Event Notification Report for October 29, 2000
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
10/28/2000 - 10/29/2000
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 37474
Facility: PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
NRC Notified By: KEITH VANDERPOOL
HQ OPS Officer: BOB STRANSKY
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
NRC Notified By: KEITH VANDERPOOL
HQ OPS Officer: BOB STRANSKY
Notification Date: 10/30/2000
Notification Time: 12:26 [ET]
Event Date: 10/29/2000
Event Time: 19:54 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/07/2000
Notification Time: 12:26 [ET]
Event Date: 10/29/2000
Event Time: 19:54 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/07/2000
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
DAVID HILLS (R3)
BRIAN SMITH (NMSS)
DAVID HILLS (R3)
BRIAN SMITH (NMSS)
24-HOUR GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT REPORT
"At approximately 1954 hours, 10/29/00, operations personnel investigated a LAW CADP smoke head alarm. While investigating the alarm for smoke head SXE 2786 for LAW 2A compressor the operations personnel did not identify any visible release but smelled HF in the area. The 'SEE & FLEE' emergency procedures were immediately implemented. The affected LAW station withdrawal loop was in standby at the time of the alarm. Results of all surveys performed during the emergency response were less than MDA. At 2102 hours, an all clear was granted on the emergency response. PORTS is reporting this alarm as a valid actuation of a 'Q' Safety System.
"This is reportable to the NRC as a valid actuation of a 'Q' Safety System in accordance with Safety Analysis Report, section 6.9 (24-HOUR REPORT)."
*** UPDATE/RETRACTION AT 1639 ON 11/07/00 FROM ERIC SPAETH TO LEIGH TROCINE ***
The following text is a portion of a facsimile received from Portsmouth personnel:
"An engineering evaluation performed following the event determined that the small leak, which caused the smoke head actuation, originated from the LAW 1A compressor. This compressor had been shutdown for several weeks prior to the event for maintenance. Engineering determined that the compressor had been purged to a UF6 negative and subsequently pressurized to atmosphere to allow work to be performed. The compressor was in Mode VI (Shutdown) when the smoke head actuation occurred."
"Based on the above, the plant conditions that the CADP smoke detection system was designed to protect against were not present when the small leak occurred, and this event may be retracted."
Portsmouth personnel notified the NRC resident inspector. The NRC operations officer notified the R3DO (Wright) and NMSS EO (Brach).
"At approximately 1954 hours, 10/29/00, operations personnel investigated a LAW CADP smoke head alarm. While investigating the alarm for smoke head SXE 2786 for LAW 2A compressor the operations personnel did not identify any visible release but smelled HF in the area. The 'SEE & FLEE' emergency procedures were immediately implemented. The affected LAW station withdrawal loop was in standby at the time of the alarm. Results of all surveys performed during the emergency response were less than MDA. At 2102 hours, an all clear was granted on the emergency response. PORTS is reporting this alarm as a valid actuation of a 'Q' Safety System.
"This is reportable to the NRC as a valid actuation of a 'Q' Safety System in accordance with Safety Analysis Report, section 6.9 (24-HOUR REPORT)."
*** UPDATE/RETRACTION AT 1639 ON 11/07/00 FROM ERIC SPAETH TO LEIGH TROCINE ***
The following text is a portion of a facsimile received from Portsmouth personnel:
"An engineering evaluation performed following the event determined that the small leak, which caused the smoke head actuation, originated from the LAW 1A compressor. This compressor had been shutdown for several weeks prior to the event for maintenance. Engineering determined that the compressor had been purged to a UF6 negative and subsequently pressurized to atmosphere to allow work to be performed. The compressor was in Mode VI (Shutdown) when the smoke head actuation occurred."
"Based on the above, the plant conditions that the CADP smoke detection system was designed to protect against were not present when the small leak occurred, and this event may be retracted."
Portsmouth personnel notified the NRC resident inspector. The NRC operations officer notified the R3DO (Wright) and NMSS EO (Brach).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 37471
Facility: SURRY
Region: 2 State: VA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: RAWLEIGH DILLARD
HQ OPS Officer: DOUG WEAVER
Region: 2 State: VA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: RAWLEIGH DILLARD
HQ OPS Officer: DOUG WEAVER
Notification Date: 10/29/2000
Notification Time: 01:30 [ET]
Event Date: 10/29/2000
Event Time: 01:08 [EST]
Last Update Date: 10/29/2000
Notification Time: 01:30 [ET]
Event Date: 10/29/2000
Event Time: 01:08 [EST]
Last Update Date: 10/29/2000
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(1)(v) - OTHER ASMT/COMM INOP
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(1)(v) - OTHER ASMT/COMM INOP
Person (Organization):
ANNE BOLAND (R2)
ANNE BOLAND (R2)
| 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 | N | 0 | Intermediate Shutdown | 0 | Intermediate Shutdown |
SAFETY PARAMETER DISPLAY SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONING
At 0008 hours (EST) on 10/29/00, the Safety Parameter Display System (SPDS) portion of the emergency Response Facility Computer System (ERFCS) was noted to be inoperable, due to all inputs being displayed in magenta color. Several attempts were made to reboot the system, but were unsuccessful.
Troubleshooting of the ERFCS with Maintenance is continuing at this time. A return to service time for the SPDS portion of the ERFCS has not been determined.
This report is being made pursuant to 10CFR50.72 (b)(1)(v).
At 0008 hours (EST) on 10/29/00, the Safety Parameter Display System (SPDS) portion of the emergency Response Facility Computer System (ERFCS) was noted to be inoperable, due to all inputs being displayed in magenta color. Several attempts were made to reboot the system, but were unsuccessful.
Troubleshooting of the ERFCS with Maintenance is continuing at this time. A return to service time for the SPDS portion of the ERFCS has not been determined.
This report is being made pursuant to 10CFR50.72 (b)(1)(v).
Other Nuclear Material
Event Number: 37472
Rep Org: PHILIP MORRIS USA
Licensee: PHILIP MORRIS USA
Region: 2
City: RICHMOND State: VA
County:
License #: 45-00385-06
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHUCK STIFF
HQ OPS Officer: DOUG WEAVER
Licensee: PHILIP MORRIS USA
Region: 2
City: RICHMOND State: VA
County:
License #: 45-00385-06
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHUCK STIFF
HQ OPS Officer: DOUG WEAVER
Notification Date: 10/30/2000
Notification Time: 10:17 [ET]
Event Date: 10/29/2000
Event Time: 10:56 [EST]
Last Update Date: 10/30/2000
Notification Time: 10:17 [ET]
Event Date: 10/29/2000
Event Time: 10:56 [EST]
Last Update Date: 10/30/2000
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2)(ii) - EQUIP DISABLED/FAILS
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2)(ii) - EQUIP DISABLED/FAILS
Person (Organization):
ANNE BOLAND (R2)
DON COOL (NMSS)
ANNE BOLAND (R2)
DON COOL (NMSS)
GAUGE SHUTTER FAILED TO CLOSE
"On Sunday October 29, 2000, an Authorized User was conducting a routine, monthly radiation safety audit. The factory was running that weekend, but Bay 1 was shut down. At 10:56 a.m. he noticed the shutter indicator on maker 1B4 indicated the shutter was open. The maker at 1B4 is a Hauni Protos 100 (maker # 1004) with a Hauni weight control system and a Hauni SRM 8000 scanning head (gauge # 1319). This gauge has three Strontium 90 sealed sources for a combined strength of 0.025 curies.
"The Authorized User inserted a cigarette rod in the pass tube to reduce the radiation level and called the Electrical Supervisor on duty. An Instrument Electrician (IE) was called to diagnose the weight control system. The IE found a defective circuit board. This Circuit board is located in the main electrical panel that controls the weight control system and the scanning head. The Authorized User stayed at the scanning head while the IE removed the defective circuit board and took it to the Electrical Repair Shop for repair. When the repaired circuit board was installed, the problem was fixed and the shutter closed properly. The Authorized User used the key switch to test the shutter several times and conducted a final survey with the shutter closed to ensure the shutter was closed and the scanning head was safe. The maker and scanning head were placed in service on C Shift, at approximately 11:00 p.m., October 29, 2000. The scanning head shutter would not open and the circuit board was removed and repaired again. The maker and scanning head were returned to service at approximately 6:30 a.m., October 30, 2000."
"On Sunday October 29, 2000, an Authorized User was conducting a routine, monthly radiation safety audit. The factory was running that weekend, but Bay 1 was shut down. At 10:56 a.m. he noticed the shutter indicator on maker 1B4 indicated the shutter was open. The maker at 1B4 is a Hauni Protos 100 (maker # 1004) with a Hauni weight control system and a Hauni SRM 8000 scanning head (gauge # 1319). This gauge has three Strontium 90 sealed sources for a combined strength of 0.025 curies.
"The Authorized User inserted a cigarette rod in the pass tube to reduce the radiation level and called the Electrical Supervisor on duty. An Instrument Electrician (IE) was called to diagnose the weight control system. The IE found a defective circuit board. This Circuit board is located in the main electrical panel that controls the weight control system and the scanning head. The Authorized User stayed at the scanning head while the IE removed the defective circuit board and took it to the Electrical Repair Shop for repair. When the repaired circuit board was installed, the problem was fixed and the shutter closed properly. The Authorized User used the key switch to test the shutter several times and conducted a final survey with the shutter closed to ensure the shutter was closed and the scanning head was safe. The maker and scanning head were placed in service on C Shift, at approximately 11:00 p.m., October 29, 2000. The scanning head shutter would not open and the circuit board was removed and repaired again. The maker and scanning head were returned to service at approximately 6:30 a.m., October 30, 2000."