ML14094A444

Interim Part 21 Report - Misaligned Separators in LCR-25 Standby Batteries

ML14094A444
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	03/28/2014
From:	Rheault C C & D Technologies
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
49907
Download: ML14094A444 (6)

Text

' 0312812014 U.S. Nuclear Rerulatorv Commission Operations Center Event ReportPage IPart 21 (PAR) Event# 49967Rep Org: C&D TECHNOLOGIES INC Notification Date / Time: 03/28/2014 13:02 (EDT)Supplier:

C&D TECHNOLOGIES INC Event Date / Time: 02/14/2012 (EDT)Last Modification:

03/28/2014 Region: 1 Docket #:City: BLUE BELL Agreement State: YesCounty: License #:State: PANRC Notified by: CHRISTIAN RHEAULT Notifications:

MEL GRAY R1DOHO Ops Officer:

STEVE SANDIN MARVIN SYKES R2DOEmergency Class: NON EMERGENCY BILLY DICKSON R3DO10 CFR Section:

NRR PART 21 GROUP EMAIL21.21(a)(2)

INTERIM EVAL OF DEVIATION INTERIM PART 21 REPORT -MISALIGNED SEPARATORS IN LCR-25 STANDBY BATTERIES The following is the summary portion of the report submitted by fax:"Subject Interim Report -Inability to Complete 10CFR Part 21 Evaluation Regarding Misaligned Separators in LCR-25 Standby Batteries "The purpose of this letter is to provide the NRC a report in general conformity to the requirements of 10CFR Part21.21 (a)(2). On February 14, 2012 C&D Technologies, Inc. ('C&D') was informed by Entergy Operations that anLCR-25 battery installed at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant had shown signs of misaligned separators (alsoknown as shifted separators) of between 1/8 tol/4 [inch]. This was identified by the Palisades plant on or aboutNovember 4, 2011. On January 16, 2012, three additional cells were identified as experiencing separator misalignment.

"C&D requested that Palisades return the affected batteries for evaluation of this anomaly and issued a ReturnMaterial Authorization for that purpose.

But since voltage readings were acceptable for all units involved, Palisades determined that an operability issue did not exist and opted to keep the batteries in service until their refuel outagescheduled for Fall, 2013. C&D inadvertently closed the internal corrective action without providing an InterimReport as required by 1 OCFR, Part 21."C&D has not performed a root cause technical evaluation to determine if there is any defect in the component ormanufacturing process or whether the reported condition may have been due to user abuse of product, impropermaintenance or other negligence or error."Thus, C&D is submitting this interim report to the NRC and notifying C&D's customers that use C&D LCR-25 03/2812014 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Report Page 2batteries of this interim report, and is initiating an action plan to evaluate the reported potential defect anddetermine whether it could pose a substantial safety hazard for any U.S. licensee using such batteries.

"If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter or this report, please contact:Robert MalleyVP Quality and Process Engineering bmalley@cdtechno.com (215) 619-7830" The sites affected are:Palisades

-65 x LCR-25 NUC Batteries and,Crystal River -4 x LCR-25 NUC Batteries MAR-28-2014 13:02 FROM C&D TECHNOLOGIES LEGALTO 913018165151 P.01ITEUHINOLGISiN.,

Powor Solutions 1400 Union Meeting RoadBlue Bell, PA 19422Phone: (215) 619-7849Fax: (215) 619-7840March 27, 2014VIA FACSIMILE Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center301-816-5151 VIA REGULAR MAILDocument Control DeskUS Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 VIA OVERNIGHT DELIVERYUS Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11555 Rockville PikeRockville, MD 20852-2746

Subject:

Interim Report -Inability to Complete 1 OCFR Part 21 Evaluation Regarding Misaligned Separators in LCR-25 Standby Batteries The purpose of this letter is to provide the NRC a report in general conformity to therequirements of 1OCFR Part 21.21 (a)(2)- On February 14, 2012 C&D Technologies, Inc.("C&D") was informed by Entergy Operations that an LCR-25 battery installed at thePalisades Nuclear Power Plant had shown signs of misaligned separators (also knownas shifted separators) of between 1/8 to Y4. This was identified by the Palisades plant onor about November 4, 2011. On January 16, 2012, three additional cells were identified as experiencing separator misalignment.

C&D requested that Palisades return the affected batteries for evaluation of this anomalyand issued a Return Material Authorization for that purpose.

But since voltage readingswere acceptable for all units involved, Palisades determined that an operability issue didnot exist and opted to keep the batteries in service until their refuel outage scheduled forFall, 2013. C&D inadvertently closed the internal corrective action without providing anInterim Report as required by 10CFR, Part 21.C&D has not performed a root cause technical evaluation to determine if there is anydefect in the component or manufacturing

process, or whether the reported condition may have been due to user abuse of product, improper maintenance or other negligence or error.

MAR-28-2014 13:03 FROM C&D TECHNOLOGIES LEGPL TO 913018165151 P.02NRC Interim ReportMarch 27, 2014Page 2 of 4Thus, C&D is submitting this interim report to the NRC and notifying C&D's customers that use C&D LCR-25 batteries of this Interim report, and is initiating an action plan toevaluate the reported potential defect and determine whether it could pose asubstantial safety hazard for any U.S- licensee using such batteries.

Required information as per 10 CFR Part 21.21 (d)(4) follows:(i) Name and Address of the individual or individuals informing the Commission Christian Rheault (or Designee)

President and Chief Executive OfficerC&D Technologies, Inc.1400 Union Meeting RoadBlue Bell, PA 19422-0858 (ii) Identification of the facility, the activity, or the basic component supplied forsuch facility or such activity within the United States which falls to comply orcontains a defectLCR-25 Batteries, manufactured in 2010, battery manufacturing date is on the label.Note: C&D has not completed its evaluation of the reported potential defect and whetherit could pose a substantial safety hazard at any U.S. licensee using such batteries.

(iii) Identification of the firm constructing the facility or supplying the basiccomponent which fails to comply or contains a defect.C&D Technologies, Inc.1400 Union Meeting RoadBlue Bell, PA 19422-0858 (iv) Nature of the defect or failure to comply and the safety hazard which iscreated or could be created by such defect or failure to comply.The batteries with misaligned separators have not been fully evaluated and may or maynot indicate a potential defect which could create a substantial safety hazard.(v) The date on which the information of such defect or failure to comply wasobtained.

February 14, 2012(vi) In the case of a basic component which contains a defect or falls to comply,the number and location of these components In use at, supplied for, beingsupplied for, or may be supplied for, manufactured or being manufactured for oneor more facilities or activities subject to the regulations in this Part.

MAR-28-2014 13:03 FROM C&D TECHNOLOGIES LEGPLTO 913018165151 P.03NRC Interim ReportMarch 27, 2014Page 3 of 4LCR-25 batteries used at Nuclear Plants in 1E applications made in 2010Utility Plant Battery Model Qty. ofName Batteries Entergy Palisades LCR-25 NUC 65Progress Energy (now Crystal LCR-25 NUC 4Duke Energy) River(vii) The corrective action which has been, is being, or will be taken; the name ofthe individual or organization responsible for the action; and the length of timethat has been or will be taken to complete the action.Co-Current Actions underway to complete the evaluation:

a) Upon receipt of the batteries from the Entergy Palisades Plant, C&D will evaluate thecauses of the condition.

Maximum time -30 days from receipt of the batteries.

b) In conjunction with the licensees identified in section (vi), C&D will recommend maintenance assessment of all LCR-25 batteries at these locations to determine theirstatus, and specifically the presence of any evidence of potential defects via visualexamination.

For any cells exhibiting the presence of potential defect, C&D shallfurther recommend that they be returned for analysis, Estimated completion date ofanalysis is thirty (30) days from the receipt of the returned batteries.

(viii) Any advice related to the defect or failure to comply about the facility,

activity, or basic component that has been, is being, or will be given to purchasers or licensees.

U.S. Licensees using batteries possibly containing the potential defect are being notifiedof the filing of this interim report with recommendations that they examine their batteries for any signs of similar problems.

See attached notification letter.(ix) In the case of an early site permit, the entities to whom an early site permitwas transferred.

Not applicable If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter or this report, please contact;Robert MalleyVP Quality and Process Engineering bmalley@cdtechno.com (215) 619-7830Sincerely, Christian RheaultPresident and Chief Executive OfficerC&D Technologies, Inc.

='k,MAR-28-2014 13:03 FROM C&D TECHNOLOGIES LEGAL TO 913018165151 P.04NRC Interim ReportMarch 27, 2014Page 4 of 4Attachment

-C&D Letter to Users of LCR-25 batteries entitled "Inability to CompleteIOCFR Part 21 Evaluation Regarding Shifting Separators in LCR-25 Standby Batteries",

dated 3/20/14Cc: D. AndersonJ. MillerR. MalleyS. DiMauroL. CarsonJ. AndersonTOTAL P.04