| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
07/16/2009 - 07/17/2009 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Power Reactor | Event Number: 45073 | Facility: SUSQUEHANNA
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: MARTIN LICHTNER
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 05/16/2009
Notification Time: 20:04 [ET]
Event Date: 05/16/2009
Event Time: 18:01 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/16/2009 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
DANIEL HOLODY (R1DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 13 | Power Operation | 13 | Power Operation | Event Text FAILURE OF HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT INJECTION STEAM SUPPLY VALVE TO CLOSE DURING TEST
"At 1801 on 5/16/2009, the HPCI turbine steam supply valve (HV255F001) failed to close during shutdown of the system following performance of its quarterly flow surveillance. The auxiliary oil pump was de-energized to prevent an inadvertent start of HPCI and the HPCI system was declared inoperable.
"LCO 3.5.1 for the HPCI system being inoperable was entered at 1720 on 5/16/2009 at the start of the HPCI surveillance.
"An investigation is in progress to determine the nature of the problem.
"This is being reported as an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function required to mitigate the consequences of an accident in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D)."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * RETRACTION ON 7/16/09 AT 1543 FROM TODD CREASEY TO CHARLES TEAL * * *
"On May 16, 2009, the HPCI system was declared inoperable at 1720 hours and LCO 3.5.1 was entered to support the planned quarterly HPCI flow surveillance test. During the surveillance test, at 1801 hours, the HPCI turbine steam supply valve (HV255F001) failed to close during shutdown of the system. It was also identified that neither the open nor closed indication lamp in the control room were lit. Troubleshooting was performed by cycling the valve's breaker in an attempt to restore power to the HPCI steam supply valve. No movement of the valve was observed. Because the position of the HPCI steam supply valve was unknown, Operations secured HPCI by opening the auxiliary oil pump breaker for the purpose of conducting additional troubleshooting (maintenance) of the failure of the HV255F001 valve to close. On 5/16/09 at 2004 hours EDT, Susquehanna made an 8-hour ENS notification (45703) to the NRC, due to HPCI being declared inoperable when HV255F001 failed to close during performance of the quarterly surveillance.
"Subsequent investigation concluded that the HPCI turbine steam supply valve (HV255F001) did close as expected, but did not indicate closed due to a loss of position indication. It was determined that the closed indicating lamp had burned out. Upon replacement of the lamp, the valve was successfully stroked open and closed and HPCI was declared operable at 0800 EDT 5/17/2009.
"Because a condition did not exist at the time of discovery that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), EN #45073 is hereby being retracted.
"It should be noted that the subsequent action to disable HPCI by opening the auxiliary oil pump break does not preclude retraction of the ENS notification. This action did not create a new reportable condition since HPCI was already inoperable for planned surveillance testing. This action was taken as part of troubleshooting activities (maintenance) on the HV255F001 valve and to prevent an inadvertent start of HPCI.
The NRC Resident has been notified.
Notified R1DO (Gray) |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 45201 | Rep Org: MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: AMERICAN ENGINEERING AND TESTING
Region: 3
City: State: MN
County:
License #: 1089-204-62
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GEORGE JOHNS
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 07/13/2009
Notification Time: 15:00 [ET]
Event Date: 05/20/2009
Event Time: 13:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2009 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
KENNETH RIEMER (R3DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text MINNESOTA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - UNABLE TO RETRACT RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA SOURCE
The following information was obtained from the State of Minnesota via email:
"On Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at approximately 1300 hrs, a licensee was performing radiography at a temporary job site using a 41 Curie Ir-192 source when the stand holding the guide tube fell from its secured position and landed on the guide tube near the camera, crimping the guide tube. The radiographer attempted numerous times to retract the source and was unsuccessful. The radiographer performed radiation surveys to reset the boundaries and contacted the management. The Radiation Safety Officer was also contacted.
"The NDT [Non-Destructive Testing] manager used steel plates for shielding in order to disconnect the guide tube from the camera. Once disconnected, the NDT manager proceeded to the collimator end of the guide tube and pulled the guide tube to allow the source to pass through the crimped portion. When the source passed through the kink, the radiographer cranked the source into its shielded position. The NDT manger received 121 mrem, the radiographer received approximately 40 mrem. Leak tests results indicate that the source was not effected. The guide tube has been discarded.
"The root cause of the event was determined to be that the radiographers failed to ensure that all four legs of the magnets on the ring stand used to support the guide tube were not in contact with metal due to the curvature of the surface. The weight of the guide tube caused the stand to fall and to crimp the guide tube. " |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 45202 | Rep Org: MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: BRAUN INTERTEC
Region: 3
City: State: MN
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GEORGE JOHNS
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 07/13/2009
Notification Time: 15:04 [ET]
Event Date: 06/18/2009
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2009 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
KENNETH RIEMER (R3DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text MINNESOTA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - UNABLE TO RETRACT RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA SOURCE
The following information was obtained from the State of Minnesota via email:
"[On June 18, 2009, at a temporary job site,] the licensee was conducting radiography of circumferential welds. At approximately 1220 hrs, the radiographers heard a 'bang' from inside the horizontal heavy wall vessel. The licensee was using a 42 Curie Cobalt-60 source in an AEA 680 exposure device. The lead radiographer immediately attempted to retract the source but could not move the control handle. Thinking that the problem was the result of a tight radius, the radiographer attempted to withdraw the guide tube from the tank. That effort was abandoned when the guide tube began to slide out of the vessel. However, the radiographer identified a dent in the guide tube that was approximately 18 inches from the far end. The source was shielded with 3/8 inch lead plates.
"The radiographer conducted a survey and calculated the exposure to hammer out the crimp in the guide tube. After consultation with the Radiation Safety Officer, a radiographer approached the guide tube, turned it 1/4 of a turn, and hit it once with a hammer. The source was then successfully retracted.
"Total doses for the retrieval were 190 mrem to the lead radiographer and 20 mrem to the second radiographer. The damaged guide tube has been removed from service.
"The root cause of the problem has been determined to be that the guide tube was extended to its fullest length; therefore, the tension and/or weight of the tube caused the stand to fall over and crimp the guide tube. The corrective action was to add an additional guide tube and to secure the stand with weights to prevent tipping." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 45205 | Facility: SAN ONOFRE
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [ ] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: MIKE McBREARTY
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 07/14/2009
Notification Time: 22:18 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2009
Event Time: 11:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 07/16/2009 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 99 | Power Operation | 99 | Power Operation | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER TO TEN EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SIRENS
"On Monday July 13, 2009, at approximately 1100 PDT, Southern California Edison discovered a loss of the ability to activate 10 Community Alert Sirens (CAS) located on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base. Prior to the discovery, the most recent test demonstrating operability of the sirens was performed on July 10, 2009, at approximately 1152 PDT. On July 13, 2009, at approximately 1130 PDT, SCE re-established the ability to activate the sirens. SCE is currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the problem, to try to ascertain the time that the loss of ability to activate the sirens occurred, and to identify the cause of the delay in reporting this event.
SCE assumes the sirens were inoperable for greater than 48 hours, and therefore, is reporting this event as a loss of emergency offsite capability, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"At the time of this report, Unit 2 and Unit 3 were operating at about 99 percent and 100 percent power, respectively."
A CAS power panel was found with a tripped breaker. An investigation into the cause of the breaker trip is ongoing.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE AT 1354 EDT ON 7/16/09 FROM M. MCBREATY TO CHARLES TEAL * * *
"During a follow up investigation, SCE identified information to indicate the loss of the ability to activate the 10 Community Alert Sirens located on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base occurred at approximately 1800 PDT on July 10, 2009. Therefore, the sirens were inoperable for greater than 48 hours. Additionally, SCE verified that, prior to the discovery of the inoperable sirens, the most recent test demonstrating operability of the sirens was performed on July 10, 2009 at 1053 PDT (not 1152 PDT as initially reported)."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified and will be provided with a copy of this report.
Notified R4DO Vincent Gaddy. |
| Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 45208 | Facility: PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
Region: 2
City: PIKETON State: OH
County: PIKE
License #: GDP-2
Agreement: Y
Docket: 0707002
NRC Notified By: ERIC SPAETH
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 07/16/2009
Notification Time: 17:31 [ET]
Event Date: 07/16/2009
Event Time: 17:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/16/2009 | Emergency Class: ALERT
10 CFR Section:
76.120(a)(4) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
KATHLEEN O'DONOHUE (R2DO)
VICTOR McCREE (DRA)
BRIAN McDERMOTT (IRD)
MIKE WEBER (NMSS)
SAL MORRONI (DOE)
JAROME KETTLES (DHS)
GENE BANUPP (FEMA)
JACQUELINE ARSENULT (EPA)
DAVID TIMMONT (USDA)
MATHEW NUNN (HHS)
| Event Text ALERT DECLARED DUE TO A FIRE IN AN ABANDONED COOLING TOWER
An ALERT was declared at 1715 due to a fire lasting greater than 15 minutes. The fire is in an abandoned cooling tower (bldg X-633D) on the Department of Energy portion of the site. The fire is not in proximity to any safety related equipment. A request for assistance was made to Scioto and Adams counties Fire Departments.
At 1917, the licensee reported that the fire was out and the firemen were removing siding and looking for residual hot spots.
* * * UPDATE AT 2046 ON 7/16/2009 FROM TERRY SENSAWAY TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The fire is out and the ALERT has been terminated. Recovery operations are in progress and a fire watch will be stationed throughout the night.
Notified R2DO (O'Donohue), R2 Deputy RA (McCree), NMSS (Weber), NMSS EO (Kotzalas), DHS (Kettles), FEMA (Biscoe), DOE (Parsons), HHS (Nunn), USDA (Timmons), and EPA (Threatt). | |