| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
12/17/2004 - 12/20/2004 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 41262 | Rep Org: NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: ENGINEERING TECHTONICS
Region: 1
City: WINSTON-SALEM State: NC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LEE COX
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 12/14/2004
Notification Time: 23:09 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2004
Event Time: 15:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/15/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
KENNETH JENISON (R1)
MELVYN LEACH (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT OF PORTABLE NUCLEAR GAUGE LOST DURING TRUCK CRASH
A representative from the North Carolina Radiation Materials Branch called to report the loss of a Humboldt Portable Nuclear Gauge (Serial #254; Model 5001) due a severe truck crash on or near highway 52 close to Winston-Salem NC. The accident occurred around 15:00 on 12/14/04. The gauge is believe to have a 10 milliCurie Cs-137; 40 milliCurie Am-241,Be source.
A truck carrying the gauge had an accident and rolled multiple times. It is believed that the gauge was ejected and probably in brush or woods in the vicinity of the crash site. A search was conducted until dark and will resume tomorrow (12/15/04) at around 0600.
The licensee for the gauge is a company named Engineering Techtonics licensed by NC. The State of NC has contacted the RSO for the company.
* * * UPDATE FROM L COX TO W GOTT AT 0814 ON 12/15/04 * * *
The gauge was recovered at 0742 EST 12/15/04 and is in the possession of the licensee. The gauge was still in its transport case. The case was still locked, the gauge was still locked, and there was no visible damage to the gauge. Radiation surveys of the area are normal. The licensee plans to ship the gauge to the manufacturer for further inspection.
Notified NMSS (J Hickey) and R1DO (K Jenison). |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 41266 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: REED ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.
Region: 4
City: Cedar hill State: TX
County:
License #: L04343-000
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAMES OGDEN
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 12/15/2004
Notification Time: 13:55 [ET]
Event Date: 12/15/2004
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/15/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
GREG PICK (R4)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
MEXICO NCNSS ()
AARON DANIS (TAS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was received via facsimile:
"The driver/operator of a company vehicle transported the nuclear moisture density gauge to his residence in Cedar Hill, Texas, rather than return it to permanent storage. The gauge was missing when the operator prepared to leave his residence this morning [12/15/04]. The stolen gauge is an older Troxler Model 3401B that was re-built into a Model 3411B, Serial No. 12990 containing two Special Form, sealed sources: Cs-137, nominal 8 millicuries, Serial No. 501337, and Am-241/Be, nominal 40 millicuries, Serial No. 47-8300. The gauge was removed from the company truck by cutting the security chain sometime during the hours of darkness. Both the gauge and the transport container were taken.
"The licensee is thinking of offering a reward and posting it both in the local newspaper and in advertising on a local news channel. Reward, if offered, will be no questions asked for return of the gauge."
Texas Incident No: I-8193 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 41268 | Facility: PALO VERDE
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: DAN MARKS
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 12/17/2004
Notification Time: 14:54 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2004
Event Time: 10:53 [MST]
Last Update Date: 12/17/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
KRISS KENNEDY (R4)
|
| 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 | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATIONS MADE DUE TO SPILL OF APPROXIMATELY 1400 POUNDS OF SULFURIC ACID
"On 12/17/2004 at approximately 10:53 MST, Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS) notified the Department of Transportation/US. Coast Guard National Response Center of a sulfuric acid spill to the ground at the Water Reclamation Facility. The source of cooling water for PVNGS is treated sewage effluent. The effluent is conveyed to the site through approximately 35 miles of pipeline, and treated in the onsite water reclamation facility to meet plant water quality requirements. The acid spill has no impact to the radiological health and safety of the workers or the public.
"The spill is estimated at 1400 pounds. The reportable quantity is 1000 pounds. The sulfuric acid is classified as a CERCLA Hazardous Substance and EPCRA Extremely Hazardous Substance. The release has been isolated and the apparent cause is a leak in an underground section of pipe. There were no injuries and no known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks. The National Response Center report number is 744571. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality was also informed at 10:51 MST.
"There was no impact to the three generating units from the spill at the Water Reclamation Facility which is located at a separate part of the Owner Controller Area. All 3 PVNGS Units are operating at approximately 100% in Mode 1.
"The NRC Resident has been notified of the event and this notification." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 41269 | Facility: PERRY
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: STEVEN BENEDICT
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 12/17/2004
Notification Time: 16:40 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2004
Event Time: 11:09 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/17/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) - POT UNCNTRL RAD REL
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
ROGER LANKSBURY (R3)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 99 | Power Operation | 99 | Power Operation | Event Text WATERLEG PUMP DISCHARGE CHECK VALVE IN HPCS SYSTEM FAILED TO OPEN
"During the performance of the High Pressure Core Spray system (HPCS) quarterly pump and valve operability test, the waterleg pump discharge low pressure alarm was unable to be cleared. It was determined that the waterleg pump discharge check valve had failed to open to provide keepfill flow.
"The HPCS system had been declared [i]noperable at 0818 for a planned surveillance activity. At 1109, the low pressure alarm came in as expected, but was not able to be cleared. Subsequent mechanical agitation of the waterleg pump discharge check valve caused the valve to open and the low pressure condition to clear.
"Tech Spec 3.5.1 is applicable. Entry time 0818 on 12/17/04.
"Action is to restore HPCS to Operable within 14 days."
NRC Resident Inspector was notified. |
| Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 41270 | Facility: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
RX Type: URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE PRODUCTION
Comments: UF6 CONVERSION (DRY PROCESS)
Region: 2
City: METROPOLIS State: IL
County: MASSAC
License #: SUB-526
Agreement: Y
Docket: 04003392
NRC Notified By: M. GINZEL
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 12/17/2004
Notification Time: 20:12 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2004
Event Time: 12:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/17/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
40.60(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
| Person (Organization):
JAY HENSON (R2)
MELVYN LEACH (NMSS)
| Event Text STANDBY EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATOR DECLARED INOPERABLE.
A work request identified a local trouble alarm on the standby generator (standby emergency diesel generator). Maintenance investigation of the trouble alarm was in progress when the control card for the standby generator failed (card controlled the frequency and voltage of the generator). Failure of this card disabled the generator from operating properly. The standby generator was declared inoperable and production personnel immediately stopped production of licensed material that was supported by the standby generator. At 1800 CST the standby generator was repaired and tested. The standby generator is considered fully operable at the time of this report. An investigation has been initiated to find why the control card failed. A 30 day reported will be released. NRC Region 2 (Jay Henson) was notified of this event by the licensee. | |