ML20041F479

Final Deficiency Rept Re Defect in Strainer Basket of Emergency Standby Diesel Generators Mfg by Cooper Energy Svcs,Initially Reported 820205.Defective Basket Mfg by Zurm Industries Reported Under Part 21

ML20041F479
Person / Time
Site:	Nine Mile Point
Issue date:	03/04/1982
From:	Rhode G NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORP.
To:	Starostecki R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
10CFR-050.55E, 10CFR-50.55E, NUDOCS 8203160539
Download: ML20041F479 (2)

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M Y NIAGARA R uMOHAWK NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION /300 ERIE BOULEVARD WEST, SYRACUSE, N Y.13202/ TELEPHONE (315) 4741511 March 4, 1982 , . . - - - . _

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Office of Inspection and Enforcenent Region I RECElveo 9 Attention: Mr. R.W. Starostecki, Director D Division of Resident and Project Inspection -

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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Connission F" "'*"

631 Park Avenue malmrg'g%e .

King of Prussia, PA 19406 ff Re: Nine Nile Point Unit 2 ~

Docket No. 50-410

Dear Mr. Starostecki:

Enclosed is a final report in accordance with 10CFR50.55(e) for a deficiency regarding the Nine Mile Point Unit 2 energency standby diesel generator sets manufactured and supplied by Cooper Energy Services. This condition was reported to Mr. Kister of your staff on February 5,1982.

Very truly yours, HIAGARA M0 HAWK POWER P0 RATION

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d Vice President Systen Project Management PAM:bd Attach.

cc: Director Of fice of Inspection and Enforcement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Connission Washington, D.c. 20555 R.D. Schulz, Resident Inspector 8203160539 820304 s PDR ADOCK 05000410 f l' )

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.a NIAGARA M0 HAWK POWER CORPORATION Nine Mile Point Unit 2 Docket No. 50-410 Final Report for a Reportable Deficiency Under 10CFR50.55(e)

Regarding Emergency Standby Diesel Generators Description of the Deficiency On February 1, 1982 Cooper Energy Services, manufacturer of the Unit 2 emergency standby diesel generators, notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of a defect in accordance with 10 CFR 21 (copy attached). This defect involves the strainer basket located in the lube oil strainer which was manufactured by Zurn Industries, Incorporated. It was found, after performance testing at Cooper Energy Services, that the mesh strainer basket liner was torn loose at the top of the basket where the perforated sidewall and the liner are sandwiched between two flanges. The tear propogates in an axial direction.

During recent additional testing conducted at Cooper Energy Services' plant, it became apparent that the strainer mesh disintegrates after it tears, and would then be capable of passing through the engine bearings. If this were to occur, a bearing failure could result, and the diesel generator would be incapable of performing its intended function.

Analysis of Safety Implications Therefore, based on the above, if this problem were to have remained uncorrected it could have adversely affected the operation of the affected diesel generator.

Corrective Action As indicated by Cooper Energy Services in its 10CFR21 notification, a new basket design has been qualified by test and will be provided as a replacement for the existing basket.

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N'S COOPER ENERGY SERVICES Max t00PER. BESSEMER PIhN PUMP SUPERIOR february I, 1982 Office of Inspection and Enforcement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comn i s t ion Washington, 0 .C. 20555 Attention: Director of Inspection and Enforcement Gentlemen:

In accordance with 10CFR Part 21, this letter 15 notification of a deficiency that has been determined to exist in emergency standby diesel generator sets manufactured and suppiled by Cooper Energy Services. The affected units are as follows:

Four sets at Pennsylvania Power and Light Company's Susquehanna Steam Electric Station at Berwick, Pa.

Four sets at Commonwealth Edison's Byron Station Units I and 2 in Byron, Illinois. s Four sets at Commonwealth Edison's Braidwood S tatio n Units I and 2 I r. Braidwood, lilinois.

Six sets at Arizona Public Service's Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Palo Verde, Arizona.

Two sets at Niagara- Mohawk's Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Unit 2, in Scriba, New York.

One set already shipped to Houston Light and Power's South Texas Project, Nuclear Power Plants I and 2. There are five additional units remaining to be' shipped on this order.

The defect exists in the strainer basket located in the lube oil strainer manufactured by Zurn industries, Inc. After performance testing at Cooper Energy Services, it was found that the mesh strainer basket liner was torn loose at the top of the basket where the perforated, sidewall and the liner were sandwiched between two flanges. The. tear propogates in an axial direction. .

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'S' LINCOLN AVENUE GROVE CITY. PE NNSYLVANIA 1612 7 412/468 8000

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This problem was originally discovered in December of 1980, but based upon information available at that time, was deemed nnt reportable under the provisions of 10CFR Part 21 since a failure of this type would not prevent the generator unit from performing its designated function in a safe manner.

However, based upon recent testing conducted at our Grove City plant, it is now apparent that the strainer mesh disintegrates after it tears, and would then be capable of passing through the engine bearings. If this were to occur, a bearing failure would be probable and the unit would be incapable of performing.

The baskets in the four units at Pennsylvania Power and Light's Susquehanna Steam Electric Station have already been replaced with new baskets of an improved design manufactured for Zurn by Micnigan Dynamics. These baskeis were examined after performance of a 300 start test at the site, and no deterioration of the mesh was observed.

A new basket design, different from the Michigan Dynamics basket, has just been qua li fied by test in Grove City and will no provided as a replacement for units at the remaining locations listed above. Replacement of all remaining baskets should be completed within the next six months.

Sincerely,

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F. D. Stolba Vice President & General Manager, Reciprocating Products cc: C. C. Bemiller H. f. Curren G. A. Dorton 11 . T. Gardner l M. J. llelmich T. W. Kearns R. A. Miklos R. O. Wells Per Attached Copy Distribution l

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