NCG500594_Facility Update_20090707

Progress Pro Energy
9
July 7, 2009
Ms. Belinda Henson
N. C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Surface Water Protection Section
Fayetteville Regional Office
Systel Building,
225 Green St., Suite 714
Fayetteville, NC 28301-5094
Subject: Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.
Richmond County Combustion Turbine Plant
Certificate of Coverage NCG500594
"Unusual Circumstance" Follow-up Letter
Dear Ms. Henson:
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Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. notified your office verbally on July 6, 2009, when we .became aware. of
an unusual circumstance involving a cross -mixing of two different water systems related to our combined
cycle block which ultimately affected our cooling tower blowdown discharge. This letter is our 5-day
written submission providing a follow-up to that event.
An investigation revealed that a relief valve failed allowing a mixtureof our equipment closed cycle
cooling water system, containing propylene glycol, with our Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG).
cooling water stream. The HRSG waters flow to our cooling tower basin so when the streams mixed,
propylene glycol entered our cooling tower basin which discharges via Outfall 002 to Mark's Creek.
The discharge to Mark's Creek occurred while water chemistry troubleshooting began on July 4 with the
combined cycle turbine units in operation. The unit was shut down on the evening of July 4 and re-
starting activities began on July 5. During start-up, HRSG water chemistry did not allow the start of the
units. Our troubleshooting activities continued into July 6, 2009. Once the cross contamination was
discovered, we discontinued the cooling tower blowdown discharge to Mark's Creek. The relief valve has
been replaced.
During the unit operation on July 4 and July 5, we estimate that approximately 60 gallons of propylene
glycol was mixed into our 850,000 gallon cooling tower water basin. Using an onsite refractometer,
propylene glycol was non -detectable in the waters of our cooling tower. On July .7, 2009, we received
permission from the Fayetteville Regional Office to discharge the waters of our cooling tower basin via
Outfall 002 to Mark's Creek.
If there are any questions about this information please contact Ms. Robin Bryson by telephone at (919)
546-3962.
I cert, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction
or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather
and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the
system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is,
Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.
Richmond County Energy Complex
Suite 198 Energy Way
Hamlet, NC 28345

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to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are
significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and imprisonment
for knowing violations.
Steve Passen
Plant Manager
c: Robin Bryson, EHSS Water