliminary review of the circumstances and risk
significance of the recent failure of the #11 turbine driven auxiliary
feed water pump (TDAFWP) at Calvert Cliffs Unit 1, a special inspection
has been initiated by Region I today. The special inspection will follow
Inspection Procedure 93812 guidance to ensure a comprehensive review of
the licensee's investigation and corrective actions.
The #11 TDAFWP was secured during surveillance testing on May 17,
following identification of elevated temperatures on the turbine outboard
bearing. The licensee's maintenance staff identified the cause of the
temperature increase to be bearing casing sealant (Permatex) particles in
the lubricating oil obstructing oil flow. A preliminary root cause
determination concluded that the sealant was misapplied, causing the
excess to enter the bearing lube oil sump. Licensee extent of condition
review identified that the #12, 21, and 22 TDAFWPs were similarly
vulnerable to sealant entrainment, but due to the limited time in service
and actual run time on the turbines, the sealant had not embrittled and
flaked-off into the lube oil sumps. All TDAFWPs were removed from
service and the bearings disassembled, excess sealant removed, lube oil
sumps cleaned and refilled, and new sealant properly applied with the
assistance of a vendor representative.
The special inspection will focus attention on the adequacy of the
licensee's root cause investigation and extent of condition review.
Initial review and discussions with the Calvert Cliffs staff has
identified that the licensee has taken prompt and appropriate initial
corrective action. The risk significance of the #11 TDAFWP being
inoperable, combined with the licensee established exposure time (98 days
since the last quarterly surveillance run) results in preliminary
conditional core damage probabilities in the range warranting a special
inspection in accordance with Management Directive 8.3, "NRC Incident
Investigation Program." Potential generic concerns with the improper
application of sealants to safety significant components will also be
examined.
Regional Action:
None.
Contact: William Cook (610)337-5074
Michele Evans (610)337-5224
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