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 June 5, 2006

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
06/02/2006 - 06/05/2006

** EVENT NUMBERS **

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Power Reactor	Event Number: 42475
Facility: THREE MILE ISLAND Region: 1 State: PA Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] B&W-L-LP NRC Notified By: KEVIN COUGHLIN HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN	Notification Date: 04/05/2006 Notification Time: 14:08 [ET] Event Date: 04/05/2006 Event Time: 08:04 [EDT] Last Update Date: 06/02/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION	Person (Organization): PAT FINNEY (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

BOTH TRAINS OF HIGH PRESSURE INJECTION (HPI) DECLARED INOPERABLE DUE TO POTENTIAL AIR BINDING OF PUMPS

"TMI declared both High Pressure Injection Trains not operable due to air void in the suction line from the Sodium Hydroxide tank. The postulated issued is that in the event of a small break LOCA where the plant would need to go on HPI piggy back Ops (the Low Pressure Injection supplying suction to the High Pressure Injection pumps) the air could cause the HPI pumps to become air bound.

"The Plant entered a shutdown Tech Spec 3.0.1 at 0804 [EDT] and exited the timeclock at 0850 [EDT] when the Sodium Hydroxide tank was isolated, thus isolating the air void from the ECCS (Emergency Core Cooling System) pumps."

The licensee is continuing their investigation into root cause and operability.

The licensee will inform the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * RETRACTION FROM A. MILLER TO P. SNYDER AT 1301 EDT ON 6/2/06 * * *

"The purpose of this call is to retract the notification (Event Number 42475) made by TMI Unit 1, Docket No. 50-289 / License No. DPR-50. On April 5, 2006, at 1408 hours, the Shift Manager made a notification (Event Number 42475) to the NRC Operations Center in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(v)(D) (i.e. any event or condition that at the time of discovery could have prevented the fulfillment of the safety function of structures or systems that are needed to mitigate the consequences of an accident). The event was reported as 'Both trains of High Pressure Injection (HPI) Declared Inoperable due to potential air binding of Pumps.'

"On April 5, 2006, air voids were found in the NaOH tank piping, upstream of the HPI pumps, and the Shift Manager conservatively declared both trains of HPI inoperable due to the air voids. This placed TMI-1 in a 1-hour shutdown Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO). The isolation valves for the NaOH tank line piping were then Closed to eliminate the possibility that the voids could be transported to the HPI pumps. The HPI pumps were then declared operable and TMI-1 entered a 72-hour shutdown LCO. During the 72-hour LCO, the air bubble was vented from the system. An initial extent of condition evaluation was completed and an event response team was established.

"Numerical Applications, Inc. (NAI) was retained to perform GOTHIC Model run on the two phase flow conditions and determine the percent air density of the water at the suction to the Low Pressure Injection (LPI) pumps and the HPI pumps. The NAI analysis concluded that the densities of air found at the suction of the LPI and HPI pumps were below the safe operating level as stated by the pump manufacturers. Based on the results of the evaluation, TMI-1 has determined that the LPI and HPI pumps were operable. Past operability of these pumps with the maximum size air bubble found is affirmed. Therefore, this event does not meet the 10 CFR 50.72 or 10 CFR 50.73 reporting criteria and the notification for Event Number 42475 is retracted. The resident inspector has been notified."

Notified R1DO (T. Jackson).

Power Reactor	Event Number: 42610
Facility: WATTS BAR Region: 2 State: TN Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: DANA WHITE HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 05/30/2006 Notification Time: 20:02 [ET] Event Date: 05/30/2006 Event Time: 17:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 06/02/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION	Person (Organization): CHARLIE PAYNE (R2)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
1	M/R	Y	100	Power Operation	0	Hot Standby

Event Text

MANUAL REACTOR TRIP ON HIGH TURBINE VIBRATION

"At approximately 1700 hours on May 30, 2006, with Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 1 operating normally at 100% power, main turbine vibration increased to a value above the procedure limit and reactor operators manually tripped the reactor in accordance with site procedure requirements. All control rods inserted and the auxiliary feedwater system automatically actuated per design. No other significant equipment issues were identified and the reactor was stabilized in mode 3.

"This event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) for the manual reactor trip (4-hour report) and under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) for the RPS and AFW actuations (8-hour report).

"Watts Bar had been monitoring indications of slightly elevated turbine vibration on the main turbine, but the reason for the increase above the procedure limit of 14 mils is not known at this time. TVA will be investigating the cause of the increased vibration to make necessary repairs before turbine startup."

Decay heat is being removed by dumping steam to the main condenser. No safety or relief valves lifted.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE (R. CREWS) TO M. RIPLEY 0020 EDT 06/02/06 * * *

"As a result of the initial assessment of the turbine vibration discussed above, TVA has identified damage to the turbine end of the 'C' low pressure turbine. This is consistent with the initial indications of high vibration on the number 7, 8 and 9 bearings and not thought to be associated with previous condition monitoring of the number 11 bearing. Assessment and repair of secondary plant components damaged in the transient are in progress."

The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (C. Ogle)

Power Reactor	Event Number: 42615
Facility: FT CALHOUN Region: 4 State: NE Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] CE NRC Notified By: ERIK MATZKE HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 06/02/2006 Notification Time: 12:41 [ET] Event Date: 06/02/2006 Event Time: 09:52 [CDT] Last Update Date: 06/02/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 26.73 - FITNESS FOR DUTY	Person (Organization): JACK WHITTEN (R4)

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 REPORT INVOLVING LICENSED OPERATOR

"At approximately 0952 CDT a licensed operator failed a random fitness for duty test administered by the station. The individual tested positive for alcohol. The individual was not performing license activities today. The individual's access to the site has been blocked."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 42617
Facility: TURKEY POINT Region: 2 State: FL Unit: [3] [4] [ ] RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP NRC Notified By: JOE MCKEE HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 06/03/2006 Notification Time: 16:45 [ET] Event Date: 06/03/2006 Event Time: 15:45 [EDT] Last Update Date: 06/03/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION	Person (Organization): CHARLES R. OGLE (R2)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
3	N	Y	100	Power Operation	100	Power Operation
4	N	Y	100	Power Operation	100	Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION OF A FUEL OIL SPILL

"At 1545, Turkey Point Unit 2, a Fossil Plant, reported a leaking fuel coil heater gasket which leaked approximately 500 gallons of #6 Fuel Oil. This leak occurred at 1100 this morning. Most of this fuel oil was captured in a berm. However, approximately 200 gallons of the oil drained into the cooling canals.

"Miami-Dade DERM (Department of Environmental Resources Management) was notified at approximately 1430 and the State Warning Point was notified at approximately 1500."

The licensee stated that the leak posed no threat to the operation or safety of Units 3 and 4. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021