PNO-V-86-093A, notification of Util Determination of Cause of Crankcase Malfunction Which Occurred During Preoperational Testing of Train B Diesel Generator.Malfunction Result of Fatigue Cracking of Master Piston Rod 9

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PNO-V-86-093A:notification of Util Determination of Cause of Crankcase Malfunction Which Occurred During Preoperational Testing of Train B Diesel Generator.Malfunction Result of Fatigue Cracking of Master Piston Rod 9
ML20207M606
Person / Time
Site: Palo Verde Arizona Public Service icon.png
Issue date: 01/07/1987
From: Ball J, Richards S, Zimmerman R
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V)
To:
References
PNO-V-86-093A, PNO-V-86-93A, NUDOCS 8701130231
Download: ML20207M606 (1)


'/h PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE-PNO-V-86-93A Date: 1/7/87 Thio preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public irt: rest significance. The information presented is as initially received without verification cr cvaluation and is basically all that is known by Region V staff on this date.

FACILITY: Arizona Nuclear Power Project Emergency Classification Palo Verde Unit 3 Notification of Unusual Event DOCKET NO. 50-530 Alert Site Area E.nergency General Emergency

_X_Not Applicable

SUBJECT:

- EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATOR CRANKCASE FAILURE - UPDATE.

The licensee has determined the cause of the crankcase malfunction which occurred during preoperational testing of the Train "B" diesel generator to have been the result of fatigue cracking of the No. 9 master piston rod. Research by the vendor, Cooper Energy Services, determined that at least one rod onsite had been milled out approximately 50-60 mils too much during the manufacturing process and was subsequently built up by iron plating and remachined. Metallurgical analyses have confirmed the failed rod to have undergone the plating process in the area where the fatigue failure occurred. The crack in the rod was initiated at the oil passage hole betwenn the master rod bearing and articulated rod bushing, and propagated outward to the edges of the master rod. Cooper has indicated that a similar failure occurred in 1979 in a machine built for a nonnuclear application and that the plating process was changed in 1981 from one using iron to one using nickel. The licensee indicated that Cooper has researched its quality records and determined that this iron plating process was also used on one other piston rod in the Train "B" diesel, on one piston rod in the "A"

.g.n m diesel in Unit 2, and also in diesels at Byron, Braidwood, and Nine Mile Point. IE 204 Vendor Branch has been informed of this. Unit 2 is scheduled to shut down on Friday, f?. January 9, 1987, for a 55-day maintenance outage. The licensee has already removed Unit Q 2 diesel "A" from service for evaluation and entered the Technical Specification action gI W statement this morning.

O " The licensee is proceeding to undertake repairs of the damaged engine. This will g

g g include removal of the right engine block, left heads, pistons, and sleeves, the o turbocharger and the main bearings for inspection and/or repairs. The licensee does

.a o not currently believe the crankshaft will require replacement. The licensee is also g4 continuing to evaluate the need for a replacement engine.

This information is current as of 9:00 AM (MST) January 7, 1987.

< CONTACT: S. Richards R. Zimmerman/J. Ball FTS 463-3853 (602) 386-5260 DISTRIBUTION H St. MNBD Phillips 2' E/W Willste Air Rights

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Chairman Zech EDO NRR IE NMSS ADM:DMB Comm. Roberts PA OIA RES DOT:Trans Only Comm. Asselecine MPA AEOD Comm. Bernthal OGC Conan. Carr Regions: 7-SECY INPOJ:F/ NSAC J.* C- / C" ACRS Licensee: 212.D CA (Reactor Licensees) REGION V: FORM 211 PDR Residentinspector[O6~ Revised 3/14/83) Uf FAX TO: Hqs. Duty Officer J .'