Event Notification Report for September 04, 2024
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
09/03/2024 - 09/04/2024
Agreement State
Event Number: 57306
Rep Org: NC Div of Radiation Protection
Licensee: S and ME, Inc.
Region: 1
City: Wilmington State: NC
County:
License #: 065-0922-5
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Travis Cartoski
HQ OPS Officer: Natalie Starfish
Licensee: S and ME, Inc.
Region: 1
City: Wilmington State: NC
County:
License #: 065-0922-5
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Travis Cartoski
HQ OPS Officer: Natalie Starfish
Notification Date: 09/05/2024
Notification Time: 14:18 [ET]
Event Date: 09/04/2024
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/05/2024
Notification Time: 14:18 [ET]
Event Date: 09/04/2024
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/05/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Ferdas, Marc (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Ferdas, Marc (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE - DAMAGED DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation, Radioactive Materials Branch (the Department) via email:
"The licensee reported that around 1600 EDT on September 4, 2024, their portable nuclear gauge (PNG) was run over by another vehicle at a construction site. The PNG is a Troxler 3440 (serial number 25787), containing 8 millicuries of Cs-137 (serial number 20-2119) and 40 millicuries of Am-241/Be (serial number 41-9543). The licensee dispatched their recovery team immediately. They were able to retract the source rod back into the PNG with the source block closed. Readings taken around the gauge indicated no readings in excess of transportation index requirements. Additional surveys of the work area indicated the source was intact and in the safe position. The PNG was then transported to the manufacturer for repair.
"The Department's investigation is ongoing and this report will be followed up on to close and complete the record."
NC Event Number: NC240005
The following information was provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation, Radioactive Materials Branch (the Department) via email:
"The licensee reported that around 1600 EDT on September 4, 2024, their portable nuclear gauge (PNG) was run over by another vehicle at a construction site. The PNG is a Troxler 3440 (serial number 25787), containing 8 millicuries of Cs-137 (serial number 20-2119) and 40 millicuries of Am-241/Be (serial number 41-9543). The licensee dispatched their recovery team immediately. They were able to retract the source rod back into the PNG with the source block closed. Readings taken around the gauge indicated no readings in excess of transportation index requirements. Additional surveys of the work area indicated the source was intact and in the safe position. The PNG was then transported to the manufacturer for repair.
"The Department's investigation is ongoing and this report will be followed up on to close and complete the record."
NC Event Number: NC240005
Part 21
Event Number: 57304
Rep Org: Westinghouse Electric Company
Licensee:
Region: 1
City: Cranberry Township State: PA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Camille Zozula
HQ OPS Officer: Natalie Starfish
Licensee:
Region: 1
City: Cranberry Township State: PA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Camille Zozula
HQ OPS Officer: Natalie Starfish
Notification Date: 09/04/2024
Notification Time: 18:51 [ET]
Event Date: 09/04/2024
Event Time: 19:09 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/04/2024
Notification Time: 18:51 [ET]
Event Date: 09/04/2024
Event Time: 19:09 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/04/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
21.21(d)(3)(i) - Defects And Noncompliance
10 CFR Section:
21.21(d)(3)(i) - Defects And Noncompliance
Person (Organization):
Ferdas, Marc (R1DO)
Masters, Anthony (R2DO)
Hills, David (R3DO)
Part 21/50.55 Reactors, - (EMAIL)
Ferdas, Marc (R1DO)
Masters, Anthony (R2DO)
Hills, David (R3DO)
Part 21/50.55 Reactors, - (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/6/2024
EN Revision Text: PART 21 - STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IN CONTROL ROD BLADES
The following information was provided by Westinghouse Electric Company via phone and email:
This issue concerns the Westinghouse designed and manufactured CR99 and Trident X boiling water reactor (BWR) control rod blades (CRBs). The CR99 CRBs were designed with dimensional and material choices for mechanical stability such that the mechanical function is maintained throughout the life of the control rod. However, observed cracking at United States licensees, resulting from irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC), occurred before the nuclear end of life. Therefore, the current depletion limits that define nuclear end of life are not sufficient to prevent cracking, and the continued use of uninspected CRBs can lead to further cracking. With severe cracking of the CRBs, boron loss can occur and negatively impact the shutdown margin.
Westinghouse is aware that plants which experienced CRB cracking have been able to scram their cracked CRBs, safely shut down the reactor, and maintain it in a safe shutdown condition. Trident X CRBs are susceptible to IASCC and within the scope of this notification. However, the first Trident X CRBs were installed in a US operating plant earlier in 2024 and have operated for less than one cycle.
Westinghouse continues to communicate with impacted licensees and will issue plant-specific operating recommendations.
Operating Plants with Generation 2 and 3 CR99 CRBs
Brunswick Units 1 and 2, Dresden Unit 3, Hatch Units 1 and 2, Hope Creek, La Salle Unit 1, Nine Mile Point Unit 2, Quad Cities Unit 1, Susquehanna Units 1 and 2
Permanently Shutdown/Decommissioned Plants with Generation 2 and 3 CR99 CRBs
Duane Arnold
Operating Plants with Trident x CRBs
Brunswick Unit 1
Point of Contract:
Camille Zozula
Manager, Global Nuclear Regulatory Affairs
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
412-374-2577
zozulact@westinghouse.com
EN Revision Text: PART 21 - STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IN CONTROL ROD BLADES
The following information was provided by Westinghouse Electric Company via phone and email:
This issue concerns the Westinghouse designed and manufactured CR99 and Trident X boiling water reactor (BWR) control rod blades (CRBs). The CR99 CRBs were designed with dimensional and material choices for mechanical stability such that the mechanical function is maintained throughout the life of the control rod. However, observed cracking at United States licensees, resulting from irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC), occurred before the nuclear end of life. Therefore, the current depletion limits that define nuclear end of life are not sufficient to prevent cracking, and the continued use of uninspected CRBs can lead to further cracking. With severe cracking of the CRBs, boron loss can occur and negatively impact the shutdown margin.
Westinghouse is aware that plants which experienced CRB cracking have been able to scram their cracked CRBs, safely shut down the reactor, and maintain it in a safe shutdown condition. Trident X CRBs are susceptible to IASCC and within the scope of this notification. However, the first Trident X CRBs were installed in a US operating plant earlier in 2024 and have operated for less than one cycle.
Westinghouse continues to communicate with impacted licensees and will issue plant-specific operating recommendations.
Operating Plants with Generation 2 and 3 CR99 CRBs
Brunswick Units 1 and 2, Dresden Unit 3, Hatch Units 1 and 2, Hope Creek, La Salle Unit 1, Nine Mile Point Unit 2, Quad Cities Unit 1, Susquehanna Units 1 and 2
Permanently Shutdown/Decommissioned Plants with Generation 2 and 3 CR99 CRBs
Duane Arnold
Operating Plants with Trident x CRBs
Brunswick Unit 1
Point of Contract:
Camille Zozula
Manager, Global Nuclear Regulatory Affairs
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
412-374-2577
zozulact@westinghouse.com