Re[2]: TMI root causes

[Steven.Rima@DOEGJPO.COM (Steven Rima)]

     Dave et al,
     
     I'm out here, just been out of town for a while. You are correct about 
     that valve. In addition, the indication for that valve indicated 
     whether or not power was supplied to the solenoid, and NOT the actual 
     valve position. We can speculate about what might have happened if the 
     indicator really had displayed the true valve position. My guess is 
     that we wouldn't be talking about the "TMI accident" if that had been 
     the case.
     
     Steven D. Rima, CHP
     Manager, Health Physics and Industrial Hygiene
     MACTEC-ERS, LLC
     steven.rima@doegjpo.com


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: TMI root causes
Author:  David.Richards@rfets.gov (David Richards) at Internet
Date:    3/9/98 10:52 AM


     I tend to agree with your views on this subject. However, being 
     somewhat retentive about details, I am compelled to add one 
     clarification that doesn't really make any difference in the general 
     discussion.
     
     If memory serves me correctly, the motor operated valve on the 
     pressurizer you refer to was actually a magnetically operated valve 
     somewhat akin to the solenoid in an automotive starter motor. This is 
     why the valve had a tendency to stick. It had no direct motive force 
     for actuation like a MOV has.
     
     The valve was made by Dresser and was only used on two B&W plants; TMI 
     and Crystal River. Having covered a great deal of work on the valve at 
     Crystal River many years ago as a technician, I became somewhat 
     intimate with this beast.
     
     Some of the old Crystal River house folks like Steve Rima can probably 
     verify this information. You still out there Steve?
     
     Regards,
     
     D.J. Richards
     EPHA Team Leader
     Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site 
     David.Richards@rfets.gov
     djrichards@rmac.net