Alert

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the NRC has ceased normal operations. However, excepted and exempted activities necessary to maintain critical health and safety functions—as well as essential progress on designated critical activities, including those specified in Executive Order 14300—will continue, consistent with the OMB-Approved NRC Lapse Plan.

Event Notification Report for May 3, 2004

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
04/30/2004 - 05/03/2004

** EVENT NUMBERS **

General Information or Other	Event Number: 40708
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM Licensee: UCLA MEDICAL CENTER Region: 4 City: TORRANCE State: CA County: License #: 0369-19 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: KATHLEEN KAUFMAN HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD	Notification Date: 04/27/2004 Notification Time: 16:06 [ET] Event Date: 03/19/2004 Event Time: 11:30 [PDT] Last Update Date: 04/27/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): CHARLES MARSCHALL (R4) ROBERTO TORRES (NMSS)

Event Text

A STATE OF CALIFORNIA LICENSEE HAS LOST A CESIUM 137 SEED

The licensee reported that at approximately 1130 am the physicist was involved in removal of cesium 137 seeds from an implant The seeds were counted and accounted for in the patient's room after removal. They were then brought to the radiation oncology hot lab for placement into the safe. While removing them from the "Heyman Carrier" the physicist encountered some difficulty with one of the seeds which resulted in its being "flung" behind the counter in the hot lab and "lost." The Radiation Safety Office was notified and an initial search for the seed (activity 10 mg Ra equivalent - 25 millicuries) did not locate it.

The same afternoon the RSO presumably located the seed lodged in the crack of the counter. Because of its location the counter was required to be taken apart. The State was informed by RSO on April 26, 2004 that final retrieval will be made in approximately two weeks when they receive their new counter table and safe so that the remaining seeds can be removed and present counter cut to retrieve the lost seed.

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Other Nuclear Material	Event Number: 40715
Rep Org: COGEMA MINING INC Licensee: COGEMA MINING INC Region: 4 City: MILLS State: WY County: License #: SUA-1341 Agreement: N Docket: NRC Notified By: TOM NICHOLSON HQ OPS Officer: RICH LAURA	Notification Date: 04/29/2004 Notification Time: 11:03 [ET] Event Date: 04/28/2004 Event Time: 15:00 [MDT] Last Update Date: 04/30/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: OTHER UNSPEC REQMNT	Person (Organization): CHARLES MARSCHALL (R4) JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)

Event Text

MINOR WASTE POND LEAKAGE AT COGEMA MINING

The licensee reported the discovery of minor leaks detected in two of four surface evaporator waste ponds used as a portion of an uranium milling process. Each pond has a leak detection system which is checked once per week. The minor leaks were detected on 4/28/04 indicating some minor leakage through the pool liner. The licensee stated there was no release of liquid to the environment. Corrective actions planned are to pump down the two ponds and inspect and repair the liner as needed. This report was made pursuant to License Condition 11.4 which specifies to notify the NRC of any spills or leaks. The licensee also notified the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

*****RETRACTED ON 4/30/04 AT 1115 FROM Nicholson TO LAURA*****

The licensee determined this event was not reportable because 10 CFR40.60 and 10 CFR20.2202 did not apply. The leakage was very minor and none was released to the environment.

Notified NMSS (J. Hickey) and R4DO (C. Marschall).

Power Reactor	Event Number: 40718
Facility: NINE MILE POINT Region: 1 State: NY Unit: [ ] [2] [ ] RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5 NRC Notified By: STEPHEN FREGEAU HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY	Notification Date: 04/30/2004 Notification Time: 17:20 [ET] Event Date: 04/01/2004 Event Time: 03:06 [EDT] Last Update Date: 04/30/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION	Person (Organization): RICHARD BARKLEY (R1)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
2	N	N	0	Refueling	0	Refueling

Event Text

INVALID AUTOMATIC START OF EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATOR DURING SURVEILLANCE TEST

"The purpose of this report is provide a telephone notification under 10 CFR 50.73 (a)(2)(iv)(A) in lieu of submitting a written LER for an invalid actuation from other than the Reactor Protection System (RPS) when the reactor is critical.

"On April 1, 2004 at 0306, during a refueling outage the Division I Diesel Generator auto-started during the performance of a bus under-voltage surveillance test. The diesel generator successfully started with the Divisional Switchgear remaining energized from off-site power. The diesel was secured following verification of the start to be a result of an invalid signal.

"Prior to the engine start, the diesel was removed from service to support planned maintenance activities. In conjunction with these activities surveillance testing was being performed which required the diesel generator to be unavailable. When the maintenance activities were completed the diesel was restored to available. The relay and control testing was recommenced without realizing the impact that restoring the tag out would have on the testing. The diesel started successfully, however it did not energize the switchgear, as the switchgear remained energized from its normal power supply."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 40719
Facility: NINE MILE POINT Region: 1 State: NY Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5 NRC Notified By: FRED RINGWALD HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT	Notification Date: 05/02/2004 Notification Time: 04:09 [ET] Event Date: 05/02/2004 Event Time: 02:17 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/02/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION	Person (Organization): RICHARD BARKLEY (R1) TAD MARSH (NRR) SUSAN FRANT (IRO)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
1	M/R	Y	19	Power Operation	0	Hot Shutdown

Event Text

MANUAL SCRAM DUE TO RISING TORUS TEMPERATURE DUE TO STUCK OPEN ERV

"Operators inserted a manual scram at 0217 (EDT) in anticipation of torus bulk temperature approaching 110 degrees F following an Electromatic Relief Valve (ERV) failing to close during ERV testing. Technical Specification 3.3.2.e requires the insertion of a manual scram prior to torus bulk temperature reaching 110 degrees F. The maximum average torus temperature was 104 degrees F.

"Operators opened ERV 123 at 0209 for post maintenance testing from approximately 19% power. The ERV subsequently stuck open. Operators performed the off-normal procedure for a stuck open ERV, but this failed to shut the valve. This ported steam from the reactor vessel to the torus resulting in an uncontrolled torus temperature rise. Operators placed torus cooling in service but this did not stop the rising torus temperature. Following the manual scram, cooldown, and depressurization, shutdown cooling is being placed in service.

"Immediately following the manual scram, a turbine trip signal actuated the logic for high pressure coolant injection. High pressure coolant injection actuated and operators controlled level above 53 inches.

"With the ERV stuck open, the cooldown rate could not be controlled. The cooldown rate was approximately 190 degrees F during the first hour following the scram."

All control rods fully inserted into the core. Decay heat is being removed by shutdown cooling (in service at the time of the report). The operators intend to cooldown to cold shutdown. The electrical buses are stable. Nine Mile Point Unit 2 was not affected.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021