ENS 49667
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:00 Oct 22, 2013 | |
| Title | Part 21 Report - Cracking in Kcr-13 Standby Battery Jars |
| Event Description | The following was received via facsimile:
The purpose of this letter is to provide the NRC a report in general conformity to the requirements of 10CFR Part 21.21 (a)(2). On October 22, 2013, C&D Technologies, Inc. (C&D) was informed by Entergy Nuclear Northeast that a KCR-13 battery installed at the Indian Point Nuclear Energy Center had developed a small crack in the polycarbonate jar material. The jar is a safety related component with the primary function of containing electrolyte. C&D does not believe that significant quantity of electrolyte was lost through this crack, because there was a normal level of electrolyte in the battery. This unit has been replaced, and the unit was sent by Entergy to an outside lab, Lucius Pitkin (LPI) of New York, NY, for analysis. As C&D did not have access to the components of the allegedly defective battery, and a report has not yet been issued by Lucius Pitkin, C&D cannot perform a root cause technical evaluation and affirm whether there is any defect in the component or manufacturing process, or whether the reported condition may have been due to user abuse of product, improper maintenance or other negligence or error. No formal report from Entergy or LPI Is expected before the expiration of the 60 day limit from the date C&D was notified of the issue. Thus, C&D is submitting this interim report to the NRC and notifying C&D's customers that use C&D KCR-13 batteries of this interim report. [C&D is also] initiating an action plan to evaluate the reported potential defect and determine whether it could pose a substantial safety hazard for any U.S. licensee using such batteries. Concurrent actions underway to complete the evaluation: a) On receipt of the final report by LPI/Indian Point by C&D, C&D shall evaluate the findings and the causes for failure. Maximum time 14 days from receipt of the report. b) In conjunction with the licensees identified in section vi, C&D will recommend maintenance assessment of all KCR-13 batteries at these locations to determine their status, and specifically the presence of any evidence of potential defects via visual examination. For any cells exhibiting the presence of potential defect, C&D shall further recommend that they be returned for analysis. Estimated completion date of analysis is thirty (30) days from the receipt of the returned batteries. KCR-13 batteries are used in Indian Point and Monticello Nuclear Plants. For further information contact: Robert Malley VP Quality and Process Engineering Office Phone 215-619-7830 Email bmalley@cdtechno.com
The following updated information was received from C&D Technologies: Subject: Updated Interim Report - Inability to Complete 10CFR Part 21 Evaluation regarding cracking in KCR-13 Standby Battery Jars As previously stated, C&D did not have access to the components of the allegedly defective battery, and a report has not yet been issued by Lucius Pitkin. C&D cannot perform a root cause technical evaluation and affirm whether there is any defect in the component or manufacturing process, or whether the reported condition may have been due to user abuse of product, improper maintenance or other negligence or error until a final report Is issued by Lucius Pitkin. Although several requests to both Indian Point and Lucius Pitkin have been made, a receipt date for the analysis results is still indeterminate. If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter or this report, please contact: Robert Malley VP Quality and Process Engineering Office Phone 215-619-7830 Email bmalley@cdtechno.com Notified R1 (DeFrancisco), R3DO (Kunowski) and Part 21 Group (via email).
The following report was received via fax: C&D has recently received and is evaluating the report from Lucius Pitkin and will perform a root cause technical evaluation and affirm whether there is any defect in the component or manufacturing process, or whether the reported condition may have been due to user abuse of product, improper maintenance or other negligence or error. The planned final evaluation should be completed by May 31, 2014 at which time it is anticipated that a final report will be issued. Notified the R1DO (Lilliendahl), R3DO (Riemer), and Part 21 Group (via e-mail).
The following is a synopsis of information received via facsimile: The information provided in the C&D facsimile serves as C&D's final analysis of the issue. Conclusion: While the images do show indications of environment stress cracking (ESC) and fatigue, the lack of chemical evidence of the actual agent makes it difficult to determine the source of the material. Polycarbonate (the container material) has known stress cracking agents for example esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones, etc. and the C&D Installation and Operation Manual clearly states that the only approved material for contact with the jar and cover (other than materials used in the construction of the battery) for cleaning purposes is water and sodium bicarbonate. If one of the previously mentioned materials came into contact with the jar, it could have caused the ESC that was observed. The standing recommendation to system operators is to limit any chemical that can come into contact with the battery to only approved materials. In the event that an unapproved material contacts the battery, the unit should be cleaned and observed for any subsequent damage caused by the agent. Notified R1DO (Cahill), R3DO (Pelke), and Part 21 Group (via e-mail). |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| C&D Technologies, Inc. Blue Bell, Pennsylvania (NRC Region 1) | |
| Organization: | C&D Technologies, Inc. |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+1421.75 h59.24 days <br />8.463 weeks <br />1.948 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Christian Rheault 11:45 Dec 20, 2013 |
| NRC Officer: | Dong Park |
| Last Updated: | Jul 18, 2014 |
| 49667 - NRC Website | |
C&D Technologies, Inc. with 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 510972015-03-04T04:00:0004 March 2015 04:00:00
[Table view]10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component Interim Part 21 Report - Inability to Complete Evaluation Regarding Cracking in Kcr-13 Standby Battery Jars ENS 496672013-10-22T05:00:00022 October 2013 05:00:00 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component Part 21 Report - Cracking in Kcr-13 Standby Battery Jars 2015-03-04T04:00:00 | |