ENS 51795
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:15 Mar 17, 2016 | |
| Title | Loss of Emergency and Auxiliary Gas Treatment Systems |
| Event Description | On March 17, 2016, at 0115 [EDT], Watts Bar Unit 1 (WBN1) entered Technical Specification Limiting Condition of Operation (TS LCO) 3.0.3 due to the inoperability of both trains of the Emergency Gas Treatment System (EGTS). TS LCO 3.7.12 Condition B was also entered at this time due to the inoperability of both trains of the Auxiliary Gas Treatment System (ABGTS). The train B EGTS and train B ABGTS had been removed from service for scheduled maintenance, when at 0115, the train A Auxiliary Air Compressor became inoperable. On March 17, 2016, at 0133, the train A Auxiliary Air Compressor was declared OPERABLE, and TS LCO 3.0.3 and 3.7.12 Condition B were exited.
The auxiliary air system supports the EGTS by providing a safety grade air supply. When train A auxiliary air became inoperable, the supported train A EGTS and ABGTS became inoperable, creating a condition where both trains of EGTS and ABGTS were unavailable. In the event of an accident, the EGTS establishes a negative pressure in the annulus between the shield building and the steel containment vessel and the ABGTS establishes a negative pressure in the Auxiliary Building Secondary Containment Enclosure (ABSCE). Filters in these system mitigate the release of radioactive contaminants to the environment. WBN1 remained in Mode 1 at 100% power and no safety functions were required during the event. This event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) and (D) as a condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
The purpose of this notification is to retract event report no. 51795 made on 3/17/16 at 0802 (EDT). Previously, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) reported a loss of the Emergency and Auxiliary Building Gas Treatment Systems (EGTS/ABGTS) at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 1 (WBN1). Both trains of EGTS and ABGTS were declared INOPERABLE when the train A auxiliary air system cooling water supply bypass valve was isolated, prior to completing the requisite post maintenance testing following repairs to the normal cooling water supply solenoid valve. Upon recognition, WBN1 operations personnel declared the train A auxiliary air system INOPERABLE, resulting in inoperability of Train A EGTS and ABGTS and forcing entry into TS LCO [Limiting Condition for Operation] 3.0.3 (from TS LCO 3.6.9 EGTS) and 3.7.12 Condition B for ABGTS. At the time the condition was recognized, train B EGTS and train B ABGTS were INOPERABLE for scheduled maintenance. Subsequently, TVA completed the post maintenance testing of the train A auxiliary air system ERCW [Emergency Raw Cooling Water] normal supply solenoid valve and determined that the valve, while not fully qualified at the time, was in fact operable and capable of performing its safety function. Therefore, entry into TS LCO 3.0.3 and 3.7.12 Condition B was not necessary and the event is no longer reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) and (D) as a condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. Notified the R2DO (McCoy). |
| Where | |
|---|---|
Watts Bar  Tennessee (NRC Region 2) | |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+2.78 h0.116 days <br />0.0165 weeks <br />0.00381 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | David Allen 08:02 Mar 17, 2016 |
| NRC Officer: | Vince Klco |
| Last Updated: | Apr 19, 2016 |
| 51795 - NRC Website
Loading map... | |
Unit 1 | |
|---|---|
| Reactor critical | Critical |
| Scram | No |
| Before | Power Operation (100 %) |
| After | Power Operation (100 %) |