| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
03/20/2006 - 03/21/2006 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 42165 | Facility: PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
Region: 2
City: PADUCAH State: KY
County: McCRACKEN
License #: GDP-1
Agreement: Y
Docket: 0707001
NRC Notified By: KEVIN BEASLEY
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 11/22/2005
Notification Time: 15:54 [ET]
Event Date: 11/22/2005
Event Time: 12:05 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/20/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
RESPONSE-BULLETIN
| Person (Organization):
KERRY LANDIS (R2)
SCOTT FLANDERS (NMSS)
| Event Text IMPROPER CRITICALITY SPACING FOR WASTE DRUM
"At 1205 CST, on 11-22-05 the Plant Shift Superintendent was notified that during waste drum remediation activities, a drum was discovered that was in violation of one leg of double contingency. Drum #39666W has been determined to contain up to (deleted) g (grams) U235 exceeding the allowed (deleted) gram limit for NCS Spacing Exempt drums. This drum was previously located in an NCS (Nuclear Criticality Safety) Spacing Exempt storage area in violation of NCSA WMO-001 requirements. The drum was moved to the C-335 storage area under an approved Remediation Guide which established a safety basis for the movement of drums that had been roped off and posted per earlier direction. This drum is currently stored in a Temporary Fissile Storage Area maintaining a minimum 2 foot edge-to-edge spacing under NCSA WMO-001, which maintains double contingency."
SAFETY SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS
"While the (deleted) gram U235 limit was exceeded for this drum; DAC-832-2A1280-0001 demonstrates that drums containing less than (deleted) grams U235 in an NCS Spacing Exempt array are subcritical. The storage area is roped off and posted to prevent the addition of fissile material to the area; therefore another upset would be required before a criticality is possible."
POTENTIAL CRITICALITY PATHWAYS INVOLVED (BRIEF SCENARIO(S) OF HOW CRITICALITY COULD OCCUR)
"This drum is currently stored in the Temporary Fissile Storage Area under NCSA WMO-001, meeting double contingency. In order for a criticality to occur, two independent, unlikely, and concurrent events would have to occur."
CONTROLLED PARAMETERS (MASS, MODERATION, GEOMETRY, CONCENTRATION, ETC.)
"Double contingency is maintained by implementing two controls on mass."
ESTIMATED AMOUNT, ENRICHMENT, FORM OF LICENSED MATERIAL (INCLUDE PROCESS LIMIT AND % WORST CASE CRITICAL MASS)
"The drum has been determined to contain (deleted) grams U235. Calculations performed demonstrate that drums containing less than (deleted) grams U235 each, in an NCS Spacing Exempt array are subcritical."
NUCLEAR CRITICALITY SAFETY CONTROL(S) OR CONTROL SYSTEM(S) AND DESCRIPTION OF THE FAILURES OR DEFICIENCIES
"Although the drum contains greater than the WMO-001 limit of (deleted) grams U235 for NCS Spacing Exempt drums, it has been shown to be less than (deleted) grams U235 based on independent sample results. Calculations performed demonstrate that drums containing less than (deleted) grams U235 each, in an NCS Spacing Exempt array, are subcritical. Therefore, an additional process upset (i.e., spacing upset) would be necessary in order to have a criticality. Therefore, while the drum contained greater than (deleted) grams U235 in the spacing exempt array, the array has been shown to be subcritical for drums containing less than (deleted) grams U235 thus maintaining one leg of double contingency."
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TO RESTORE SAFETY SYSTEMS AND WHEN EACH WAS IMPLEMENTED
"At the time of discovery, the drum was being stored according to NCS approved spacing controls. The drum will continue to be handled according to approved controls until the U235 mass can be reduced to meet the NCS Spacing Exempt criteria per NCSA WMO-001.
The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event."
See Related Event Report #40700.
* * * UPDATE 1802 EST ON 2/13/06 FROM K. BEASLEY TO S. SANDIN * * *
"At 1100 [CST], on 02-13-06 the Plant Shift Superintendent was notified that two additional waste drums were discovered that exceed the allowed [deleted] gram limit for NCS Spacing Exempt drums and had previously been located in an NCS Spacing Exempt storage area in violation of NCSA WMO-001. The drums are currently stored in a Temporary Fissile Storage Area under NCSA WMO-001, which maintains double contingency.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event."
Notified R2DO(Ayres) and NMSS(Camper).
* * * UPDATE ON 3/20/06 AT 1859 EST FROM B. WALLACE TO HUFFMAN * * *
"At 1430, on 03-20-06, the Plant Shift Superintendent was notified that an additional waste drum has been discovered that exceeds the allowed (deleted) gram limit for NCS Spacing Exempt drums and had previously been located in an NCS Spacing Exempt storage area in violation of NCSA WMO-001. The drums are currently stored in a Temporary Fissile Storage Area under NCSA WMO-001, which maintains double contingency.
"The additional drum was determined to contain (deleted) grams U235. Calculations performed demonstrate that drums containing less than (deleted) grams U235 each, in an NCS Spacing Exempt array are subcritical."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. R2DO (Ernstes) and NMSS EO (Pierson) notified. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42430 | Facility: CLINTON
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: PAT RYAN
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 03/20/2006
Notification Time: 08:28 [ET]
Event Date: 03/20/2006
Event Time: 04:53 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/20/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
| Person (Organization):
DAVE PASSEHL (R3)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | A/R | Y | 96 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text MAIN TURBINE TRIP CAUSED REACTOR SCRAM
"At 0453 CST on March 20, 2006, a main turbine trip occurred resulting in a reactor scram. All control rods fully inserted on the scram signal. All systems performed as expected. Reactor water level is being controlled in the normal operating band and reactor pressure is being controlled at 600 psig.
"The cause of the turbine trip is under investigation. There is no indication that the turbine trip was caused by an actual parameter reaching a trip setpoint. A turbine Low Vacuum trip alarm is indicated in the Main Control Room and is the current focus of troubleshooting activities. Actual main condenser vacuum is at its normal value."
The site is on off-site power, and the EDG's are available if required. All safety related systems are available if required.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42431 | Facility: COOPER
Region: 4 State: NE
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: SCOTT COON
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 03/20/2006
Notification Time: 09:18 [ET]
Event Date: 03/20/2006
Event Time: 07:56 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/20/2006 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
JEFFREY CLARK (R4)
ERIC BENNER (NRR)
TIM MCGINTY (IRD)
JANNIE EVERETTE (DHS)
CHRIS LIGGETT (FEMA)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 82 | Power Operation | 82 | Power Operation | Event Text UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO SMALL FIRE INSIDE PROTECTED AREA
Fire inside the Protected Area lasting greater than 10 minutes in an electrical conduit between the Ionic trailer and the Water Treatment Building. Power to the electrical feed through the conduit to the Ionic trailer has been secured. No offsite assistance has been requested. The licensee is verifying the status of the fire after securing the power.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector and the State and Local authorities.
* * * UPDATE FROM ELDON PLETTNER TO JEFF ROTTON AT 0951 EST ON 03/20/06 * * *
Fire was declared out at 0842 CST. Fire was in the EE transformer supplying the Ionic trailer. Fire was extinguished by opening Breaker 48D. The licensee corporate office will be issuing a press release later today.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM ELDON PLETTNER TO JEFF ROTTON AT 0959 EST ON 03/20/06 * * *
Licensee terminated the Unusual Event due to the fire being out and plant returned to normal operation with the exception of the Ionic trailer power.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified R4DO (Clark), NRR EO (Benner), IRD Manager (McGinty), DHS (Everette) and FEMA (Liggett) |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42432 | Facility: SUMMER
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: DAN GOLDSTON
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 03/20/2006
Notification Time: 12:53 [ET]
Event Date: 03/20/2006
Event Time: 09:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/20/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
MIKE ERNSTES (R2)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION TO SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL (DHEC) OF SEWAGE SPILL
The licensee reported that an onsite underground line to the sanitary sewage pond broke resulting in back drainage from the pond into the environment of an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 gallons of sewage. The pond sewage has gone into the yard drains and possibly some of the nearby creeks.
The licensee provided the following information via facsimile:
"Approximately 0800 received first notification of discharge from Sanitary Aeration Pond, outfall # 005. At 0825 an initial notification was made to DHEC. Temporary covers were installed over the yard drains. These covers seem to be holding the remnants of the fluid. At 0900 the control room was notified the discharge had made it to the yard drains and thus to the environment. At 1240 the estimate of discharge was revised to 60,000 to 70,000 gallons, which made this potentially newsworthy.
"Suspected cause is a broken underground pipe. No impact on plant operation.
"The discharge was not radioactive."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42433 | Facility: PILGRIM
Region: 1 State: MA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-3
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL McDONNELL
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 03/20/2006
Notification Time: 15:01 [ET]
Event Date: 03/20/2006
Event Time: 10:25 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/20/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
26.73 - FITNESS FOR DUTY
| Person (Organization):
HAROLD GRAY (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text FITNESS FOR DUTY - CONFIRMED POSITIVE FOR NON-LICENSED SUPERVISOR DURING RANDOM TEST
"This report is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 26.73 due to a supervisor testing positive during a random fitness for duty test. The employee was fitness for duty tested on 3/16/06. The Medical Review Officer confirmed a positive test at 10:25 EST on 3/20/06. A review of previous work is being performed. The employee's access to the plant has been denied.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42434 | Facility: VOGTLE
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: THOMAS PETRAK
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 03/20/2006
Notification Time: 15:51 [ET]
Event Date: 03/20/2006
Event Time: 13:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/20/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS
| Person (Organization):
MIKE ERNSTES (R2)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 50 | Power Operation | Event Text PLANT SHUTDOWN DUE TO RCS PRESSURE BOUNDARY LEAKAGE
"At 03:56 on 03/20/2006 an intermediate radiation alarm was received on Containment Atmosphere Particulate Radiation Monitor, 2RE-2562A. A review of other containment parameters, such as containment pressure, moisture, temperature, sump levels and other containment radiation monitors were all stable. Chemistry was notified of the increasing particulate radiation levels in containment and immediately pulled the filter paper from radiation monitor 2RE-2562A. A gross count of the filter paper revealed the presence of Na-24 and Co-58. The presence of these two isotopes indicated the possibility of an active RCS leak. An RCS leakrate measurement was initiated. The results of the leakrate measurement showed no measurable change in leakrate. The total leakrate was calculated to be 0.13 gpm.
"At 06:03 on 03/20/2006 a high radiation alarm was received on Containment Atmosphere Particulate Radiation Monitor, 2RE-2562A. Preparations were begun to make a containment entry to walkdown outside the bio-shield and to take a robot, equipped with a camera, to inspect inside the bio-shield.
"At 13:00 personnel from the Unit 2 containment reported that a leak was visible from inside the bio-shield in the area of RCS Loop #1. Based on reports from personnel in containment, the leakage in containment was determined to be pressure boundary leakage and Tech Spec 3.4.13, "RCS Operational LEAKAGE," was entered. As required by TS 3.4.13, at 13:52 on 03/20/2006 a unit shutdown to Mode 3 was initiated to allow further investigations and repair of the leak inside containment. Abnormal Operating Procedure 18004-C, "RCS Leakage" was also entered at this time due to increasing radiation levels on, radiation monitor 2RE-2562A. Per Tech Spec 3.4.13, Mode 3 entry [is] required by no later than 19:00 on 3/20/2006 and Mode 5 entry no later than 01:00 on 3/22/2006."
The Unit shutdown is currently in progress. This is the third shutdown at the Unit for a leak in this vicinity. See similar event reports #42309 dated February 3, 2006, and #42194 dated December 9, 2005.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42435 | Facility: POINT BEACH
Region: 3 State: WI
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP,[2] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: RICK ROBBINS
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 03/20/2006
Notification Time: 21:36 [ET]
Event Date: 03/20/2006
Event Time: 17:11 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/20/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
LAURA KOZAK (R3)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OIL SPILL ONSITE
"A notification was made to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Spill Response Center by We Energies at 1711 hours on 03/20/06 for a small lube oil spill that occurred on 3/19/06. The spill was initially believed to be very small (less than 5 gallons) and there was no evidence of a release to Lake Michigan. Following a maintenance inspection of the water treatment deaerator vacuum pump, it was conservatively assumed that a maximum quantity of 25 gallons of oil could have been spilled.
"The NRC resident inspector has been notified of this event." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42436 | Facility: SUMMER
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: CHRIS HOMESLEY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 03/21/2006
Notification Time: 05:39 [ET]
Event Date: 03/21/2006
Event Time: 02:29 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/21/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
MIKE ERNSTES (R2)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO INADVERTENT EMERGENCY SIREN ACTUATION
"At approximately 0238 [EST], received first notification of an actuation of the Early Warning Siren System. This call came from Fairfield County 911 dispatcher after they received numerous calls from area residents. Subsequent calls were received from the State Warning Point, Lexington, Newberry and Richland County's 911 dispatcher as well as calls from the public. The Secondary Alarm Station informed the Control Room that when an attempt was made to silence one individual siren (N-86) that was in alarm, all the sirens were inadvertently actuated. Sirens appear to have alarmed for approximately three minutes and then shut off (per design). Subsequent investigation by the Emergency Preparedness group did not reveal any human error. The investigation into the siren actuation is ongoing. All sirens are operable at this time. SCANA Public Relations has been informed and will be preparing a press release, as will the SC Emergency Management Division. A local television station, WIS TV, will be interviewing SCANA Public Relations personnel at approximately 0630."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |