Event Notification Report for October 4, 1999
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Reports For 10/01/1999 - 10/04/1999 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** 36145 36238 36249 36250 36251 36252 36253 36254 36255 36256 !!!!!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!!! +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 36145 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: INDIAN POINT REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 09/10/1999| | UNIT: [] [3] [] STATE: NY |NOTIFICATION TIME: 14:53[EDT]| | RXTYPE: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 09/10/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 14:00[EDT]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: MICHAEL TESORIERO |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: WILLIAM POERTNER +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |TOM MOSLAK R1 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |ASHU 50.72(b)(1)(i)(A) PLANT S/D REQD BY TS | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ | | | |3 N Y 87 Power Operation |86 Power Operation | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | PLANT SHUTDOWN REQUIRED BY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS DUE TO PINHOLE LEAK IN | | THE ESSENTIAL SERVICE WATER SYSTEM. | | | | At approximately 1400 hours on September 10, 1999, a plant shutdown was | | commenced as scheduled to enter a refueling outage. The ENS notification is | | being made because a portion of the Essential Service Water (SW) header was | | declared inoperable at approximately 1215 hours. A pinhole leak on 18 inch | | SW pipe number 408 was evaluated using the guidance of Generic Letter 90-05 | | and it was determined that the SW pipe could not be declared operable using | | the criteria provided in the Generic Letter. Concurrent with the planned | | shutdown, Technical Specification 3.3.F.2 requires the reactor be brought to | | the cold shutdown condition starting no later than 12 hours after the SW | | pipe was declared inoperable. The SW pipe will be repaired prior to plant | | startup. | | | | The SW pipe leak is located outside containment and can not be isolated for | | repairs until the plant is in cold shutdown. The SW pipe supplies the | | containment Fan Cooler units which are required by Technical Specifications. | | The leak rate is I to 2 drops per minute. | | | | The NRC resident inspector has been notified. | | | | * * * RETRACTED AT 1354 EDT ON 10/1/99 BY BRIAN ROKES TO FANGIE JONES * * * | | | | "The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is withdrawing the 1 hour non-emergency | | report made at 1453 hours, | | on September 10, 1999 (ENS Log No. 36145). The report identified that a 18 | | inch Service Water (SW) pipe, | | comprising a portion of the essential header outside containment, contained | | a pin hole leak that could not meet | | the operability criteria of Generic Letter 90-05. The SW pipe supplies the | | containment Fan Cooler Units. The | | inoperable SW pipe could not be isolated for repairs until the plant was in | | cold shutdown. | | | | "Upon further assessment NYPA determined that this event is not reportable. | | A revised calculation of the | | structural integrity of the pipe using the pipe stresses at the exact | | location of the weld with a through-wall flaw | | (pin hole) determined the piping was operable using the guidelines of NRC GL | | 90-05. The new calculation | | supersedes the original calculation which was performed conservatively by | | using a stress value enveloping two | | stress points on the pipe that resulted in the use of a higher stress value. | | The through-wall flaw occurred when | | the pipe weld was ground down for a Ultrasonic Testing. The UT was planned | | based on an Radiographic Test previously performed in RO 9. It was required | | and is standard industry practice to grind the weld flat for a proper | | straight beam UT. As part of NYPA's corrective action program, the cause and | | extent of condition of the through-wall flaw in a weld of SW piping is being | | evaluated and any repairs required will be performed before start-up from | | the current outage | | (RO 10)." | | | | The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The R1DO (David Silk) has | | been notified. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ !!!!!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!!! +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 36238 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: GRAND GULF REGION: 4 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 09/29/1999| | UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: MS |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:26[EDT]| | RXTYPE: [1] GE-6 |EVENT DATE: 09/29/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 08:30[CDT]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: WALTER CADE |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: WILLIAM POERTNER +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |JEFF SHACKELFORD R4 | |10 CFR SECTION: |DWIGHT CHAMBERLAIN R4 | |DDDD 73.71 UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | POTENTIAL SABOTAGE WITH SAFETY EQUIPMENT | | | | Immediate compensatory measures were taken upon discovery. | | | | The NRC resident inspector has been notified by the licensee. | | | | (Refer to the HOO Log for additional details.) | | | | * * * UPDATE 1335EDT ON 10/1/99 FROM DAVID HANKS TO S. SANDIN * * * | | | | THE LICENSEE IS RETRACTING THIS REPORT AFTER FURTHER REVIEW. CONTACT THE | | NRC OPERATIONS CENTER FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. THE LICENSEE WILL INFORM THE | | NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR. NOTIFIED R4DO(SHACKELFORD). | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 36249 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: SALEM REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999| | UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: NJ |NOTIFICATION TIME: 03:19[EDT]| | RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 09/30/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 23:30[EDT]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: STEVE SAUER |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: DOUG WEAVER +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |DAVID SILK R1 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |AIND 50.72(b)(2)(iii)(D) ACCIDENT MITIGATION | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N N 0 Refueling |0 Refueling | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | RHR PUMP DISCHARGE VALVE FAILED TO CLOSE ON DEMAND | | | | The #12 Residual Heat Removal (RHR) pump motor operated discharge valve | | failed to close upon demand. This valve is required by Emergency Operating | | Procedures to be closed during cold leg recirculation to provide long term | | containment spray. The cause of the failure is currently under | | investigation. | | | | The licensee will inform the NRC resident inspector and LAC Township. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 36250 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: CRYSTAL RIVER REGION: 2 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999| | UNIT: [3] [] [] STATE: FL |NOTIFICATION TIME: 03:51[EDT]| | RXTYPE: [3] B&W-L-LP |EVENT DATE: 10/01/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 01:14[EDT]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: RICKY RAWLS |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: DOUG WEAVER +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |RUDOLPH BERNHARD R2 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |AESF 50.72(b)(2)(ii) ESF ACTUATION | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |3 N Y 4 Startup |4 Startup | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | EMERGENCY FEEDWATER START | | | | The unit was in the process of a normal plant shut down for a refueling | | outage when the running Main Feedwater pump (MFP-2A) tripped. The tripping | | of the only running feedwater pump caused Emergency Feedwater to actuate | | (EFP-1 and EFP-2). The plant did not experience any abnormal changes in | | OTSG level or other systems. The cause of the MFP trip is unknown at this | | time. The "B" MFP (MFP-2B) was started and emergency feedwater secured and | | reset. | | | | The licensee informed the NRC resident inspector. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |General Information or Other |Event Number: 36251 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | REP ORG: ARKANSAS DEPT OF HEALTH |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999| |LICENSEE: ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:38[EDT]| | CITY: LITTLE ROCK REGION: 4 |EVENT DATE: 09/29/1999| | COUNTY: STATE: AR |EVENT TIME: 12:00[CDT]| |LICENSE#: 572-INC-02-96 AGREEMENT: Y |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999| | DOCKET: |+----------------------------+ | |PERSON ORGANIZATION | | |JEFF SHACKELFORD R4 | | |JOSIE PICCONE NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+ | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: DAVID SNELLINGS | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: DOUG WEAVER | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |NAGR AGREEMENT STATE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - P-32 CONTAMINATION | | | | "On September 30, 1999, the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at Arkansas | | Children's Hospital (ARK-572-lNC-02-96) in Little Rock, Arkansas notified | | the Arkansas Department of Health of an event that occurred at approximately | | 12:00 p.m. on September 29, 1999. During a Phosphorus-32 (P-32) therapy | | procedure, a problem with the stopcock resulted in a release of | | approximately 500 microCuries on the table, floor and clothing of two | | individuals. | | | | "One individual was slightly contaminated on the forearm and was immediately | | decontaminated. Clothing, shoes and other contaminated items were collected | | and are being held for decay. Decontamination of the floor was still ongoing | | at the time of the original notification. Notification was required because | | the room had been restricted for more than 24 hours by imposing additional | | radiological controls or prohibiting entry into the room due to an unplanned | | contamination event | | (CFR 30.50B.1.). | | | | "The contaminated area was less than 150 square feet and the highest | | measured activity was 2300 dpm/100 square centimeters. The area was | | successfully decontaminated and has been released for normal operations." | | | | The licensee will submit a written report describing the event and the | | corrective actions taken. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 36252 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: PILGRIM REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999| | UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: MA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:52[EDT]| | RXTYPE: [1] GE-3 |EVENT DATE: 10/01/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 11:00[EDT]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: FRANCIS CLIFFORD |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: STEVE SANDIN +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |DAVID SILK R1 | |10 CFR SECTION: |JOSIE PICCONE NMSS | |KSNM 70.52(a) LOSS OF SNM/CRIT |JOSEPH GIITTER IRO | | |MICHAEL WEBER (IAT) NMSS | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | HISTORICAL REPORT INVOLVING MISPLACEMENT OF SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL | | | | "This is a late report of a loss of a very small amount of Special Nuclear | | Material (SNM) that occurred on July 29, 1998. For a period of no more than | | 29 days, 4 IRMs were not properly stored in the spent fuel pool, their | | designated storage area. Because the IRMs were subsequently found within | | the RCA, this event was not initially reported. On subsequent review | | associated with closing out corrective action associated with the event, | | it has been found that the original determination that the IRMs were not | | lost was not conservative, and that this event should have been reported in | | 1998. This report corrects that error. All SNM is currently accounted for | | at Pilgrim Station." | | | | The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Fuel Cycle Facility |Event Number: 36253 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: ALLIED-SIGNAL INC. |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999| | RXTYPE: URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE PRODUCTION |NOTIFICATION TIME: 14:11[EDT]| | COMMENTS: UF6 CONVERSION (DRY PROCESS) |EVENT DATE: 10/01/1999| | |EVENT TIME: 12:45[CDT]| | |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/01/1999| | CITY: METROPOLIS REGION: 3 +-----------------------------+ | COUNTY: MASSAC STATE: IL |PERSON ORGANIZATION | |LICENSE#: SUB-526 AGREEMENT: Y |TONY VEGEL R3 | | DOCKET: 04003392 |JOSIE PICCONE NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+JOSEPH GIITTER IRO | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: HUGH ROBERTS | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: STEVE SANDIN | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |NINF INFORMATION ONLY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | BRUSH FIRE ON ALLIED SIGNAL PROPERTY REQUIRING OFFSITE ASSISTANCE | | | | AT APPROXIMATELY 1245CDT, A BRUSH FIRE ERUPTED ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF THE | | ALLIED SIGNAL FACILITY BETWEEN HIGHWAY 45 AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THE | | LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED. THE FIRE INVOLVES A SECTION OF THE | | PROPERTY ABOUT 0.25 MILES IN LENGTH BY 100 YARDS WIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT | | IS STILL ON THE SCENE AND REPORTS THAT THE FIRE IS UNDER CONTROL. THE | | LICENSEE WILL INFORM THE NRC REGION III OFFICE AS A COURTESY. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 36254 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: INDIAN POINT REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/01/1999| | UNIT: [2] [] [] STATE: NY |NOTIFICATION TIME: 22:04[EDT]| | RXTYPE: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 10/01/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 18:18[EDT]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: VASELY |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/02/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |DAVID SILK R1 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |APRE 50.72(b)(2)(vi) OFFSITE NOTIFICATION | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |2 N N 0 Hot Shutdown |0 Hot Shutdown | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | POSSIBLE PRESS RELEASE MAY BE MADE. | | | | THE ON DUTY SHIFT SECURITY SUPERVISOR ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGED HIS WEAPON | | WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF CLEANING IT. THE DISCHARGED ROUND PENETRATED A | | STORAGE CABINET AND LODGED IN A TACTICAL VEST. THIS OCCURRED IN THEIR | | SECONDARY ALARM STATION INSIDE THE PROTECTED AREA. NO ONE WAS INJURED | | DURING THIS INCIDENT AND THEY ARE THINKING OF MAKING A PRESS RELEASE. | | | | THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR WAS NOTIFIED. | | | | * * * UPDATE ON 10/02/99 AT 0830ET BY D. CORNAX TAKEN BY MACKINNON * * * | | | | AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THIS EVENT A WACKENHUT SUPERVISOR | | CONDUCTING A WEAPONS INVENTORY CHECK WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE ON DUTY | | SECURITY SHIFT SUPERVISOR. THE SPENT SHELL CASING STRUCK THE WACKENHUT | | SUPERVISOR ABOVE THE LEFT EYE CAUSING A SLIGHT SCRATCH. HE ALSO EXPERIENCED | | SOME HEARING DISCOMFORT FROM THE NOISE. THE WACKENHUT SUPERVISOR WAS SENT | | TO THE HUDSON VALLEY HOSPITAL BY THE SECURITY SHIFT SUPERVISOR AND WACKENHUT | | PROJECT MANAGER FOR PRECAUTIONARY HEARING EXAMINATION. HE RETURNED TO WORK | | AT 2050 HOURS ON 10/01/99. | | R1DO (DAVID SILK), NMSS IAT (JOHN DAVIDSON) AND IRO (JOE GIITTER) NOTIFIED. | | | | THE NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE LICENSEE. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 36255 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: SOUTH TEXAS REGION: 4 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/02/1999| | UNIT: [] [2] [] STATE: TX |NOTIFICATION TIME: 21:03[EDT]| | RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 10/02/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 19:05[CDT]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: FRAWLEY |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/02/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |JEFF SHACKELFORD R4 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |DDDD 73.71 UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ | | | |2 N Y 94 Power Operation |94 Power Operation | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | UNACCOUNTED FOR ACCESS KEY. COMPENSATORY MEASURES WERE PUT INTO PLACE. | | | | SEE HOO LOG FOR DETAILS. | | | | THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR WAS NOTIFIED. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 36256 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: PALO VERDE REGION: 4 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 10/03/1999| | UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: AZ |NOTIFICATION TIME: 18:04[EDT]| | RXTYPE: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE |EVENT DATE: 10/02/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 09:53[MST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: MARKS |LAST UPDATE DATE: 10/03/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |JEFF SHACKELFORD R4 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |ADAS 50.72(b)(2)(i) DEG/UNANALYZED COND | | |NLCO TECH SPEC LCO A/S | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N N 0 Hot Standby |0 Cold Shutdown | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | REACTOR COOLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE BOUNDARY LEAKAGE | | | | On October 2,1999 at approximately 0953 MST, Palo Verde Nuclear Generating | | Station (PVNGS) Unit 1 discovered evidence of reactor coolant system (RCS) | | pressure boundary leakage. PVNGS Unit 1 was shutdown in Mode 3 in its eighth | | refueling outage at the time of discovery and is now in Mode 5(as of 2035 on | | 10/2/99). Current RCS temperature is approximately 102 degrees Fahrenheit | | and RCS pressure is approximately 31 psia. | | | | The leakage was discovered at two Inconel alloy 600 nozzles, one in each of | | the RCS hot legs. One was at the nozzle upstream of valve RCV-285 in the | | line to a steam generator #2 differential pressure instrument. The other was | | at the nozzle upstream of valve RCV-277 in the line to a steam generator #1 | | differential pressure instrument. The leakage was identified in the form of | | small deposits of boron accumulation around the circumference of the | | nozzles. PVNGS has conducted inspections of these nozzles during each | | refueling outage since the discovery that Inconel alloy 600 nozzles are | | susceptible to axial cracking when sensitized. No evidence of leakage was | | detected when inspected during the last outage, approximately 18 months ago. | | Isotopic analysis of the boron accumulation detected only long-lived | | radionuclides, indicating that it has taken over 3 years for the reactor | | coolant to migrate through the nozzle weld and wall thickness. | | | | PVNGS Unit 1 Technical Specification Limiting Condition for Operation 3.4.14 | | (RCS Operational Leakage) permits no reactor coolant system pressure | | boundary leakage, therefore the evidence of leakage represents serious | | degradation of a principal safety barrier. Operators conservatively entered | | LCO 3.4.14 at 0953 MST on October 2, 1999. The difference in this ENS report | | time was due to the disparity between the isotopic analysis indicating at | | least 3 years age and the inspection conducted 18 months ago, causing | | suspicion that the boron deposits may have come from a different leak | | point. | | | | PVNGS is replacing the two nozzles during the outage and will continue to | | inspect remaining Inconel alloy 600 nozzles. No ESF actuations occurred and | | none were required. No structures, systems or components were inoperable | | that contributed to this event, particularly the fuel cladding and the | | containment fission product barriers. PVNGS is not in an applicable mode | | requiring RCS integrity. The event did not result in the release of | | radioactivity to the environment and did not adversely affect the safe | | operation of the plant or the health and safety of the public. | | | | The Resident Inspector was notified. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
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