05000277/LER-1981-022, Forwards LER 81-022/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl

Forwards LER 81-022/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl

ML19345G802
Person / Time
Site:	Peach Bottom
Issue date:	04/14/1981
From:	Cooney M PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
To:	Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
Shared Package
ML19345G803	List: 05000277/LER-1981-022, Forwards LER 81-022/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl 05000277/LER-1981-022-01, /01T-0:on 810331,drywell Chilled Water Sys Found Draining Via Normal Waste & Storm Drains to Discharge Canal. Caused by Operator Error.Release Terminated.Addl Corrective Actions Forthcoming
References
NUDOCS 8104220401
Download: ML19345G802 (3)

LER-1981-022, Forwards LER 81-022/01T-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl

Event date:
Report date:
2771981022R00 - NRC Website

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PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY 2301 MARKET STREET P.O. BOX 8639 PHILADELPHI A. PA.19101 1881 1981 saisi e414ooo

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/Djij g Mr. Bo yce H. Grier, Director Office of Inspection and Enforcement Region I US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406

SUBJECT:

LICENSEE EVENT REPORT NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION

Dear Mr. Grier :

The following was reported to Mr. C. Cowgill, Region I, Office of Inspection and Enforcement on March 31, 1981.

Reference:

Docket No. 50-277 Report No.:

2-81 -22 /1 T Report Date:

April 14, 1981 Occurrence Date:

March 31, 1981 Facility:

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station RD #1, Delta, PA 17314 Technical Specification Reference:

Technical Specification 3.8.B.4 states: "During release of radioactive wastes, the following conditions shall be met:

a.

The minimum dilution water required to satisfy 3 8.B.1 shall l

be met.

b.

The gross activity monitor and flow monitor and their l

respective recorders on the waste effluent line shall be l

operable, hool s

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l 04200401 j

l

Page 2 c.

The effluent control monitor shall be set to alarm and automatically close the waste discharge valve prior to exceeding the limits specified in 3.8.B.1 above."

Description of the Ever.t During a " feed and bleed" operation on the drywell chilled water closed cooling system to reduce the radioactivca inventory, the system was inadvertently draine~d to a normal waste drain system which discharges to the discharge canal via the storm drain system.

The " feed and bleed" had begun at about 6: 00 p.m. on 3/30/81, and at approximately 11:00 a.m. on March 31, 1981, it was discovered that the system was being incorrectly drained to normal waste.

Draining was immediately terminated and appropriate sampling and investigation of the occurrence was initiated.

Later the same day a small leak from a chemical addition tank in the system was found, also going to the normal waste system.

This leak was also terminated.

Probable Consecuence of the Occurrence Based on samples of the drywell chilled water system both before and during the feed and bleed operation, it was estimated that approximately 200 gCi were released.

The major isotopes released were Na-24 and Cr-51 with traces of I-133 The average concentration during the release is estimated to be 2.5 times MPC.

Total estimated release is 625 gallons over a period of 17 ho ur s.

This release was diluted in the discharge canal by a circulating water flow of one million gallons per minute resulting in a dilution factor in excess of one million.

Samples taken at four locations in storm drain system following termination revealed no activity.

Cause of the Event

Cause of event was operator error during a " feed and bleed" operation on the drywell chilled water closee cooling system to reduce the radioactive inventory.

The system was incorrectly crained to a normal waste drain system which discharges to the discharge canal via the storm drain system.

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Corrective Actions

The release was terminated upon discovery.

Further corrective actions are described in the letter from Biyce H. Grier, Director, Region 1,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to S. L.

Daltroff, Vice President, Electric Production, Philadelphia Electric Co., dated April 7, 1981.

Previous Similar Occurrence:

LER 2-80-10 /1T l

l Very truly yours,

t M.

J ' Coone y Sup intenderit Ge ration Division - Nuclear l

Attachment I

cc: Director, NRC - Office of Inspection and Enforcement i

Mr. Norman M.

Haller, NRC - Office of Management &

Program Analysis I

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