ML19340D820
| ML19340D820 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crystal River  |
| Issue date: | 12/11/1980 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19340D817 | List: |
| References | |
| TAC-11951, NUDOCS 8101050420 | |
| Download: ML19340D820 (2) | |
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SAFETY EVAttlAT10'i SY W.E OFFIG OF MUCLEAR _ REACTOR REGULATION PROPOSED CHANGES TO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATI0fiS RE: DC ELECTRICf.L POWER SrTEP. SURVEILLANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR CRYSTAL RIVER UNIT NO. 3 DOCKET NO. 50-302 The' Florida Power Corporation, by letter dated May 23, 1979, submitted a request for changes to the Technical Specificatiors with respect to the surveillance requirements of DC electrical power system batteries in the Crystal River Unit 3.
The proposed Technical Specification changes are to eliminate the full electrolyte level correction to the specific gravity reading and to lower the specific gravity limit of the Unit 2 battery from 1.200 to 1.195.
EVALUATION The specific gravity of the battery electrolyte varies with changes in f
temperature.
Likewise the gravity will also vary as the electrolyte level falls and rises with the use and addition of water. To accurately compare specific gravity readings taken at different times and at different temper-l atures and electrolyte levels, such readings are corrected to tha normzl reference temperature of 770F (room temperature) and the nomal *.evel (full electrolyte level specified by the manufacturer).
Specific gravity readings by the hydrometer vary with temperature and level in the same fully-charged cell. The full electrolyte level correction should be taken into considera-tion to determine the correct specific gravity. Therefore, the proposed l
change to eliminate the full electrolyte level correction is not acceptable.
A gradual lowering in the specific gravity of a cell is an indication of insufficient charge.
It may occur from several causes such as by an inade-l quate float voltage.
Ordinarily, when the float voltage is correct, the hydrometer reading will remain near the maximum value.
IEEE 450-1975, 3.4.(2) requires that "An equalizing char 9e should be give'n if the average specific gravity of all cells drops more than 0.010 from the acceptance test (Section 4.1: An acceptance test of battery capacity should be made either at the factory or upon initial installation...)".
IEEE Std. 484-1975,5.3.1(8) requires that "Any cell that shows a specific I
gravity (corrected to 770F (250C)) less than 1.200 or more than 1.220, or
/:itage lower than 0.04 V below the average, requires corrective action in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction". Any lowering of the specific gravity less than 1.200 is not acceptable.
l 8101050
CR-3 CONrt OSION Based on our review of FPC's request to eliminate the full electrolyte level correction in Spe:ificatkns 4.6.?.3.2.a.2 and 4.8.2.3.2.b.2; and to lower the specific gravity O f
.t.t i n te g cell from 1.2?') to 1.195 in Specification 4.8.1.1.1.c.2.b. ), we find thes e U.ei.ges unac eptabit. for the reasons given abo ve.
Dated:
Decenber 11, 1935
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