U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Reports For 12/10/1998 - 12/11/1998 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** 35131 35132 35133 35134 35135 35136 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Fuel Cycle Facility |Event Number: 35131 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/09/1998| | RXTYPE: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY |NOTIFICATION TIME: 22:17[EST]| | COMMENTS: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER |EVENT DATE: 12/09/1998| | 6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE |EVENT TIME: 18:20[EST]| | BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200 |LAST UPDATE DATE: 12/10/1998| | CITY: PIKETON REGION: 3 +-----------------------------+ | COUNTY: PIKE STATE: OH |PERSON ORGANIZATION | |LICENSE#: GDP-2 AGREEMENT: N |MARK RING R3 | | DOCKET: 0707002 |WAYNE HODGES NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+BOB PIERSON NMSS | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: ERIC SPAETH |STU RUBIN IRD | | HQ OPS OFFICER: JOHN MacKINNON | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |NBNL RESPONSE-BULLETIN | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | NRC BULLETIN 91-01, 4 HOUR NOTIFICATION - LOSS OF MODERATION AND MASS | | CONTROL | | | | On Dec. 9, 1998 at 1820 EST Plant Operations and Nuclear Criticality Safety | | personnel identified that a Nuclear Criticality Safety Analysis (NCSA) | | requirement could not be maintained in the X-326 building. NCSA-326 13.AO6 | | administrative control requirement #8 states, in part, "Within 8 hours after | | cascade equipment shutdown (motor turned off) and with the system at a UF6 | | negative, the system shall be pressurized with dry air or N2 buffer at 14 | | psia or greater." This cannot be accomplished for cell 25-7-2 due to the | | primary containment that was breached during a fire that occurred in the | | cell. Also cell 25-7-6 leaked to atmosphere prior to being buffered due to | | possible failure of an expansion joint. Each cell contains 12 converters | | and the holes in the converters caused a loss of moderation control and loss | | of mass control. The holes in the converters can let air intrude into the | | converters which can cause a buildup of moisture in the converters. | | | | The certificate holder has isolated both cells and isolated the water system | | going to both cells including the sprinkler system (fire protection system). | | Visual inspection of a limited number of the converters and a review of | | typical cell inventory data reveals that the cells do not contain a critical | | mass in them. Also the cells mentioned above have been isolated. | | | | The certificate holder notified the NRC Resident Inspector, the local DOE | | representative, the state of Ohio, and issued a press release. | | | | * * * UPDATE AT 0512 EST ON 12/10/98 BY ERIC SPAETH TO FANGIE JONES * * * | | | | This event notification is being updated to change the previous report of a | | 4 hour notification (loss of moderation and mass control) to a 24 hour | | notification due to current NDA scans that identify the deposits in | | converter 25-7-2 to be less than the calculated safe mass. Loss of a single | | contingency (moderation) remains a 24 hour notification. Also, it was | | determined that the previous report of converter 25-7-6 leaking to | | atmosphere (potential loss of moderation control) was incorrect. There was | | no failure in converter 25-7-6 that breached containment. | | | | The certificate holder notified the NRC Resident Inspector, the local DOE | | representative, and the state of Ohio. The NRC Operations Center notified | | the R3DO (Mark Ring), NMSS EO (Wayne Hodges), and IRD (Joe Giitter). | | | | See event # 35130 and 35132. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Fuel Cycle Facility |Event Number: 35132 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/10/1998| | RXTYPE: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY |NOTIFICATION TIME: 05:10[EST]| | COMMENTS: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER |EVENT DATE: 12/09/1998| | 6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE |EVENT TIME: 22:45[EST]| | BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200 |LAST UPDATE DATE: 12/10/1998| | CITY: PIKETON REGION: 3 +-----------------------------+ | COUNTY: PIKE STATE: OH |PERSON ORGANIZATION | |LICENSE#: GDP-2 AGREEMENT: N |MARK RING R3 | | DOCKET: 0707002 |WAYNE HODGES NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+JOSEPH GIITTER IRD | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: ERIC SPAETH | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: FANGIE JONES | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |OCEA 76.120(c)(4)(i) FIRE/EXP INVOLV LNM | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FIRE DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT CONTAINING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL | | | | On Wednesday December 9, 1998, at 0610 EST a motor fire occurred in the | | X-326 process building on cell 25-7-2. The fire was put out by the plant | | fire department. The fire involved lubricating oil in an electrical motor | | that drives compressors. The fire was limited to a single housing | | containing the affected equipment. However the fire spread to additional | | motors and equipment within the cell housing. Damage to the equipment and | | piping caused the primary containment to be breached. | | | | At 2245 EST the Plant Shift Superintendent determined that this event was | | reportable under 10CFR76.120(c)(4). The fire damaged the radioactive | | material container (process gas piping) and the equipment contained | | radioactive material greater than 5 ALls (5 microcuries or 2.2 grams | | U-235). | | | | The certificate holder notified the NRC Resident Inspector, the local DOE | | representative, the state of Ohio, and issued a press release. | | | | See Event # 35130 and 35131. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |General Information or Other |Event Number: 35133 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | LICENSEE: AEA TECHNOLOGY QSA, INC. |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/10/1998| | CITY: BURLINGTON REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION TIME: 10:15[EST]| | COUNTY: STATE: MA |EVENT DATE: 12/07/1998| |LICENSE#: AGREEMENT: N |EVENT TIME: [EST]| | DOCKET: |LAST UPDATE DATE: 12/10/1998| | +-----------------------------+ | |PERSON ORGANIZATION | | |KEVIN RAMSEY, IMOB NMSS | | | | +------------------------------------------------+ | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: CATHLEEN ROUGHAN | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: FANGIE JONES | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |CCCC 21.21 UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10 CFR PART 21 REPORT REGARDING MODEL 680 TYPE B(U) RADIOISOTOPE TRANSPORT | | PACKAGE | | | | AEA Technology QSA Inc. is making an initial 2 day report under 10 CFR 21.21 | | for the Model 680 Type B(U) radioisotope transport package and industrial | | radiography exposure device. The Model 680 is authorized for the transport | | of 110 Curies of Co-60, (Certificate of Compliance number 9035) and has been | | approved as meeting the radiographic exposure device requirements of 10 CFR | | 34. | | | | As part of preventive actions from the Part 21 report on similar Model 741, | | reported on 11/23/98 in Event # 35074, an experimental 30 foot drop on the | | Model 680 package was performed. Based on the information obtained from the | | drops of the Model 680 device, it was determined that it may be possible for | | the lock cover and lock assembly to shear off. | | | | AEA Technology is reviewing compensatory measures for transport by private | | carriage and is pursuing options that will allow the package to fully comply | | with Type B and ANSI N432 requirements. AEA plans to provide additional | | information as required within 30 days. | | | | Contact the Headquarters Operations Center for a contact address and | | telephone number. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 35134 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: VOGTLE REGION: 2 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/10/1998| | UNIT: [] [2] [] STATE: GA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:35[EST]| | RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 12/09/1998| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 12:42[EST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: W. R. DUNN |LAST UPDATE DATE: 12/10/1998| | HQ OPS OFFICER: FANGIE JONES +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |CHARLES OGLE R2 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |NLTR LICENSEE 24 HR REPORT | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ | | | |2 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | LICENSED POWER LIMIT EXCEEDED DUE TO ERROR IN CALIBRATION | | | | The licensee exceeded the licensed power limit for a period of five days and | | is making this report as required per its operating license #NPF-81, section | | 2H. On December 3, 1998, reactor power was slightly increased following | | calibration of computer point F0463. This computer point is one of the | | eight feedwater flow inputs to the reactor power calculation. On December | | 8, 1998, an error in the calibration was discovered and corrected. Reactor | | power was returned its previous value. On December 9, 1998, at 1242 EST, | | the performance engineer recognized that the error in calibration could have | | caused the reactor to operate above its licensed limit of 3565 megawatts | | thermal. A review determined that the reactor had operated above the | | licensed limit at approximately 100.12 percent power for the five day period | | involved. | | | | The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Hospital |Event Number: 35135 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | LICENSEE: HARTFORD HOSPITAL |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/10/1998| | CITY: HARTFORD REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION TIME: 16:59[EST]| | COUNTY: STATE: CT |EVENT DATE: 12/09/1998| |LICENSE#: 06-00253-04 AGREEMENT: N |EVENT TIME: 18:00[EST]| | DOCKET: |LAST UPDATE DATE: 12/10/1998| | +-----------------------------+ | |PERSON ORGANIZATION | | |JOHN ROGGE R1 | | |WAYNE HODGES NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+FRANK CONGEL IRD | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: MAF | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |NINF INFORMATION ONLY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | RADIATION ALARM RECEIVED FROM DUMPSTER AT TRASH DISPOSAL SITE | | | | THE HARTFORD HOSPITAL REPORTED THAT THEIR TRASH DUMPSTER SET OFF A RADIATION | | ALARM AT THE RESOURCE RECOVERY AUTHORITY FOR HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. AFTER | | SETTING THE ALARM OFF AT THE HARTFORD RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY, THE | | DUMPSTER TRANSPORTER (MCCAULEY) MOVED THE DUMPSTER TO THEIR FACILITY AND | | ROPED IT OFF. THE LICENSEE WENT TO THE MCCAULEY FACILITY AND MEASURED 20 | | MILLIREM/HOUR ON CONTACT AT ONE SPOT. THE LICENSEE BELIEVES THAT THE | | MATERIAL IS PATIENT GENERATED WASTE AND NOT A THERAPEUTIC SOURCE SINCE ALL | | OF THEIR SOURCES WERE ACCOUNTED FOR AS OF LAST WEEK. IT IS ALSO SPECULATED | | THAT THE MATERIAL MAY BE IODINE - 131. IF THE LICENSEE FINDS THAT IT IS A | | LOW HALF LIFE MATERIAL THEY WILL LET IT DECAY ONSITE AND DISCARD THE WASTE A | | FEW DAYS LATER, BUT IF IT IS NOT A LOW HALF LIFE MATERIAL THE LICENSEE WILL | | RETRIEVE THE MATERIAL FROM THE DUMPSTER BEFORE THE WASTE IS DUMPED. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Other Nuclear Material |Event Number: 35136 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | LICENSEE: TRU - TEC SERVICES INC |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/10/1998| | CITY: CARLTON REGION: 2 |NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:21[EST]| | COUNTY: STATE: KY |EVENT DATE: 12/10/1998| |LICENSE#: 07-28386-01 AGREEMENT: Y |EVENT TIME: 09:00[CST]| | DOCKET: |LAST UPDATE DATE: 12/10/1998| | +-----------------------------+ | |PERSON ORGANIZATION | | |CHARLES OGLE R2 | | |DAVID GRAVES R4 | +------------------------------------------------+MARK RING R3 | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: LANIER |WAYNE HODGES NMSS | | HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD |FRANK CONGEL IRD | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |BAE1 20.2202(b)(1) PERS OVEREXPOSURE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | POTENTIAL FOR UNEXPECTED PERSONNEL RADIATION EXPOSURE | | | | TRU - TEC SERVICES INC OF LA PORTE, TEXAS REPORTED THEY HAD LEFT A 37 | | MILLICURIE CESIUM GAMMA SCANNING SOURCE AT A CARLTON, KENTUCKY JOB SITE ON | | 12/8/98. THE SOURCE WAS IN A SHIELDED COLLIMATOR AND WAS LOCATED 40 FEET | | OFF THE GROUND. THE LICENSEE TOOK A READING OF 2 MILLIREM/HOUR AT 4.5 FEET | | FROM THE SOURCE. THEY DID NOT DISCOVER THE SOURCE WAS MISSING UNTIL 0900 ON | | 12/10/98 AT WHICH TIME THEY HAD THE AREA ROPED OFF. ON 12/09/98, HOWEVER, | | SOME PAINTERS HAD BEEN WORKING IN THE AREA OF THE SOURCE (AS CLOSE AS 24 | | INCHES TO THE SOURCE). IT WAS DETERMINED THE PAINTERS WERE SPRAY PAINTING | | FOR APPROXIMATELY 6.5 HOURS, BUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THEY WERE WITHIN TWO | | FEET OF THE SOURCE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THEREFORE, THE LICENSEE USED | | THE WORST CASE (6.5 HOURS) FOR THEIR DOSE CALCULATIONS AT 2 FEET, AND THAT | | RESULTED IN A DOSE OF 66 MILLIREMS. THE SOURCE WAS RETRIEVED AT 1300 ON | | 12/10/98 BY INSPECTORS FROM THE LICENSEE'S CANTON, MICHIGAN OFFICE. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+