Event Notification Report for April 25, 2023
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
04/24/2023 - 04/25/2023
Power Reactor
Event Number: 56487
Facility: Palo Verde
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: Roxanne James
HQ OPS Officer: Ernest West
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: Roxanne James
HQ OPS Officer: Ernest West
Notification Date: 04/26/2023
Notification Time: 06:23 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2023
Event Time: 23:15 [MST]
Last Update Date: 04/26/2023
Notification Time: 06:23 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2023
Event Time: 23:15 [MST]
Last Update Date: 04/26/2023
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - Offsite Notification
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - Offsite Notification
Person (Organization):
Drake, James (R4DO)
Drake, James (R4DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling |
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION - SPILLED SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"On 4/25/2023 at approximately 2315 [MST] it was reported that there was possible sodium hypochlorite actively leaking near the 'A' essential spray pond (ESP). Upon investigation, it was determined that the 'low flow' line of sodium hypochlorite supply to the 'A' spray pond had developed a leak. Sodium hypochlorite had pooled at the leak location and subsequently run down the ESP apron, into the road, and into the storm drain located in the protected area fence. An estimate of approximately 300 gallons of spilled sodium hypochlorite was determined based on the time frame that the sodium hypochlorite was scheduled to start injecting into the 'A' spray pond and the time the leak was isolated. The leak was isolated on 4/25/2023 at approximately 2330.
"The leak was contained in the storm drain with the storm gates closed, therefore nothing was released offsite. The cleanup effort in progress includes diluting the sodium hypochlorite with domestic service water, collecting it into the storm drain, pumping it to a tank truck, and transporting it to the Palo Verde Water Resources Facility for neutralization.
"Condition Report 23-04519 was generated to document the leak. The Palo Verde Senior Environmental Scientist was notified and subsequently informed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Response Center (NRC#1365638) on 4/26/23 at 0005 in accordance with the 91DP-0EN03 Environmental Spill Response [local procedure]. The NRC Senior Resident Inspector was also notified.
"No personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged as a result of the spill. The Palo Verde Fire Department was notified and the area was barricaded off to prevent personnel from entering the area during the cleanup effort.
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"On 4/25/2023 at approximately 2315 [MST] it was reported that there was possible sodium hypochlorite actively leaking near the 'A' essential spray pond (ESP). Upon investigation, it was determined that the 'low flow' line of sodium hypochlorite supply to the 'A' spray pond had developed a leak. Sodium hypochlorite had pooled at the leak location and subsequently run down the ESP apron, into the road, and into the storm drain located in the protected area fence. An estimate of approximately 300 gallons of spilled sodium hypochlorite was determined based on the time frame that the sodium hypochlorite was scheduled to start injecting into the 'A' spray pond and the time the leak was isolated. The leak was isolated on 4/25/2023 at approximately 2330.
"The leak was contained in the storm drain with the storm gates closed, therefore nothing was released offsite. The cleanup effort in progress includes diluting the sodium hypochlorite with domestic service water, collecting it into the storm drain, pumping it to a tank truck, and transporting it to the Palo Verde Water Resources Facility for neutralization.
"Condition Report 23-04519 was generated to document the leak. The Palo Verde Senior Environmental Scientist was notified and subsequently informed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Response Center (NRC#1365638) on 4/26/23 at 0005 in accordance with the 91DP-0EN03 Environmental Spill Response [local procedure]. The NRC Senior Resident Inspector was also notified.
"No personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged as a result of the spill. The Palo Verde Fire Department was notified and the area was barricaded off to prevent personnel from entering the area during the cleanup effort.
Non-Power Reactor
Event Number: 56489
Rep Org: Texas A&M University (TAMN)
Licensee: Texas A&M University
Region: 0
City: College Station State: TX
County: Brazos
License #: R-83
Agreement: Y
Docket: 05000128
NRC Notified By: Jere H. Jenkins
HQ OPS Officer: Thomas Herrity
Licensee: Texas A&M University
Region: 0
City: College Station State: TX
County: Brazos
License #: R-83
Agreement: Y
Docket: 05000128
NRC Notified By: Jere H. Jenkins
HQ OPS Officer: Thomas Herrity
Notification Date: 04/26/2023
Notification Time: 11:38 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2023
Event Time: 13:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/26/2023
Notification Time: 11:38 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2023
Event Time: 13:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/26/2023
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
Cruz, Holly (DANU\PM)
Boyle, Patrick (DANU\PM)
Waugh, Andrew (NPR Even)
Drake, James (R4DO)
Cruz, Holly (DANU\PM)
Boyle, Patrick (DANU\PM)
Waugh, Andrew (NPR Even)
Drake, James (R4DO)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION DIRECTED SHUTDOWN
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"Violation of Limiting Condition of Operation per Nuclear Science Center Reactor (NSCR) technical specifications (TS) 3.5.1. Report made in accordance with TS 6.7.2.
"At approximately 1300 [CDT], April 25, 2023, it was determined there was a Limiting Condition of Operation that required a remote display for a single Area Radiation Monitor (ARM) on the reactor bridge in the Emergency Support Center. That display had been inoperable for two weeks. The ARM was operable, and the displays in the reactor control room and on the reactor bridge at the ARM location were active. The remote display is located in a different building from the reactor confinement building.
"Upon discovery of the situation, the reactor was shut down. This notification to the [NRC] Headquarters Operations Officer is required by NSCR TS 6.7.2 within one working day.
"Corrective actions underway:
"The display of the ARM is being repaired and will be confirmed to be in operation prior to the restart of the NSCR, and for each successive start up."
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"Violation of Limiting Condition of Operation per Nuclear Science Center Reactor (NSCR) technical specifications (TS) 3.5.1. Report made in accordance with TS 6.7.2.
"At approximately 1300 [CDT], April 25, 2023, it was determined there was a Limiting Condition of Operation that required a remote display for a single Area Radiation Monitor (ARM) on the reactor bridge in the Emergency Support Center. That display had been inoperable for two weeks. The ARM was operable, and the displays in the reactor control room and on the reactor bridge at the ARM location were active. The remote display is located in a different building from the reactor confinement building.
"Upon discovery of the situation, the reactor was shut down. This notification to the [NRC] Headquarters Operations Officer is required by NSCR TS 6.7.2 within one working day.
"Corrective actions underway:
"The display of the ARM is being repaired and will be confirmed to be in operation prior to the restart of the NSCR, and for each successive start up."
Agreement State
Event Number: 56488
Rep Org: PA Bureau of Radiation Protection
Licensee: MISTRAS Group, Inc.
Region: 1
City: Trainer State: PA
County:
License #: PA-1138
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: John Chippo
HQ OPS Officer: Ernest West
Licensee: MISTRAS Group, Inc.
Region: 1
City: Trainer State: PA
County:
License #: PA-1138
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: John Chippo
HQ OPS Officer: Ernest West
Notification Date: 04/26/2023
Notification Time: 08:37 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2023
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/26/2023
Notification Time: 08:37 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2023
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/26/2023
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Henrion, Mark (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Henrion, Mark (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA
The following information was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (the Department) via email:
"On April 25, 2023, the licensee reported damage to a QSA 880D (number D7890, source serial number 72481M), camera containing 105.8 Ci of Ir-192. While using the device shooting a 3-inch pipe positioned on a cart, the pipe fell off the cart and landed on the guide tube. The guide tube was damaged and left the source capsule in the exposed position unable to retract or to be placed back in the collimator. Lead blankets were placed on the damaged area of the guide tube. Dose rate at the established boundary was confirmed to be 0 mR/hr. The licensee staff calculated doses received to the 4 employees involved in the retrieval as 98, 310, 570, and 750 millirem. Badges have been sent to Landauer for emergency processing. The source was able to be secured safely in the device, locked in the licensee's vault, and tagged out of service. The device will be sent to the manufacturer to be inspected.
"The Department will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided upon receipt."
PA NMED Event Number: PA230014
The following information was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (the Department) via email:
"On April 25, 2023, the licensee reported damage to a QSA 880D (number D7890, source serial number 72481M), camera containing 105.8 Ci of Ir-192. While using the device shooting a 3-inch pipe positioned on a cart, the pipe fell off the cart and landed on the guide tube. The guide tube was damaged and left the source capsule in the exposed position unable to retract or to be placed back in the collimator. Lead blankets were placed on the damaged area of the guide tube. Dose rate at the established boundary was confirmed to be 0 mR/hr. The licensee staff calculated doses received to the 4 employees involved in the retrieval as 98, 310, 570, and 750 millirem. Badges have been sent to Landauer for emergency processing. The source was able to be secured safely in the device, locked in the licensee's vault, and tagged out of service. The device will be sent to the manufacturer to be inspected.
"The Department will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided upon receipt."
PA NMED Event Number: PA230014