ML20197G203

Reviews 831214 Proposed Tech Spec Change Re Reduction in Cold Fast Start Surveillance Testing of Diesel Generators. Changes Acceptable

ML20197G203
Person / Time
Site:	Columbia
Issue date:	12/15/1983
From:	Rubenstein L Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Novak T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
CON-WNP-0711, CON-WNP-711, REF-GTECI-B-56, REF-GTECI-EL, TASK-B-56, TASK-OR NUDOCS 8401130438
Download: ML20197G203 (2)

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"DEC : 51983

• ITEM 0RANDUll FOR: Thomas it. Novak, Assistant Director for Licensing, DL FR0!i: L. S. Rubenstein, Assistant Director for Core and Plant Systems, DSI

SUBJECT:

REVIEW 0F THE PROPOSED TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION CHANGE FOR WNP-2 REGARDING REDUCTION IN COLD FAST START SURVEILLANCE TESTING OF DIESEL GENERATORS In accordance with your request of December 14, 1983, the Power Systens Branch has reviewed the Washington Public Power Supply System's submit-tal regarding proposed revisions to Unit 2 Technical Specifications.

The Technical Specification changes involve reduction in the number of required fast cold start surveillance tests of diesel generators. All surveillance testing not required to be a fast cold start will be preceded by an engine prelube period and/or other warmup procedures recommended by the diesel generator manufacturer. We find the proposed Technical Specification change to be acceptable based on the following justification.

The DSI staff has for sometime had under review and assessment the method ni diesel generator testing. The present nethod of testing does not take into consideration those manufacturer recomended preparatory actions such as prelubrication of all moving parts and warmup procedures which are necessary to reduce engine wear, extend life and inprove availability. The existing standard technical specifications require cold fast starts for surveillance testing which in many engine designs and operating practices subject the diesel engine to undue wear and stress on engine parts. Nuclear industry related groups such as INP0 and American Nuclear Insurers have expressed concern based on operating experience that cold fast start testing results in incremental degrada-tion of diesel engines and that, if proper procedures covering warmup prelubrication, loading / unloading etc. were taken, an improvement in reliability and availability would be gained. While the requirements for cold fast starts is based on the EDG's functional requirements in

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response to a LOCA coincident with a loss of offsite power preliminary analysis indicates that two (2) fast starts per year is a sufficient number tn assure the required DG reliability under design basis g- ' ~

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\ tEc 15 1983 l 1 Thomas II. Novak conditions. Thus, it is the staff's technical iudgenent that an overell improvement in diesel engine reliability and availability can be gained by perfeming diesel generator starts for surveillance testing using engine pralube and other nanufacturer recomended procedures to reduce engine stress and wear.

l!e, therefore, recomend that the llashington Public Power Supply System be given the opportunity to institute technical specifications for limp Unit 2 for surveillance testing which pemit diesel engine prelube and other manufacturer recomended procedures. The technical specifications should retain the demonstration of fast start testing on a 184 days basis. This is consistent with the proposed staff resolution of the fest cold start issue. The number and period of surveillance tests specified in the Standard Technical Specifications remain unchanged. Though unlikely, should final resclution of this issue result in changes to this position with respect to diesel generator surveillance testing, we will so inform the licensee. This action is being taken on a plant specific interim basis pending final approval of Generic Issue B-56, dealing with surveillance testing of diesel ganerators. It is our conclusion that the hee.ith and safety of the public will be incroved by these inproved testing nethods and, therefore, are acceptable.

Original signed by L S. Rubenstein L. S. Rubenstein, Assistant Director for Core and Plant Systens Division of Systens Integration cc: R. flattson D. Eisenhut R. Purple F. Schroeder A. Thadani DISTRIBUTION:

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