ML20087Q122

Final Significant Deficiency Rept SD 413-414/82-27 Re SAB Nife Nickel Cadmium Batteries W/Cracks in Cell Containers, Allowing Electrolyte Leakage.Initially Reported on 831230. Cells Replaced W/Type L307 Cells

ML20087Q122
Person / Time
Site:	Catawba
Issue date:	03/30/1984
From:	Tucker H DUKE POWER CO.
To:	James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
References
NUDOCS 8404100361
Download: ML20087Q122 (3)

Text

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DUKE POWER GOMPANY P.O. nox 33180 CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28242 HAL B. TUCKER TELEPHONE

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March 30, 1984 Mr. - James P. O'Reilly, Regional Administrator U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II 101 Marietta Street, NW, Suite 2900 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 '

Re: Catawba Nuclear Station Units 1 and 2 Docket Nos. 50-413 and 50-414

Dear Mr. O'Reilly:

Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55(e), please find attached a final response to Significant Deficiency Report SD 413-414/82-27.

Very truly yours,

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Hal B. Tucker LTP/php.

Attachment

.cc: Director INP0 Records Center Office of Inspection & Enforcement Suite 1500 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1100 Circle 75 Parkway

. Washington, D. C. 20555 Atlanta, Georgia 30339 NRC Resident Inspector Mr. Robert Guild, Esq.

Catawba. Nuclear Station Attorney-at-Law P. O. Box 12097 Palmetto Alliance Charleston, South Carolina 29412 21351 Devine Street Columbia, South Carolina 29205 OFFICIAL COPY 8404100361 840330 PDR ADOCK 05000413 S

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~.2 JP0/HBT/LTP March 30, 1984 Duke Power Company Catawba Nuclear Station Report Number: SD 413-414/82-27 Initial Report Date: January 26, 1983 Final Report Date: March 30, 1984 Facility: Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2 Identification of Deficiency:

The nickel cadmium batteries which are used for diesel starting have developed cracks in the cell containers which may allow electrolyte leakage.

Initial Report:

On December 30, 1983, Mr. John Rogge of the NRC, Region II, Atlanta, Georgia office was notified of this deficiency by Mr. W. 0. Henry, Mr. J. D. Heffner, Mr. J. L. Crenshaw, and Mr. T. J. Al-Hussaini of Duke Power Company, Charlotte, North Carolina 28242.

Supplier and/or Component:

The original batteries (type MDP-24) were supplied by Transamerica Delaval, Inc.

-of Oakland, California as part of the diesel generator package. The batteries were manufactured by SAB Nife, Inc. of Lincoln, Rhode Island.

The replacement batteries (type MDP-24) were purchased directly from Nife under Mill Power order numbers J-19633-32 and K-09127-32.

Description of Deficiency:

The original. Unit 1 and 2 diesel generator batteries cracked due to a solvent which attached the polystyrene cases. Subsequently,184 replacement cells were procured, and the cracked cells were returned to Nife on December 30, 1983 for testing and new polystyrene jars.

During battery inspection prior to diesel start-up and testing, 58 new replace-ment cells were found to have cracked cell containers. At this time, the new cells have surface cracks causing no electrolyte leakage; therefore, battery-capacity has not been affected by the cracked cells.

Due to this recent cracking, rejarring of the original cells has been canceled and the batteries have been scrapped.

Analysis of Safety-Implication:

The diesel generators are required to start and be ready for load acceptance.

Battery deterioration could prevent the starting of the diesel generator.

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JP0/HBT/LTP March 30, 1984 Corrective Action:

Six (6) of the cracked replacement cells were' returned to Nife for analysis.

It was determined that the plate group dimensions in these cells exceeded maximum requirements. The oversized plate groups in conjunction with trapped gases and heat created during charge / discharge conditions caused the cell

. jars to crack along natural stress lines inherent in molded polystyrene

containers.

Corrective action includes replacement of all existing Unit 1 and 2 cells.

The replacement cell (type L307) is a block design constructed of polypropylene-copolymer and manufactured by SAB Nife, Inc. The new container material is flexible and not subject to the type of stress cracking seen in the polystyrene material.

Corrective; action will be completed by May 1, 1984.

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