Event Notification Report for April 24, 2018
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
04/23/2018 - 04/24/2018
Power Reactor
Event Number: 53361
Facility: DIABLO CANYON
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: ERIC THOMAS
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: ERIC THOMAS
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Notification Date: 04/24/2018
Notification Time: 14:44 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2018
Event Time: 03:57 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 04/24/2018
Notification Time: 14:44 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2018
Event Time: 03:57 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 04/24/2018
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
MICHAEL VASQUEZ (R4DO)
MICHAEL VASQUEZ (R4DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
CONTAINMENT RADIATION MONITORS INOPERABLE
"At 0357 [PDT], Unit 2 Containment High Range Radiation Monitor RM-31 was declared inoperable due to erratic indication. At this time, Containment High Range Radiation Monitor RM-30 was out of service for routine calibration.
"With both containment high range radiation monitors inoperable, this impacted DCPP's [Diablo Canyon Power Plant's] ability to evaluate containment radiation data for an unmonitored release in the event of an emergency. Compensatory measures were promptly put in place with the use of a portable radiation monitor as required by emergency preparedness procedures.
"This condition is being reported as a loss of assessment capability in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"Actions are in progress to restore RM-30 and RM-31 to operable status.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified."
* * * UPDATE ON 4/24/18 AT 1716 EDT FROM ERIC THOMAS TO DONG PARK * * *
RM-30 was restored to service. Portable radiation monitoring is not required.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Vasquez).
"At 0357 [PDT], Unit 2 Containment High Range Radiation Monitor RM-31 was declared inoperable due to erratic indication. At this time, Containment High Range Radiation Monitor RM-30 was out of service for routine calibration.
"With both containment high range radiation monitors inoperable, this impacted DCPP's [Diablo Canyon Power Plant's] ability to evaluate containment radiation data for an unmonitored release in the event of an emergency. Compensatory measures were promptly put in place with the use of a portable radiation monitor as required by emergency preparedness procedures.
"This condition is being reported as a loss of assessment capability in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"Actions are in progress to restore RM-30 and RM-31 to operable status.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified."
* * * UPDATE ON 4/24/18 AT 1716 EDT FROM ERIC THOMAS TO DONG PARK * * *
RM-30 was restored to service. Portable radiation monitoring is not required.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Vasquez).
Agreement State
Event Number: 53363
Rep Org: ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
Region: 4
City: MAGNOLIA State: AR
County:
License #: ARK-0717-03120
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID STEPHENS
HQ OPS Officer: STEVEN VITTO
Licensee: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
Region: 4
City: MAGNOLIA State: AR
County:
License #: ARK-0717-03120
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID STEPHENS
HQ OPS Officer: STEVEN VITTO
Notification Date: 04/26/2018
Notification Time: 10:31 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2018
Event Time: 14:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/24/2018
Notification Time: 10:31 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2018
Event Time: 14:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/24/2018
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
MICHAEL VASQUEZ (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
MICHAEL VASQUEZ (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SHUTTERS
The following was received from the State of Arkansas via email:
"At approximately 1400 [CDT] on 4/24/2018 the Arkansas Department of Heath Radioactive Materials Program received a phone call from the licensee stating that during routine shutter tests two fixed gauge shutters were not functioning properly; one had a stuck shutter and the other was stiff and might become stuck. The gauges are Thermo MeasureTech Model 7063S, source serial numbers S97D2112 (stuck shutter) and S97D2109 (stiff shutter), each originally containing 2 Ci of Cs137.
"Discussion with the licensee indicates that the gauges are mounted on a reactor, outside of normal employee traffic. It is normally open during operations and is only closed during maintenance of the reactor, which is not planned. Cautionary signage is already present. The licensee representative stated that the staff will be made aware of the situation. Licensee maintenance is assessing the situation and will advise the ADH Radioactive Materials program of the plan for handling this situation.
"The State of Arkansas is awaiting a written report from the licensee and final disposition information for the gauge. The State's event number is AR-2018-004."
* * * UPDATE FROM DAVID STEPHENS TO VINCE KLCO ON 7/24/2018 AT 1025 EDT * * *
The following information was received from the State of Arkansas via email:
"Subsequent to the previous communication, the licensee wrote on April 25, 2018, that Thermo-Fisher had been contacted to schedule a field service visit to address the situation. [Surveys taken indicated readings below 2 mR/hr. at 1 foot for the suspect gauges]. It has been decided by the licensee to have the service technician inspect all three gauges on site that are of the same model.
"On May 21, 2018, a letter from the licensee indicated that on May 8, a field service engineer with Thermo-Fisher Scientific was able to lubricate and unstick the affected shutters using a graphite lubricant. Leak tests indicated no contamination above the threshold. The field service engineer advised the licensee that a plan should be developed for replacement of these gauges as spare parts are no longer available. The licensee will be attempting to replace the affected gauges within the next year; meanwhile, the shutters of the affected gauges will be lubricated and checked once a month.
"In an email on July 20, 2018, the licensee stated that they had been informed by Thermo-Fisher that the 7063S model source holder was notorious for having stiff shutters. The pin/spring assembly apparently has very tight tolerances, and any dust or particulates in the mechanism can stiffen shutter function. The licensee stated that they attributed this event to this mechanism being exposed to the elements for over 20 years.
"The state of Arkansas considers this incident closed."
Notified the R4DO (Gepford) and the NMSS Events Group via email.
The following was received from the State of Arkansas via email:
"At approximately 1400 [CDT] on 4/24/2018 the Arkansas Department of Heath Radioactive Materials Program received a phone call from the licensee stating that during routine shutter tests two fixed gauge shutters were not functioning properly; one had a stuck shutter and the other was stiff and might become stuck. The gauges are Thermo MeasureTech Model 7063S, source serial numbers S97D2112 (stuck shutter) and S97D2109 (stiff shutter), each originally containing 2 Ci of Cs137.
"Discussion with the licensee indicates that the gauges are mounted on a reactor, outside of normal employee traffic. It is normally open during operations and is only closed during maintenance of the reactor, which is not planned. Cautionary signage is already present. The licensee representative stated that the staff will be made aware of the situation. Licensee maintenance is assessing the situation and will advise the ADH Radioactive Materials program of the plan for handling this situation.
"The State of Arkansas is awaiting a written report from the licensee and final disposition information for the gauge. The State's event number is AR-2018-004."
* * * UPDATE FROM DAVID STEPHENS TO VINCE KLCO ON 7/24/2018 AT 1025 EDT * * *
The following information was received from the State of Arkansas via email:
"Subsequent to the previous communication, the licensee wrote on April 25, 2018, that Thermo-Fisher had been contacted to schedule a field service visit to address the situation. [Surveys taken indicated readings below 2 mR/hr. at 1 foot for the suspect gauges]. It has been decided by the licensee to have the service technician inspect all three gauges on site that are of the same model.
"On May 21, 2018, a letter from the licensee indicated that on May 8, a field service engineer with Thermo-Fisher Scientific was able to lubricate and unstick the affected shutters using a graphite lubricant. Leak tests indicated no contamination above the threshold. The field service engineer advised the licensee that a plan should be developed for replacement of these gauges as spare parts are no longer available. The licensee will be attempting to replace the affected gauges within the next year; meanwhile, the shutters of the affected gauges will be lubricated and checked once a month.
"In an email on July 20, 2018, the licensee stated that they had been informed by Thermo-Fisher that the 7063S model source holder was notorious for having stiff shutters. The pin/spring assembly apparently has very tight tolerances, and any dust or particulates in the mechanism can stiffen shutter function. The licensee stated that they attributed this event to this mechanism being exposed to the elements for over 20 years.
"The state of Arkansas considers this incident closed."
Notified the R4DO (Gepford) and the NMSS Events Group via email.