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This letter details an incident reported to Mr. D. Hunnicutt by telephone on June 13, 1973.

At 1737 on June 13, 1973, with the Zion Unit 1 reactor in a cold shutdown condition, the reactor coolant system was pressurized to 1290 psig. Tech Spec Liniting Condition of Operation for system integrity, paragraph 3.3.2.A limits system pressure for the existing temperature of 105°F to 530 psig reference Figure 3.3.2-2 Reactor Coolant System Cooldown Limitations at a cooldown rate of 0°F/hr.

Safety Implications: System integrity has not been jeopardized by the overpressurization šince the reactor vessel temperatures were above the NDT temperatures as listed in Tech Spec Table 3.3:2-1 and the vessel has received no neutron exposure upon which Figure 3.3.2-2 is based.

Investication and Evaluation: At the time of the incident the reactor coolant system was solid and being maintained at pressures up to 400 psig by intermittant running of a charging pump. The normal pressure control method of continuous charging and letdown was not being used since the volume control tank was unavailable due to repair of the discharge relief valve line on 1C Charging Pump.

At 1730 the 1A Charging Pump, with suction from the refueling water storage tank and discharge aligned to the charging heador, was started to increase system pressure which had reduced to 110 psig. System pressure increased gradually. During the maneuver, the Unit 1 nuclear station operator was distracted by a telephone call end leży the area of the pump control switch. Fressure increased to 1290 psig before the

XIV-26

was returned to normal after the pressurizer power relief valve was manually opened. An attempt to reduce pressure using the excess letdown path was unsuccessful.

Subsequent Investigation: The investigating committee interviewed Lee cups, sulit Engineer and Wally Sopata, NSO on Unit 1, concerning the incident. Results of the discussions indicate that:

1.

2.

3.

4.

The procedure of pressurizing the system in the described manner had been going on for several days. Both Sues.. and Sopata were familiar with the method and had accomplished proper pressurization a number of times.

The residual heat removal system suction relief valve
did not limit overpressure. This valve has a setpoint
of 450 psig and a capacity of 900 6pm which is above
the capability of the charging pump. If the relief
lifted, it should have prevented overpressurization.

The RHR system isolated at 600 psig, preventing over-
pressurization of this system.

Pressure could not be reduced using the excess letdown
path since the header was isolated manually.

Mechanical and Structural Engineering department, at the request of J. S. Bitel, evaluated the incident to determine if structural damage could have occurred.

Conclusions and Corrective Action: The station committee, after review of N 4 3 2ngineerings report and their own · investigation, concluded that no structural damage resulted.

The procedure for pressurization was changed to require the operator to maintain contact with the pump control switch during the pump run. All operators and supervisors were so instructed.

Excess letdown flow was tried after the volume control tank was available and flow and pressure indication were normal.

The RHR system suction relief valve will be removed and tested at the earliest opportunity. This requires isolating both RHR trains with the system in cold shutdown. The discharge relief valves were visually inspected and will prevent RHR overpressure during cooldown.

Very truly yours,

J. 8. Butel

J. S. Bitel

Station Superintendent
Zion Generating Station

Shiloh Diva & Lake Michigan
Zion, Hinges 60099

Te:ephone 312/746-2C34

713 1715

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This letter is in response to your letter of June 25, 1975 requesting additional information in regard to Abnormal Occurrence Report No. 50-295/75-12.

In response to question 1) of that letter, the following items should be noted:

1.

2.

3.

The operator failed to stop the centrifugal charging
pump when he secured the RHR system to replace the R
suction relief valve. When the FR system was secured,
letdown was also secured causing the RCS pressure to
increase to the 1100 psig maximum pressure.

The shift supervisor had reviewed the requirement to stop
charging prior to isolating the HR system, but both he
and the operator failed to do so when the RR system was
actually isolated.

The RFR system procedures did not include a section on
isolating the RHR system while in the cold shutdown
condition.

In response to question 2) of the letter regarding corrective action to prevent reoccurrence, a procedure has been written for replacing the AHR suction relief valve while in the cold shutdown condition. For a long term solution, the station is investigating the possibility of installing a relief valve to protect the RCS from overpressurization while the unit is in the cold shutdown condition. A written copy of the overpressurization occurrence and its potential consequences has been distributed to affected operating personnel to stress the importance of preventing an overpressurization of the RC3.

J.r. titl

J. S. Bitel

Station Superintendent

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Zion Greatesttun
Shifon A (the Michigan
Zion as C30

Telephone 312/740-2034

June 13, 1975

~6/24/15

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Enclosed please find Abnormal Cccurrence Report No. 50-295/75-12 for Zion Generating Eterion. is abnormal occurrence vas reported to Region III, Directorate of Regulatory Operations by telephone on June 4, 1975 and by telegram on June 4, 1975.

This report is submitted to you in accordance with the requirements of the Technical Specifications, Section 5.5.3.1

Very truly yours,

you is faced

Jack S. Sitel
Superintendent
Zion Station

JS5/bjh

Enclosure: Abternal Cccurrence Report No. 50-295/75-12

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Operator error was the cause of the RCS pressure transient.

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importance of following overating procedures was stressed to the
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