Event Notification Report for November 17, 2020

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

EN Revision Imported Date: 11/18/2020

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST PORTABLE DENSITY GAUGE

The following was received from the Maryland Radiological Health Program via phone and email:

"On September 23, 2019 at 1520 EDT, the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) was contacted via telephone by the Assistant Radiation Safety Officer (ARSO) of Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. that a portable density gauge was missing. The gauge was identified as a CPN model MC-1DR, serial number MD50707960 with nominal activities of 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 50 mCi of Am-241:Be. The last leak test was performed on April 11, 2019.

"On September 23, 2019 at approximately 1300 EDT, the density gauge was placed in the bed of a pick-up truck by the gauge operator after making measurements starting earlier in the morning for a residential development project known as Fields at Worthington. The area is located near the intersection of Baublitz Road and Worthington Ridge Road, Reisterstown, MD. Work was suspended due to equipment failure on the job site not related to the density gauge. The gauge operator proceeded to drive back to the licensee's office. After driving approximately 1.5 miles from the jobsite, the gauge operator realized that the gauge was not placed in its transportation case and pulled over near Knox Avenue. The gauge was missing from the bed of the pick-up truck. The tailgate was in the down position. The gauge operator called the ARSO at approximately 1330 EDT to report the missing gauge.

"The ARSO and the construction site manager looked for the gauge in the surrounding neighborhood with no success. The event has been reported to Baltimore County Police. The Case Number is: 192661514.

"MDE/RHP will conduct a reactive investigation."

* * * UPDATE ON 11/17/20 AT 1538 EST FROM ATNATIWOS MESHESHA TO JEFFREY WHITED * * *

The following was received from the Maryland Radiological Health Program via email:

"On November 2, 2020 at 1040 EST the Maryland Department of the Environment, Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) was contacted via telephone by the Assistant Radiation Safety Officer (ARSO) of Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. that the portable density gauge that was missing on September 23, 2019, at the area located near the intersection of Baublitz Road and Worthington Ridge Road, Reisterstown, Maryland was found, dropped at the Baltimore County Waste Central Acceptance Facility (BCWCAF) located at Cockeysville, in Maryland (10275 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, Maryland 21030). The gauge was identified as a CPN model MC-1DR, serial number MD50707960 with nominal activities of 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 50 mCi of Am-241/Be. The rod above the gauge scale was bent and damaged but the source shutter at bottom was found closed and a leak test performed on the same day, November 2, 2020, reported no leakage. The gauge was transferred to an authorized service provider for disposal on November 2, 2020."

Notified R1DO (Greives) and NMSS Event Notifications (email).

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 material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

EN Revision Imported Date: 11/17/2020

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING DENSITY GAUGE

The following was received from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) via email:

"[A Troxler 3440 (SN 23106) containing not more than 333 MBq (9 mCi) of cesium-137 and 1.63 GBq (44 mCi) of americium-241:beryllium; or 2.44 MBq (66 microCi) of californium-252] was reported missing after a licensee was unable to account for it during a routine inventory check. The material was noticed missing at approximately 1000 MDT on Wednesday, October 14, 2020. The event was reported to the CDPHE at approximately 1700 on October 14, 2020.

"No signs of a burglary at the facility are present. The last entry for the gauge in the utilization log is August 19, 2020. The licensee suspects that a former employee stole the gauge, the employee to last check-out the gauge was terminated on bad terms.

"The licensee is in the process of reporting the theft to the local police."

* * * UPDATE ON 11/16/10 AT 1513 EST FROM DEREK BAILEY TO THOMAS KENDZIA * * *

The following was received from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) via email:

"Following a police investigation the nuclear gauge was anonymously returned to the owner. On November 16, 2020, the missing nuclear density gauge was found chained to the fence at the Olsson office. It was discovered at 1015 MDT Olsson examined the gauge and found it to be in the proper original packaging with no apparent damage to the gauge's packaging, components, or sources of radiation. It was determined that the gauge was returned at approximately 2330 MDT November 15, 2020."

Notified the R4DO (Taylor), NMSS Events Notification (email), and ILTAB (email)

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

PART 21 REPORT - FAILURE OF AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HEAD GASKET

The following is a synopsis of the information received from the supplier.

On August 26, 2020, H. B. Robinson Generating Station, Unit 2 experienced a failure during post maintenance testing of a newly installed air conditioning compressor, which serves one of the Control Room HVAC units. Robinson plant contacted QualTech (the supplier) on September 22, 2020, detailing the findings of their investigation which indicated an incorrect head gasket had been installed, allowing high pressure gas to discharge to the low pressure side.

QualTech NP reviewed the investigation and agrees, the incorrect gasket was installed. The root cause was determined to be an improper dedication plan of the gaskets, not recognizing the delta between the 'left' and 'right' head gaskets. QualTech has taken action to revise the dedication plan. This is the only compressor unit of this model sold. No other similar failures have been reported. QualTech believes this to be an isolated case.

For further information contact:
Tim Franchuk
Quality Assurance Director
QualTech NP, Curtiss-Wright Nuclear Division
(513) 528-7900 x176

EN Revision Imported Date: 11/24/2020

EN Revision Text: HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT INJECTION INOPERABLE

"During normal plant start up on Limerick Unit 1, reactor pressure was raised above 200 psig prior to unisolating the Unit 1 high pressure coolant injection system (HPCI) which remained inoperable. Per TS 3.5.1, HPCI is required to be operable in Mode 2 above 200 psig. HPCI has since been restored to operable."

The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.

EN Revision Imported Date: 11/24/2020

EN Revision Text: BOTH TRAINS OF MAIN CONTROL ROOM VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS INOPERABLE

"At 1918 CST on 11/16/2020, it was discovered both required trains of the Main Control Room Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems were simultaneously inoperable. Due to these inoperabilities, the systems were in a condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function; therefore, this condition is being reported as an eight-hour, non-emergency notification per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v).

"Subsequent post-maintenance testing demonstrated that the Division 1 Main Control Room Ventilation system was available at the time of the event and was restored to operable status at 2036 CST on 11/16/2020.

"There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."