Event Notification Report for October 16, 2004
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
10/15/2004 - 10/16/2004
EVENT NUMBERS
41128
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Power Reactor
Event Number: 41128
Facility: PALISADES
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: AMY HAZELHOFF
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: AMY HAZELHOFF
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT
Notification Date: 10/17/2004
Notification Time: 01:03 [ET]
Event Date: 10/16/2004
Event Time: 17:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 11/19/2014
Notification Time: 01:03 [ET]
Event Date: 10/16/2004
Event Time: 17:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 11/19/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION
Person (Organization):
ROGER LANKSBURY (R3)
BILL BATEMAN (NRR)
ROGER LANKSBURY (R3)
BILL BATEMAN (NRR)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling |
REACTOR VESSEL HEAD NOZZLE CRACKING
"On 10/16/04, with the Plant in Mode 6, Nuclear Management Company identified through wall cracks in the inconel buttering adjacent to the J-weld on reactor head penetrations 29 and 30. Ultrasonic examinations of the reactor vessel head were being performed in accordance with the First Revised Order, EA-03-009. The ultrasonic examinations identified leak path detection indications. Therefore, in accordance with the Order, a bare metal visual inspection of the exterior of the reactor head was performed. No evidence of leakage was discovered. A dye-penetrant examination was then performed. The dye-penetrant exam showed minor surface indications that required further examination. Following minor excavation of the weld surface, the through wall cracks were identified.
"This condition was determined to be reportable at 1730 EST for penetration 30, and at 1915 EST for penetration 29.
"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A).
"Reactor head penetrations 29 and 30 will be repaired prior to placing the reactor vessel head back in service.
"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."
* * * RETRACTION ON 11/19/14 AT 1434 EST FROM TERRY DAVIS TO DONG PARK * * *
"On October 17, 2004, Nuclear Management Company notified the NRC, via non-emergency event report 41128 that leak path detection indications had been identified in two reactor pressure vessel head control rod drive mechanism nozzle penetrations at Palisades. At that time, the probable cause of the identified indications was believed to be primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). As a result, event report 41128 was made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) as a condition that resulted in a principle safety barrier being seriously degraded.
"Based on a recently completed engineering evaluation that compared the indications found in 2004 to the indications identified in subsequent examinations, it was determined the indications originally discovered in 2004 were embedded welding indications, caused by the original welding process.
"Since the indications identified in 2004 were not caused by PWSCC, serious degradation of a principle safety barrier did not exist. Consequently, the reporting criterion of 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) is not applicable. Therefore, event report 41128 is being retracted. In addition, Palisades Licensee Event Report (LER), 2004-002, 'Leak Path Indications Identified in Reactor Pressure Vessel Head Nozzle Penetrations,' is being cancelled."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified R3DO (Peterson).
"On 10/16/04, with the Plant in Mode 6, Nuclear Management Company identified through wall cracks in the inconel buttering adjacent to the J-weld on reactor head penetrations 29 and 30. Ultrasonic examinations of the reactor vessel head were being performed in accordance with the First Revised Order, EA-03-009. The ultrasonic examinations identified leak path detection indications. Therefore, in accordance with the Order, a bare metal visual inspection of the exterior of the reactor head was performed. No evidence of leakage was discovered. A dye-penetrant examination was then performed. The dye-penetrant exam showed minor surface indications that required further examination. Following minor excavation of the weld surface, the through wall cracks were identified.
"This condition was determined to be reportable at 1730 EST for penetration 30, and at 1915 EST for penetration 29.
"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A).
"Reactor head penetrations 29 and 30 will be repaired prior to placing the reactor vessel head back in service.
"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."
* * * RETRACTION ON 11/19/14 AT 1434 EST FROM TERRY DAVIS TO DONG PARK * * *
"On October 17, 2004, Nuclear Management Company notified the NRC, via non-emergency event report 41128 that leak path detection indications had been identified in two reactor pressure vessel head control rod drive mechanism nozzle penetrations at Palisades. At that time, the probable cause of the identified indications was believed to be primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). As a result, event report 41128 was made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) as a condition that resulted in a principle safety barrier being seriously degraded.
"Based on a recently completed engineering evaluation that compared the indications found in 2004 to the indications identified in subsequent examinations, it was determined the indications originally discovered in 2004 were embedded welding indications, caused by the original welding process.
"Since the indications identified in 2004 were not caused by PWSCC, serious degradation of a principle safety barrier did not exist. Consequently, the reporting criterion of 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) is not applicable. Therefore, event report 41128 is being retracted. In addition, Palisades Licensee Event Report (LER), 2004-002, 'Leak Path Indications Identified in Reactor Pressure Vessel Head Nozzle Penetrations,' is being cancelled."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified R3DO (Peterson).