ML15155A576
| ML15155A576 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 05/29/2015 |
| From: | Malley B C&D Technologies |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, NRC Region 1 |
| References | |
| Download: ML15155A576 (7) | |
Text
0512912015_U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event ReportPage IPart 21 (PAR)Event# 51097Rep Org: C&D TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Notification Date / Time: 05/29/2015 10:21 (EDT)Supplier: C&D TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Event Date / Time: 03/04/2015 (EDT)Last Modification: 05/29/2015Region: 1 Docket #:City: BLUE BELL Agreement State: YesCounty: License #:State: PANRC Notified by: BOB MALLEY Notifications: FRED BOWER R1DOHQ Ops Officer: STEVE SANDIN CHRISTINE LIPA R3DOEmergency Class: NON EMERGENCY PART 21/50.55 REACTORS EMAIL10 CFR Section:21.21(a)(2) INTERIM EVAL OF DEVIATIONINTERIM PART 21 REPORT -INABILITY TO COMPLETE EVALUATION REGARDING CRACKING IN KCR-13STANDBY BATTERY JARSThe following was received via email:"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 March 4, 2015 C&D Technologies, Inc. ('C&D') was informed by Entergy Nuclear Northeast thata KCR-13 battery installed at the Indian Point Nuclear Energy Center had developed a crack in the polycarbonatejar material. This is the second KCR-13 at this site [see EN # 49667] that has experienced a crack in the jarmaterial. The jar is a safety related component with the primary function of containing electrolyte. The battery hasnot been returned to C&D for analysis, and analysis of the previous issue was inconclusive."C&D is submitting this interim report to the NRC and notifying C&D's customers that use C&D KCR-13 batteriesof this Interim report, and is initiating an action plan to evaluate the reported potential defect and determinewhether it could pose a substantial safety hazard for any U.S. licensee using such batteries."KCR-13 Batteries, manufactured in 2005, battery manufacturing date is on the label. Note: C&D has notcompleted its evaluation of the reported potential defect and whether it could pose a substantial safety hazard atany U.S. licensee using such batteries."The cracked jar has not been fully evaluated and may or may not indicate a potential defect which could create asubstantial safety hazard."KCR -13 batteries used at Nuclear Plants in 1E applications made in 2005:
05/29/2015 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Report Page 2"Utility/Plant Name/Battery Model/Quantity of Batteries"Entergy/Indian Point /KCR-13 NUC/72"Xcel Energy/Monticello/KCR-13 NUC/62"Co-Current Actions underway to complete the evaluation:"a) On receipt of the battery from Indian Point C&D will perform a failure analysis with the intent of determining theroot cause of the cracking issue. Maximum time 30 days from receipt of the battery."b) In conjunction with the licensees identified in section vi, C&D will recommend maintenance assessment of allKCR-1 3 batteries at these locations to determine their status, and specifically the presence of any evidence ofpotential defects via visual examination. For any cells exhibiting the presence of potential defect, C&D shall furtherrecommend that they be returned for analysis. Estimated completion date of analysis is thirty (30) days from thereceipt of the returned batteries."U.S. Licensees using batteries possibility containing the alleged defect have been notified of the filing of thisinterim report with recommendations that they examine their batteries for any signs of problems. NOTE: A similarnotification and advice was provided in December 2013 with the previous battery. C&D did not receive any reportsof similar problems from other product users."If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter or this report, please contact:"Robert MalleyVP Operational Excellencebmalley@cdtechno.com(215) 619-7830The similar notification and advice provided in December 2013 is EN # 49667.
TiEcHNOWGIES, INC.Power Solutions1400 Union Meeting RoadBlue Bell, PA 19422Phone: (215) 619-2700Fax: (215) 619-7887May 29, 2015VIA FACSIMILENuclear Regulatory CommissionOperations Center301-816-5151VIA REGULAR MAILDocument Control DeskUS Nuclear Regulatory CommissionWashington, DC 20555-001VIA OVERNIGHT DELIVERYUS Nuclear Regulatory Commission11555 Rockville PikeRockville, MD 20852-2746
Subject:
Interim Report -Inability to Complete 10CFR Part 21 Evaluation regarding cracking inKCR-13 Standby Battery JarsThe purpose of this letter is to provide the NRC a report in general conformity to the requirementsof 10CFR Part 21.21 (a)(2). On March 4, 2015 C&D Technologies, Inc. ("C&D") was informed byEntergy Nuclear Northeast that a KCR-13 battery installed at the Indian Point Nuclear EnergyCenter had developed a crack in the polycarbonate jar material. This is the second KCR-13 atthis site that has experienced a crack in the jar material. The jar is a safety related componentwith the primary function of containing electrolyte. The battery has not been returned to C&D foranalysis, and analysis of the previous issue was inconclusive.C&D is submitting this interim report to the NRC and notifying C&D's customers that use C&DKCR-13 batteries of this Interim report, and is initiating an action plan to evaluate the reportedpotential defect and determine whether it could pose a substantial safety hazard for any U.S.licensee using such batteries.Required information as per tOCFR Part 21.21(d)(4) follows:(i) Name and Address of the Individual or individuals informing the CommissionArmand LauzonPresident 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 for suchfacility or such activity within the United States which falls to comply or contains adefect.
NRC Interim ReportMay 29, 2015Page 2KCR-13 Batteries, manufactured in 2005, 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.(ill) Identification of the firm constructing the facility or supplying the basic componentwhich 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 is created orcould be created by such defect or failure to comply.The cracked jar has not been fully evaluated and may or may not indicate a potentialdefect which could create a substantial safety hazard.(v) The date on which the information of such defect or failure to comply wasobtained.March 4, 2015(vi) In the case of a basic component which contains a defect or fails to comply, thenumber and location of these components in use at, supplied for, being suppliedfor, or may be supplied for, manufactured or being manufactured for one or morefacilities or activities subject to the regulations in this Part.KCR-13 batteries used at Nuclear Plants in 1E applications made in 2005Qty ofutility Plant Name Battery Model BatteriesEntergy Indian Point KCR- 13 NUC 72Xcel Energy Monticello KCR-13 NUC 62(vii) The corrective action which has been, is being, or will be taken; the name of theindividual or organization responsible for the action; and the length of time thathas been or will be taken to complete the action.Co-Current Actions underway to complete the evaluation:a) On receipt of the battery from Indian Point C&D will perform a failure analysis with theintent of determining the root cause of the cracking issue. Maximum time 30 daysfrom receipt of the battery.b) In conjunction with the licensees identified in section vi, C&D will recommendmaintenance assessment of all KCR-1 3 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, orbasic component that has been, is being, or will be given to purchasers orlicensees.
NRC Interim ReportMay 29, 2015Page 3U.S. Licensees using batteries possibility containing the alleged defect have been notifiedof the filing of this interim report with recommendations that they examine their batteriesfor any signs of problems. NOTE: A similar notification and advice was provided inDecember 2013 with the previous battery. C&D did not receive any reports of similarproblems from other product users.(ix) In the case of an early site permit, the entitles to whom an early site permit wastransferred.Not applicableIf you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter or this report, please contact:Robert MalleyVP Operational Excellencebmalleyvcdtechno.com(215) 619-7830Sinc elyArmand LauzonPresident and Chief Executive OfficerC&D Technologies, Inc.Attachment -C&D Letter to Users of KCR-13 batteries entitled "KCR Jar Crack Reported March2015"Cc: D. AndersonJ. MillerR. MalleyS. DiMauroL. CarsonJ. Anderson IC=TKHNOIDWES, NC.Power Solutions1400 Union Meeting RoadBlue Bell, PA 19422Phone: (215) 775-1314Fax: (215) 619-7887May 29, 2015Customer ContactCustomer AddressRef: KCR Jar Crack Reported March 2015
Dear Sir/Madam:
C&D Technologies is filing an interim report for an incident that occurred with a safety relatedproduct at Indian Point Energy Station.On March 4, 2015 C&D Technologies was informed by Entergy Nuclear Northeast that a KCR-13battery installed at the Indian Point Nuclear Energy Center had developed a crack in thepolycarbonate jar material. This is the second KCR-13 with a polycarbonate crack at thislocation. The first was initially reported in October 2013, and reported to the NRC and users ofthe product. A return request has been made for the cell; however, it has not yet been receivedfor analysis.Appearance: No photograph is available for the newly reported cell. Verbal description of thecell indicates that its appearance is similar to the previously reported cell, which is shown onFigure 1. The crack in the newly reported cell extends further, past the low level line of the jar.Figure IThe customer has not reported any loss of electrolyte through the jar crack in the newly reportedcell.Site and Product History: The cell from the 2013 incident was analyzed by a third partyengineering firm. Their report concluded that the crack was caused by environmental stresscracking; however, the chemical agent that accelerated the failure mechanism was not identifiedconclusively. Numerous Part 21 and field reports were distributed to industry with no other sitereporting similar issues.
Previous research into product history has shown a very low incident of jar cracking afterinstallation, around 15 parts per million.Recommended Action: C&D recommends that users of KCR-13 cells in safety relatedapplications inspect their battery cells for cracks in the clear polycarbonate jar material. Anybatteries found with cracks should be replaced, and the cells returned to C&D for analysis.Requirements for visual inspection are described in our 1&O manual for flooded products,available on the C&D website. C&D will communicate the need for inspection with the users ofKCR-13 cells manufactured from 2004 to 2006.Further Reporting: C&D is filing this interim report while the product return and testing processis underway. On completion of the report C&D will provide a final evaluation of the issue and filereports as required by regulation.C&D Contacts: Further information on this issue can be obtained from:Larry Carson -Nuclear Product ManagerOffice Phone 215-775-1314Email: lcarson@cdtechno.comRobert Malley -VP Operational ExcellenceOffice Phone 215-619-7830Email bmalley@cdtechno.comBest Regards,Larry CarsonNuclear Product ManagerC&D Technologies, Inc.cc: A. Lauzon -President and CEOD. Anderson -VP General CounselJ. Miller -VP OperationsR. Malley -VP Operational ExcellenceJ. Anderson -VP Engineering and New TechnologyL. Carson -Nuclear Product Manager