05000333/LER-1993-016

LER 93-016-00:on 930722,missed Source Check of Radwaste Discharge Monitor Prior to Discharge of Waste Sample Tank a Due to Failure to Follow Procedures.Performed Source Check & Counseled Involved indiviuals.W/930823 Ltr

ML20056F773
Person / Time
Site:	FitzPatrick
Issue date:	08/23/1993
From:	Mulcahey E, Harry Salmon POWER AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (NEW YORK
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
JAFP-93-0457, JAFP-93-457, LER-93-016-01, LER-93-16-1, NUDOCS 9308310040
Download: ML20056F773 (5)

LER-2093-016,

Event date:
Report date:
3332093016R00 - NRC Website

text

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Janos A.FihR3 rick i Nuclear Power Plant P.O Box 41

. Lycoming New York 130M 1 315 M2-3MD l

p A NewYorkPower so,ry P. Saimon, ar.

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W Authority nesideat uaoaaer August 23, 1993 JAFP-93-0457 l

I United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission ,

Document Control Desk Mail Station P1-137 Washington, D.C. 20555 l

SUBJECT:

DOCKET NO. 50-333 4 LICENSEE EVENT REPORT: 93-01f. Liquid Radioactive  !

Waste Discharge Without Testing the ,

Radwaste Discharge ,

t Monitor

Dear Sir:

l This report is submitted in accordance with 10CFR50.73 ,

I (a) (2) (i) (B) . Questions concerning this report may be addressed '

to Mr. Eric Mulcahey at (315) 349-6458.

t Very truly yours, i

RRY P.' SALMON, JR /

MGLf" HPS:EM: tid l Enclosure l cc: USNRC, Region 1 [

USNRC Resident Inspector  !

INPO Records Center 1

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i 1 S- il kokB310040930823 ADDCK 05000333 3 PDR i(d s ,

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WRC FOAM 366 - U.S. 88UCLEAR REGULATORY C0feelSS10N APPRWED BY CNB E0. 3150-0104

- (542) E'XPIRES 5/31/95

, LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LER) ESTIMATED BURDEN PER RESPONSE 10 COMPLY WITH THl$ INf0RMATION COLLECTION REQUEST: 50.0 HRS.

(See reverse f or reovired ruter of digits / characters for each block) FORWARD COMMENTS REGARDING BURDEN ESilMATE 10 l THE INFORMATION AND RECORDS MAkAGEMENT BRANCH a

(MNBB 7714), U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMIS$10N, WASHINGTON, DC 20555 0001, AND TO THE PAPERWORK i REDUCT!DN PROJECT (3150 0104), OFFICE OF q MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, WASHINGTON, DC 20503. i FACILITY KAME (1) DOCKET IAMBER (2) PAGE (3) .

1 James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant 05000333 01 OF 04 TITLE (4)

Liquid Radioactive Waste Discharge Without Testing the Radwaste Discharge IVINT DATE (5) ifR trMBER (6) REPORY DATE (T) OTHER FACit1 TIES INVotVtV (8)

MONTH DAY YEAR YEAR MONTH DAY YEAR 1 NuMatR NumsER 05000 FACILITY NAME DOCKET NUMBER l

07 22 93 93 016 00 08 23 93 05000 .

OPERATlWG N THn nr RT n m m muanT Tur m u m N n or 10 CrR u m ck om or w e) m BK1DE (9) 20.402(b) 20.405(c) 50.73(a)(2)(iv) 73.71(b)

POWER 20.405(a)(1)(i) 50.36(c)(1) 50. 73(a)(2)(v) 73.71(c) 100 LEVE L (10) 20.405(a)(1)(ii) 50.36(c)(2) 50.73(a)(2)(vii) OTHER 20.405(a)(1)(iii) X 50.73(a)(2)(i) 50.73(a)(2)(viii)(A>

20.405(a)(1)(iv) 50.73(a)(2)(ii) 50.73(a)(2)(viii)(B) 20.405(a)(1)(v) 50.73(a)(2)(i t i) 50.73(a)(2)(x) I t ICE NSE E CON T ACT IOR T HIS L E R (12) d NAME TELEPHONE NUMSER (include Area Code)

Mr. Eric Mulcahey, Senior Licensing Engineer (315) 349-6458 i

j COMPLFTE ONE LINE FOR E ACH COMMWINT F AlltRE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT (13) k CAUSE SYSTEM COMP 0hENT MANUFACTURER CAUSS SYSTEM COMPONENT MANUFACTURER p g f 1

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SLPPtfMINYAL RFPORT EXPECTED (14) , , _ _ _ - EXPECTED MONTH DAY YEAR  ;

TES X susMISSION i (If yes, conplete EXPECTED SUBMISSION DATE). No DATE (15)  !

ABSTRACT (Limit to 1400 spaces, i.e., approximately 15 single-spaced typewritten Lines) (16)

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EIIS Codes are in []

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On July 22, 1993, with the plant operating at 100% power, a source check was not performed of the Radwaste Discharge Monitor prior to discharge of Waste Sample Tank A [WD] to Lake Ontario. The failure to perform the source check was discovered after che tank had been discharged (later that

day). A source check was performed satisfactorily immediately upon discovery. The Radwaste Discharge Monitor alarm and trip settings were completed prior to discharge and operability verification after-the-fact i proved that this was not an unmonitored release. Subsequent discharges to

Lake Ontario were immediately suspended pending resolution and initiation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

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t NRC 70RM 366 (542)

NRC FDEM 366A U.S. EUCLEAR REGULATOY CDe(IS$10 APPROVED B7 deb NO. 3150-0104 (5-92, EXPIRES 5/31/95 ESTIMATED BURDEN PER RESPONSE TO COMPLY WITH THIS INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST: 50.0 HRS.

FORWARD COMMENTS REGARDING BURDEN ESTIMATE TO LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LER) THE INFORMAil0N AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT BRANCH TEXT CONTINUATION (MNas m 4), U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001, AND TO THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION PROJECT (3150-0104), OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WASHINGTON, DC 20503.

FACILITY NAME (1) DOCKET NUMBER (2) LER NtMBER (6? PAT (3)

James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear YEAR SEQUENTIAL REVISION Power Plant 05000333 02 OF 04 93 016 0 TEXT (if more space is reauired. use additional copies of NRC Form 366A) (17)

Event Description Contrary to the requirements of the Radiological Effluent Technical Specifications Table 3.10-2 note (c), on July 22, 1993 at 1314, with the plant operating at 100% power, a source check was not performed on the Radwaste Discharge Monitor [IL] prior to discharge of Waste Sample Tank A

[WD] to Lake Ontario.

On the morning of July 22, 1993, the Chemistry Technician provided the

, Shift Supervisor (SS) with a Liquid Radioactiva Waste Discharge Permit

'(discharge permit), Batch No.93-019 for Waste: Sample Tank A. Section A of the discharge permit containing the chemistry and radiochemistry parameters including the required dilution factors was complete. Section B of the discharge permit is required to be completed by the Shift Supervisor. The Shift Supervisor (SS) computed and set the Radwaste Discharge Monitor alarm and trip setpoints and authorized release of the tank by signing the discharge permit. The SS then notified a radwaste operator to pick up the discharge permit and the key to the discharge flow control valve. The discharge permit and the key were picked up at about 1245 and discharge of the Waste Sample Tank A started at 1314 on July 22, 1993.

On that same day, shortly after the tank was discharged, a Chemistry Technician went to the Radwaste Control Room to pick up the discharge permit. Upon review of the discharge permit, it was discovered that the Flow Rate Instrument Daily Check and Monitor Source Check areas in Section B were not completed. The Radwaste Operator informed the Chemistry Technician that the discharge instrument flow check was logged in the Radwaste Operator Log book. The Chemistry Technician reported these omissions to the SS and arranged for an after-the-fact radwaste monitor source check by a second chemistry technician. The radwaste monitor source checked satisfactory.

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NQC FORM 366A (5-72) l

NRC FORQ 3664 U.S. MUCLEAR REGULATORY CDMISSION APPROVED BY OMB No. 3150-0104 (5-92) EXPIRES 5/31/95 N PER R$ L LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LER)

I

$""3,E,Dog eo t(eTI QUEST Oj TEXT CONTINUATION FORWARD COMMENTE PEGARDING BURDEE ESTIMATE TO THE INFORMATION AND RECOPDS MANAGEMENT BRANCH (MNBB 7714), U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, WASHINGT0*f, DC 20555-0001, AND TO THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION PROJECT (3150-0104), OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, WASHlWGTON, DC 20503.

FACILITY KAME (1) DOCKET NLMBER (2) lER WUMBER (6) PAGF (3)

James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear YEAR SEQUENTIAL REVISION Power Plant 05000333 03 OF 04 93 016 0 IEKT (If mnre space is reauired, use additionet copies of NRC form 366A) (17)

Event Causes The cause of this event was the failure to follow procedures and instructions (Cause Code A). The Liquid Radioactive Waste Discharge Permit clearly required a Flow Rate Instrument Daily Check and Monitor Source Check in Section B. The SS signed the authorization for discharge of Waste Sample Tank A without the Flow Rate Instrument Daily Check and Monitor Source Check areas in Section B being complete contrary to instructions contained in OP-49. Those areas of the discharge permit remained blank when the radwaste operator picked it up. There was no discussion between the SS and radwaste operator regarding the e crformance of these tests prior to discharging the tank. The SS assumed that the Radwaste Operator would perform these tests and enter the results prior to discharging the tank.

In addition, the radwaste operator proceeded to discharge Waste Sample Tank A without questioning the blanks at the Flow Rate Instrument Daily Check and Monitor Source Check areas in Section B of the discharge permit. The radwaste operator did perform the flow check but did not enter the test results on the permit, instead it was entered in the Radwaste Operator Log.

Event Analysis The Radwaste Discharge Monitor functions to alert operators to a higher than planned activity (High Alarm Setpoint) or to isolate the discharge path (High Setpoint) in the event of a significant non-conservative error in determining tank activity such as analysis error, unrepresentative sample, or selection of the wrong tank. Waste Sample Tank A contained domineralized water with an activity of 1.11E-7 microcurie / milliliter and was being discharged because of high inventory. The highest calculated dose to the public from consuming water at the nearest intake was 5.03E-8 mrem to the lower gastrointestinal tract. If the radwaste discharge monitor had been inoperative and an unrepresentative sample had been obtained due to improper mixing or the activity analysis been in error by a factor of 10 non-conservatively, the highest dose to the public would be insignificant as compared to that allowed for the quarterly dose to the public of less than or equal to 1.5 mrem to the whole body or less than or equal to 5 mrem to any organ by this pathway.

If Waste Sample Tank B had been selected erroneously, the activity contained in that tank was analyzed at 8.46E-8 microcurie / milliliter at that time and the highest calculated dose to the public woul' have been less than from the A tank.

NRC FORM 366A (5-92)

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ORC FORM 366A ' U.S. CUCLEAR REGULATOY CupMISSIC APPROVED BY OMB 100. 3150-0104 '

(5-92) EXPIRES 5/31/95 l l

ESTIMATED BURDEN PER RESPONSE TO COMPLY WITH j LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LER) THIS INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST: 50.0 HRS. <

TEXT CONTINUATION FORWARD COMMENTS REGARDING BURDEN ESTIMATE TO I

THE INFORMATION AND RECORDS MAkACEMENT SRANCH  !

(MNBB 7714), U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001 AND TO THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION PROJECT (31$0-0104), OFFICE OF MANAGEME NT AND BUDGET, WASHINGTON, DC 20503. .

FACILITT NAMC (1) DOCKET NtMSFR (?) LFR NLMBER (6) PAGE (3)  !

James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear YEAR SEouENTIAL REVISION Power Plant 05000333 04 OF 04 93 016 0 TEXT (if more s.nace is reavired, use additional copies of hRC Form 366A) (17)

A satisfactory source check was performed after the discharge, which proved that the monitor would have functioned as designed. There was, therefore, no safety significance to the event.

The failure to perform the source check required by Table 3.10-2 note (c) was a violation of Radiological Effluent Technical Specifications. As a result, the event requires a report under 10 CFR 50.73 (a) (2) (i) (B) , that is, an operation prohibited by Technical Specifications.

Corrective Actions

1. The immediate corrective actions were: a) to perform a source check for the Radwaste Discharge Monitor and b) prohibit liquid radwaste discharges until the event was critiqued, corrective actions identified, and appropriate steps taken to prevent recurrence.  !

2. The Shift Supervisor and operator involved were counstled. These individuals were also assigned to perform a critique of the event.

3. PSP-4, Wastewater Sampling and Analysis and OP-49, Liquid Radioactive Waste System have been revised to require the Chemistry Technician to perform the source check of the Radwaste Discharge Monitor prior to discharge of each tank. The Shift Supervisor is required to verify that this has been performed prior to authorizing the discharge of each tank. This change will ensure that the source check is performed l and logged on the form prior to authorization for discharge by the Shift Supervisor.

4. All operators have been briefed on the event and the corrective actions taken.

Additional Information  !

Failed Components: None Previous similar Events: No previous LERs involving release of a liquid ,

radwaste tank and failure to follow procedures have been submitted. j l

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