Relationship Between FitzPatrick's and Pilgrim's Junk SRVs

NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2018-02: TESTING AND OPERATIONS-INDUCED DEGRADATION OF 3-STAGE TARGET ROCK SAFETY RELIEF VALVES

This is the most current description with Fitz's SRV problems. Oh hell, Fitz removed other experimental 3 stage valves. 

The licensee for Fitzpatrick removed two of its three Model 0867F 3-stage Target Rock SRVs in June and July of 2016.  One of these valves exhibited degradation similar to that seen at Pilgrim and Hatch, although the fretting wear in the main cylinder was not as severe.  The third 3-stage SRV was replaced in January 2017 and did not exhibit any degradation similar to Pilgrim and Hatch. All three 3-stage SRVs were replaced with 2-stage Target Rock SRVs. 

***The Fitzpatrick SRVs are identical to Pilgrims whether a 2 stage or 3 stage safety relief valves. Effectively the Fitzpatrick is now in the exact position as a Pilgrim was in 2011. They realize their 2 stage  valves are unreliable and prone to corrosion in delicate parts. They are planning to update the unreliable 2 stage to the 3 stage model. You get it, these plants first had 3 stage valves installed in them. The 3 stage became known as unreliable and leakage prone. The new efficient design became the 2 stage design. Post 2015 Pilgrim blizzard, Entergy decided the 3 stage was too dangerous to put back into the plant. Pilgrim has 2 stage valves in them now. I am going assume anyone reading my blog is stupid.  Yet Fitzpatrick is heading now for the experimental 3 stage that failed in Pilgrim, are too dangerous to be put back into their plant.

They are all nuts!!!

Its all a charade.

Licensee Event Report 2018-003-00, Target Rock Relief Valve Pilot Assembly Failed As-Found Lift Test, a Condition Prohibited by Plant Technical Specifications

CAUSE OF THE EVENT

The cause of the as-found initial lift pressure exceeding the TS tolerance limit for the pilot valve was determined To be corrosion bonding. The relief valve (SN· 1025) set point was below 1189.6 psig during subsequent lifts, which is within the allowable range. The performance exhibited by SN 1025 is consistent with corrosion bonding between the Stellite 21 disc and Stellite 6 seat. The corrosion bonding is a time dependent process that develops to varying levels of severity. The installed pilot valve assemblies have Stellite 68 discs with a platinum coating applied using the IBAD process. The objective of the change to the Stellite 68 platinum coated discs was to minimize corrosion bonding.

Come on, satellite 21, Stellite 6, Stellite 68 and platinum, all add on exotic materials chasing this mysterious  corrosion. One licensee says its because the materials on the disk and seat don’t have a oxidation coating them. They are installed as bright and shiny metals. These guys are all over the place. There is a agenda under it all. No manufacturer of valves will build these valves. There replacement.    

Remember in 2011 these guys installed the 3 stage SRVs. These new valves promptly began leaking within one month of first heatup. The unreliable valves dogged the plant until two valves were discovered non operable during a 2015 blizzard, scram and all lost of all offsite power. This event caused the plant to be declared the worst plant in the nation.