Event Notification Report for June 19, 2012
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
06/18/2012 - 06/19/2012
Power Reactor
Event Number: 48036
Facility: SUSQUEHANNA
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: TODD CREASY
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: TODD CREASY
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 06/19/2012
Notification Time: 19:48 [ET]
Event Date: 06/19/2012
Event Time: 17:20 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/19/2012
Notification Time: 19:48 [ET]
Event Date: 06/19/2012
Event Time: 17:20 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/19/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION
Person (Organization):
DANIEL HOLODY (R1DO)
DANIEL HOLODY (R1DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | N | 0 | Hot Shutdown | 0 | Hot Shutdown |
MODE CHANGE REQUIRED BY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
"On June 19, 2012, Unit 1 was shut down due to increasing drywell unidentified leakage. At 1720 EDT on June 19, 2012, the leakage location was discovered to be a welded joint on the 'A' reactor recirculation piping where a 4 inch blank-flanged pipe for chemical decontamination connects to the 28 inch pipe. This constitutes pressure boundary leakage. The location is within the recirculation loop isolation valves on the suction side of the recirculation pump, therefore isolable from the reactor vessel. The reactor was in mode 3 at the time of discovery and LCO 3.4.4 requires entry into mode 4 within 36 hours.
"As such, the change in modes is required by Technical Specifications, therefore reportable within 4 hours under 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(i). In addition, the pressure boundary leakage at a welded joint is being reported as a degraded condition pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(ii)A) and is therefore 8 hour reportable as well."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. A press release is planned by the licensee.
"On June 19, 2012, Unit 1 was shut down due to increasing drywell unidentified leakage. At 1720 EDT on June 19, 2012, the leakage location was discovered to be a welded joint on the 'A' reactor recirculation piping where a 4 inch blank-flanged pipe for chemical decontamination connects to the 28 inch pipe. This constitutes pressure boundary leakage. The location is within the recirculation loop isolation valves on the suction side of the recirculation pump, therefore isolable from the reactor vessel. The reactor was in mode 3 at the time of discovery and LCO 3.4.4 requires entry into mode 4 within 36 hours.
"As such, the change in modes is required by Technical Specifications, therefore reportable within 4 hours under 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(i). In addition, the pressure boundary leakage at a welded joint is being reported as a degraded condition pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(ii)A) and is therefore 8 hour reportable as well."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. A press release is planned by the licensee.
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 48038
Facility: GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL - AMERICAS
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION (UF6 TO UO2)
LEU FABRICATION
LWR COMMERICAL FUEL
NRC Notified By: SCOTT MURRAY
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC SIMPSON
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION (UF6 TO UO2)
LEU FABRICATION
LWR COMMERICAL FUEL
NRC Notified By: SCOTT MURRAY
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC SIMPSON
Notification Date: 06/20/2012
Notification Time: 15:30 [ET]
Event Date: 06/19/2012
Event Time: 17:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/11/2012
Notification Time: 15:30 [ET]
Event Date: 06/19/2012
Event Time: 17:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/11/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS
Person (Organization):
ALAN BLAMEY (R2DO)
EARL EASTON (NMSS)
ALAN BLAMEY (R2DO)
EARL EASTON (NMSS)
DEGRADATION OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT
"It was discovered at approximately 1700 EDT on 6/19/2012 that the moderation control in the gadolinia pellet press operation had been degraded. An operator error allowed a can containing approximately 14 kg of uranium powder to be processed without the required material move transaction, a process control that ensures the container and material type are allowed at the designated location.
"This resulted in a temporary degraded item relied on for safety (IROFS) condition involving a criticality control. The press moderation control is one of four IROFS to prevent a criticality accident. The gadolinia press station material control system functioned as designed and prompted the operator of an error. The other criticality controls on geometry were maintained at all times.
"At no time was an unsafe condition present. The gadolinia pellet press operation has been shut down and additional corrective actions, extent of condition, and extent of cause are being evaluated.
"This event is being conservatively reported pursuant to 10 CFR 70, Appendix A (b) (2)."
* * * RETRACTION FROM SCOTT MURRAY TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1359 EDT ON 7/11/12 * * *
"On 6/20/12, GNF-A conservatively made a 24 hour event notification (EN 48038) due to a single missed Fuel Business System (FBS) transaction on 6/19/12 at the gadolinia press operation. After further review of the identified condition, it has been determined to be not reportable to NRC and the event notification can be retracted."
Notified R2DO (Blamey) and NMSS EO (Silva).
"It was discovered at approximately 1700 EDT on 6/19/2012 that the moderation control in the gadolinia pellet press operation had been degraded. An operator error allowed a can containing approximately 14 kg of uranium powder to be processed without the required material move transaction, a process control that ensures the container and material type are allowed at the designated location.
"This resulted in a temporary degraded item relied on for safety (IROFS) condition involving a criticality control. The press moderation control is one of four IROFS to prevent a criticality accident. The gadolinia press station material control system functioned as designed and prompted the operator of an error. The other criticality controls on geometry were maintained at all times.
"At no time was an unsafe condition present. The gadolinia pellet press operation has been shut down and additional corrective actions, extent of condition, and extent of cause are being evaluated.
"This event is being conservatively reported pursuant to 10 CFR 70, Appendix A (b) (2)."
* * * RETRACTION FROM SCOTT MURRAY TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1359 EDT ON 7/11/12 * * *
"On 6/20/12, GNF-A conservatively made a 24 hour event notification (EN 48038) due to a single missed Fuel Business System (FBS) transaction on 6/19/12 at the gadolinia press operation. After further review of the identified condition, it has been determined to be not reportable to NRC and the event notification can be retracted."
Notified R2DO (Blamey) and NMSS EO (Silva).