Event Notification Report for September 28, 2001

MISSING CHEMICAL AGENT DETECTOR CONTAINING 30 MICROCURIES OF AMERICIUM-241

A chemical agent detector (CAD) containing 30 microcuries of americium-241 was discovered to be missing during a physical inventory conducted during 08/01. A search was performed at all units, and the US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland was notified of the missing CAD at 1207 on 09/28/01. It is believed that the CAD may have been last used by the Wisconsin Army National Guard located in Black River Falls during nuclear biological chemical (NBC) training.

(Call the NRC operations officer for licensee contact information.)

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION REGARDING AN OPACITY VIOLATION (4-hour Report)

The following text is a portion of a facsimile received from Portsmouth personnel:

"At 1520 hours [on] 09/28/01, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) was notified per Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3745-15-06(B) that an opacity exceedance had occurred at the X-600 Steam Plant. The opacity violation occurred on [the] #2 Boiler when our #2A Precipitator voltages began to fluctuate. Operators adjusted load/air requirements on the #2 Boiler in an effort to prevent further exceedances. [The] cause of the voltage fluctuations has not been determined at this time."

"This is reportable as a 4-hour NRC Event due to notification to an outside agency (OEPA) being made per Nuclear Regulatory Reporting Procedure UE2-RA-RE1030, Appendix D, Criteria P (Miscellaneous)."

Portsmouth personnel notified the NRC resident inspector.

24-HOUR REPORT REGARDING AN OPERATING LICENSE CONDITION VIOLATION (POTENTIAL MAXIMUM POWER LEVEL VIOLATION)

The following text is a portion of a facsimile received from the licensee:

"This report is being made in accordance with Fermi 2 License Condition 2.F, as a potential violation of the Maximum Power Level of 3430 MWth as described in License Condition 2.C(1)."

"GE report titled, 'Impact of Steam Carryover Fraction on Process Computer Heat Balance Calculations, September 2001,' documents a non-conservative assumption for moisture [carryover] used in the calculation of core thermal power. The assumed carryover fraction of .1% was discovered to be closer to 0.0% (non-conservative) in later model GE BWRs."

"An initial review at Fermi 2 was completed at 1625 on 09/28/01. The initial review indicated that Fermi is susceptible to the non-conservative core thermal power calculation, with an estimated bias of 1.64 MWth. This initial analysis was based on a carryover test performed in 1996 at Fermi 2."

"Fermi 2 has an administrative 8-hour average power limit of 3428.8 MWth. Given the 1.64 MWth bias, it is possible that the license limit of 3430 MWth has been exceeded in the past. Fermi 2 took immediate action to reduce the administrative power limit to 3427 MWth. Reactor power was reduced by 3 MWth."

The licensee notified the NRC resident inspector.

(Refer to event numbers 38337, 38340, 38344, 38445, 38347, 38349, 38356, and 38357 for similar events at Perry, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Columbia Generating Station, Limerick 2, River Bend, Clinton, and Limerick 1.)

PART 21 INVOLVING UNACCEPTABLE INSPECTION SERVICES

On August 24, 2001, FPC personnel performed a water test on spare safety-related Decay Heat Raw Water System pump RWP-3A to determine whether the lip seal was installed correctly. This test was not part of an FPC receipt inspection. No bearing flush/lubricating water flow was observed coming from the pump. Upon disassembly of the pump bowl, FPC personnel confirmed that the lip seal was installed incorrectly.

In 1999, spare RWP-3A pump was rebuilt by Tampa Armature Works under Purchase Order No. F742538K. FPC contracted Raytheon (Contract Number NO1067AD) to oversee the RWP-3A rebuilding activities and ensure, through inspection, that the work was performed in accordance with the Raytheon 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, QA Program. The shop traveler provided to Tampa Armature Works by FPC included a detailed sketch and specific guidance with respect to the orientation of the pump lip seal. In February 2000, Tampa Armature Works signed off on and Raytheon Inspector 21 stamped Shop Traveler Line Item #30A attesting to the correct orientation of the lip seal even though the lip seal was not installed correctly. The rebuilt pump was subsequently delivered to FPC.

FPC considers the above condition to be reportable pursuant to 10 CFR 21.21 as a defect associated with a substantial safety hazard.

10 CFR 21.3 states, in part, that a defect means a deviation in a basic component delivered to a purchaser for use in a facility or activity subject to 10 CFR Part 21 if, on the basis of an evaluation, the deviation could create a substantial safety hazard.

The NRC Resident Inspector and the vendor were notified.

TROXLER GAUGE WAS STOLEN FROM STATE OF FLORIDA LICENSEE

A truck with a Troxler gauge (8mCi Cs-137 and 40mCi Be:Am-241) in a transport case chained to the bed was left unattended in the parking lot. When an employee returned at 11:30 a.m., the gauge was missing. The padlock on the transport case had been cut and the gauge was gone. The transport case and the keys were not taken. Law enforcement and the Florida Bureau of Radiation Control are investigating. NRC Region II has been notified.