| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
10/22/2009 - 10/23/2009 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 45446 | Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC.
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY
NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE
LEU SCRAP RECOVERY
Region: 2
City: ERWIN State: TN
County: UNICOI
License #: SNM-124
Agreement: Y
Docket: 07000143
NRC Notified By: JENNIFER WHEELER
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 10/19/2009
Notification Time: 17:00 [ET]
Event Date: 10/13/2009
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/22/2009 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (b)(1) - UNANALYZED CONDITION
| Person (Organization):
RANDY MUSSER (R2DO)
JANE MARSHALL (NMSS)
FUELS OUO GROUP ()
| Event Text NITROUS OXIDE (NOx) GENERATION RATE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED AFTER ALUMINUM FINES WERE INTRODUCED
"Bldg 333's U-Aluminum Bowl Cleaning system is designed to remove uranium from centrifuge bowls by circulating nitric acid through the bowls. The system has historically produced NOx (nitrous oxide, etc) during the nitric acid dissolution process. Safety controls designated as Items Relied On For Safety (IROFS) include a NOx detection system (IROFS BPF-43) with sensors located at the nitric acid knockout column's siphon break potential NOx release point if process ventilation fails and at employee working level.
"On October 13, 2009, NFS began using the Bowl Cleaning system to dissolve U-Al fines (very small particles of U-AI) rather than adding them to the normal dissolver column. The fines were loaded into strainers and placed directly into the bowls to be dissolved with nitric acid. After the dissolution process began, the Operator noticed that the temperature of the system was increasing and that NOx (in the form of a brown cloud) was beginning to form inside the Bowl Cleaning station containment vessels. The system was shutdown. The Nox detector designated as an IROFS alarmed and the facility was evacuated. Immediate corrective actions included building, and health and safety personnel re-entry in SCBA to validate shutdown conditions and remote monitoring of Nox levels in Bldg 333. Based on re-entry data and remote Nox detector readings, Nox levels inside the building (outside of containment) were not significant.
"Laboratory analysis of similar U-AI fines material was conducted October 14-October 16. It behaved in the laboratory in the same manner as what was observed during the operational event. Based on the lab testing, a Nox generation rate specific for the fines material was estimated. Based on engineering calculations, it was determined that the Nox generation for the fines was significantly higher than the previously analyzed Nox generation for the U-AI ingots. The previous Nox evaluation for the U-Al Bowl Cleaning station resulted in an intermediate occupational consequence. Using the generation rate specific for the fines results in high occupational consequences.
"On October 19, 2009, based on the revised Nox generation rate, it was determined that insufficient lROFS were in place and that the performance criteria of 10 CFR 70.61 were not met.
"a) Radiological Hazards involved including: High- enrichment Uranium: quantity Approx 1,000 g; Isotope: U-235 quantity Approx 710 g
"b) Chemical Hazards involved including: Chemical: Nox gas; Quantity: Approx. 1.85 lbs.
"c) Discuss the actual or potential health and safety consequences to the workers, the public, and the environment, including relevant chemical and radiation data for actual personnel exposures to radiation or radioactive materials or hazardous chemicals produced from licensed materials. Include in the discussion below the concentration of chemicals and duration of exposure, if any: Potential worker and public exposure to Nox. Process ventilation and Nox detection worked as designed. No actual exposure to workers or the public were recorded.
"d) Discuss the sequence of occurrences leading to the event, including degradation or failure of structures, systems, equipment, components and activities of personnel relied on to prevent potential accidents or mitigate their consequences: See above.
"e) Discuss whether the remaining structures, systems, equipment components, and activities of personnel relied on to prevent potential accidents or mitigate their consequences are available and reliable to perform their function: IROFS BPF-43 is in place and functioned correctly during the event. Operating personnel responded to the alarm as specified in the operating procedure and evacuated the facility.
"External conditions affecting the event: None.
"Additional actions taken in response to the event: Discussed situation with Operations, Safety management and with the NRC Resident Inspector. The U-Al Bowl Cleaning system is currently not operating."
* * * UPDATE FROM JENNIFER WHEELER TO DONG PARK AT 1005 EDT ON 10/22/09 * * *
The "(nitrous oxide, etc)" in the first paragraph of the original report is updated to state "(NO, NO2, etc)." The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified the R2DO (Henson) and NMSS EO (Rubenstone) via email. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 45454 | Facility: COOK
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RICH KRESS
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 10/21/2009
Notification Time: 23:39 [ET]
Event Date: 10/22/2009
Event Time: 00:01 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/22/2009 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
LAURA KOZAK (R3DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER OUT OF SERVICE FOR VENTILATION SYSTEM AND CHARCOAL FILTER MAINTENANCE
"At 0001 on Thursday, October 22, 2009, the Cook Nuclear Plant (CNP) Technical Support Center (TSC) ventilation system air conditioning and filtration systems will be removed from service for a scheduled maintenance activity. The Motor Control Center providing electrical power to several TSC ventilation components will be de-energized to facilitate replacement of the U1 CD Emergency Diesel Generator room ventilation supply fan starter (1-88X-DGS-2).
"Under certain accident conditions the TSC may become unavailable due to the inability of the filtration system to maintain a habitable atmosphere. Compensatory measures exist to relocate TSC personnel to the unaffected unit's control room if necessary based upon results of procedurally required monitoring of TSC radiological conditions.
"The TSC ventilation system availability is scheduled to be restored at 0800 on Thursday, October 22, 2009.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) due to the unavailability of an emergency response facility."
* * * UPDATE AT 1008 ON 10/22/2009 FROM DAN KURTH TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The TSC ventilation was restored to service at 0937 EDT. The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified the R3DO (Kozak). |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 45455 | Rep Org: PORT HURON HOSPITAL
Licensee: PORT HURON HOSPITAL
Region: 3
City: PORT HURON State: MI
County:
License #: 21-20137-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KIM CHALTRY
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 10/22/2009
Notification Time: 17:34 [ET]
Event Date: 10/22/2009
Event Time: 11:40 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/22/2009 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.1906(d)(1) - SURFACE CONTAM LEVELS > LIMITS
| Person (Organization):
LAURA KOZAK (R3DO)
RICHARD TURTIL (FSME)
| Event Text PACKAGE EXTERNAL CONTAMINATION ABOVE LIMITS
At 1140 EDT, the Port Huron Hospital received a shipment of Technetium-99m from Lake View Diagnostic (also located in Port Huron) that had excessive surface contamination levels. The shipment contained a 250 millicurie dose of Tc-99m and a 10 millicurie dose of Tc-99m (Mag3). The shipment was wipe surveyed and contamination of 568,000 dpm was discovered along a vertical edge of the shipping package. The surface radiation level was measured at 15 mRem/Hr. The hospital isolated the package and did not attempt to use the Tc-99m doses. The licensee stated that there was no evidence of damage to the package. The personnel that handled the package and all hospital locations where the package was handled were surveyed but no other contamination was found.
Lake View Diagnostic was contacted and retrieved the package from the Port Huron Hospital. The licensee noted that the delivery carrier of the package was also Lake View Diagnostic. There was no information on whether the carrier vehicle or any Lake View Diagnostic personnel were contaminated. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 45456 | Facility: WOLF CREEK
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RICK HUBBARD
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 10/22/2009
Notification Time: 19:14 [ET]
Event Date: 10/22/2009
Event Time: 17:39 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/23/2009 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
NEIL OKEEFE (R4DO)
ELMO COLLINS (R4)
JAMES WIGGINS (NRR)
SAMSON LEE (NRR)
BRIAN McDERMOTT (IRD)
DOYLE (DHS)
HEYMAN (FEMA)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | Event Text UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO INOPERABLE DIESEL GENERATORS WHILE DEFUELED
"While the reactor was defueled as part of a refueling outage the 'A' Emergency Diesel was declared inoperable due to a failed speed switch. 'A' Emergency Diesel was the required emergency power source while the 'B' Emergency Diesel and its associated safeguards buss, NB02, were inoperable for scheduled maintenance. With both emergency diesels inoperable a Notification of Unusual Event was declared on the 'Loss of Electrical Power/Assessment Capability'.
"Technicians are currently replacing the failed speed switch. It is estimated that the 'A' Emergency Diesel will be restored to operable status by 2200 CDT."
The licensee notified the State and local authorities and the NRC Resident Inspector. The licensee also stated a press release will be issued.
* * * UPDATE AT 0456 ON 10/23/2009 FROM MARK JENKINS TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
Additional problems were found during troubleshooting and a power supply is being replaced. This should be completed about 0600 CDT followed by a diesel test.
Notified the R4DO (O'Keefe). | |