| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
09/24/2003 - 09/25/2003 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 40005 | Rep Org: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Licensee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Region: 4
City: SAN JOSE State: CA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JASON POST
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 07/18/2003
Notification Time: 12:13 [ET]
Event Date: 07/18/2003
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/24/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21 - UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH
| Person (Organization):
JACK FOSTER (NRR)
ANIELLO DELLA GRECA (R1)
JOHN MADERA (R3)
LINDA SMITH (R4)
| Event Text PART 21 REPORT INVOLVING IMPACT OF FUEL CHANNEL BOW ON CONTROL ROD BLADES
The following is a portion of text received as a fax:
"July 18, 2003
"MFN 03-045
"Subject: 60 Day Interim Notification: Impact of Fuel Channel Bow on Control Rod Blade Deviations
"Reference: Letter from Jason Post (GENE) to USNRC, 'Interim Surveillance Program for Fuel Channel Bow Monitoring', MFN 03-030 Revision 1, April 30, 2003
"This communication is to inform you that GE Nuclear Energy (GENE) has been evaluating a potentially reportable condition (PRC) on the impact of fuel channel bow on control rod blades. The original channel bow evaluation for increased fuel channel - control rod blade interference did not consider previously evaluated deviations in the control rod blade. Channel bow can cause increased deflection and stresses in control rod blades, which must be considered in control rod blade deviation evaluations. The PRC evaluation is limited to control rod blades delivered to those plants identified in the referenced letter, where an interim surveillance plan for channel bow monitoring is recommended, because those are the only plants where there is a concern about increased fuel channel - control rod blade interference.
"As described in the referenced letter, it was determined that BWR/6 and BWR/4 & 5 C-lattice plants with Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF) thick/thin channels potentially have increased channel bow that can cause fuel channel control rod blade interference. An interim surveillance program was provided to augment the surveillance requirements in the plant Technical Specifications until other actions, which mitigate or limit the potential for control rod - fuel channel interference due to channel bow can be identified and implemented. This surveillance program provides early indication of potentially degraded operational performance and assurance that action is taken before reaching excessive levels of control rod interference. This surveillance plan is limited to BWR/6 and BWR/4&5 C-lattice plants with GNF thick/thin channels and GENE control rods. There have been no indications of excessive interference on BWR/2, 3 and 4 D-lattice plants, and as a result, they are excluded from the interim surveillance program.
"The PRC evaluation was initiated by GENE on May 19, 2003. GENE will not have completed the evaluation by July 18, 2003, when the 60 day evaluation period expires. Therefore, GENE is submitting this 60 Day Interim Notification under 10CFR21.21(a)(2) to inform the NRC that we are working on the issue, and to commit to report the results
of the evaluation no later than September 23, 2003."
GE Nuclear Energy has identified the following as affected plants: Clinton, Nine Mile Point 2, Fermi 2, Grand Gulf, River Bend, Limerick 1 & 2 and Perry 1.
*****UPDATE ON 9/24/03 AT 0055 FROM POST TO LAURA*****
GE submitted its 60 day update letter which indicated no change from previously submitted information. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40179 | Facility: NORTH ANNA
Region: 2 State: VA
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: T. L. SHELTON
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 09/19/2003
Notification Time: 11:25 [ET]
Event Date: 09/19/2003
Event Time: 09:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/24/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
ANNE BOLAND (R2)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 62 | Power Operation | 62 | Power Operation | Event Text LOSS OF EMERGENCY SIREN CAPABILITY TO THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
"At 0930 on September 19, 2003 it was identified that there was a major loss of offsite response capability. 43 out of 63 early warning sirens were determined inoperable due to loss of power as a result of Hurricane Isabel.
"The State and NRC Resident Inspector will be notified of this event."
*****UPDATE ON 9/24/03 AT 0715 FROM JOHNSTONE TO LAURA*****
"On September 24, 2003, at 0715 hours, a siren poll test was conducted to verify availability of the early warning sirens (EWS). The test identified that 57 of 63 (90%) sirens were available. The current availability of the EWS no longer constitutes a major loss of emergency assessment capability, offsite response capability, or offsite communication capability pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii)"
The NRC Resident Inspector was informed.
Notified R2DO (C. Julian) |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40180 | Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY
Licensee: ARIZONA ONCOLOGY SERVICES
Region: 4
City: SCOTTSDALE State: AZ
County:
License #: AZ-07-161
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: AUBREY V. GODWIN
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS | Notification Date: 09/19/2003
Notification Time: 13:00 [ET]
Event Date: 09/17/2003
Event Time: 13:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 09/19/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
ANTHONY GODY (R4)
C.W. (BILL) REAMER (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MEDICAL EVENT
"At approximately 1:00 PM September 17, 2003 the Agency was informed of a medical event. The reporting individual indicated that in the course of treating a breast cancer, a saline filled balloon was used to aid in positioning the HDR source, Iridium 192, approximately 9.589 curies. Starting September 15, 2003, a series of 10 fractional treatments was prescribed. Between each, an ultra sound image was made to assure the continued proper placement of the source. The ultra sound technician indicated all was ok for all treatments. After the series was completed, the balloon was deflated for removal and the physician then noted that the balloon had ruptured. A review of the retained ultra sound images indicated [that] starting with treatment 7 the balloon was deflated. The doses were recalculated and the tissue dose was 40 [percent] higher than prescribed. The adjacent skin dose was calculated to be 266 cGy [centigray] rather than the 175 cGy [centigray] as originally calculated. The licensee has proposed corrective measures to prevent a recurrence of this event. The balloon manufacturer has been informed of this event.
"The patient has been informed of the event. The medical review indicates some additional fat necrosis and possible inflammation may occur. It will be reviewed as a part of the patient follow up." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40188 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP
Region: 4
City: SUGAR LAND State: TX
County:
License #: LO1833-000
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JIM OGDEN
HQ OPS Officer: GERRY WAIG | Notification Date: 09/22/2003
Notification Time: 14:08 [ET]
Event Date: 09/22/2003
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/22/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
GREG PICK (R4)
FRED BROWN (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT- ABANDONMENT OF WELL LOGGING SOURCES
"[The] Company [Schlumberger Technology Corporation] has decided to abandon two sources downhole. Recovery operations have failed and sources will be cemented in place today. Two sources consist of: One (1) AEA Technology, Cs-137, 1.7 curie sealed source, Model GSJ, Serial No 180; and (1) Schlumberger Am-241/1Be, 16 curie sealed source, Model NSR-F, Serial No. 2355. Sources are stuck in the well, Recovery has not been possible. Source will be cemented in place at 11,755 feet and 11,742 feet respectively by 200 feet of red dyed cement with whipstock place as a deterrent to future drilling. Schlumberger is in the process of ordering a wellhead placard for placement on the wellhead."
Texas Incident No.: I-8056. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40190 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: A.G.I. GEOTECHNICAL, INC.
Region: 4
City: Glendale State: CA
County:
License #: 6123-19
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROBERT GREGER
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS | Notification Date: 09/22/2003
Notification Time: 22:11 [ET]
Event Date: 09/22/2003
Event Time: 03:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/22/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
GREG PICK (R4)
BILL REAMER (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT
"The RSO reported by phone to Radiologic Health Branch (RHB), Granada Hills, that one of its portable nuclear gauges had been stolen the night of 9/21/03, between 2330 and 0630 [PDT], from the RSO's vehicle which was parked in a back parking lot at his apartment complex in Glendale, CA. The gauge is a CPN, Model MC-2, S/N M21073950, containing Cs-137 and Am-241 sealed sources, special form, 10 [millicuries] and 50 [millicuries], respectively.
"Apparently, the RSO took two gauges home on 9/21/03 to drop one off at a job site for another operator and one for his use at another job site the next day. The RSO stated he stored the two gauges in the bed of his vehicle, locked down and concealed with a tarp. The morning of 9/22/03, the RSO found that one of the two gauges (his) was missing. The second gauge was not taken but had its case damaged. It seems that a 'hammer-like' tool also kept in the vehicle was possibly used to break in.
"Note that this is the 2nd reported theft of a nuclear gauge for this licensee this year. The last one was reported stolen on 6/19/03 and then recovered on 7/7/03.
"The RSO had already notified the Glendale Police Department and his company management. The RSO will be providing a written report shortly." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40194 | Facility: FT CALHOUN
Region: 4 State: NE
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: RANDY CADE
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS | Notification Date: 09/23/2003
Notification Time: 15:04 [ET]
Event Date: 09/23/2003
Event Time: 13:20 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/24/2003 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
GREG PICK (R4)
TERRY REIS (NRR)
RICHARD WESSMAN (IRO)
GENE CANUPP (FEMA)
ODELL BARTLETT (DOE)
SAL MORONE (DHS)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | Event Text UNUSUAL EVENT
"While in Mode 5, refueling Shutdown with Core offload in progress a fuel assembly in the Spent Fuel Pool became ungrappled. The assembly is currently sitting on the top of the Spent Fuel pool racks resting against the Pool wall at approximately 15 degrees. There is no damage to the Fuel Assembly, evident by no change in area radiation dose rates. EAL 1.14, Plant Conditions Warrant Increased Awareness By Plant Staff or Government Authorities. An investigation has begun to determine the cause of the event and a team is being assembled to plan the fuel bundle recovery."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE ON 9/23/03 AT 1857 EDT FROM RANDY CABE TO GERRY WAIG * * *
The licensee remains in a NOUE (Notice of Unusual Event) due to the ungrappled spent fuel assembly. The position of the spent fuel assembly remains the same as previously reported. No damage to the fuel assembly nor the spent fuel rack has been detected. No abnormal radiation readings have been observed. As a precaution, the licensee has suspended all fuel movement operations and evacuated the auxiliary and containment buildings. The licensee plans to stabilize the fuel assembly, attach a lifting tool, and place it into a permanent storage position in the spent fuel pool.
Notified R4DO (Greg Pick)
* * * UPDATE ON 09/24/03 @ 1414 BY CADE TO GOULD * * *
At 12:42 CDT the fabricated stabilization device installation was completed and it is currently secured to two walls of the spent fuel pool. The plant will remain in a NOUE until the fuel assembly is lowered into a safe location in the spent fuel pool. A tool has been fabricated to grapple the fuel assembly and it will be moved with the Spent Fuel Pool Refueling Machine. The tool is currently being tested and weighed. All unnecessary personnel were moved from the Protected Area to the Administration and Training Buildings during the placement of the stabilization device.
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified.
Reg 4 RDO (Greg Pick) was notified
* * * UPDATE ON 09/24/03 @ 1800 EDT BY RANDY CADE TO GERRY WAIG * * *
The licensee reported that the ungrappled spent fuel assembly was placed in a permanent storage position in the spent fuel pool at 1654 CDT. As a result of this action, the licensee terminated the Notice of Unusual Event (NOUE) condition at this time. Normal access to the facility protected area and radiation control area has been restored. Fuel movement operations remain suspended and a root cause investigation of this event is being conducted.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
NRC R4DO (Greg Pick), DIRO (Richard Wessman), NRR EO (Gene Imbro), FEMA (Ken Sweetser), DOE (Joe Stanbaugh), DHS (Sam Neglia) were notified by the Headquarters Operations Officer. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40196 | Facility: SUSQUEHANNA
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: GORDON ROBINSON
HQ OPS Officer: RICH LAURA | Notification Date: 09/24/2003
Notification Time: 03:20 [ET]
Event Date: 09/24/2003
Event Time: 00:53 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/24/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(A) - ECCS INJECTION
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
TODD JACKSON (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | A/R | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text AUTOMATIC SCRAM AT SUSQUEHANNA ON LOW WATER LEVEL
"At 0053 hours on September 24, 2003 with Susquehanna Unit 1 operating at 100% power an automatic reactor scram occurred due to low water level. At the time of the scram, reactor feed pump testing was in progress and the 'C' reactor feed pump tripped. The reactor recirc pumps runback initiated as expected when water level reached 30" with the feed pump tripped. Level continued to drop and reached the Level 3 auto scram setpoint. Level continued to drop and reached a low level of approximately -48" wide range. Reactor Core Isolation Cooling and High Pressure Coolant Injection auto started at their initiation setpoints and injected to the vessel to recover level. All level 2 and 3 containment isolations occurred as expected. The reactor recirc pumps tripped as expected when level 2 was reached. Reactor Pressure was controlled with bypass valves, there were no Safety Relief Valve lifts. There are no challenges to containment.
"Unit 1 is currently stable in Mode 3 with both reactor recirc pumps restarted. A human performance error was the cause of the reactor feed pump trip. Investigation is continuing into the plant response to the reactor feed pump trip."
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of this event. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40197 | Facility: OYSTER CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2
NRC Notified By: MR. VOISHNIS
HQ OPS Officer: NATHAN SANFILIPPO | Notification Date: 09/24/2003
Notification Time: 16:52 [ET]
Event Date: 09/24/2003
Event Time: 14:55 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/24/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
TODD JACKSON (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO RECOVERY OF LIVE SEA TURTLE
Notifications will be made to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Brigintine Marine Mammal Stranding Center due to a live sea turtle retrieved from the Oyster Creek dilution plant. This notification and report is required by the Oyster Creek Environmental Technical Specifications.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |