| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
11/17/2011 - 11/18/2011 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Agreement State | Event Number: 47298 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: BASF CORPORATION
Region: 4
City: FREEPORT State: TX
County:
License #: 01021
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHRIS MOORE
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 09/27/2011
Notification Time: 10:06 [ET]
Event Date: 09/26/2011
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 11/17/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
GREG WERNER (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SHUTTER ON FIXED PROCESS GAUGE
The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services via e-mail:
"On September 26, 2011, the licensee reported that while preparing to enter a vessel, the shutter on a Ronan model SA-1 nuclear gauge containing 2000 millicuries of Cesium (Cs) -137 failed to shut and is stuck in the normally open position. The source serial number is 2943GK. No significant exposure has occurred due to this event. The gauge is located at a height of 150 feet on the tank. The licensee contacted a technical representative and expects to repair or replace the gauge at the end of the week. The cause for the event is under investigation. Additional information will be provided as it is received IAW SA 300."
* * * RETRACTION FROM ART TUCKER TO JOHN KNOKE AT 1016 EST ON 11/17/11 * * *
The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services via e-mail:
"The manufacturer inspected the gauge at the licensee's location and determined that the gauge was functioning properly. They also determined that the radiation measurements taken by the licensee to determine if the shutter was closed where taken at a distance that was closer than the reference reading causing the elevated readings. There was no reportable event."
Notified the R4DO (Blair Spitzberg) and FSME (Angela McIntosh)
Texas Incident #: I-8887 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47433 | Rep Org: KENTUCKY DEPT OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: MISTRAS SERVICES
Region: 1
City: ASHLAND State: KY
County:
License #: 20173605
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MARISSA VEGA-VELEZ
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 11/14/2011
Notification Time: 10:07 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2011
Event Time: 10:58 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
GEORGE HOPPER (R2DO)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - CABLE DISCONNECTED FROM RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE
The State of Kentucky reported a source containing 39 Curies of Ir-192 disconnect from a QSA model 660A radiography camera during radiography of a boiler. There was no leakage or personnel exposure during this event. The licensee contacted a contractor for retrieval. The source was secured and placed inside the camera. The State will follow up with additional details.
Kentucky Report #: 110008 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47437 | Rep Org: NE DIV OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Licensee: BAG N SAVE SUPERMARKETS
Region: 4
City: OMAHA State: NE
County:
License #: GL0402
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TRUDY HILL
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 11/15/2011
Notification Time: 14:41 [ET]
Event Date: 01/01/2003
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/15/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4DO)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
DENNIS ALLSTON e-mai (ILTA)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOSS OF A TRITIUM SIGN
The following report was received from the state via e-mail:
"Safety Light Model 2040-50-20, Serial Number A10 1821 with 12 Ci of H-3 was shipped in July of 1991 to the facility. In 2002-2003, the facility was remodeled. The facility was sold in 2004. The new owner assumed that they still had the sign and continued to pay the annual fee. This year, one of the owners sold his portion of the business and new staff questioned where the sign was when they received the annual fee notice. The staff believes that the sign was removed at the time of remodeling in 2002-2003."
Nebraska Item Number: NE110009
The licensee determined the sign was lost on 11/4/2011 and reported it to the state on 11/14/2011.
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47438 | Rep Org: FLORIDA BUREAU OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: UNISOM INDUSTRIES
Region: 1
City: JACKSONVILLE State: FL
County:
License #: 3942-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STEVE FURNACE
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 11/15/2011
Notification Time: 15:27 [ET]
Event Date: 11/15/2011
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/15/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JOHN CARUSO (R1DO)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SUSPECTED CONTAMINATED PACKAGE
The following report was received from the state via fax:
"The State of Florida received report of potentially breached package that had arrived from Singapore to Jacksonville Florida. Jacksonville Fire Department was initially called and surveyed item, no contamination found. Item was then shipped to repair facility in Jacksonville (Unisom) License #3942-1. This office was contacted by State Warning Point, which sent an Investigator, he found an oily stain on a White 1 labeled package approximately 80cm2. His survey of packaging material and ignition exciters indicated no detectable radiation. Oily substance appeared to only on the outside of shipping container and was not from ignition exciters. No further action will be taken on this incident."
Florida Incident No.: FL11-096 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47439 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: TERRACON CONSULTANTS INC
Region: 4
City: GRAND PRAIRIE State: TX
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 11/15/2011
Notification Time: 16:45 [ET]
Event Date: 11/15/2011
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/15/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4DO)
BILL VON TILL (FSME)
DENNIS ALLSTON (ILTA)
MEXICO (fax) ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following report was received via e-mail:
"On November 15, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of Health] was notified by the licensee that a Troxler model 3440 moisture/density gauge containing 9 millicuries of cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of americium-241 was stolen. The gauge was locked in the back of a company truck and the truck was parked at the technicians home overnight. When the technician went to the truck to leave, he found the gauge, one lock, and a chain missing. The licensee has notified local law enforcement of the theft. Additional information will be provided in accordance with SA - 300."
Texas Incident: I-8903
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47440 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: MISTRAS
Region: 4
City: BENICIA State: CA
County:
License #: 4886
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KENT PRENDERGAST
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 11/15/2011
Notification Time: 19:28 [ET]
Event Date: 11/15/2011
Event Time: 16:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 11/15/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4DO)
BILL VON TILL (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE
The following report was received via e-mail:
"Stuck 37 Curie radiographic source in an INC IR100 camera. The magnet holding the collimator to the tank came loose and fell on the guide tube, kinking the guide tube. Operators placed lead bags on the source and repaired the kink so that the source could be retrieved. The radiographer received 42 mRem. The RSO received 39 mRem and the assistant received 10 mRem."
California report number: 5010-111411
This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47450 | Facility: BROWNS FERRY
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [ ] [ ] [3]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: ERIC STEELE
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 11/17/2011
Notification Time: 13:53 [ET]
Event Date: 09/19/2011
Event Time: 10:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/17/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
STEVEN VIAS (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text INVALID GROUP 6 ISOLATION SIGNAL
"This 60-day telephone notification is being made per the reporting requirements specified by 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) and 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1) to describe an invalid actuation signal affecting more than one system.
"On September 19, 2011, at 1000 hours Central Daylight Time (CDT), during the performance of a maintenance activity on the Reactor/Refueling Zone Ventilation Radiation Monitor BFN-3-RM-090-0141/143, Browns Ferry Unit 3 received a Primary Containment Isolation System (PCIS) Group 6 isolation. This resulted in isolation of the reactor and refuel zone ventilation systems, initiation of the Standby Gas Treatment System (Trains A, B and C), and the initiation of the Control Room Emergency Ventilation System (Trains A and B). All plant systems responded as designed.
"There are two divisions of Reactor/Refueling Zone Ventilation Radiation Monitors: BFN-3-RM-090-0140/142 and BFN-3-RM-090-0141/143. A downscale or inoperable signal in both divisions will initiate the PCIS Group 6 isolation. Prior to the performance of the maintenance activity, BFN-3-RM-090-0140/142 was functional. However, during a field walkdown after the PCIS Group 6 isolation, relay BFN-3-RLY-064-16AK62A for BFN-3-RM-090-0140/142 was discovered to be chattering. A chattering relay could cause momentary loss of continuity between the contacts which would effectively generate a spurious isolation signal from that division. Thus, when 3-RM-090-0141/143 was made inoperable by the surveillance, the PCIS Group 6 logic was made-up.
"The PCIS Group 6 isolation was reset at 1008 CDT. This event was entered in the Corrective Action Program as Problem Evaluation Report (PER) 434799. There were no safety consequences or impact on the health and safety of the public as a result of these events. The NRC Senior Resident Inspector was notified." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47452 | Facility: BRUNSWICK
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: LEE GOLDSTEIN
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 11/17/2011
Notification Time: 16:58 [ET]
Event Date: 11/17/2011
Event Time: 13:45 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/17/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) - UNANALYZED CONDITION
| Person (Organization):
STEVEN VIAS (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Refueling | Event Text UNANALYZED CONDITION ON STARTUP FOLLOWING MAINTENANCE OUTAGE
"On November 17, 2011, at 1345 Eastern Standard Time (EST), it was determined that an unanalyzed condition that significantly degraded plant safety existed on Unit 2 following a mid-cycle maintenance outage which required reactor vessel disassembly. Unit 2 had reached Mode 2 (i.e., Startup) during the power ascension, when elevated drywell leakage was identified and the plant was shutdown (see EN#47444). Unit 2 was subsequently operating in Mode 4 (i.e., Cold Shutdown) to allow for drywell entry. During leak investigation activities, it was determined that the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) head was not fully tensioned. This condition is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) as a condition of the nuclear power plant being in an unanalyzed condition that significantly degrades plant safety.
"The safety significance of this event was minimal. Unit 2 was in power ascension operating at a maximum of approximately 7% of rated thermal power. Control Room Operators took appropriate action to shutdown the Unit when elevated drywell leakage was identified.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47453 | Facility: WOLF CREEK
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: WARREN BRANDT
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 11/17/2011
Notification Time: 17:17 [ET]
Event Date: 11/17/2011
Event Time: 14:20 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/17/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4DO)
|
| 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 DIESEL FUEL OIL SPILL
"A notification was made to the National Response Center and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment of a 7-10 gallon release of diesel fuel oil to the environment. The leak originated from a temporary diesel fueled heater in place for freeze protection for a temporary fire pump. The fuel oil was not released to surface water, and has been isolated."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47454 | Facility: PILGRIM
Region: 1 State: MA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-3
NRC Notified By: MERT PROBASCO
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 11/17/2011
Notification Time: 18:00 [ET]
Event Date: 11/17/2011
Event Time: 15:15 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/17/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS
| Person (Organization):
JOHN CARUSO (R1DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 50 | Power Operation | 50 | Power Operation | Event Text TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REQUIRED SHUTDOWN DUE TO INOPERABLE FEEDWATER CHECK VALVE
"On Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 1515 hours, with the reactor at approximately 50% core thermal power, the station entered a 24 hour cold shutdown action statement due to the inability to provide a manual isolation for a main feedwater line check valve that had been declared inoperable due to a leak. As background, the reactor was at reduced power in order to perform a planned main condenser thermal backwash. While at reduced power an inspection of the main steam tunnel (a normally locked closed high radiation area) was performed as part of a scheduled system inspection. The inspection identified a leak on the feedwater line 'B' outboard check valve (6-CK-62B). The feedwater check valve was declared inoperable and the Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) for Technical Specification (TS) 3.7.A.2.a.5 was entered. Because there is no ability to manually isolate the primary containment penetration the station is required to be in cold shutdown within 24 hours per TS 3.7.A.5.
"Currently, preparations are being completed to conduct the reactor shutdown and to initiate check valve repairs.
"This event had no impact on the health and safety of the public. The USNRC Senior Resident Inspector was onsite and has been notified."
The electrical lineup is normal and all safety related equipment required for shutdown and cooldown are operable. | |