ML17306A567
| ML17306A567 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 03/06/1992 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17306A566 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9203200209 | |
| Download: ML17306A567 (6) | |
Text
~gS Argy c~
0 Cy 0j
+**4 E
UNITED STATES
~ NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 SAFETY EVAI.UATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO 59 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO NPF-41 AHENDMENT NO.
46 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO.
NPF-51 AND AMENDMENT NO.
32 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO.
NPF-74 ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY ET AL.
PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION UNIT NOS.
1 2
AND 3 DOCKET NOS.
STN 50-528~STN 50-529 AND STN 50-530
- 1. 0 INTRODUCTION
\\
N By letter'dated December 26, 1991, the Arizona Public Service Company (APS or the licensee) submitted a request for changes to the Technical Specifications (TS) for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generat-ing Station, Units 1, 2, and 3 (Appen-dix A to Facility Operating License Nos.
NPF-41, NPF-51, and NPF-74, respec-tively).
The Arizona Public Service Company submitted this request on behalf of itself, the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, Southern California Edison
- Company, El Paso Electric Company, Public Service Company of New MeXico, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Southern California Public Power Authority.'he proposed changes would revise the technical specifications to allow replacement of the existing 125V dc batter-ies with new batteries.
- 2. 0 DISCUSSION Two predominant problems developed with the existing Exide Corporation batteries after installation.
First, the seal between the cover and the terminal posts was not entirely effective.
When the electrolyte enters the positive post seal area and becomes
- trapped, corrosion of the post takes place.
The corrosion builds up over time, and when the growth exerts enough pressure on the seal
- area, the plastic 'nut around the seal or the cell cover, or both, crack to relieve the pressure.
The second problem was copper contamination.
The battery posts are constructed of copper cast in lead.
When there is a defect in the lead pos casting that allows the electrolyte to penetrate the lead and contact the copper, electroplating occurs, removing copper from the copper insert in the position post and depositing it on the negative plates.
Based on experience and guidance from Exide Corporation, Arizona Pub)Iic Service Company (APS) concluded that both the cover cracks and copper contamination were indicative of the problems that could cause service degradation of the batteries.
By letter dated December 26,
- 1991, the licensee proposed an amendment which would allow replacement of the existing Exide 125V dc batteries with AT&T batteries.
9203200209 920306 PDR ADOCK 05000528 P
PD~R
0 I
~E y
ll
- 3. 0 EVALUATION The licensee has proposed to modify Technical Specifications 3/4 8;2, DC
- Sources, Table 4'-2, by.splitting it into two sections, one for the existing (Exide) batteries and another for the replacement (AT8T) batteries.
The split-table corfiguration will be ma>ntained until both Trains A and B
batter>es are replace".
The licensee has selected ATILT LINEAGE 2000 Round Cell.Battery Model KS-20472 as
=he replacement battery.
The battery will be installed on ATILT LINEAGE 2000 battery stand made of polyester glass an'd metal reinforced to seismic qualification.
-,The licensee has also proposed to amend Surveillance Requirement 4.8.2. 1. b to consider.overcharge voltage as "above 150V" instead of "above 145V" which is consistent with the manufacturer's suggested method of applying boost and
.equalizing charge and is, therefore, acceptable.
The licensee has also proposed to amend Surveillance Requirement 4.8.2. 1.e and 4.8,2. 1. f based on the IEEE-450 replacement criteria of 80X of manufacturer's rating; therefore, the battery's rated capacity should be at, least 125X (1.25 aging factor) of the load expected at the end of its service life.
The new
., replacement batteries are designed such that their capacity actually improves with age.
The proposed surveillance requirement for AT&T batteries in 4.8.2. 1.e is to verify that the battery capacity is at least SOX of the manufacturer's'ating when subjected to a performance discharge test, and the proposed surveillance requirement in 4.8.2. 1.f is that degradation is indicated when the battery capacity drops more than 5X 'of rated capacity.
mar in between These surveillance requirements improve the current batter i
i g'
ween load and battery rated capacity.-
They are conservative and
're, therefore, acceptable.'he proposed Technical Specification would allow. replacement of the existing 125V dc batteries with new batteries during each unit's refueling outage.
Technical Specification 3.8.2.2 states that "As a minimum one dc t i
h ll p
nd energized.
The battery replacement will be conducted with one dc train available, as required.
We find this to be acceptable.
Because of their continuing problems, the existing Exide batteries are approaching the end of their useful life; therefore, it will be prudent to replace them with the new ATILT batteries.
The replacement batteries are being purchased to meet the same requirements as the installed batteries and the performance of plant safety functions will not be degraded by the new batter-ies.
The AT8T cell does not lose capacity with age, and therefore, it'hould last for the life of the plant.
c'i E
~
'(I
3-4.0
SUMMARY
e 348 The licensee has proposed a revision to Technical Specification Secti
/
.2 which would allow replacement of the existing 125 V dc batteries with.
on new batteries during each unit's.refuel,ing outage..
The staff has reviewed the licensee's submittal and has concluded that Palo Verde Station can be operated safely with new batteries and there is reasonable assurance th t' t
d power wi, e available to mitigate any.credible event that can occur durin u
ring
'nd after the replacement of batteries and, therefore, the proposed 'Technical Specification change is acceptable.
5.0 STATE CONSULTATION
In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Arizona State'fficial was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendment.
The State official had no comments.
6,0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION The amendme'nts change a requirement with respect to the installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and changes surveillance requirements.
The. NRC staff h d t as e ermine a
e amendme'nts involve no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change ln the types, of any effluents that may be released
- offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
The Commission has previously issued a
proposed finding that the amendments
.involve no significant hazards considera-
- tion, and there has been no public comment on such finding (57 FR 2586).
Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b),
no environmental impact statement, or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendments.
- 7. 0 CONCLUSION The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations
'discussed
- above, that (1) there is reaso'nable assurance that the health and saf t f th p b 'c will not be endangered by operation in the proposed
- manner, (2) such u li and 3
the activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's 1 t'
)
e issuance of the amendment will not be inimical to the common
'on s regu a ions, defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor:
N.
K. Trehan Date:
March 6, -1992
k
~ (yv