Event Notification Report for December 14, 2011
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
12/13/2011 - 12/14/2011
Agreement State
Event Number: 47526
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: SHERWIN ALUMINA LP
Region: 4
City: CORPUS CRISTI State: TX
County:
License #: 00200
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Licensee: SHERWIN ALUMINA LP
Region: 4
City: CORPUS CRISTI State: TX
County:
License #: 00200
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Notification Date: 12/15/2011
Notification Time: 11:39 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/15/2011
Notification Time: 11:39 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/15/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SHUTTER ON FIXED PROCESS GAUGE
The following was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On December 14, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] received a report from a licensee that a shutter had failed on one of its Kay-Ray Model KR7062P fixed density gauges, which contains a 100 millicurie Cesium (Cs)-137 source. The shutter failed in the open position, which is its normal operating position. There is no increased exposure risk. The licensee is placing an information tag advising of the malfunction on the gauge until it can be replaced by a service company. Additional information will be provided as it is obtained."
Texas Case #: I-8910
The following was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On December 14, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] received a report from a licensee that a shutter had failed on one of its Kay-Ray Model KR7062P fixed density gauges, which contains a 100 millicurie Cesium (Cs)-137 source. The shutter failed in the open position, which is its normal operating position. There is no increased exposure risk. The licensee is placing an information tag advising of the malfunction on the gauge until it can be replaced by a service company. Additional information will be provided as it is obtained."
Texas Case #: I-8910
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Agreement State
Event Number: 47527
Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: MASACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Region: 1
City: CAMBRIDGE State: MA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANTHONY CARPENTINO
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER
Licensee: MASACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Region: 1
City: CAMBRIDGE State: MA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANTHONY CARPENTINO
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER
Notification Date: 12/15/2011
Notification Time: 11:43 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 01/30/2012
Notification Time: 11:43 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 01/30/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
HAROLD GRAY (R1DO)
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN (FSME)
HAROLD GRAY (R1DO)
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - POSSIBLE EXTREMITY DOSE EXCEEDING ANNUAL LIMIT
"On 12/14/11, the licensee reported to Agency [Ma. Radiation Control Program] a potential dose exceeding the adult occupational shallow dose equivalent limit of 50 Rem to the extremities. Situation involved a researcher handling microcurie quantities of phosphorus-32. Licensee's initial estimate of worker extremity exposure is in the range of 47-59 rem during the previous six months. Worker monitored with a whole body dosimeter but not with an extremity dosimeter. Licensee investigation of researcher's experimental procedures and handling techniques, after researcher observed left index finger skin discoloration, led to the conclusion of potential dose exceeding annual regulatory limit. Individual restricted from further radioactive material handling. Experimental procedure changes implemented by licensee.
"An investigation is ongoing."
MA Event: 12-9924
* * * UPDATE FROM TONY CARPENITO TO VINCE KLCO AT 1132 EST ON 12/21/2011* * *
The following information was received from the Commonwealth by email:
"On 12/19/11, the licensee reported a revised worker extremity exposure estimate of 40.15 rem. The Commonwealth [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] considers this event to still be open."
Notified the R1DO (Perry) and the FSME EO (Burgess).
* * RETRACTION FROM TONY CARPENTINO TO JOE O'HARA AT 0955 EST ON 1/30/2012 * *
"The Agency [Commonwealth of Massachusetts] inspection of 1/13/12 consisted of interviews with subject worker and other licensee personnel, observation of subject work area, and review of reports and representative records. Licensee determined subject worker's assigned 2011 shallow dose equivalent to the extremity to be 43.41 rem. Agency and subject worker accepts licensee's determination that subject worker's exposure did not exceed annual occupational dose limit for adults. Skin discoloration no longer visible.
"The Agency considers this event to be NON-REPORTABLE and CLOSED."
Notified R1DO(Cook) and FSME EO(McIntosh)
"On 12/14/11, the licensee reported to Agency [Ma. Radiation Control Program] a potential dose exceeding the adult occupational shallow dose equivalent limit of 50 Rem to the extremities. Situation involved a researcher handling microcurie quantities of phosphorus-32. Licensee's initial estimate of worker extremity exposure is in the range of 47-59 rem during the previous six months. Worker monitored with a whole body dosimeter but not with an extremity dosimeter. Licensee investigation of researcher's experimental procedures and handling techniques, after researcher observed left index finger skin discoloration, led to the conclusion of potential dose exceeding annual regulatory limit. Individual restricted from further radioactive material handling. Experimental procedure changes implemented by licensee.
"An investigation is ongoing."
MA Event: 12-9924
* * * UPDATE FROM TONY CARPENITO TO VINCE KLCO AT 1132 EST ON 12/21/2011* * *
The following information was received from the Commonwealth by email:
"On 12/19/11, the licensee reported a revised worker extremity exposure estimate of 40.15 rem. The Commonwealth [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] considers this event to still be open."
Notified the R1DO (Perry) and the FSME EO (Burgess).
* * RETRACTION FROM TONY CARPENTINO TO JOE O'HARA AT 0955 EST ON 1/30/2012 * *
"The Agency [Commonwealth of Massachusetts] inspection of 1/13/12 consisted of interviews with subject worker and other licensee personnel, observation of subject work area, and review of reports and representative records. Licensee determined subject worker's assigned 2011 shallow dose equivalent to the extremity to be 43.41 rem. Agency and subject worker accepts licensee's determination that subject worker's exposure did not exceed annual occupational dose limit for adults. Skin discoloration no longer visible.
"The Agency considers this event to be NON-REPORTABLE and CLOSED."
Notified R1DO(Cook) and FSME EO(McIntosh)
Power Reactor
Event Number: 47523
Facility: PALISADES
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: MIKE LEE
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: MIKE LEE
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 12/14/2011
Notification Time: 16:40 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2011
Event Time: 15:10 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/14/2011
Notification Time: 16:40 [ET]
Event Date: 12/14/2011
Event Time: 15:10 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/14/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
Person (Organization):
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3DO)
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M/R | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Standby |
MANUAL REACTOR TRIP DUE TO LOSS OF BOTH MAIN FEEDPUMPS
"The reactor was manually tripped at 1510 EST on 12/14/11 due to loss of both main feedpumps. Both feedpumps tripped on low suction pressure due to an apparent unplanned opening of the 'A' main feedpump recirculation valve. The cause of the main feedpump recirculation valve opening has not been determined. All full length control rods fully inserted. Auxiliary feed pump P-8A automatically started at 1511 EST on steam generator level as designed (10CFR50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A)). The turbine bypass valve is in service maintaining reactor coolant system temperature [by directing steam flow to the main condenser]. The plant is stable in mode 3 [and the reactor trip was considered uncomplicated].
"The Van Buren County Sherriff was notified [per other plant requirements] concerning use of the atmospheric steam dump causing excessive noise in the vicinity of the plant [immediately following the plant trip]."
The plant electric power is in the normal shutdown configuration. There was no primary to secondary leakage.
A press release is planned for the local media.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
"The reactor was manually tripped at 1510 EST on 12/14/11 due to loss of both main feedpumps. Both feedpumps tripped on low suction pressure due to an apparent unplanned opening of the 'A' main feedpump recirculation valve. The cause of the main feedpump recirculation valve opening has not been determined. All full length control rods fully inserted. Auxiliary feed pump P-8A automatically started at 1511 EST on steam generator level as designed (10CFR50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A)). The turbine bypass valve is in service maintaining reactor coolant system temperature [by directing steam flow to the main condenser]. The plant is stable in mode 3 [and the reactor trip was considered uncomplicated].
"The Van Buren County Sherriff was notified [per other plant requirements] concerning use of the atmospheric steam dump causing excessive noise in the vicinity of the plant [immediately following the plant trip]."
The plant electric power is in the normal shutdown configuration. There was no primary to secondary leakage.
A press release is planned for the local media.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.