ML20077G577

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 910528,chiller C at Bedminster Water Processing Facility Tripped Due to High Vibration & Temp at Discharge 001 Exceeding Permitted Instantaneous Temp.Discharge Temp Setpoint Lowered

ML20077G577
Person / Time
Site:	Limerick
Issue date:	06/20/1991
From:	Doering J PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
To:	Noll P BUCKS COUNTY, PA
References
NUDOCS 9107020034
Download: ML20077G577 (3)

Text

. . _ . _ __.

PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMERICK GENER ATING ST ATION P. O. BOX A S AN ATOG A. PENNSYLV ANI A 19464 (215) 327 1200 rat.2000

. . ,'".T h !."'

u...c.................

June 20, 1991 Mr. Peter G. Noll Department of Health jh 0 p gf]p Neshaminy Manor Center Doylestown, PA 18901

Subject:

Noncompliance with NPDES Permit Bradshaw Reservoir HPDES Permit No. PA-0052221

Dear Mr. Noll:

DESCRIPTION OF NONCOMPL1ANCE On May 28, 1991, at approximately 0002 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br />, the 'C' chiller at the Bedminster Water Processing Facility for the Bradshaw Reservoir tripped due to high vibration. Attempts to restart the chiller were unsuccessful and, at approximately 0215 hours0.00249 days <br />0.0597 hours <br />3.554894e-4 weeks <br />8.18075e-5 months <br />, the instantaneous temperature (Discharge 001) was 74.21 degrees F. This exceeded the permitted instantaneous temperature of 74 degrees F. This instantaneous temperature reading was confirmed to be accurate by the system engineer at approximately 1700 hours0.0197 days <br />0.472 hours <br />0.00281 weeks <br />6.4685e-4 months <br />, following retrieval of a battery operated temperature recorder located near the outfall in the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek. In accordance with NPDES Permit No. PA-0052221, a 24-hour notification of the noncompliance was completed on May 28, at 1445 hours0.0167 days <br />0.401 hours <br />0.00239 weeks <br />5.498225e-4 months <br />. The requirement to submit a written follow up report within 5 days was waived by Mr. Peter G.

Noll, and we were directed to include this noncompliance in the monthly Discharge Monitoring Report.

CAUSE OF THE NONCOMPLIANCE '

The cause of this noncompliance was the unexpected trip of the 'C' chiller which was in service at the time, due to high vibration.

The facility is equipped with 3 chillers and 3 cooling tower fans to provide cooling of discharge water. At the time of this event, the

'B' and 'C' chillers were operating, and the

'A' chiller was removed from service for maintenance work. All 3 cooling tower fans were in service. The remaining chiller and 3 cooling tower fans were not capable of cooling the water sufficiently to maintain that discharge temperature below the 74 degrees F temperature limit.

Contributing to the noncompliance was the inability of the operator stationed at the facility to restart the 'C' chiller without f

technical support.

9107020034 910620 p i I

PDR ADOCK 05000352 I

c. S PDR

, ._ 7 Page 2 DURATION OF THE NONCOMPLIANCE The period of noncompliance began at approximately 0215 hours0.00249 days <br />0.0597 hours <br />3.554894e-4 weeks <br />8.18075e-5 months <br /> and ended at approximately 0300 hours0.00347 days <br />0.0833 hours <br />4.960317e-4 weeks <br />1.1415e-4 months <br /> on May 28, 1991. The 'C' chiller tripped at approximately 0002 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> and the instantaneous.

temperatures recorded at 0215, 0245, and 0300 hours0.00347 days <br />0.0833 hours <br />4.960317e-4 weeks <br />1.1415e-4 months <br /> slightly exceeded 74 degrees. The highest instantaneous temperature reading at Discharge 001 was 74.31 degrees P before the restart of the 'C' chiller at approximately 0300 hours0.00347 days <br />0.0833 hours <br />4.960317e-4 weeks <br />1.1415e-4 months <br />. The duration of the noncompliance was brief, therefore the effects of the noncompliance were minimal. This discharge did not cause a discernible rise in ambient stream temperature.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS The operator obtained technical support and restarted the 'C' chiller at 0300 hours0.00347 days <br />0.0833 hours <br />4.960317e-4 weeks <br />1.1415e-4 months <br />, and lowered the discharge temperature setpoint by 0.5 degrees F. This restored the discharge temperature to within permitted limits.

PREVENTION OF FUTURE OCCURRENCES Maintenance personnel completed work on the 'A' chiller and restored it to service. Upon investigation, we have determined that the high vibration was caused by an alignment problem with the 'C'. chiller compressor motor. Repair of the 'C' chiller is ongoing and is scheduled to be completed by June.28, 1991. This repair is expectcd to resolve the compressor motor problem and will prevent recurrence.

Additional information has been provided at the Bedmir. ster facility to assist operators in system operation under abnormal-conditions.

Sincerely, -

DCS:cah cc: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission a

Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555

• T. T. Martin Administrator, Region I, USNRC T. J. Kenny ,

USNRC Senio: Resident Inspector,-LGS Program Management Section (3WM52)

Permits Enforcement Branch Water llanagement Division Environmental Protection Agency Water Permits Section Region III 841 Chestnut Building Philadelphia, PA 19107

U \\ , .

e

. bec: G. M. Leitch - #200 J. Doering, Jr. - AS-1 R. W. Dubiel - AS-1 T. J. Jackson - SB3-3 G. J. Madsen - SB3-4 G. M. Morley, Jr. - S9-2 J. A. Muntz - 338 G. D.-Edwards - AS-1 G. J. Beck - 52A-5 Comm:.tment Coordinator - 52A-5 PA r;ER BRP Inspector - SB3-2 Correspondence Release Point - 340 NRMS e

)

e

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _