| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
12/14/2011 - 12/15/2011 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Power Reactor | Event Number: 47387 | Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [3] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: EDWARD NIELSEN
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 10/28/2011
Notification Time: 19:09 [ET]
Event Date: 10/28/2011
Event Time: 14:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 12/14/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN BONSER (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 | | 4 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text TSC UNAVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
"At 1430 [EDT] on 10/28/11, it was discovered that due to an Equipment Clearance Order (ECO), the HVAC recirculation capability of the Technical Support Center (TSC) was lost. The TSC dampers were deenergized in the non-emergency position while the ECO was in effect. The ECO was put into effect on 10/10/11. The ECO was released at 1630 [EDT] on 10/28/2011 and functionally tested restoring TSC HVAC recirculation capability.
"While the ECO was in effect and under certain accident conditions, the TSC may have been unavailable due to the inability of the charcoal filtration system to maintain a habitable atmosphere. The alternate TSC remained available, during the time the ECO was in effect, as defined in the Emergency Plan Implementing Procedures. This 8 hour notification is required per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii)."
The alternate TSC remained available during this period.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
* * * RETRACTION FROM JOSE VASQUEZ TO VINCE KLCO ON 12/14/2011 AT 1852 EST * * *
"A Functionality Assessment (FA) has concluded that the Turkey Point TSC was able to perform it's intended function of ensuring habitability to TSC responders during the period 10/10/11 through 10/28/11 with the TSC ventilation system in the degraded condition. A dose analysis was performed, modeled after the design basis LOCA analysis for the TSC, using alternate source term, no filtration, containment leakage based on the most recent ILRTs, current data on ECCS leakage, and meteorological conditions existent during the period. Dose to TSC responders would have been less than the general design criterion limit of 5 REM."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47499 | Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [3] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: ROBERT STRUSINSKI
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 12/06/2011
Notification Time: 09:51 [ET]
Event Date: 12/06/2011
Event Time: 09:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/15/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
BINOY DESAI (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 | | 4 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER NON-FUNCTIONAL DUE TO PLANNED MAINTENANCE
"Between December 6, 2011 and January 13, 2012, a sequence of activities are planned that will render the Technical Support Center (TSC) non-functional at times by removing the emergency ventilation system from service. These activities are being performed in support of planned preventive maintenance and extended power uprate facility upgrades. In preparation for these emergency ventilation system outages, the TSC emergency responders were notified that if an emergency occurred during these outages the Emergency Coordinator and the TSC staff involved with classification, notification and PARS should report to the control room. All other TSC personnel should report to the Operational Support Center. The duration for each of these TSC outages is expected to be less than 24 hours. The NRC Operations Center will be provided an update to this notification when the TSC emergency ventilation has been removed from service and following restoration for each time period. This 8 hour notification in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii)."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector, and State and local governments.
* * * UPDATE FROM CHRISTOPHER TRENT TO JOE O'HARA AT 1900 EST ON 12/7/11 * * *
The TSC is functional at this time.
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified.
* * * UPDATE FROM BILL BURROWS TO CHARLES TEAL AT 0313 EST ON 12/14/11 * * *
The TSC has been removed from operation to continue planned maintenance.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. Notified R2DO (Bartley).
* * * UPDATE FROM ROBERT STRUSINSKI TO JOHN KNOKE AT 0330 EST ON 12/15/11 * * *
The TSC is functional at this time.
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified. Notified R2DO (Scott Freeman) via email. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47518 | Rep Org: NV DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: RENOWN SOUTH MEADOWS MEDICAL CENTER
Region: 4
City: RENO State: NV
County:
License #: 16-12-0566-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SNEHA RAVIKUMAR
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 12/12/2011
Notification Time: 12:31 [ET]
Event Date: 12/08/2011
Event Time: 14:30 [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/12/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
WAYNE WALKER (R4DO)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
MERAJ RAHIMI (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT- LINEN TRANSPORT TRUCK DETAINED AFTER SETTING OFF RADIATION ALARM
The following information was provided via email:
"On 12/8/11 at 1430 PST, the Nevada Radiation Control Program (NRCP) received a call from the Alternate Radiation Safety Officer (ARSO) for Renown South Meadows Medical Center, that a truck carrying linen had been detained by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at the Truckee inspection station after setting off a radiation alarm. The ARSO explained that the truck was not carrying any materials from the Nuclear Medicine Department or decay room and she knew of no reason that it would be radioactive. She provided the name and number for the CHP at Truckee.
"The NRCP contacted the CHP and were told that they had surveyed the truck with a Ludlum meter and measured .400 millirem per hour (or 400 microR/hour) outside the trailer. The CHP said that their protocols dictate that anything above three times background is treated as a hazmat incident and must have proper packaging and manifest. They had not run an identification spectrum on the truck. They had no capability to unload a trailer on site for further investigation. They were holding the vehicle pending instructions from their departmental radiation specialist and agreed to call [the NRCP] when they had a decision.
"The Aramark (linen service) representative confirmed that the vehicle in question was a tractor trailer and was carrying only linen from Renown.
"At approximately 1545 PST, the CHP called and indicated that they had released the trailer with orders to return to Renown Medical Center. They were unable to identify the radioisotope present and the dose rate reading was now .100 millirem per hour (100 micro R/hr).
"The NRCP Incident Response Supervisor arrived at Renown Medical center at approximately 1645 PST, shortly after the truck, and met with Renown staff. After conducting a radiation survey on the outside of the truck, he determined the general location of the high radiation and identified Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) as a suspected isotope. Linens are transported in large plastic bins, which were removed with a pallet jack, by the staff at Renown. When the radioactive bin was identified, it was segregated, a thorough survey was done and the radioisotope was positively identified as Tc-99m. The bin was placed in Renown's decay room where it will remain for 2 to10 days until the Tc-99m decays.
"The most likely cause of this contamination was that a recently treated patient soiled the sheets and the possibility of radioactive contamination was not recognized by floor staff. Linens are not routinely screened for radiation. Aramark recently began transporting linens to Sacramento, rather than processing locally, so they are now subject to inspection upon entering California. The RCP will assist Renown with some procedure changes that will minimize the chances of this happening in the future.
"Dose rate readings were one order of magnitude lower than what CHP reported. It is unknown why CHP was unable to obtain an accurate identification of the isotope.
"Radiation readings: RadEye - Background 6 uR/hr; at bin 48 uR/hr; Ortec MicroDetective - Background 65 counts per second; at bin 1800 counts per second; Renown 451P Ion Chamber - Background 6 uR/hr; at bin 52 uR/hr; Ludlum 14c with pancake G-M detector - at bin 1800 counts per minute."
Nevada Report Number: NV110024 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47519 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: PASADENA REFINING SYSTEM, INC
Region: 4
City: PASADENA State: TX
County:
License #: 01344
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 12/12/2011
Notification Time: 14:38 [ET]
Event Date: 12/10/2011
Event Time: 19:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/12/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
WAYNE WALKER (R4DO)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - NUCLEAR GAUGES DAMAGED DUE TO FIRE
The following information was provided from the state via email:
"On December 12, 2011, the Agency was notified by a licensee that on Saturday, December 10, 2011, at approximately 1900 CST, there was a fire in the coker unit at their facility in Pasadena, TX. The RSO reported there were 4 fixed nuclear gauges on drums in the area of the fire. The gauges were Ohmart-Vega Model SH1G-1 and each contained a 300 milliCurie Cesium-137 source. Two gauges were directly in the fire and were damaged. The other two gauges were shielded from the fire by the drum they were mounted on and it has not yet been determined if they sustained any damage. The area was barricaded to prevent entry due to unsafe conditions caused by the fire (i.e. structural damage that has to be assessed, heat, ash/hydrocarbons). There were no radiation levels above background found during initial surveys from the barricade line and subsequent surveys conducted under the drums on the ground level and second level (areas where people will begin working). Higher levels will be surveyed prior to entry. The licensee has made arrangements with Ohmart-Vega for service to remove all 4 gauges once the area is safe.
"Gauge and Source Information:
Gauges: All Ohmart-Vega Model SH1G-1
Serial numbers:13543162, 13543163, 13543164 (in fire), 13543165 (in fire)
Sources: Cesium-137, 300 milliCuries each, SN same as gauge
Gauges installed March, 2010.
"More information will be provided as it is obtained."
Texas Incident #: I-8909 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47523 | Facility: PALISADES
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: MIKE LEE
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 12/14/2011
Notification Time: 16:40 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2011
Event Time: 15:10 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/14/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
OTHER UNSPEC REQMNT
| Person (Organization):
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | M/R | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Standby | Event Text MANUAL REACTOR TRIP DUE TO LOSS OF BOTH MAIN FEEDPUMPS
"The reactor was manually tripped at 1510 EST on 12/14/11 due to loss of both main feedpumps. Both feedpumps tripped on low suction pressure due to an apparent unplanned opening of the 'A' main feedpump recirculation valve. The cause of the main feedpump recirculation valve opening has not been determined. All full length control rods fully inserted. Auxiliary feed pump P-8A automatically started at 1511 EST on steam generator level as designed (10CFR50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A)). The turbine bypass valve is in service maintaining reactor coolant system temperature [by directing steam flow to the main condenser]. The plant is stable in mode 3 [and the reactor trip was considered uncomplicated].
"The Van Buren County Sherriff was notified [per other plant requirements] concerning use of the atmospheric steam dump causing excessive noise in the vicinity of the plant [immediately following the plant trip]."
The plant electric power is in the normal shutdown configuration. There was no primary to secondary leakage.
A press release is planned for the local media.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |