Event Notification Report for October 4, 1999
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
Event Reports For
10/01/1999 - 10/04/1999
** EVENT NUMBERS **
36145 36238 36249 36250 36251 36252 36253 36254 36255 36256
!!!!!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!!!
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor |Event Number: 36145 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: INDIAN POINT REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 09/10/1999|
| UNIT: [] [3] [] STATE: NY |NOTIFICATION TIME: 14:53[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 09/10/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 14:00[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: MICHAEL TESORIERO |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: WILLIAM POERTNER +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |TOM MOSLAK R1 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|ASHU 50.72(b)(1)(i)(A) PLANT S/D REQD BY TS | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
| | |
|3 N Y 87 Power Operation |86 Power Operation |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| PLANT SHUTDOWN REQUIRED BY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS DUE TO PINHOLE LEAK IN |
| THE ESSENTIAL SERVICE WATER SYSTEM. |
| |
| At approximately 1400 hours on September 10, 1999, a plant shutdown was |
| commenced as scheduled to enter a refueling outage. The ENS notification is |
| being made because a portion of the Essential Service Water (SW) header was |
| declared inoperable at approximately 1215 hours. A pinhole leak on 18 inch |
| SW pipe number 408 was evaluated using the guidance of Generic Letter 90-05 |
| and it was determined that the SW pipe could not be declared operable using |
| the criteria provided in the Generic Letter. Concurrent with the planned |
| shutdown, Technical Specification 3.3.F.2 requires the reactor be brought to |
| the cold shutdown condition starting no later than 12 hours after the SW |
| pipe was declared inoperable. The SW pipe will be repaired prior to plant |
| startup. |
| |
| The SW pipe leak is located outside containment and can not be isolated for |
| repairs until the plant is in cold shutdown. The SW pipe supplies the |
| containment Fan Cooler units which are required by Technical Specifications. |
| The leak rate is I to 2 drops per minute. |
| |
| The NRC resident inspector has been notified. |
| |
| * * * RETRACTED AT 1354 EDT ON 10/1/99 BY BRIAN ROKES TO FANGIE JONES * * * |
| |
| "The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is withdrawing the 1 hour non-emergency |
| report made at 1453 hours, |
| on September 10, 1999 (ENS Log No. 36145). The report identified that a 18 |
| inch Service Water (SW) pipe, |
| comprising a portion of the essential header outside containment, contained |
| a pin hole leak that could not meet |
| the operability criteria of Generic Letter 90-05. The SW pipe supplies the |
| containment Fan Cooler Units. The |
| inoperable SW pipe could not be isolated for repairs until the plant was in |
| cold shutdown. |
| |
| "Upon further assessment NYPA determined that this event is not reportable. |
| A revised calculation of the |
| structural integrity of the pipe using the pipe stresses at the exact |
| location of the weld with a through-wall flaw |
| (pin hole) determined the piping was operable using the guidelines of NRC GL |
| 90-05. The new calculation |
| supersedes the original calculation which was performed conservatively by |
| using a stress value enveloping two |
| stress points on the pipe that resulted in the use of a higher stress value. |
| The through-wall flaw occurred when |
| the pipe weld was ground down for a Ultrasonic Testing. The UT was planned |
| based on an Radiographic Test previously performed in RO 9. It was required |
| and is standard industry practice to grind the weld flat for a proper |
| straight beam UT. As part of NYPA's corrective action program, the cause and |
| extent of condition of the through-wall flaw in a weld of SW piping is being |
| evaluated and any repairs required will be performed before start-up from |
| the current outage |
| (RO 10)." |
| |
| The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The R1DO (David Silk) has |
| been notified. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
!!!!!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!!!
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor |Event Number: 36238 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: GRAND GULF REGION: 4 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 09/29/1999|
| UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: MS |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:26[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] GE-6 |EVENT DATE: 09/29/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 08:30[CDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: WALTER CADE |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: WILLIAM POERTNER +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |JEFF SHACKELFORD R4 |
|10 CFR SECTION: |DWIGHT CHAMBERLAIN R4 |
|DDDD 73.71 UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| POTENTIAL SABOTAGE WITH SAFETY EQUIPMENT |
| |
| Immediate compensatory measures were taken upon discovery. |
| |
| The NRC resident inspector has been notified by the licensee. |
| |
| (Refer to the HOO Log for additional details.) |
| |
| * * * UPDATE 1335EDT ON 10/1/99 FROM DAVID HANKS TO S. SANDIN * * * |
| |
| THE LICENSEE IS RETRACTING THIS REPORT AFTER FURTHER REVIEW. CONTACT THE |
| NRC OPERATIONS CENTER FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. THE LICENSEE WILL INFORM THE |
| NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR. NOTIFIED R4DO(SHACKELFORD). |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor |Event Number: 36249 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: SALEM REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999|
| UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: NJ |NOTIFICATION TIME: 03:19[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 09/30/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 23:30[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: STEVE SAUER |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: DOUG WEAVER +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |DAVID SILK R1 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|AIND 50.72(b)(2)(iii)(D) ACCIDENT MITIGATION | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1 N N 0 Refueling |0 Refueling |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| RHR PUMP DISCHARGE VALVE FAILED TO CLOSE ON DEMAND |
| |
| The #12 Residual Heat Removal (RHR) pump motor operated discharge valve |
| failed to close upon demand. This valve is required by Emergency Operating |
| Procedures to be closed during cold leg recirculation to provide long term |
| containment spray. The cause of the failure is currently under |
| investigation. |
| |
| The licensee will inform the NRC resident inspector and LAC Township. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor |Event Number: 36250 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: CRYSTAL RIVER REGION: 2 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999|
| UNIT: [3] [] [] STATE: FL |NOTIFICATION TIME: 03:51[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [3] B&W-L-LP |EVENT DATE: 10/01/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 01:14[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: RICKY RAWLS |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: DOUG WEAVER +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |RUDOLPH BERNHARD R2 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|AESF 50.72(b)(2)(ii) ESF ACTUATION | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|3 N Y 4 Startup |4 Startup |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| EMERGENCY FEEDWATER START |
| |
| The unit was in the process of a normal plant shut down for a refueling |
| outage when the running Main Feedwater pump (MFP-2A) tripped. The tripping |
| of the only running feedwater pump caused Emergency Feedwater to actuate |
| (EFP-1 and EFP-2). The plant did not experience any abnormal changes in |
| OTSG level or other systems. The cause of the MFP trip is unknown at this |
| time. The "B" MFP (MFP-2B) was started and emergency feedwater secured and |
| reset. |
| |
| The licensee informed the NRC resident inspector. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|General Information or Other |Event Number: 36251 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REP ORG: ARKANSAS DEPT OF HEALTH |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999|
|LICENSEE: ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:38[EDT]|
| CITY: LITTLE ROCK REGION: 4 |EVENT DATE: 09/29/1999|
| COUNTY: STATE: AR |EVENT TIME: 12:00[CDT]|
|LICENSE#: 572-INC-02-96 AGREEMENT: Y |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999|
| DOCKET: |+----------------------------+
| |PERSON ORGANIZATION |
| |JEFF SHACKELFORD R4 |
| |JOSIE PICCONE NMSS |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: DAVID SNELLINGS | |
| HQ OPS OFFICER: DOUG WEAVER | |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|NAGR AGREEMENT STATE | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - P-32 CONTAMINATION |
| |
| "On September 30, 1999, the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at Arkansas |
| Children's Hospital (ARK-572-lNC-02-96) in Little Rock, Arkansas notified |
| the Arkansas Department of Health of an event that occurred at approximately |
| 12:00 p.m. on September 29, 1999. During a Phosphorus-32 (P-32) therapy |
| procedure, a problem with the stopcock resulted in a release of |
| approximately 500 microCuries on the table, floor and clothing of two |
| individuals. |
| |
| "One individual was slightly contaminated on the forearm and was immediately |
| decontaminated. Clothing, shoes and other contaminated items were collected |
| and are being held for decay. Decontamination of the floor was still ongoing |
| at the time of the original notification. Notification was required because |
| the room had been restricted for more than 24 hours by imposing additional |
| radiological controls or prohibiting entry into the room due to an unplanned |
| contamination event |
| (CFR 30.50B.1.). |
| |
| "The contaminated area was less than 150 square feet and the highest |
| measured activity was 2300 dpm/100 square centimeters. The area was |
| successfully decontaminated and has been released for normal operations." |
| |
| The licensee will submit a written report describing the event and the |
| corrective actions taken. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor |Event Number: 36252 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: PILGRIM REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999|
| UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: MA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:52[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] GE-3 |EVENT DATE: 10/01/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 11:00[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: FRANCIS CLIFFORD |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: STEVE SANDIN +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |DAVID SILK R1 |
|10 CFR SECTION: |JOSIE PICCONE NMSS |
|KSNM 70.52(a) LOSS OF SNM/CRIT |JOSEPH GIITTER IRO |
| |MICHAEL WEBER (IAT) NMSS |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| HISTORICAL REPORT INVOLVING MISPLACEMENT OF SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL |
| |
| "This is a late report of a loss of a very small amount of Special Nuclear |
| Material (SNM) that occurred on July 29, 1998. For a period of no more than |
| 29 days, 4 IRMs were not properly stored in the spent fuel pool, their |
| designated storage area. Because the IRMs were subsequently found within |
| the RCA, this event was not initially reported. On subsequent review |
| associated with closing out corrective action associated with the event, |
| it has been found that the original determination that the IRMs were not |
| lost was not conservative, and that this event should have been reported in |
| 1998. This report corrects that error. All SNM is currently accounted for |
| at Pilgrim Station." |
| |
| The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Fuel Cycle Facility |Event Number: 36253 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: ALLIED-SIGNAL INC. |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999|
| RXTYPE: URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE PRODUCTION |NOTIFICATION TIME: 14:11[EDT]|
| COMMENTS: UF6 CONVERSION (DRY PROCESS) |EVENT DATE: 10/01/1999|
| |EVENT TIME: 12:45[CDT]|
| |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999|
| CITY: METROPOLIS REGION: 3 +-----------------------------+
| COUNTY: MASSAC STATE: IL |PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|LICENSE#: SUB-526 AGREEMENT: Y |TONY VEGEL R3 |
| DOCKET: 04003392 |JOSIE PICCONE NMSS |
+------------------------------------------------+JOSEPH GIITTER IRO |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: HUGH ROBERTS | |
| HQ OPS OFFICER: STEVE SANDIN | |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|NINF INFORMATION ONLY | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| BRUSH FIRE ON ALLIED SIGNAL PROPERTY REQUIRING OFFSITE ASSISTANCE |
| |
| AT APPROXIMATELY 1245CDT, A BRUSH FIRE ERUPTED ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF THE |
| ALLIED SIGNAL FACILITY BETWEEN HIGHWAY 45 AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THE |
| LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED. THE FIRE INVOLVES A SECTION OF THE |
| PROPERTY ABOUT 0.25 MILES IN LENGTH BY 100 YARDS WIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT |
| IS STILL ON THE SCENE AND REPORTS THAT THE FIRE IS UNDER CONTROL. THE |
| LICENSEE WILL INFORM THE NRC REGION III OFFICE AS A COURTESY. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor |Event Number: 36254 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: INDIAN POINT REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999|
| UNIT: [2] [] [] STATE: NY |NOTIFICATION TIME: 22:04[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 10/01/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 18:18[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: VASELY |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/02/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |DAVID SILK R1 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|APRE 50.72(b)(2)(vi) OFFSITE NOTIFICATION | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|2 N N 0 Hot Shutdown |0 Hot Shutdown |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| POSSIBLE PRESS RELEASE MAY BE MADE. |
| |
| THE ON DUTY SHIFT SECURITY SUPERVISOR ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGED HIS WEAPON |
| WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF CLEANING IT. THE DISCHARGED ROUND PENETRATED A |
| STORAGE CABINET AND LODGED IN A TACTICAL VEST. THIS OCCURRED IN THEIR |
| SECONDARY ALARM STATION INSIDE THE PROTECTED AREA. NO ONE WAS INJURED |
| DURING THIS INCIDENT AND THEY ARE THINKING OF MAKING A PRESS RELEASE. |
| |
| THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR WAS NOTIFIED. |
| |
| * * * UPDATE ON 10/02/99 AT 0830ET BY D. CORNAX TAKEN BY MACKINNON * * * |
| |
| AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THIS EVENT A WACKENHUT SUPERVISOR |
| CONDUCTING A WEAPONS INVENTORY CHECK WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE ON DUTY |
| SECURITY SHIFT SUPERVISOR. THE SPENT SHELL CASING STRUCK THE WACKENHUT |
| SUPERVISOR ABOVE THE LEFT EYE CAUSING A SLIGHT SCRATCH. HE ALSO EXPERIENCED |
| SOME HEARING DISCOMFORT FROM THE NOISE. THE WACKENHUT SUPERVISOR WAS SENT |
| TO THE HUDSON VALLEY HOSPITAL BY THE SECURITY SHIFT SUPERVISOR AND WACKENHUT |
| PROJECT MANAGER FOR PRECAUTIONARY HEARING EXAMINATION. HE RETURNED TO WORK |
| AT 2050 HOURS ON 10/01/99. |
| R1DO (DAVID SILK), NMSS IAT (JOHN DAVIDSON) AND IRO (JOE GIITTER) NOTIFIED. |
| |
| THE NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE LICENSEE. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor |Event Number: 36255 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: SOUTH TEXAS REGION: 4 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/02/1999|
| UNIT: [] [2] [] STATE: TX |NOTIFICATION TIME: 21:03[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 10/02/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 19:05[CDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: FRAWLEY |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/02/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |JEFF SHACKELFORD R4 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|DDDD 73.71 UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
| | |
|2 N Y 94 Power Operation |94 Power Operation |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| UNACCOUNTED FOR ACCESS KEY. COMPENSATORY MEASURES WERE PUT INTO PLACE. |
| |
| SEE HOO LOG FOR DETAILS. |
| |
| THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR WAS NOTIFIED. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor |Event Number: 36256 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: PALO VERDE REGION: 4 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/03/1999|
| UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: AZ |NOTIFICATION TIME: 18:04[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE |EVENT DATE: 10/02/1999|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 09:53[MST]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: MARKS |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/03/1999|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |JEFF SHACKELFORD R4 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|ADAS 50.72(b)(2)(i) DEG/UNANALYZED COND | |
|NLCO TECH SPEC LCO A/S | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1 N N 0 Hot Standby |0 Cold Shutdown |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REACTOR COOLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE BOUNDARY LEAKAGE |
| |
| On October 2,1999 at approximately 0953 MST, Palo Verde Nuclear Generating |
| Station (PVNGS) Unit 1 discovered evidence of reactor coolant system (RCS) |
| pressure boundary leakage. PVNGS Unit 1 was shutdown in Mode 3 in its eighth |
| refueling outage at the time of discovery and is now in Mode 5(as of 2035 on |
| 10/2/99). Current RCS temperature is approximately 102 degrees Fahrenheit |
| and RCS pressure is approximately 31 psia. |
| |
| The leakage was discovered at two Inconel alloy 600 nozzles, one in each of |
| the RCS hot legs. One was at the nozzle upstream of valve RCV-285 in the |
| line to a steam generator #2 differential pressure instrument. The other was |
| at the nozzle upstream of valve RCV-277 in the line to a steam generator #1 |
| differential pressure instrument. The leakage was identified in the form of |
| small deposits of boron accumulation around the circumference of the |
| nozzles. PVNGS has conducted inspections of these nozzles during each |
| refueling outage since the discovery that Inconel alloy 600 nozzles are |
| susceptible to axial cracking when sensitized. No evidence of leakage was |
| detected when inspected during the last outage, approximately 18 months ago. |
| Isotopic analysis of the boron accumulation detected only long-lived |
| radionuclides, indicating that it has taken over 3 years for the reactor |
| coolant to migrate through the nozzle weld and wall thickness. |
| |
| PVNGS Unit 1 Technical Specification Limiting Condition for Operation 3.4.14 |
| (RCS Operational Leakage) permits no reactor coolant system pressure |
| boundary leakage, therefore the evidence of leakage represents serious |
| degradation of a principal safety barrier. Operators conservatively entered |
| LCO 3.4.14 at 0953 MST on October 2, 1999. The difference in this ENS report |
| time was due to the disparity between the isotopic analysis indicating at |
| least 3 years age and the inspection conducted 18 months ago, causing |
| suspicion that the boron deposits may have come from a different leak |
| point. |
| |
| PVNGS is replacing the two nozzles during the outage and will continue to |
| inspect remaining Inconel alloy 600 nozzles. No ESF actuations occurred and |
| none were required. No structures, systems or components were inoperable |
| that contributed to this event, particularly the fuel cladding and the |
| containment fission product barriers. PVNGS is not in an applicable mode |
| requiring RCS integrity. The event did not result in the release of |
| radioactivity to the environment and did not adversely affect the safe |
| operation of the plant or the health and safety of the public. |
| |
| The Resident Inspector was notified. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
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