Event Notification Report for December 26, 2008
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
12/25/2008 - 12/26/2008
EVENT NUMBERS
44742
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 44742
Facility: PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
Region: 2 State: KY
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
NRC Notified By: KEVIN BEASLEY
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Region: 2 State: KY
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
NRC Notified By: KEVIN BEASLEY
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 12/27/2008
Notification Time: 14:19 [ET]
Event Date: 12/26/2008
Event Time: 20:43 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/31/2008
Notification Time: 14:19 [ET]
Event Date: 12/26/2008
Event Time: 20:43 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/31/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
76.120(c)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
10 CFR Section:
76.120(c)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
GEORGE HOPPER (R2)
ERIC BENNER (NMSS)
GEORGE HOPPER (R2)
ERIC BENNER (NMSS)
PROCESS GAS LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM INOPERABLE
"At 2043 CST, on 12-26-08 the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified that C-337 Unit 6 Cell 9 was above atmospheric pressure and the UF6 Release Detection (PGLD) System was inoperable. The cell had been running below atmosphere earlier in the day but a new gradient was put in and load movement caused pressure to go above atmosphere. The PGLD System for Unit 6 Cell 9 had been inoperable for an extended period of time due to wiring problems. TSR 2.4.4.1 requires that at least the minimum number of detector heads in the cell are operable during steady state operations above atmospheric pressure. Even though the increase in cell pressure was due to load movement which is transient in nature, it was determined that the pressure had been above atmosphere for about four and a half hours, which is longer than the typical transient. With the Unit 6 Cell 9 PGLD system inoperable, none of the required cell heads were operable. TSR LCO 2.4.4.1.B.1 was entered and a continuous smoke watch was put in place within one hour. This event is reportable as a 24 hour event in accordance with 10CFR76.120(c)(2)(i). This is an event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when: a.) the equipment is required by a TSR to prevent releases, prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding specified limits, mitigate the consequences of an accident, or restore this facility to a pre-established safe condition after an accident; b.) the equipment is required by a TSR to be available and operable and either should have been operating or should have operated on demand, and c.) no redundant equipment is available and operable to perform the required safety function.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event."
* * * RETRACTION ON 12/31/2008 AT 1716 FROM TONY HUDSON TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
"A subsequent review of the cell pressure proved that the cell pressures were below atmosphere at all times with the exception of one pressure spike of approximately 20 minutes. Since the cell was not operated above atmosphere and the TSR does not require PGLD systems to be operable during short term pressure transients, reporting under 10CFR76.120 is not required."
Notified the R2DO (Lesser) and NMSS (Lorson).
"At 2043 CST, on 12-26-08 the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified that C-337 Unit 6 Cell 9 was above atmospheric pressure and the UF6 Release Detection (PGLD) System was inoperable. The cell had been running below atmosphere earlier in the day but a new gradient was put in and load movement caused pressure to go above atmosphere. The PGLD System for Unit 6 Cell 9 had been inoperable for an extended period of time due to wiring problems. TSR 2.4.4.1 requires that at least the minimum number of detector heads in the cell are operable during steady state operations above atmospheric pressure. Even though the increase in cell pressure was due to load movement which is transient in nature, it was determined that the pressure had been above atmosphere for about four and a half hours, which is longer than the typical transient. With the Unit 6 Cell 9 PGLD system inoperable, none of the required cell heads were operable. TSR LCO 2.4.4.1.B.1 was entered and a continuous smoke watch was put in place within one hour. This event is reportable as a 24 hour event in accordance with 10CFR76.120(c)(2)(i). This is an event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when: a.) the equipment is required by a TSR to prevent releases, prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding specified limits, mitigate the consequences of an accident, or restore this facility to a pre-established safe condition after an accident; b.) the equipment is required by a TSR to be available and operable and either should have been operating or should have operated on demand, and c.) no redundant equipment is available and operable to perform the required safety function.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event."
* * * RETRACTION ON 12/31/2008 AT 1716 FROM TONY HUDSON TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
"A subsequent review of the cell pressure proved that the cell pressures were below atmosphere at all times with the exception of one pressure spike of approximately 20 minutes. Since the cell was not operated above atmosphere and the TSR does not require PGLD systems to be operable during short term pressure transients, reporting under 10CFR76.120 is not required."
Notified the R2DO (Lesser) and NMSS (Lorson).