| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
04/14/2004 - 04/15/2004 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Power Reactor | Event Number: 40600 | Facility: LIMERICK
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DAN SEMETER
HQ OPS Officer: RICH LAURA | Notification Date: 03/19/2004
Notification Time: 21:00 [ET]
Event Date: 03/19/2004
Event Time: 14:08 [EST]
Last Update Date: 04/14/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
HAROLD GRAY (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 15 | Power Operation | 15 | Power Operation | Event Text HPCI SYSTEM DECLARED INOPERABLE AT LIMERICK 1 DUE TO A BROKEN HAND SWITCH
"On 3/19/04 at 14:08 PM EST, the Unit-1. HPCI system was declared inoperable due to a hand-switch failure, which prevented main control room operation of the HV-055-1F0O1 HPCI steam admission valve. The system had just successfully completed its functional surveillance test and the switch broke resulting in the operators using an, alternate means to shutdown the HPCI system. The steam admission valve is not a PCIV. The valve was open all the time; the system was shutdown using an alternate procedure. The system is now blocked for hand-switch replacement. This report is being made pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v) for failure of a single train accident mitigation system."
The NRC Resident inspector was notified. Operators entered the unit into a 14 day LCO for declaring HPCI system inoperable.
*****RETRACTED ON 4/14/04 AT 12:56 FROM GAMBLE TO LAURA*****
"This is a retraction of the event notification made on 3/19/04 at 21:00 hours. This event (#40600) was initially reported as a safety system functional failure under the requirement of 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(D). Unit 1 High Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) system was declared inoperable due to a handswitch failure that prevented operation of the HV-055-1F001 HPCI steam admission valve from the main control room. The handswitch failed while attempting to close the steam admission valve during system shutdown at the conclusion of surveillance testing. The operator then closed the outboard steam line isolation valve to complete the system shutdown.
"HPCI is automatically initiated by low reactor level or high drywell pressure signals. Manual HPCI initiation for inventory makeup is performed by depressing the initiation pushbutton. Both automatic initiation and manual initiation using the pushbutton open the steam admission valve. The failed handswitch did not adversely affect the initiation of the HPCI system in the inventory makeup mode. The manual startup of the system in the test mode of operation is unavailable when the handswitch is failed. The test mode can be used to remove decay heat following an isolation of the main steam lines but it is not a credited safety function.
"The steam admission valve handswitch would not be used to shutdown the system when an automatic initiation signal is present; the outboard steam line isolation valve would be closed to secure the system. This is the method that was used to secure the system during the surveillance test. The handswitch is mainly used to startup and secure the system during surveillance testing. The system was removed from service as part of a planned evolution to conduct surveillance testing in accordance with an approved procedure and the plant's Technical Specifications. The system was secured for the purpose of concluding the surveillance test and replacing the handswitch. The failed handswitch did not adversely affect the systems capability of performing its safety function. A condition did not exist at the time of discovery that could have prevented the fulfillment of the HPCI safety function."
Notified R1DO (B. MCDERMOTT). |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40663 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: PSI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: TX L04946
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JIM OGDEN
HQ OPS Officer: DICK JOLLIFFE | Notification Date: 04/09/2004
Notification Time: 21:49 [ET]
Event Date: 04/09/2004
Event Time: 16:45 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/09/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)
C.W. (BILL) REAMER (NMSS)
MATTHEW HAHN (TAS)
VICTOR GONZALEZ (MEX)
| Event Text TEXAS AGREEMENT STATE EVENT - STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
At 2149 EDT on 04/09/04, the Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control reported that between 1645 CDT and 1910 CDT on 04/09/04, a Troxler Moisture Density Gauge, Model #3430, Serial #24711, belonging to PSI Construction Company, San Antonio, TX was stolen from a 2003 Ford Ranger company pickup truck in San Antonio, TX. The stolen gauge contained an 8 millicurie Cs-137 source and a 40 millicurie Am-241:Be source. The gauge case was locked to the back of the truck but the gauge was not locked in its case. The company truck driver was suspended pending investigation. The theft was reported to the San Antonio Police Department. An announcement about the theft will be made on the local AM radio and the local TV Station tonight at 2200 CDT offering a $500 reward for the return of the gauge. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40668 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: NITON LLC
Region: 1
City: BILLERICA State: MA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOHN SUMARES
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 04/12/2004
Notification Time: 09:17 [ET]
Event Date: 02/12/2004
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/12/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN (R1)
DALE POWERS (R4)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
On 2/12/04, a Niton XRF Portable Analyzer (model Xli 800 - S/N 5089) shutter failed to close when the device was placed in the off mode. The incident occurred at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Honolulu, HI and did not involve any significant radiation exposures to personnel. The device was packaged with temporary shielding and returned to Niton for evaluation.
Niton determined that the shutter malfunction was the result of a loose set screw which connects the shutter to the motor. A component change to the Xli 800 series models was made that involves upgrading to a nylock set screw. This was the first instance of this type of failure. Instruments returned to Niton for resourcing or software upgrade will be modified in this manner to prevent shutter failure.
This particular device contains a 30 millicurie Americium-241 source and is used for rapid identification and chemistry of metal alloy composition. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40669 | Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: COOPERHEAT - MQS
Region: 4
City: MONROE State: LA
County:
License #: LA-9808-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SCOTT BLACKWELL
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT | Notification Date: 04/12/2004
Notification Time: 15:38 [ET]
Event Date: 01/09/2004
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/12/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
DALE POWERS (R4)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT OF OVEREXPOSURE
The following facsimile was received from the Louisiana Radiation Protection Division:
"Cooperheat reported an over exposure to the assistant radiographer, on January 20, 2004. The radiographer received a dose of 9,347 mR due failure to properly survey the radiography camera on January 9, 2004. The other radiographer received a dose of 4,974 mR. Both employees are not allowed to perform radiographic operations until after January 1, 2005. The radiographer was suspended 5 days without pay and the other radiographer was suspended 7 days without pay. Both employees are required to perform the 40 hour radiation safety training again before resuming radiographic operations. The employees were utilizing an Amersham camera model 660B with serial number B4293. The source was a 37.2 curie source of Ir-192 model number 424-9 with serial number 12680B." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40673 | Facility: YANKEE ROWE
Region: 1 State: MA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: MARK DEBAY
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT | Notification Date: 04/14/2004
Notification Time: 13:00 [ET]
Event Date: 04/14/2004
Event Time: 12:25 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/14/2004 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN MCDERMOTT (R1)
TERRY REIS (NRR)
SUSAN FRANT (DIRO)
SCOTT MOORE (NMSS)
MARK MERRITT (DHS)
DALE POWERS (R4)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Decommissioned | 0 | Decommissioned | Event Text UNUSUAL EVENT - FIRE GREATER THAN 30 MINUTES
While dismantling the vapor containment using a torch, slag fell down on some plastic below and started a fire. The fire was reported to the control room at 1155. The licensee declared an unusual event at 1225. The fire department responded. The fire was extinguished at 1303. This is a decommissioned facility and there is no fuel in the reactor. No one was injured. There was only very low levels of radioactivity in the building of less than 1000 disintegrations per minute per 100 centimeters squared.
* * * UPDATE AT 1416 ON 4/14/04 DEBAY TO GOTT * * *
At 1408, Yankee Rowe terminated from the Unusual Event. Initial sampling indicates that there was no radiological release.
Notified R1(McDermott), NRR (Reis), NMSS (Holahan), DIRO (Wessman), DHS (MacKee), and FEMA (Sullivan). |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 40674 | Rep Org: PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Licensee: PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Region: 1
City: UNIVERSITY PARK State: PA
County:
License #: 37185-04
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ERIC BOELDT
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT | Notification Date: 04/14/2004
Notification Time: 15:25 [ET]
Event Date: 03/30/2004
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/14/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN MCDERMOTT (R1)
ROBERTO TORRES (NMSS)
| Event Text MISSING GAS CHROMATOGRAPH
"During a routine sealed source inventory and leak test in March 2004, a technician from the Pennsylvania State University's Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) found that a 14 millicurie source of nickel-63 was missing. The source was from a Varian Associates, Inc. gas chromatograph (GC):
Model number: 3400CX
Serial number : 17561
Source serial number: A10017
NRC Device Key #: 478731
Penn State # 1993-1019
Source Description: Plated nickel-63 source
Current activity: 14 millicuries
"EHS contacted faculty and staff associated with the laboratory while trying to locate the instrument. After repeated inquiries, it was determined that the GC had been sent to University Salvage in September 2003, and from there it was sold as scrap. According to NUREG-1717, Systematic Radiological Assessment of Exemptions for Source and Byproduct Materials, the dose to any individual from a scrapped Ni-63 gas chromatograph source would be less than 0.01 mSv (1 millirem)." | |