ML20086G106

Environ RO 76-35:on 760913,pH for Settling Basin Effluent Exceeded ETS Limit.Caused by Valving Error During Regeneration of Cation Demineralizer.Valving Error Found & Corrected & Basin Isolated & Neutralized

ML20086G106
Person / Time
Site:	Peach Bottom
Issue date:	09/23/1976
From:	Cooney M PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
To:	Stello V Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
RO-76-35, NUDOCS 8401100060
Download: ML20086G106 (2)

Text

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O.. O PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY 2301 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHI A, PA.19101 1215) 8414ooo

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September 23, 1976 Eb.i ff.b i SEP271976~

Mr. Victor Stello, Jr. u.s.rgjfs*"

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['j Director - ,,;

Division of Operating Reactors N'f;) V Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations  % .,9 ; t h.

United States Nuclear Regulatory Comission Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

ENVIRONMENTAL DEVIATION The following deviation was reported to Mr. Walt Baunack',

Of fice of Inspection and Enforcement, Region 1, United States Nuclear Regulatory Comission on September 14, 1976.

Reference:

License Number DPR-44/56 Environmental Technical Specifications: 2.2.2 Report No.: 50-277/278-76-35 Report Date: September 23, 1976 Deviation Date: September 13, 1976 F aci li ty: Peach Bottom Ato,1ic Power Station Units 2 & 3 R. D. 1, Delta, PA 17314 Identification of Deviation:

TSe pH for the settling basin effluent exceeded the Environ-mental Technical Specification limit.

Conditions Prior to Deviation:

Settling basin operating with two flow paths. Raw water sump in automatic mode of operation.

Description of Deviation:

The daily grab sample from the settling basin effluent measured a pH of 4.4. The vertification sample also measured 4.4.

8401100060 760923 PDR ADOCK 05000277 S PDR COPY SENT REGION 6755

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Mr. Victor Stello, Jr.

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• '5 "277/278-76-35 September 23, 1976 Page 2

• Designation of Aoparent Cause of Deviation:

Two neutralizing tanks were to be discharged. A grab sample was taken from each, and the rd of both samples was within Technical Specification limits. Discharge of one of the tanks was then started.

Shortly thereaf ter, regeneration of a cation demineralizer was begun, and, due to a valving error, the acid from the regeneration was routed to the neutralizing tank being discharged. The inline pH meter failed to detect the resultant drop in pH caused by the addition of the acid.

The second neutralizing tank was also discharged before the problem was di scovert '.

The inline pH meter failed to respond because the cable between the pH probe and the meter had become grounded due to moisture inicakage.

Analysis of Deviation:

The thirty-three gallons of sulfuric acid that would have been required for regeneration of the cation demineralizer were diluted with the contents of a 15,000 gallon neutralizing tank that was being released to the settling basin. A second 15,000 gallon neutralizing tank, with pH within Technical Specification limits, was also released before the problem was discovered. The pH of the settling basir, effluent af ter the release of the second neutralizing tank was found to be 4.4.

Because the settling basin effluent flow is diluted by a factor of

, 10,000 with circulating water flow, the effect on the pH of the circulat-ing water flow and the environment was minimal.

j Corrective Action:

The valving error was found and corrected, and the settling basin was isolated and neutralized. Af ter the pH was checked, the system was returned to normal operation. The inline pH meter was repaired, recalibrated and returned to service.

Beginning on 9/27/76, an additional auxiliary operator will be. on shift. His prime areas of responsibility will be the water treatment plant, the sewage plant, and the settling basin. The operator's rounds sheet for the above areas will be revised to provide additional items for surveillance at more frequent intervals than at present.

These sheets will call out action points where applicable.

Failure Data:

Environmental Deviation Reports 50-277/278-76-30, 50-277/278-76-31, and 50-277/278-76-32.

Very truly yours, 1 9

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(L!LiL f

H. J. Cooney ,

Supe,rintendent '

Generation Division-Nuclear