Event Notification Report for December 01, 1999
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
11/30/1999 - 12/01/1999
Research Reactor
Event Number: 36480
Rep Org: UNIV OF TEXAS
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
Region: 4
City: AUSTIN State: TX
County: TRAVIS
License #: R-129
Agreement: Y
Docket: 05000602
NRC Notified By: SEAN O'KELLY
HQ OPS Officer: FANGIE JONES
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
Region: 4
City: AUSTIN State: TX
County: TRAVIS
License #: R-129
Agreement: Y
Docket: 05000602
NRC Notified By: SEAN O'KELLY
HQ OPS Officer: FANGIE JONES
Notification Date: 12/02/1999
Notification Time: 17:26 [ET]
Event Date: 12/01/1999
Event Time: 10:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/02/1999
Notification Time: 17:26 [ET]
Event Date: 12/01/1999
Event Time: 10:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/02/1999
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
PHIL HARRELL (R4)
WILLIAM BECKNER (NRR)
CHARLES MILLER (IRO)
ALEXANDER ADAMS (NRR)
PHIL HARRELL (R4)
WILLIAM BECKNER (NRR)
CHARLES MILLER (IRO)
ALEXANDER ADAMS (NRR)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION VIOLATION DISCOVERED
The licensee has determined that Tech Spec 3.4.2, which limits the amount of explosive material in the reactor to less than 25 milligrams has been exceeded. Following an investigation of bulging of the reactor reflector in October this year it has been determined that an accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen gas of approximately 5000 times the Tech Spec limit has accumulated in the reflector. The reflector is graphite, contained an aluminum can, doughnut shaped, that fits around the reactor. Apparently, a pinhole sized leak allowed water from the reactor pool to seep into the reflector can, which then underwent radiolytic decomposition filling the can with hydrogen and oxygen gas. The reflector has been ultrasonically examined to determine if it was full of water and it is not.
The licensee has and is consulting experts concerning their plan to vent the gasses out of the reflector under water in a slow and controlled manner. The reactor is defueled and will remain so until this problem is corrected.
The licensee notified the NRC Project Manager concerning this issue.
The licensee has determined that Tech Spec 3.4.2, which limits the amount of explosive material in the reactor to less than 25 milligrams has been exceeded. Following an investigation of bulging of the reactor reflector in October this year it has been determined that an accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen gas of approximately 5000 times the Tech Spec limit has accumulated in the reflector. The reflector is graphite, contained an aluminum can, doughnut shaped, that fits around the reactor. Apparently, a pinhole sized leak allowed water from the reactor pool to seep into the reflector can, which then underwent radiolytic decomposition filling the can with hydrogen and oxygen gas. The reflector has been ultrasonically examined to determine if it was full of water and it is not.
The licensee has and is consulting experts concerning their plan to vent the gasses out of the reflector under water in a slow and controlled manner. The reactor is defueled and will remain so until this problem is corrected.
The licensee notified the NRC Project Manager concerning this issue.
General Information or Other
Event Number: 36478
Rep Org: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING & INSPECTION COMPANY, INC.
Region: 2
City: JUPITER State: FL
County: MARTIN
License #: 2940-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHARLES ADAMS (fax)
HQ OPS Officer: BOB STRANSKY
Licensee: PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING & INSPECTION COMPANY, INC.
Region: 2
City: JUPITER State: FL
County: MARTIN
License #: 2940-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHARLES ADAMS (fax)
HQ OPS Officer: BOB STRANSKY
Notification Date: 12/01/1999
Notification Time: 12:50 [ET]
Event Date: 12/01/1999
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/02/1999
Notification Time: 12:50 [ET]
Event Date: 12/01/1999
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/02/1999
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
KENNETH BARR (R2)
SCOTT MOORE (NMSS)
KENNETH BARR (R2)
SCOTT MOORE (NMSS)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TROXLER GAUGE
A Troxler Model # 3411B moisture/density gauge (serial no. 13472) was lost from the back of a pickup truck. The gauge contains one 8 mCi Cs-137 source and one 40 mCi Am-241/Be source. The following narrative was submitted via facsimile:
"The gauge was in the back of a pickup proceeding down Highway A1A. The tailgate came open and the bed liner and gauge fell out of the vehicle. A county employee working nearby witnessed the incident. He saw a vehicle stop and pick up the bed liner and another vehicle stop and pick up the gauge. The Martin County Sheriff's office is working the case. Martin County Emergency Management and the owner are issuing a joint press release. Florida Bureau of Radiation Control is also investigating the incident."
* * * UPDATE ON 12/02/99 AT 0808ET BY JERRY EAKINS TAKEN BY MACKINNON * * *
Jerry Eakins of the Florida Bureau of Radiation Control reported that the Troxler gauge was recovered by the Licensee this morning at 0700ET. The Troxler gauge is not damaged and the licensee will perform a leak test of the gauge. The State of Florida case number for this event is Fl 99-0162.
NRC R2DO (Ken Barr) and NMSS EO (Scott Moore) notified.
A Troxler Model # 3411B moisture/density gauge (serial no. 13472) was lost from the back of a pickup truck. The gauge contains one 8 mCi Cs-137 source and one 40 mCi Am-241/Be source. The following narrative was submitted via facsimile:
"The gauge was in the back of a pickup proceeding down Highway A1A. The tailgate came open and the bed liner and gauge fell out of the vehicle. A county employee working nearby witnessed the incident. He saw a vehicle stop and pick up the bed liner and another vehicle stop and pick up the gauge. The Martin County Sheriff's office is working the case. Martin County Emergency Management and the owner are issuing a joint press release. Florida Bureau of Radiation Control is also investigating the incident."
* * * UPDATE ON 12/02/99 AT 0808ET BY JERRY EAKINS TAKEN BY MACKINNON * * *
Jerry Eakins of the Florida Bureau of Radiation Control reported that the Troxler gauge was recovered by the Licensee this morning at 0700ET. The Troxler gauge is not damaged and the licensee will perform a leak test of the gauge. The State of Florida case number for this event is Fl 99-0162.
NRC R2DO (Ken Barr) and NMSS EO (Scott Moore) notified.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 36476
Facility: WOLF CREEK
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JENKINS
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JENKINS
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON
Notification Date: 12/01/1999
Notification Time: 03:24 [ET]
Event Date: 12/01/1999
Event Time: 02:19 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/01/1999
Notification Time: 03:24 [ET]
Event Date: 12/01/1999
Event Time: 02:19 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/01/1999
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(1)(i)(A) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(1)(i)(A) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS
Person (Organization):
DALE POWERS (R4)
DALE POWERS (R4)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 99 | Power Operation |
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REQD SHUTDOWN DUE TO FAILED TRAIN "A" ESFAS AFW ACTUATION LOGIC RELAY 48 VDC POWER SUPPLY.
BALANCE OF PLANT ENGINEERED SAFETY FEATURE ACTUATION SYSTEM (ESFAS) AUTOMATIC LOGIC RELAYS FOR AUXILIARY FEEDWATER 48 VDC TRAIN "A" POWER SUPPLY FAILED. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 3.3.2, FUNCTION 6.C, ACTION 21, WAS ENTERED AT 0117CT. AT 0119 CT THE LICENSEE ENTERED AND COMMENCED A TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REACTOR SHUTDOWN. REACTOR POWER IS BEING REDUCED AT LESS THAN 0.5% PER MINUTE. TRAIN "B" MOTOR DRIVEN AUXILIARY FEEDWATER PUMP AND THE TURBINE DRIVEN AUXILIARY FEEDWATER PUMP ARE FULLY OPERABLE. THE FAILURE OF THE 48 VDC POWER SUPPLY CAUSED THE BISTABLE TO CAUSE A FUEL BUILDING ISOLATION SIGNAL, CONTROL ROOM ISOLATION VENTILATION SIGNAL, AND CONTAINMENT PURGE ISOLATION SIGNAL ACTUATIONS. THE EMERGENCY CORE COOLING SYSTEMS AND EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATORS ARE FULLY OPERABLE. THE ELECTRICAL GRID IS STABLE.
TWO INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN CALLED IN TO INSTALL A SPARE POWER SUPPLY. THE SPARE POWER SUPPLY IN PRESENTLY IN THE RECALIBRATION SHOP. THE LICENSEE PROJECTS THAT THE SPARE POWER SUPPLY SHOULD BE INSTALLED BY 0430 CT AT WHICH TIME THEY WILL EXIT THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REQUIRED SHUTDOWN.
THE NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS EVENT BY THE LICENSEE.
SEE EVENT # 36474 FOR THE SAME EVENT CALLED IN BY THE LICENSEE ON 11/30/99 AT 0612 ET.
* * * UPDATE AT 0617ET ON 12/01/99 BY JENKINS TAKEN BY MACKINNON * * *
AT 0430CT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION EXITED AFTER THE POWER SUPPLY WAS REPLACED/TESTED. REACTOR POWER WAS REDUCED TO 54%. REACTOR POWER WILL BE INCREASED BACK TO 100% AT 0.5% PER MINUTE.
THE NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR IS IN THE CONTROL ROOM AND HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE EVENT UPDATE BY THE LICENSEE. NRC R4DO (DALE POWERS) NOTIFIED BY THE HEADQUARTERS OPERATION OFFICER.
BALANCE OF PLANT ENGINEERED SAFETY FEATURE ACTUATION SYSTEM (ESFAS) AUTOMATIC LOGIC RELAYS FOR AUXILIARY FEEDWATER 48 VDC TRAIN "A" POWER SUPPLY FAILED. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 3.3.2, FUNCTION 6.C, ACTION 21, WAS ENTERED AT 0117CT. AT 0119 CT THE LICENSEE ENTERED AND COMMENCED A TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REACTOR SHUTDOWN. REACTOR POWER IS BEING REDUCED AT LESS THAN 0.5% PER MINUTE. TRAIN "B" MOTOR DRIVEN AUXILIARY FEEDWATER PUMP AND THE TURBINE DRIVEN AUXILIARY FEEDWATER PUMP ARE FULLY OPERABLE. THE FAILURE OF THE 48 VDC POWER SUPPLY CAUSED THE BISTABLE TO CAUSE A FUEL BUILDING ISOLATION SIGNAL, CONTROL ROOM ISOLATION VENTILATION SIGNAL, AND CONTAINMENT PURGE ISOLATION SIGNAL ACTUATIONS. THE EMERGENCY CORE COOLING SYSTEMS AND EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATORS ARE FULLY OPERABLE. THE ELECTRICAL GRID IS STABLE.
TWO INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN CALLED IN TO INSTALL A SPARE POWER SUPPLY. THE SPARE POWER SUPPLY IN PRESENTLY IN THE RECALIBRATION SHOP. THE LICENSEE PROJECTS THAT THE SPARE POWER SUPPLY SHOULD BE INSTALLED BY 0430 CT AT WHICH TIME THEY WILL EXIT THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REQUIRED SHUTDOWN.
THE NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS EVENT BY THE LICENSEE.
SEE EVENT # 36474 FOR THE SAME EVENT CALLED IN BY THE LICENSEE ON 11/30/99 AT 0612 ET.
* * * UPDATE AT 0617ET ON 12/01/99 BY JENKINS TAKEN BY MACKINNON * * *
AT 0430CT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION EXITED AFTER THE POWER SUPPLY WAS REPLACED/TESTED. REACTOR POWER WAS REDUCED TO 54%. REACTOR POWER WILL BE INCREASED BACK TO 100% AT 0.5% PER MINUTE.
THE NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR IS IN THE CONTROL ROOM AND HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE EVENT UPDATE BY THE LICENSEE. NRC R4DO (DALE POWERS) NOTIFIED BY THE HEADQUARTERS OPERATION OFFICER.