05000255/FIN-2009008-01
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Finding | |
|---|---|
| Title | Loss of Spent Fuel Pool Neutron Absorption Capability |
| Description | The inspectors identified a finding and associated violation of the Design Feature for fuel storage in Technical Specification 4.3.1 due to loss of neutron absorption capability in the spent fuel pool (SFP) racks. Over the life of the facility, the neutron absorber in the SFP had degraded such that the Region I of the SFP could no longer maintain an effective neutron multiplication factor (Keff) of less than .95 without credit for soluble boron. Specifically, the licensee did not evaluate the effects of spent fuel pool rack swelling or available operating experience to validate the neutron absorber in the SFP continued to meet the assumptions in the criticality analysis. After testing revealed that the SFP no longer met assumptions in the criticality analysis, the licensee implemented compensatory actions to ensure the SFP remained subcritical. The inspectors concluded the finding was more than minor because, if left uncorrected, it would become a more significant safety concern; in addition, the finding impacted the initiating event cornerstone objective of limiting events that challenge safety functions; for example, preventing criticality in an area not designed for criticality. Because probabilistic risk assessment tools were not suited for this finding, the inspectors evaluated the finding using IMC 0609, Appendix M, Significance Determination Process Using Qualitative Criteria. Based on the degradation that resulted in a significant loss of margin to criticality, NRC management concluded the finding was preliminarily of low to moderate safety significance (White). The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency did not reflect current licensee performance due to its age; therefore, the finding does not include a cross-cutting aspect. |
| Site: | Palisades  |
|---|---|
| Report | IR 05000255/2009008 Section 4OA2 |
| Date counted | Dec 31, 2009 (2009Q4) |
| Type: | Finding: White |
| cornerstone | Initiating Events |
| Identified by: | NRC identified |
| Inspection Procedure: | IP 71152 |
| Inspectors (proximate) | J Ellegood J Giessner L Kozak T Taylorj Ellegoodl Kozak T Taylor |
| INPO aspect | |
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Finding - Palisades - IR 05000255/2009008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Finding List (Palisades) @ 2009Q4
Self-Identified List (Palisades)
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