Event Notification Report for May 11, 2009
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
05/10/2009 - 05/11/2009
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 45058
Facility: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Region: 2 State: IL
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE PRODUCTION
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL GREENO
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Region: 2 State: IL
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE PRODUCTION
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL GREENO
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 05/12/2009
Notification Time: 12:18 [ET]
Event Date: 05/11/2009
Event Time: 11:30 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/12/2009
Notification Time: 12:18 [ET]
Event Date: 05/11/2009
Event Time: 11:30 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/12/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
40.60(b)(1) - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION
10 CFR Section:
40.60(b)(1) - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION
Person (Organization):
JAY HENSON (R2)
MARISSA BAILEY (NMSS)
JAY HENSON (R2)
MARISSA BAILEY (NMSS)
MULTIPLE FAILURES TO MEET 24 HOUR REPORTING CRITERIA
"On May 11, 2009, at approximately 1130 CST, licensee initial evaluation concluded that events meeting the 24 hour reporting criteria of 10CFR40.60 (b)(1) had not been reported during the period 10/17/08 through 03/29/09 (37 events total). Each event involved leakage from processing equipment located in the Feeds Material Building, (FMB). The material involved in each case was either natural uranium, or UF4 (green salt), in the form of a dry powder or dust. It is believed in each case the quantity of material exceeded 5 times the lowest ALI as specified in 10CFR40.60(b)(1)(ii), which for this material is less than 3 grams.
"In each case appropriate protective measures were applied when contamination was discovered. Protective measures included turning on precautionary lights, and requiring the wearing of respirators for personnel entering affected areas. Cleanup of affected areas was also conducted.
"A more conservative interpretation of which events are considered unplanned versus planned has been incorporated. The previous interpretation historically applied, considered the event planned, if at the first indication of leakage, mitigating actions were initiated. The more conservative interpretation will incorporate considering the event unplanned, if mitigating measures were not already in place for a planned activity at the time of discovery. This more conservative interpretation has been discussed with NRC Region II, has been adopted as the facility's practice, and communicated to licensee management.
"Review of personnel bioassay data indicates no resulting increase in personnel dose measurements. Review of liquid and gaseous effluent data, and sampling data from the restricted area boundary all indicate no significant increases in effluent measurements, and all analytical results are well within regulatory limits. There is no impact to plant workers or members of the public as a result of this event. Routine contamination surveys are being conducted in accordance with Health Physics program procedures, and results are reviewed with the plant ALARA committee.
"This event will be addressed by corrective actions in accordance with the plant Corrective Action Program."
"On May 11, 2009, at approximately 1130 CST, licensee initial evaluation concluded that events meeting the 24 hour reporting criteria of 10CFR40.60 (b)(1) had not been reported during the period 10/17/08 through 03/29/09 (37 events total). Each event involved leakage from processing equipment located in the Feeds Material Building, (FMB). The material involved in each case was either natural uranium, or UF4 (green salt), in the form of a dry powder or dust. It is believed in each case the quantity of material exceeded 5 times the lowest ALI as specified in 10CFR40.60(b)(1)(ii), which for this material is less than 3 grams.
"In each case appropriate protective measures were applied when contamination was discovered. Protective measures included turning on precautionary lights, and requiring the wearing of respirators for personnel entering affected areas. Cleanup of affected areas was also conducted.
"A more conservative interpretation of which events are considered unplanned versus planned has been incorporated. The previous interpretation historically applied, considered the event planned, if at the first indication of leakage, mitigating actions were initiated. The more conservative interpretation will incorporate considering the event unplanned, if mitigating measures were not already in place for a planned activity at the time of discovery. This more conservative interpretation has been discussed with NRC Region II, has been adopted as the facility's practice, and communicated to licensee management.
"Review of personnel bioassay data indicates no resulting increase in personnel dose measurements. Review of liquid and gaseous effluent data, and sampling data from the restricted area boundary all indicate no significant increases in effluent measurements, and all analytical results are well within regulatory limits. There is no impact to plant workers or members of the public as a result of this event. Routine contamination surveys are being conducted in accordance with Health Physics program procedures, and results are reviewed with the plant ALARA committee.
"This event will be addressed by corrective actions in accordance with the plant Corrective Action Program."
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 45053
Facility: B&W NUCLEAR OPERATING GROUP, INC.
Region: 2 State: VA
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
NRC Notified By: CHERYL GOFF
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Region: 2 State: VA
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
NRC Notified By: CHERYL GOFF
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 05/11/2009
Notification Time: 12:28 [ET]
Event Date: 05/11/2009
Event Time: 08:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/11/2009
Notification Time: 12:28 [ET]
Event Date: 05/11/2009
Event Time: 08:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/11/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL
Person (Organization):
EUGENE GUTHRIE (R2DO)
LARRY CAMPBELL (NMSS)
FUELS GROUP - Email
EUGENE GUTHRIE (R2DO)
LARRY CAMPBELL (NMSS)
FUELS GROUP - Email
CONCURRENT REPORT - VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY NOTIFIED OF WASTE TREATMENT RELEASE
"On May 10, 2009 at about 0215, Waste Treatment operations began pumping sanitary sludge from the sanitary sludge holding tank to the Low Level Radioactivity (LLR) press. This is accomplished by activating an air-actuated diaphragm pump which suctions from the holding tank and discharges to the LLR press. Observations by area operators both at the press and the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) display showed no abnormal conditions.
"Near or around 0345, area security officers notified the area operators that liquid was accumulating on the ground under the sanitary sludge holding tank. The operator attending to the reported release observed a leak on the discharge side of the diaphragm pump. The pump was halted and the isolation valve at the bottom of the holding tank was closed to halt the release.
"Plant supervision was promptly notified and efforts were initiated to contain the release using absorbent pads and dikes. Most of the liquid was contained and pumped back into the sanitary system, and approximately 10-20 gallons drained to the system Final Effluent Pond (FEP 601). No liquid was observed to have been released to the James River.
"On May 11, 2009 at approximately 8:30 am, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was notified of the release both verbally and by email. This notification was performed to satisfy the notification requirements contained in the current site Virginia Pollutant Discharge Eliminations System (VPDES) permit for unanticipated bypasses of treatment systems. Notification is required verbally (within 24 hours) and in writing (within 5 days) upon discovery of the circumstances surrounding the bypass.
"There were no radiological concerns with this event."
The licensee will contact the NRC Resident Inspector.
"On May 10, 2009 at about 0215, Waste Treatment operations began pumping sanitary sludge from the sanitary sludge holding tank to the Low Level Radioactivity (LLR) press. This is accomplished by activating an air-actuated diaphragm pump which suctions from the holding tank and discharges to the LLR press. Observations by area operators both at the press and the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) display showed no abnormal conditions.
"Near or around 0345, area security officers notified the area operators that liquid was accumulating on the ground under the sanitary sludge holding tank. The operator attending to the reported release observed a leak on the discharge side of the diaphragm pump. The pump was halted and the isolation valve at the bottom of the holding tank was closed to halt the release.
"Plant supervision was promptly notified and efforts were initiated to contain the release using absorbent pads and dikes. Most of the liquid was contained and pumped back into the sanitary system, and approximately 10-20 gallons drained to the system Final Effluent Pond (FEP 601). No liquid was observed to have been released to the James River.
"On May 11, 2009 at approximately 8:30 am, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was notified of the release both verbally and by email. This notification was performed to satisfy the notification requirements contained in the current site Virginia Pollutant Discharge Eliminations System (VPDES) permit for unanticipated bypasses of treatment systems. Notification is required verbally (within 24 hours) and in writing (within 5 days) upon discovery of the circumstances surrounding the bypass.
"There were no radiological concerns with this event."
The licensee will contact the NRC Resident Inspector.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 45055
Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: EDWEN URQUHART
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: EDWEN URQUHART
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 05/11/2009
Notification Time: 17:11 [ET]
Event Date: 05/11/2009
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/11/2009
Notification Time: 17:11 [ET]
Event Date: 05/11/2009
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/11/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
EUGENE GUTHRIE (R2DO)
EUGENE GUTHRIE (R2DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown |
| 2 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown |
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION TO NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER
"[The licensee was] Notified by chemistry, that while performing [the procedure for monitoring] the annual releases via unplanned routes for gamma sampling for groundwater well P17B, which is located near the southeast corner of the Diesel Generator (DG) building, a strong diesel / fuel oil odor in the groundwater being collected was detected by the sampling technician. In addition to the strong petroleum odor, the groundwater from the well had a reddish tint. This color is indicative of the red dye used to identify off-road diesel.
"The P17B is normally sampled annually for tritium and gamma. The last sample from this well was taken in January 2009 for the tritium sample surveillance.
"Southern Nuclear Company (SNC) Corporate Environmental Affairs was contacted to make the appropriate communications. Environmental Affairs has contacted the National Response Center.
"[The licensee's] Plans are to excavate in the area of well P17B to determine potential source of fuel oil to [the] ground water well."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
"[The licensee was] Notified by chemistry, that while performing [the procedure for monitoring] the annual releases via unplanned routes for gamma sampling for groundwater well P17B, which is located near the southeast corner of the Diesel Generator (DG) building, a strong diesel / fuel oil odor in the groundwater being collected was detected by the sampling technician. In addition to the strong petroleum odor, the groundwater from the well had a reddish tint. This color is indicative of the red dye used to identify off-road diesel.
"The P17B is normally sampled annually for tritium and gamma. The last sample from this well was taken in January 2009 for the tritium sample surveillance.
"Southern Nuclear Company (SNC) Corporate Environmental Affairs was contacted to make the appropriate communications. Environmental Affairs has contacted the National Response Center.
"[The licensee's] Plans are to excavate in the area of well P17B to determine potential source of fuel oil to [the] ground water well."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.