ML20064A441
| ML20064A441 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Limerick  |
| Issue date: | 08/21/1990 |
| From: | Mccormick M PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC |
| To: | PENNSYLVANIA, COMMONWEALTH OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9009040217 | |
| Download: ML20064A441 (3) | |
Text
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PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY o
LIMERICK GENER ATING ST ATION P. O. BOX A 4-SAN ATOG A PENNSYLVANI A 19464 August 21, 1990 3
Department of Environmental Resources BureauLof Water Quality Management 1875 New Hope Street-Norristown, PA 19401~
SUBJECT:
Temperature Transients Bradshaw Reservoir NPDES Permit No. PA-0052221 Gentlemen:
In June, 1990 the Bedminister Water Processing Facility-(HPF) cooling system was placed in.cervice and start-up testing of the equipment progressed throughout the month.
The cooling system was available for service.and produced discharge water below 74 F when the Delaware River water temperature exceeded 74 F.- The WPF is located on the Bradshaw Reservoir underground pipeline, about-five (5) miles;before the pipeline discharges into the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek.
Starting on June 29,~1990 the warmer ambient air temperatures-caused a number of Bradshaw Reservoir pump trips due to equipment overheating.
Following each trip, the pumps were returned to service as soon as pocsible.
When the pumps tripped, flow to the WPF stopped and, by design, the chilling equipment unloaded and continued to run at minimum capacity.
As with all large chiller equipment, there is a time. lag for the chiller to pick up load-as the flow increases.
This time lag causes a short-term (usually less than 30 minutes) increase in outlet temperature from the WPF, which has been measured to be in excess of 74 F by a few degrees (1 to 3 F).
On July 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10, we experienced similar-temperature transients caused by equipment trips and power loss.
Additionally, on July 2, 1990, due to an accident in which an automobile struck an electric pole, power was lost to the WPF at 4:28 p.m.,
and this outage lasted until 5:50 p.m.
At 5:50 p.m.
the WPF returned to service and brought the facility discharge temperature under 74 P.
pg. n.
9009040217 900d2h
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Aug. 21, 1990-Since the identification of the short-term temperature increases, data has been collected at the discharge from the WPF and also at the point of discharge into'the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek.
This data indicates 1 to-2 degrees of additional cooling of the water within the pipeline.
This
. cooling is due to ground cooling from the'five mile underground.
. pipeline.
The data is limited, however, and cannot be applied to-all situations without further study.
In addition, several grab samples from the discharge of the pipeline were evaluated during the month of July.
One of the samples exceeded the 74 F temperature limit.
The specific sample was taken on July 10, 1990 during a transient at the WPF and showed a temperature of 76 F.
Based on the hourly averaged WPF discharge temperature data and cooling effects of the pipeline, we are unable to determine if any other compliance concerns exist.
The initial temperature spikes were reported to Mr. C. Rehm of your office and additional information was given to Mr.
S.
O'Neill on July 5, 1990.
Further discussions were held with Mr.
P. Noll of the Bucks County Health Department on August 2, 1990 and with Mr. S. O'Neill of your office on August 3, 1990.
We are concerned about the number of temperature upsets that occurred at the WPF.
We believe that the majority of temperature transients were caused.by Start-up problems and testing of the WPF.
Therefore, we would expect improved performance during next year's cooling season because all start-up and testing will be completed by that time.
We are inve.stigating the feasibility of installing a new continuous temperature monitor at the point of discharge into the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek, prior to
-the beginning of the next cooling season, to imp ove temperature monitoring.
In summary, numerous temperature transients occurred at the WPF discharge during the months of June and July.
The majority of these upsets were of short duration and we believe that they did not exceed 74 F at the point of discharge, due to ground cooling from the underground pipeline.
The remaining transients were caused by power loss and/or equipment problems and our evaluation of these upsets indicates that there was no impact on the environment.
We have not seen any negative impact on the aquatic life from operating the diversion over this time period.
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Pg. 3 of 3 Aug. 21, 1990-r'
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We wouldLlike to meet with you to discuss the reporting requirements for these short-term transients.
We will call'your
' office'in September tx) arrange this meeting.
- h Sincerely, ks '-
s_ n-
't M. J. McCormick, Jr.
i Plant Manager
/rak U.S.. Nuclear Regulatory Commission /
cc:
Document Control Desk Washington, DC-20555 Administrator Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory:, Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia,-PA 19406
^
Station Resident FAC Inspector Tom Kenny, M/C A 2 Program Manac,ement Section (3WM52)
Permits Enforcement Branch Water Maragement Division l
Environmental Protection Agency l
Water Permits Section Region III 841 Chestnut Building Philadelphia, PA 19107 County of Bucks
' Department of Health Building K Neshaminy Manor Center Doylestown, PA 18901 i
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