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Integrated Inspection Report 05000528 2023003 and 05000529 2023003 and 05000530 2023003
	ML23285A245
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	10/17/2023
From:	John Dixon; NRC/RGN-IV/DORS/PBD
To:	Heflin A; Arizona Public Service Co
References
	IR 2023003
	Download: ML23285A245 (18)
	v • d • e

October 17, 2023

SUBJECT:

PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION - INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000528/2023003 AND 05000529/2023003 AND 05000530/2023003

Dear Adam Heflin:

On September 30, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. On October 6, 2023, the NRC inspectors discussed the results of this inspection with Todd Horton, Senior Vice President, Site Operations, and other members of your staff. The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.

No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified during this inspection. This letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be made available for public inspection and copying at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html and at the NRC Public Document Room in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholding.

Sincerely, John L. Dixon, Jr., Chief Reactor Projects Branch D Division of Operating Reactor Safety Docket Nos. 05000528 and 05000529 and 05000530 License Nos. NPF-41 and NPF-51 and NPF-74

Enclosure:

As stated

Inspection Report

Docket Numbers:

05000528, 05000529 and 05000530

License Numbers:

NPF-41, NPF-51 and NPF-74

Report Numbers:

05000528/2023003, 05000529/2023003 and 05000530/2023003

Enterprise Identifier:

I-2023-003-0008

Licensee:

Arizona Public Service

Facility:

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

Location:

Tonopah, AZ

Inspection Dates:

July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023

Inspectors:

L. Merker, Senior Resident Inspector

E. Lantz, Resident Inspector

N. Cuevas, Resident Inspector

J. Dykert, Health Physicist

Approved By:

John L. Dixon, Jr., Chief

Reactor Projects Branch D

Division of Operating Reactor Safety

SUMMARY

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting an integrated inspection at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, in accordance with the Reactor Oversight Process. The Reactor Oversight Process is the NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors. Refer to https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/oversight.html for more information.

List of Findings and Violations

No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified.

Additional Tracking Items

None.

PLANT STATUS

Unit 1 entered the inspection period at full power. On September 26, 2023, the unit began a coastdown for refueling outage 1R24 and ended the inspection period at approximately 95 percent power.

Unit 2 operated at or near full power for the duration of the inspection period.

Unit 3 entered the inspection period at full power. On July 18, 2023, the unit experienced a partial load reject to approximately 87 percent power due to main turbine control valve number 4 going full closed and stabilized at 88 percent power on July 19, 2023. On July 21, 2023, the operators raised power to 90 percent power. On July 30, 2023, the operators lowered power to 40 percent power to perform tube leak repairs in condenser hotwell 2A. On August 2, 2023, the operators lowered power to 12 percent power to take the main turbine offline and restore main turbine control valve number 4. On August 4, 2023, the unit returned to full power, where it remained for the remainder of the inspection period.

INSPECTION SCOPES

Inspections were conducted using the appropriate portions of the inspection procedures (IPs) in effect at the beginning of the inspection unless otherwise noted. Currently approved IPs with their attached revision histories are located on the public website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/insp-manual/inspection-procedure/index.html. Samples were declared complete when the IP requirements most appropriate to the inspection activity were met consistent with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2515, Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program - Operations Phase. The inspectors performed activities described in IMC 2515, Appendix D, Plant Status, observed risk significant activities, and completed on-site portions of IPs. The inspectors reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed personnel to assess licensee performance and compliance with Commission rules and regulations, license conditions, site procedures, and standards.

REACTOR SAFETY

71111.01 - Adverse Weather Protection

Impending Severe Weather Sample (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors evaluated the adequacy of the overall preparations to protect risk-significant systems from impending monsoon thunderstorms, on August 18, 2023.

71111.04 - Equipment Alignment

Partial Walkdown Sample (IP Section 03.01) (2 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated system configurations during partial walkdowns of the following systems/trains:

(1) Unit 3, chemical and volume control system following maintenance on charging pump A, on September 13, 2023

(2) Unit 2, emergency diesel generator train B, during emergency diesel generator train A maintenance outage, on September 29, 2023

71111.05 - Fire Protection

Fire Area Walkdown and Inspection Sample (IP Section 03.01) (5 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the implementation of the fire protection program by conducting a walkdown and performing a review to verify program compliance, equipment functionality, material condition, and operational readiness of the following fire areas:

(1) Unit 2, control building 100-foot elevation, fire zones 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 8A,10A, and 10B, on July 20, 2023

(2) Unit 1, auxiliary building 120-foot elevation, fire zones 47A, 51B, 52A, 52D, and 54, on August 17, 2023

(3) Units 1 and 3, class 1E 125 Vdc equipment rooms, fire zones 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B, on August 22, 2023

(4) Unit 2, auxiliary building west corridor, train A and B piping penetration rooms, fire zones 37A, 37C and 37D, on September 15, 2023

(5) Unit 2, emergency diesel generator room train A, fire zone 21A, on September 27, 2023

Fire Brigade Drill Performance Sample (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors evaluated the onsite fire department training and performance during announced fire drills on July 21, 2023, and August 4, 2023.

71111.07A - Heat Exchanger/Sink Performance

Annual Review (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

The inspectors evaluated readiness and performance of:

(1) Unit 3, emergency diesel generator train B, jacket water heat exchanger, on July 25, 2023

71111.11Q - Licensed Operator Requalification Program and Licensed Operator Performance

Licensed Operator Performance in the Actual Plant/Main Control Room (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

The inspectors observed and evaluated licensed operator performance in the control room during the following activities:

(1) Unit 3, downpower to 12 percent power to take the main turbine generator offline and restore main turbine control valve 4 following replacement of shorted signal cable, on August 2, 2023

Licensed Operator Requalification Training/Examinations (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors observed and evaluated licensed operator continued training simulator exam activities, on August 24, 2023.

71111.12 - Maintenance Effectiveness

Maintenance Effectiveness (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

The inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of maintenance to ensure the following structures, systems, and components (SSCs) remain capable of performing their intended function:

(1) Unit 2, essential chilled water train A, on August 25, 2023

71111.15 - Operability Determinations and Functionality Assessments

Operability Determination or Functionality Assessment (IP Section 03.01) (5 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the licensee's justifications and actions associated with the following operability determinations and functionality assessments:

(1) Unit 3, boration flow path functionality determination due to boric acid makeup pump to volume control tank bypass line check valve, CHA-V177, failed bi-directional close test, on August 1, 2023

(2) Unit 3, engineered safety features actuation system channel D operability determination due to refueling water tank low level bistable setpoint spiking, on September 6, 2023

(3) Unit 2, shutdown cooling suction valve, SIB-UV-675, from containment recirculation sump train B operability determination due to degraded conduit connection to valve actuator, on September 7, 2023

(4) Unit 1, containment spray train A valves SIA-HV-678, SIA-HV-684, and SIA-HV-687, operability determinations following a safety equipment inoperable status panel alarm, on September 8, 2023

(5) Unit 1, safety injection tank 2B level transmitter high pressure root valve operability determination due to excessive boric acid residue on packing gland, on September 29, 2023

71111.24 - Testing and Maintenance of Equipment Important to Risk

The inspectors evaluated the following testing and maintenance activities to verify system operability and/or functionality:

Post-Maintenance Testing (PMT) (IP Section 03.01) (4 Samples)

(1) Unit 3, emergency diesel generator train B post-maintenance testing following maintenance outage, on July 31, 2023

(2) Unit 2, main feedwater pump A post-maintenance testing following turbine governor pilot valve, linear variable differential transformer, and servo valve replacement, on July 31, 2023

(3) Unit 3, main turbine control valve 4 post-maintenance testing following replacement of shorted signal cable, on August 7, 2023

(4) Unit 3, charging pump E post-maintenance testing following maintenance outage, on September 28, 2023

Surveillance Testing (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

(1) Unit 2, diesel generator fuel oil transfer pump A comprehensive pump test, on September 29, 2023

Inservice Testing (IST) (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

(1) Unit 2, containment spray pump B inservice testing, on September 1, 2023

Diverse and Flexible Coping Strategies (FLEX) Testing (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) Units 1, 2, and 3, and N+1 diverse and flexible coping strategies spent fuel pool makeup pump testing, on September 22, 2023

71114.06 - Drill Evaluation

Select Emergency Preparedness Drills and/or Training for Observation (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors evaluated an emergency preparedness drill, on August 8,

OTHER ACTIVITIES - BASELINE

===71151 - Performance Indicator Verification The inspectors verified licensee performance indicators submittals listed below:

MS06: Emergency AC Power Systems (IP Section 02.05)===

Main article: IP 71151

(1) Unit 1 (July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023)