Event Notification Report for August 11, 2008
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
08/10/2008 - 08/11/2008
EVENT NUMBERS
46891444044440644407
Agreement State
Event Number: 46891
Rep Org: NEW YORK STATE DEPT. OF HEALTH
Licensee: SUNY AT BUFFALO
Region: 1
City: BUFFALO State: NY
County:
License #: 1049
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROBERT SNYDER
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Licensee: SUNY AT BUFFALO
Region: 1
City: BUFFALO State: NY
County:
License #: 1049
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROBERT SNYDER
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Notification Date: 05/25/2011
Notification Time: 16:33 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/25/2011
Notification Time: 16:33 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/25/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
GLENN DENTEL (R1DO)
LYDIA CHANG (FSME)
GLENN DENTEL (R1DO)
LYDIA CHANG (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING SEALED SOURCE FROM A GAS CHROMATOGRAPH
The following information was received via fax:
"Event location: 14 Parker Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14214
"The RSO at [SUNY at Buffalo] called on 08/21/08 to report a leaking nickel 63 sealed source located in a HP gas chromatograph unit. Location of unit is Farber Hall room 2128. Apparently on Monday, August 11, 2008, the researcher was cooking 'stuff' in the oven portion of the unit. Product exploded in the oven and spilled over into the other parts of the unit and landed on the sealed source compromising integrity. Contamination was found in the oven of the unit. SUNY EH&S [State University of New York Environment, Health and Safety] staff performed decontamination of the unit until <100 dpm. No contamination was found outside of the unit. SUNY EH&S staff also surveyed the rooftop of the building as the unit is vented and no contamination was found. SUNY EH&S [gave] the researcher until Friday, 08/29/08 to submit his report of the incident to EH&S. NYS staff visited [SUNY at Buffalo] on 08/26/08 and interview [an individual] who reported that the leak was found during the routine leak testing. When the swipe came back high, he re-swiped the unit and noticed a white powder all over the oven and inside the tubing. [When] asked, the researcher stated that she had dried a silica gel in the oven on 08/11/08. Apparently, the foil cover blew off of the beaker, and the silica gel went all through the machine via an inlet port possibly 'sandblasting' the foil compromising its integrity. Swipe testing by liquid scintillation showed contamination on inlet and outlet and no contamination on the housing or outside the machine. EH&S has decontaminated the machine as much as possible and taken it out of service. EH&S has also contacted the manufacturer of HP 5890. Manufacturer states there is no way to clean it and the machine should be scrapped. EH&S plans to take out the source, scrap metal parts that are not contaminated and hold remaining pieces until a disposal option is available. Written report [was] received [on] 9/11/2008 .
"The unit [is] to be handled as indicated above, and additionally, all researchers will be in-serviced on keeping the inlet to the foil capped when using ovens for other than GC [gas chromatograph] analysis. Incident is closed."
New York Event Report ID Number: NY - 11 - 08
The following information was received via fax:
"Event location: 14 Parker Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14214
"The RSO at [SUNY at Buffalo] called on 08/21/08 to report a leaking nickel 63 sealed source located in a HP gas chromatograph unit. Location of unit is Farber Hall room 2128. Apparently on Monday, August 11, 2008, the researcher was cooking 'stuff' in the oven portion of the unit. Product exploded in the oven and spilled over into the other parts of the unit and landed on the sealed source compromising integrity. Contamination was found in the oven of the unit. SUNY EH&S [State University of New York Environment, Health and Safety] staff performed decontamination of the unit until <100 dpm. No contamination was found outside of the unit. SUNY EH&S staff also surveyed the rooftop of the building as the unit is vented and no contamination was found. SUNY EH&S [gave] the researcher until Friday, 08/29/08 to submit his report of the incident to EH&S. NYS staff visited [SUNY at Buffalo] on 08/26/08 and interview [an individual] who reported that the leak was found during the routine leak testing. When the swipe came back high, he re-swiped the unit and noticed a white powder all over the oven and inside the tubing. [When] asked, the researcher stated that she had dried a silica gel in the oven on 08/11/08. Apparently, the foil cover blew off of the beaker, and the silica gel went all through the machine via an inlet port possibly 'sandblasting' the foil compromising its integrity. Swipe testing by liquid scintillation showed contamination on inlet and outlet and no contamination on the housing or outside the machine. EH&S has decontaminated the machine as much as possible and taken it out of service. EH&S has also contacted the manufacturer of HP 5890. Manufacturer states there is no way to clean it and the machine should be scrapped. EH&S plans to take out the source, scrap metal parts that are not contaminated and hold remaining pieces until a disposal option is available. Written report [was] received [on] 9/11/2008 .
"The unit [is] to be handled as indicated above, and additionally, all researchers will be in-serviced on keeping the inlet to the foil capped when using ovens for other than GC [gas chromatograph] analysis. Incident is closed."
New York Event Report ID Number: NY - 11 - 08
Power Reactor
Event Number: 44404
Facility: HARRIS
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: SCOTT FAULKNER
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: SCOTT FAULKNER
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Notification Date: 08/11/2008
Notification Time: 04:21 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 00:49 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/11/2008
Notification Time: 04:21 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 00:49 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
Person (Organization):
GEORGE HOPPER (R2)
GEORGE HOPPER (R2)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M/R | Y | 21 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Standby |
MANUAL REACTOR TRIP DUE TO DEGRADING CONDENSER VACUUM
"At 0049 EDT on 8/11/2008, the Harris Nuclear Plant was manually scrammed from 21% power due to indications of degrading condenser vacuum. At the time, a reactor shutdown was in progress with indications of a degraded condenser boot seal. The unit was stabilized in Mode 3 with no additional equipment failures or other complications."
The reactor is currently at normal operating pressure and temperature. The highest vacuum observed was 8". All rods inserted into the core after the manual trip. Auxiliary feed water did not start as a result of the trip. Steam generator level is being maintained via normal feed water flow path. Decay heat is being removed via the steam dumps to atmosphere. There is no known primary to secondary leakage. No power-operated or manual reliefs lifted during the transient. The grid is stable and loads are being supplied via the station start-up transformer.
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
"At 0049 EDT on 8/11/2008, the Harris Nuclear Plant was manually scrammed from 21% power due to indications of degrading condenser vacuum. At the time, a reactor shutdown was in progress with indications of a degraded condenser boot seal. The unit was stabilized in Mode 3 with no additional equipment failures or other complications."
The reactor is currently at normal operating pressure and temperature. The highest vacuum observed was 8". All rods inserted into the core after the manual trip. Auxiliary feed water did not start as a result of the trip. Steam generator level is being maintained via normal feed water flow path. Decay heat is being removed via the steam dumps to atmosphere. There is no known primary to secondary leakage. No power-operated or manual reliefs lifted during the transient. The grid is stable and loads are being supplied via the station start-up transformer.
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
General Information or Other
Event Number: 44406
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: ARIAS AND ASSOCIATES
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: L04964
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RAY JISHA
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Licensee: ARIAS AND ASSOCIATES
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: L04964
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RAY JISHA
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Notification Date: 08/12/2008
Notification Time: 09:08 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 14:16 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2008
Notification Time: 09:08 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 14:16 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
RYAN LANTZ (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
TEXAS AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - BADGE INDICATES OVEREXPOSURE
"On August 11, 2008, the agency received written notification from the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) that a worker's quarterly film badge showed a reading of 40,080 mrem. Additional processing by the provider left the assessment as indeterminate however actual personnel exposure is beyond reality since the licensee is an operator [of] moisture density gauges only. A preliminary investigation has shown that the operator did not maliciously expose or tamper with the dosimeter and there was nothing unusual about the conditions of storage.
"The RSO stated that a full investigation will be performed to ascertain how the dosimeter received such extensive radiation exposure."
The State of Texas will be conducting an on-site investigation.
Texas Report Number: I-8533
"On August 11, 2008, the agency received written notification from the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) that a worker's quarterly film badge showed a reading of 40,080 mrem. Additional processing by the provider left the assessment as indeterminate however actual personnel exposure is beyond reality since the licensee is an operator [of] moisture density gauges only. A preliminary investigation has shown that the operator did not maliciously expose or tamper with the dosimeter and there was nothing unusual about the conditions of storage.
"The RSO stated that a full investigation will be performed to ascertain how the dosimeter received such extensive radiation exposure."
The State of Texas will be conducting an on-site investigation.
Texas Report Number: I-8533
General Information or Other
Event Number: 44407
Rep Org: UTAH DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: HOLLY REFINING AND MARKETING COMPANY
Region: 4
City: WOODSCROSS State: UT
County:
License #: UT 0600109
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GWYN GALLOWAY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Licensee: HOLLY REFINING AND MARKETING COMPANY
Region: 4
City: WOODSCROSS State: UT
County:
License #: UT 0600109
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GWYN GALLOWAY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 08/12/2008
Notification Time: 09:11 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 07:00 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2008
Notification Time: 09:11 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2008
Event Time: 07:00 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
RYAN LANTZ (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
UTAH AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FIXED GAUGE BROKEN SHUTTER
"The Utah Division of Radiation Control was notified by service personnel on 08/11/2008 at approximately 10:00 a.m. MDST and spoke with the licensee regarding the incident at 5:00 p.m. MDST. The RSO was attempting to close the shutter of a fixed gauge on the 'Syn Tower' so that maintenance personnel could work inside the vessel. [Ohmart, model SH-F1, serial number LS-620]. The device shutter resisted turning when the RSO attempted to close the gauge. The RSO then 'tapped lightly' on the shutter handle with a bolt to get it to turn. It turned slightly and the RSO put the bolt down to turn the shutter handle by hand. Both of the shutter handle screws sheared off and the shutter could not be closed. An authorized service licensee was able to close the shutter while the gauge was in place. The gauge was then removed and taken offsite for repair by an individual licensed to perform these services. The RSO has completed the manufacturer's 40 hour training course."
"The Utah Division of Radiation Control was notified by service personnel on 08/11/2008 at approximately 10:00 a.m. MDST and spoke with the licensee regarding the incident at 5:00 p.m. MDST. The RSO was attempting to close the shutter of a fixed gauge on the 'Syn Tower' so that maintenance personnel could work inside the vessel. [Ohmart, model SH-F1, serial number LS-620]. The device shutter resisted turning when the RSO attempted to close the gauge. The RSO then 'tapped lightly' on the shutter handle with a bolt to get it to turn. It turned slightly and the RSO put the bolt down to turn the shutter handle by hand. Both of the shutter handle screws sheared off and the shutter could not be closed. An authorized service licensee was able to close the shutter while the gauge was in place. The gauge was then removed and taken offsite for repair by an individual licensed to perform these services. The RSO has completed the manufacturer's 40 hour training course."