ML20069M124

Interim Deficiency Rept Re Apparent Cracking in Cylinder Heads on Emergency Standby Diesel Generators.Initially Reported on 830308.Program to Replace Cylinder Heads Will Prevent Any Potential Impact on Engine Operability

ML20069M124
Person / Time
Site:	Shoreham File:Long Island Lighting Company icon.png
Issue date:	04/15/1983
From:	Milligan M COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
To:	Allen J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
10CFR-050.55E, 10CFR-50.55E, SNR-873, NUDOCS 8305030274
Download: ML20069M124 (4)

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SHOREHAM NUCLEAR POWER STATION mm . ww wwu..,,d P.O. BOX 618, NORTH COUNTRY ROAD e WADING RIVER, N.Y.11792 Direct Dial Number April 15, 1983 SNRC-873 a

Mr. James M. Allan, Acting Regional Administrator .

Office of Inspection & Enforcement - Region 1 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406 Long Island Lighting Company Shorcham Nuclear Power Station - Unit 1 Docket No. 50-322

Dear Mr. All.an:

On March 8, 1933, in accordance with 10CFR50.55 (e) , we reporteel verbally to Region 1 a potential deficiency concerning apparent cracking in cy)inder heads on the Ehercham Emergency Standby Diesel Gcnerators. On April 7, 1933, Mr. R. Gallou of Region 1 grantcd e one wcck extencion for provid.ing tMc required 30-day written report. This letter serven as the 30-day urit-ten report on thic potential deficiency.

Description of the Pot _ential Deficiency The three diecel generators which are affected were manufactured by the Transamerica Delaval Company of Oakland, California.

These diesel generators, 1343*C-101, in43*C-102, and 1R43*G-103, in the Dicycl Emergency Power System are designed to provide standby emergency power for multiple plant safety related systems.

The first indication of a cylinJer head leak occurred during testing of Diesel Generator 101 (I R4 3 *G--101) , when it was noted that the jacket water stand-pipe jovel continued to drop inexpli-cably at a rate of 9.13gph. Additionally, it uns r.cted that lower-than normal er.haust gas tecperatures were being experienced ,

in the fl cylinder. As a result, an inspection of each cylinder of each diesel generator revealed that water was also present in the 47 cylinder of Diesel Generator 102 (lR43*G-102) and #7 cy}inder of Diesel Generator 103 (in43*G-103).

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I April 15, 1983 -

1 SNRC-873 Page 2 3

A field inspection did not reveal any indications in the heads, so they were returned to Transamerica Delaval for a formal failure analysis and, if-necessary, any required repairs.

. The results of the failure analysis performed by Transamerica  ;

Delaval indicate that in the case of the cylinder heads taken from Diesel Generators 101 and 102, the water leak was in the exhaust passage near the flange in each head and in the case of the head from diesel generator 103, a leak was detected in the fire deck.

Transamerica Delaval also reviewed the three failures from.a safety / reliability standpoint and has stated that these failures would not have affected the engine's ability to operate and carry the required load. The small amount of water that may enter the combustion chamber as a result of these anomalies has no effect on the combustion process.and is simply blown out of the exhaust system along with the other combustion by-products.

Corrective Action & Action to Prevent Reoccurrence i

l Transamerica Delaval has improved the design'and manufacture of

the four-valve steel cylinder head since delivery of the Shoreham engines. Although the manufacturer has advised us that the operability of the engines i~s not impaired as.a result of this

, condition,.LILCO has elected to upgrade the cylinder heads to the latest available design. At present, a program to change out-all of the cylinder heads is being' developed. The-replacement program will be implemented in'accordance with startup and outage schedules.

Once the Diesel Generators-have completed preoperational testing '

and have been declared operational, as an interim measure until head replacements are completed on'each engine, LILCO will include

.in the appropriate plant procedures the following steps which Transamerica Delaval has recommended to detect a cylinder head leak:

1. Four hours after completion of a test run, bar the engine over with the indicator cocks open.

2. Eight hours later, again bar the engine over with the' indicator cocks open.

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3. Twelve hours later, again bar the engine over with the indicator cocks open. Then, roll the engine using starting air.

4. If water is detected, replace the cylinder head.

5. If no water is detected, there are no leaks and the engine can standby until the next test period.

The implementation of the cylinder head replacement program, as well as incorporating Transamerica Delaval's recommendations for interim leakage detection into the normal plant procedures will improve the reliability of the Emergency Diesel Generators.

Further, these steps will prevent any potential impact on the operability of the engines as a result of this concern.

If you have any questions relative to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Very truly yours, a

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M. H. Milligan Project Engineer Shoreham Nuclear Power Station WMJ:rp l cc: Mr. Richard DeYoung, Director l NRC Office of Inspection & Enforcement l

Division of Reactor Operating Inspection Washington, D.C. 20555 Mr. J. Higgins, Site NRC "All parties listed in Attachment 1"

ATTACllMENT 1 Lawrence Brenner, Esq. Herbert ' II . Brown, Esq.

4 - Administrative Judge Lawrence Coe Lanpher, Esq.

Atomic Safety and Licensing Karla J. Letsche, Esq.

Board Panel Kirkpatrick, Lockhart, 11111 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Christopher 6 Phillips

- Washington, D.C. 20555 8th Floor 1900 M Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20036

' Dr. Peter A. Morris Administrative Judge

- Atomic Safety and Licensing Mr. Marc W. Goldsmith Board Panel Energy Research Group U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 4001 Totten Pond Road ,

Washington, D.C. 20555 Waltham, Massachusetts 02154 Dr. James II. Carpenter MHB Technical Associates Administrative Judge 1723 Ilamilton Avenue Atomic Safety and Licensing Suite K San Jose, California 95125 Board Panel

, .U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Stephen B. Latham, Esq.

Washington, D.C. 20555 -

Twomey, Latham & Shea Daniel F. Brown, Esq 33 West Second Street Attorney P.O. Box 398 Atomic Safety and Licensing Riverhead, New York 11901 Board Panel

-U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Ralph Shapiro, Esq.

Washington, D.C. 20555 Cammer and Shapiro, P.C. '

9 East 40th Street Bernard M. Bordenick, Esq. New York, New York 10016

~ David A. Repka, Esq.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Matthew J. Kelly, Esq.

Washington, D.C. 20555 State of New York Department of Public Service James Dougherty Three Empire State Plaza Albany, New York 12223 3045~ Porter Street Washington, D.C. 20008 4

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