Event Notification Report for October 31, 2019
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
10/30/2019 - 10/31/2019
Agreement State
Event Number: 54363
Rep Org: ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MGMT. AGENCY
Licensee: FIRST AMERICA METAL CORP
Region: 3
City: MORRIS State: IL
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GARY FORSEE
HQ OPS Officer: THOMAS KENDZIA
Licensee: FIRST AMERICA METAL CORP
Region: 3
City: MORRIS State: IL
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GARY FORSEE
HQ OPS Officer: THOMAS KENDZIA
Notification Date: 10/31/2019
Notification Time: 17:13 [ET]
Event Date: 10/31/2019
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/31/2019
Notification Time: 17:13 [ET]
Event Date: 10/31/2019
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/31/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
Person (Organization):
KENNETH RIEMER (R3DO)
ILTAB (EMAIL)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
KENNETH RIEMER (R3DO)
ILTAB (EMAIL)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
GENERAL LICENSEE LOST THREE PORTABLE DEVICES CONTAINING AM-241
The following was received from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) via phone and email:
During Agency [Illinois Emergency Management Agency] efforts to pursue an annual self-inspection report from a general licensee (First America Metal Corp), it was discovered that three Niton XLp-818 XRF [x-ray fluorescence analyzer] devices containing 30 milliCuries of Am-241 each could not be accounted for. The facility is located in Morris, IL. On October 28, 2019, the Agency asked for physical verification of the devices. The devices were initially shipped from the manufacturer in 2005 and 2006. Agency staff confirmed with the manufacturer that these devices had not been received or returned (confirmation received 10/31/19). The Agency again contacted the licensee on October 31, 2019. At that point, the licensee confirmed that search activities have ceased and they were officially declaring the devices as lost. Correspondence from the US Dept. of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, dated February 16, 2010, indicates there may have been export of Niton XRF devices by this general licensee; however, it does not appear to be related to the devices missing at this time. There is no indication of theft or intentional diversion. The quantity of material present, while not presenting an immediate exposure concern to any individuals requires immediate reporting to IEMA/NRC.
By design, electronic opening of the shutter requires that the operator power on the unit and enter a password. As a precaution, the instrument will only operate for a six year period before an inspection by the manufacturer is required. Due to the fact the unit has not been serviced, the software in the instrument will not allow the instrument to be operated. In the shielded position, the radiation levels surrounding the device are indistinguishable from background. Should the tungsten source holder be manually opened, exposure rates may be up to 122 mR/hour at 5 cm.
Illinois Item Number: IL190034
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
The following was received from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) via phone and email:
During Agency [Illinois Emergency Management Agency] efforts to pursue an annual self-inspection report from a general licensee (First America Metal Corp), it was discovered that three Niton XLp-818 XRF [x-ray fluorescence analyzer] devices containing 30 milliCuries of Am-241 each could not be accounted for. The facility is located in Morris, IL. On October 28, 2019, the Agency asked for physical verification of the devices. The devices were initially shipped from the manufacturer in 2005 and 2006. Agency staff confirmed with the manufacturer that these devices had not been received or returned (confirmation received 10/31/19). The Agency again contacted the licensee on October 31, 2019. At that point, the licensee confirmed that search activities have ceased and they were officially declaring the devices as lost. Correspondence from the US Dept. of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, dated February 16, 2010, indicates there may have been export of Niton XRF devices by this general licensee; however, it does not appear to be related to the devices missing at this time. There is no indication of theft or intentional diversion. The quantity of material present, while not presenting an immediate exposure concern to any individuals requires immediate reporting to IEMA/NRC.
By design, electronic opening of the shutter requires that the operator power on the unit and enter a password. As a precaution, the instrument will only operate for a six year period before an inspection by the manufacturer is required. Due to the fact the unit has not been serviced, the software in the instrument will not allow the instrument to be operated. In the shielded position, the radiation levels surrounding the device are indistinguishable from background. Should the tungsten source holder be manually opened, exposure rates may be up to 122 mR/hour at 5 cm.
Illinois Item Number: IL190034
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
Power Reactor
Event Number: 54431
Facility: COMANCHE PEAK
Region: 4 State: TX
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: GARY MERKA
HQ OPS Officer: BRIAN LIN
Region: 4 State: TX
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: GARY MERKA
HQ OPS Officer: BRIAN LIN
Notification Date: 12/10/2019
Notification Time: 09:52 [ET]
Event Date: 10/31/2019
Event Time: 19:19 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 12/10/2019
Notification Time: 09:52 [ET]
Event Date: 10/31/2019
Event Time: 19:19 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 12/10/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
Person (Organization):
JEREMY GROOM (R4DO)
JEREMY GROOM (R4DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
INVALID ACTUATION OF THE UNIT 2 TURBINE DRIVEN AUXILIARY FEEDWATER PUMP (TDAFWP)
"This report describes an invalid actuation of the Unit 2 Turbine Driven Auxiliary Feedwater Pump that occurred on October 31, 2019. This report is being made in accordance with 10CFR50.73(a)(1), which states, in part, 'In the case of an invalid actuation reported under 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(iv), other than actuation of the Reactor Protection System (RPS) when the reactor is critical, the licensee may, at its option, provide a telephone notification to the NRC Operations Center within 60 days after discovery of the event instead of submitting a written LER.'
"On October 31, 2019, Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 was in Mode 1 operating at 100% power. At 1919 CDT, the Main Steam Line 2-01 steam supply valve to the TDAFWP opened due to a loss of continuity between the fuse supplying control power to the valve positioner and the fuse clips. Operators initiated a 50MW load reduction to maintain power less than 100%. The steam supply to the TDAFWP was closed, the TDAFWP was stopped, and the fuse clips were tightened. Unit 2 was returned to full power at 2055 CDT.
"The specific train and system that actuated was the third AFW train on Unit 2. The train actuation was complete and during the TDAFWP start the system started and functioned correctly.
"The NRC Resident Inspector was notified."
"This report describes an invalid actuation of the Unit 2 Turbine Driven Auxiliary Feedwater Pump that occurred on October 31, 2019. This report is being made in accordance with 10CFR50.73(a)(1), which states, in part, 'In the case of an invalid actuation reported under 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(iv), other than actuation of the Reactor Protection System (RPS) when the reactor is critical, the licensee may, at its option, provide a telephone notification to the NRC Operations Center within 60 days after discovery of the event instead of submitting a written LER.'
"On October 31, 2019, Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 was in Mode 1 operating at 100% power. At 1919 CDT, the Main Steam Line 2-01 steam supply valve to the TDAFWP opened due to a loss of continuity between the fuse supplying control power to the valve positioner and the fuse clips. Operators initiated a 50MW load reduction to maintain power less than 100%. The steam supply to the TDAFWP was closed, the TDAFWP was stopped, and the fuse clips were tightened. Unit 2 was returned to full power at 2055 CDT.
"The specific train and system that actuated was the third AFW train on Unit 2. The train actuation was complete and during the TDAFWP start the system started and functioned correctly.
"The NRC Resident Inspector was notified."