ML20086F309

Environ RO 77-23:on 770827,pH for Settling Basin Effluent Exceeded Ets.Caused by Syphon Created in Effluent Pipe. Settling Basin Isolated & Neutralized

ML20086F309
Person / Time
Site:	Peach Bottom
Issue date:	09/06/1977
From:	Cooney M PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
To:	Stello V Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
RO-77-23, NUDOCS 8312210062
Download: ML20086F309 (2)

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2301 MARKET STREET L9g P.O. BOX 8699 2 h 4 PHILADELPHI A. PA.19101 k+g* Q 121s e41-4ooo bg g7, e September 6, 1977 4'

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• Mr. Victor Stello, Jr. 'M Q

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Director Division of Operating Reactors Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Th/j' U.S. Nuclear Regulatory ConTni ssion s Washington, DC 20555 '

SUBJECT:

ENVIRONMENTAL DEVIATION

Dear Mr. Stello:

The following deviation was reported to Mr. Don Capthon, Office of Inspection and Enforcement, Region 1, United States Nuclear Regulatory Cortunission on August 27, 1977

Reference:

License Number DPR-44/56 Appendix B Environmental Technical Specifications: 2.2 3 Report No.: 50-277/278-77-23 Report Date: September 6, 1977 Deviation Date: August 27, 1977 Facility: Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Units 2 and 3 R. D. 1, Delta, PA 17314 Identification of Deviation:

Tne pH for the settling basin effluent exceeded the Environmental Technical Specification limit.

Conditions Prior to Deviation:

Settling basin operating with long path. Raw water sump in

! automatic mode of c;:eration. One waste neutralizing. tank had been discharged to the settling basin while regeneration was performed.

Description of Deviation:

The daily grab sample from the settling basin effluent on August 27, 1977 measured pH of 4.0. The Technical Specification limit isthatpHshag n of 6

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Septembnr 6, 1977 O 50-277/278-77-23 Page 2

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Desionatio, of Apoarent Cause of Deviation:

In an effort to improve pH monitoring of the effluents from the water treatment plant, the pH sampling point that controls the raw water sump pump was moved so that effluents from both the raw water sump and the neutralizing tank pumps would be monitored. The resulting piping configuration was such that a syphon was created in the effluent pipe that at times prevented flow tc +he pH sample cell . Therefore, when the water treatment plant operator attempted to neutralize a sump of high pH water, he did not receive indication that low pH water was being pumped to the settling basin because the pH sample to the meter had been interrupted by the syphon effect.

Analysis of Deviation:

Because the settling basin effluent is diluted by a factor of 10,000 wi th circulating water flow, the pH change of the water leaving the discharge canal was minimal and there was no adverse effect on the environment.

Corrective Action:

The settling basin was isolated and neutralized. After the pH was checked, the system was returned to normal operation. Grab samples were obtained from the raw water sump to neutralize the sump. A vacuum breaker was added to the effluent pipe to prevent the syphon effect so that a pH sample flows to the pH cell during all discharges.

Failure Data: ,

50-277/278-77-20,50-277/278-77-18,50-277/278-77-14, 50-277/278-77-11,50-277/278-76-30,50-277/278-76-31,50-277/278-76-32, 50-277/278-76-33,50-277/278-76-35,50-277/278-76-38.

Very truly yours,

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' 'M. 4[ Cooney Su/erintendent Generation Division - Nuclear GJT:tmb cc: Mr. Boyce H. Grier NRC, Reg. Office