| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
04/25/2011 - 04/26/2011 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 46770 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: BP PRODUCTS NORTH AMERICA
Region: 4
City: TEXAS CITY State: TX
County:
License #: L00254
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 04/20/2011
Notification Time: 17:38 [ET]
Event Date: 04/18/2011
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/20/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL HAY (R4DO)
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MALFUNCTIONING GAUGE INVOLVING A 2 CURIE CESIUM-137 SOURCE
The following was received from the state via fax:
"On April 18, 2011, a gauge malfunction occurred at the licensee's facility during a device installation on a process vessel. When the 2 Curie Cesium-137 source was inserted into the vessel, the chain connecting the source to the nuclear gauge broke allowing the source to travel to the bottom of the insertion tube. The source being at the bottom of the insertion tube is its normal operating position. A radiation survey was conducted by the licensee indicating radiation levels were normal. The device was removed from the vessel, [and] the source [was] retrieved from inside of the vessel. The device and the 2 sources were taken by the service company to their facility for repair. There was no additional radiation exposure to any members of the general public or radiation workers due to this incident. Gauge information: TFS model 5220 containing (2) 2-Ci Cesium-137 sources. Device SN: B-36. Source SNs: MB-3946 and MB 3956.
"Additional Information:
"The sources had been removed from the process vessel back in January 2011 and were put into storage while the unit was down for repairs (a 'turnaround'). There are 6 of these custom devices on 3 vessels. The insertion tube is a divided tube and one source is lowered down each side; 2 sources each tube. Five of the sources lowered with no problems. As they were lowering the 6th one down the insertion tube, the chain attached to the source broke and the source fell to the bottom of the tube (which is its normal position when unit is in operation, so no exposure to any individual resulted from it being there). The insertion tube is approximately 25 feet down to the bottom. They were able to 'fish' the top of the chain and pulled the chain with the source out of the tube and put the source directly into a pig. All other individuals had been moved back a safe distance for ALARA. The service company took the device and sources to their facility for repair. The unit will remain out of operation until device is repaired and installed."
Texas Incident #: I - 8836 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46782 | Facility: INDIAN POINT
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [2] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: LUKE HEDGES
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 04/25/2011
Notification Time: 16:06 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2011
Event Time: 09:50 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/25/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(A) - POT UNABLE TO SAFE SD
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
WAYNE SCHMIDT (R1DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text SINGLE TRAIN CHARGING PUMP DECLARED INOPERABLE
"During normal operation with 23 Charging pump in service, an unusual sound was noticed by Operations. All other parameters were normal for the pump, but 21 Charging pump was placed in service as a precaution. Subsequent investigation was unable to conclusively identify the source of the unusual sound and a lower-than-expected crankcase oil pressure was observed on a maintenance run. Therefore, 23 Charging Pump was declared inoperable. This is the alternate safe shutdown pump responsible for inventory control for remote shutdown. NRC guidance indicates that a loss of a single train system not credited in accident analysis is reportable when identified in LCD 3.3.4 'Remote Shutdown.'"
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector and the New York Public Service Commission. |
| Research Reactor | Event Number: 46783 | Facility: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECH
RX Type: 5000 KW TANK RESEARCH HW
Comments:
Region: 1
City: CAMBRIDGE State: MA
County: MIDDLESEX
License #: R-37
Agreement: Y
Docket: 05000020
NRC Notified By: JOHN BERNARD
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 04/25/2011
Notification Time: 16:42 [ET]
Event Date: 04/21/2011
Event Time: 22:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/25/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
NON-POWER REACTOR EVENT
| Person (Organization):
WAYNE SCHMIDT (R1DO)
WILLIAM KENNEDY (NRR)
| Event Text VIOLATION OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 3.3.2.2, CORE PURGE BLOWER
During a committee review, it was determined that during reactor operations on 4/21/11, the core purge blower was inoperable for greater than 5 minutes with reactor power greater than 100 KW which was a violation of Technical Specification 3.3.2.2. The licensee notified their Project Manager who advised them to notify the NRC Operations Center. |
| Research Reactor | Event Number: 46784 | Facility: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECH
RX Type: 5000 KW TANK RESEARCH HW
Comments:
Region: 1
City: CAMBRIDGE State: MA
County: MIDDLESEX
License #: R-37
Agreement: Y
Docket: 05000020
NRC Notified By: JOHN BERNARD
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 04/25/2011
Notification Time: 16:42 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2011
Event Time: 07:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/25/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
NON-POWER REACTOR EVENT
| Person (Organization):
WAYNE SCHMIDT (R1DO)
WILLIAM KENNEDY (NRR)
| Event Text VIOLATION OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 3.2.3, REACTOR PROTECTION SYSTEM
During a committee review, it was determined that during reactor operations on 4/24/11, the reactor was in operation when it became xenon precluded. Technical Specifications require two period monitoring channels in service during power operations. Because of xenon, one period monitor was indicating below scale and was considered inoperable. When the reactor operator identified the condition, he notified the reactor supervisor who ordered the operator to shutdown the reactor. The reactor operated in this condition for approximately 30 minutes.
The licensee notified their Project Manager who advised them to notify the NRC Operations Center. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46786 | Facility: COMANCHE PEAK
Region: 4 State: TX
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RAUL MARTINEZ
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 04/26/2011
Notification Time: 03:58 [ET]
Event Date: 04/26/2011
Event Time: 00:20 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/26/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL HAY (R4DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 1 | Startup | 1 | Startup | Event Text SAFETY RELATED PIPING HAD UNACCEPTABLE AIR VOID
"Engineering reported that a ultrasonic [testing] had identified an unacceptable air void in the horizontal run of suction piping from the Refueling Water Storage Tank (RWST) to the Safety Injection pumps, Residual Heat Removal pumps, and Containment Spray pumps. Technical Specification 3.0.3 was entered at 0020 [on] 04/26/2011, and actions were started to remove the [air] void by venting of the suction pipe. Unit 2 was in progress of low power physics testing following refueling outage 2RF12. Inspection for [air] voids is in response to NRC generic letter on voiding in ECCS piping.
"The [air] void was removed from the system by venting. Engineering confirmed with ultrasonic [testing] that the [air] void was removed, and Technical Specification 3.0.3 was exited at 0143 [on] 04/26/2011."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |