Event Notification Report for January 6, 2012

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
01/05/2012 - 01/06/2012

** EVENT NUMBERS **


47569 47572

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Power Reactor Event Number: 47569
Facility: PRAIRIE ISLAND
Region: 3 State: MN
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP,[2] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: MARK LOOSBROCK
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 01/05/2012
Notification Time: 05:18 [ET]
Event Date: 01/05/2012
Event Time: 03:53 [CST]
Last Update Date: 01/05/2012
Emergency Class: ALERT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
Person (Organization):
NICK VALOS (R3DO)
CYNTHIA PEDERSON (RA3)
ERIC LEEDS (NRR)
SCOTT MORRIS (IRD)
STRANGFELD (DHS)
BLANKENSHIP (FEMA)
JACKSON (DOE)
KRAUS (USDA)
JENKINS (HHS)

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

SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE LEAK RESULTED IN AIRBORNE CONCENTRATIONS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO LIFE AND HEALTH

"A section of piping between sodium hypochlorite tanks[tanks 121 and 122] broke and resulted in a unisolable leak in one of the tanks. The spill was contained within the berm of the chlorine house.

"The spill resulted in airborne concentrations exceeding Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) conditions in the chlorine house, which is contiguous to the plant screen house.

"Alert declared based upon HA3.1 - Report or detection of toxic gases within or contiguous to Table H-1 areas in concentrations that may result in an atmosphere Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)."

The licensee will remain in the Alert until IDLH conditions have been terminated. An offsite HAZMAT team has been notified and is expected to be on-site today at 0630 CST to clean up the spill.

The licensee will notify the Resident Inspectors.

* * * UPDATE FROM JOHN DUBOSE TO VINCE KLCO AT 0932 EST ON 1/5/2021 * * *

The licensee reports that the HAZMAT contractor has arrived on-site. Licensee personnel are preparing a clearance for the sodium hypochlorite system in order to support HAZMAT contractor work. The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified the R3DO (Valos)

* * * UPDATE FROM DARRELL LAPCINSKI TO CHARLES TEAL AT 1634 EST ON 1/5/2012 * * *

"The Alert declaration due to HA3.1, Report or detection of toxic gases within or contiguous to Table H-1 areas in concentrations that may result in an atmosphere Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDHL):

"Prairie Island terminated from the Alert declaration at 1408 CST on Jan 5, 2012.

"The following additional conditions were established prior to termination:

1. The permanent berm containing the sodium hypochlorite released by 121 Sodium Hypochlorite Tank piping break was pumped down.
2. Clean-up and remediation of the affected area is in progress.
3. Inspection of the unaffected sodium hypochlorite tank piping has been conducted to ensure satisfactory integrity.

"NRC Resident has been informed."

Notified NRR EO (Ruland), R3DO (Valos), IRD (Morris), DHS (Beach), FEMA (Blankenship), DOE (Jackson), USDA (Timmons), and HHS (Fajardo).

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Power Reactor Event Number: 47572
Facility: KEWAUNEE
Region: 3 State: WI
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: JACK GADZALA
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 01/05/2012
Notification Time: 14:43 [ET]
Event Date: 11/07/2011
Event Time: 09:44 [CST]
Last Update Date: 01/05/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
Person (Organization):
NICK VALOS (R3DO)

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

60-DAY REPORT INVOLVING AN INVALID EDG ACTUATION DUE TO TECHNICIAN ERROR

"This 60-day telephone notification is being made pursuant to the requirements specified in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) and 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1) in lieu of submitting a written Licensee Event Report due to invalid actuation of an emergency AC electrical power system while removed from service for testing.

"On November 7, 2011 with the Station at 100% power, the Emergency Diesel Generator 'B' (EDG 'B') output breaker closed unexpectedly resulting in the EDG being paralleled to the grid out of phase during the performance of the semi-annual fast start test required by Technical Specifications.

"The actuation of the EDG 'B' output breaker to close was determined to be invalid as it occurred while a technician was performing a required voltage check across a set of contacts in the output breaker circuit. The individual switched an analog multi-meter from the DC voltage range to resistance range while test leads were still in place across the test points. This action actuated the breaker closure relay, which caused the output breaker to close, placing the EDG 'B' in parallel to the grid. The EDG picked up load as expected until the output breaker was opened approximately 52 seconds later by an operator in the control room. A review of data from the event verified that the maximum rating of the EDG was not exceeded.

"Subsequent inspection and testing of the EDG 'B' and output breaker found no abnormalities as a result of the out of phase paralleling of the EDG 'B' to the grid.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021