IR 05000259/1990024
| ML18033B487 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Browns Ferry  |
| Issue date: | 08/02/1990 |
| From: | Marston R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18033B486 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-259-90-24, 50-260-90-24, 50-296-90-24, NUDOCS 9008200139 | |
| Download: ML18033B487 (20) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION II
101 MARIETTASTREET, N.W.
ATLANTA,GEORGIA 30323
,<UB O 3 l990 Report Nos.:
50-259/90-24, 50-260/90-24, and 50-296/90-24 Licensee:
Tennessee Yalley Authority 6N 38A Lookout Place 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Docket Nos ~
50-259, 50-260, and 50-296 License Nos.:
DPR-33, DPR-52, and DPR-68 Facility Name:
Browns Ferry 1, 2, and
Inspection Conducted July 9-,13, 1990 Inspector: ~R. liars ton Approved by:
T ~
R ~ Decker, Chief
.
Radiological Effluents and Chemistry Section Emergency Preparedness and Radiological Protection Branch Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards
~8z gu Date Signed Date Signed SUMMARY Scope:
This routine, unannounced inspection was in the areas of radiological effluents, radiological environmental monitoring, meteorological instrumenta-tion, coolant chemistry, chemistry quality control, and restart preparation of the Post Accident Sampling System (PASS)
and radiological effluent monitors.
Results:
No violations or deviations were identified.
The chemistry, environmental monitoring, meteorological instrumentation, and effluent processing and monitoring programs were adequate.
The radiological effluent monitors were expected to be ready for startup in August 1990, and the PASS was expected to be installed and ready for testing in November 1990 '
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REPORT DETAILS Persons Contacted Licensee Employees
- R
- S
- S
- p D.
J.
- M.
B.
J.
- L
- C
- B
- R.
- N.
T.
- R.
- J
- p D.
- Q
- J Albright, Rad Health Supervisor, RadCon Armstrong, Chemistry Process Control Supervisor Austin, Licensing Engineer, Compliance Carier, Yianager, Site Licensing Curths, Nuclear Chemist Fenton, Nuclear Chemist Herrell', Plant Operations Manager Johnson, Senior Instrument Mechanical Foreman Johnson, System Engineer, Radiation Monitors Jones, Support Manager, Site guality Kazanas, Vice President, Nuclear Assurance and Services Lawrence, Modifications Engineering Manager McKinney, Manager, Technical Support Miller, guality Assurance Evaluator Moon, Chemistry Control Supervisor Myers, Plant Manager Nesmith, Nuclear Chemist Parker, Manager, guality Programs Sabados, Chemistry Technical Support Manager Salas, Compliance Licensing Supervisor Smith, Chemistry and Environmental Superintendent Twining, Site guality Manager Wallace, Compliance Engineer, Site Licensing Other licensee employees contacted during this inspection included technicians, operators, security force members, and office personnel.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- W. Bearden, RI
- E. Christnot, RI
- K. Ivey, RI
- C. Patterson, Restart Coordinator
- Attended exit interview Audits (84750)
Technical Specification (TS) 6.5.2.8 states the requirements for the frequencies and subjects of guality Assurance audits.
The inspector reviewed the last annual quality assurance audit within the scope of this inspection during the last inspection in this subject area (50-259, 260, 296/90-02).
The inspector reviewed several surveillance-type audits to evaluate the quality of the program:
QBF-M-90-0059, Lab Analysis (Diesel Oil), conducted January 8, 1990.
This evaluation checked the frequency of the analysis against the requirements.
QBF-N-90-159, Chemistry QC Cross-check Program, conducted March 14-21, 1990.
Evaluated the interlab spiked sample program against INPO Good Practices.
QBF-M-90-180, Water Chemistry Control Program, conducted April 17-20, 1990.
This involved the observation and followup of grab sample collection of a sample from the Unit 2 Condensate System and analysis of that sample.
QBF-M-90-218, Radiological Effluent Discharge Program conducted May 15-16, 1990.
This audit involved observation of specific steps in the prerelease sample collection
, analysis, and review of the completed Surveillance Instruction (SI) package for Batch Release
from the Floor Drain Sample Tank.
QBF-N-90-230, Procurement, Equipment, and Inventory Control, conducted May 23, 1990.
This audit consisted of observations of control of Measuring
Test Equipment by the Chemistry Environmental Group.
QBF-M-90-231, Plant Layup Equipment Program, conducted May 31 - June 1,
1990.
Among other things, the audit evaluated the layup of condensate pumps and condensate booster pumps.
QBF-N-90-256, PASS, conducted June 21, 1990.
This audit reviewed the status of the installation of the PASS.
No violations or deviations were identified.
No findings were identified in the audits.
The audits were of the surveillance type and therefore, brief, but appeared to have been conducted thoroughly.
3.
Procedures (84750)
TS 6.8.1.1 requires that written procedures shall be established, implemented, and maintained in stated activities, and TS 6.8.4 requires that Quality Assurance procedures shall be established, implemented, and maintained for effluent and environmental monitoring, using stated guidance.
The inspector reviewed selected procedures (listed in Attachment I) to determine compliance and evaluate quality and capability.
The procedures appeared to have been written in accordance with stated guidance and requirements and appeared to be effective.
A Chemistry Supervisor stated that the procedures used for the PASS had been taken from those used by another power company using an identical PASS, and were expected to be revised several times prior to implementatio No violations or deviations were identified.
Changes to Chemistry, Environmental, and Effluents Programs (84750)
The inspector discussed the status of and changes in Chemistry, Effluents, and Radiological Environmental programs with cognizant Chemistry and Environmental Supervisors and a Health Physicist from TVA's Western Area Regional Lab (WARL) to assess capability ard to evaluate auality.
The Chemistry and Environmental Superintendent stated that the authorized strength had been reduced from 52 to
personnel.
The Chemistry Technical Support Supervisor slot had just been filled with an experienced individual, resulting in the Chemistry Control Supervisor and Process Control Supervisor returning to their permanent jobs.
The Superintendent stated that justification had been submitted for the addition of two project people in the organization.
A concrete pad with necessary piping and connections had been set up outside the Protected Area for the water purification trailer used by the vendor.
The trailer. and plumbing had been set up so that the water could be purified by either demineralization or reverse osmosis (RO).
The Superintendent stated that RO would be the principal process used in order to reduce Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in the Demineralized water with the end objective being to reduce TOC to the Radwaste system.
The vendor was capable of achieving 20 parts per billion (ppb) of TOC, the required limit was 100 ppb, and the Action Level was 250 ppb.
The piping was set up to accept input from various sources, with an effluent header to the Demineralized Water Storage Tank (DWST),
and a flush line to clean out dirty water.
The two sediment ponds located near the trailer pad had been lined to pr event leakage and.migration of the water.
The lower pond was set up to accept water from sump pumps, flush water from conventional water cleanup, and up to 100 gallons per minute (gpm) of reject water from the RO unit.
The upper pond had no discharge, and was,used for oil-water separation.
The Superintendent stated that an Analytical Chemist was assigned to evaluate the new ND9900 gamma spectroscopic system and integrate it into the count room, eventually replacing the old ND6600 system which was in use.
An online Ion Chromatograph was installed into the Unit
condensate system.
Upon completion of a modification, the system was expected to be fully operational.
The system was running standards at the time of the inspection.
Readout from the system would be done by Chem Techs on regular shift tours.
The installation was adjacent to the 25-103 Chemistry Sampling Panel.
The coolant system was already set up to read out conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH directly to the Chemistry Laborator The Superintendent stated that, with the closing of the Corporate Laboratory at the Power Operations Training Center (POTC),
the plant had started using a vendor for its Intercomparison program, and another. vendor for analysis of its beta samples (Fe-55, Sr-89, and Sr-90).
The inspector determined from his observation and evaluation of the above information that the licensee remained capable of carrying out an adequate Chemistry and Effluents program.
No violations or deviations were identified.
Liquid and Gaseous Radiological Effluents (84750)
The Radiological Effluents Manual (REM), Section C, and TS 3/4.8.A. state requirements for processing, sampling, and analyzing liquid radioactive effluents, and the REM, Section D, and TS 3/4.8.B state requirements for processing, sampling, and analyzing oaseous radioactive effluents.
TS 3/4.8.C states allowable doses and methods of dose calculation for effluents.
The inspector reviewed Liquid Release Logs and Permits, discussed releases with the cognizant licensee Nuclear Chemist, and reviewed appropriate effluent reports to determine compliance.
The inspector determined through these reviews and discussions that the liquid and gaseous releases were conducted in accordance with requirements and that releases were well below TS limits and the limits of 10 CFR 50, Appendix I.
No violations or deviations were identified.
Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (84750)
The REM, Section E,
states the requirements for the radiological environmental monitoring program.
The inspector discussed the program with a cognizant Health Physicist from the WARL, and toured several typical environmental monitoring stations with the individual to determine compliance.
The Health Physicist stated that during 1989, two types of environmental TLDs were in use.
The older bulb-type TLDs were used for the official readings for the year.
New badges with 3 calcium sulfate chips and one lithium chip were also distr ibuted and checked against the old badges.
The new badges checked adequately, so they were the only ones used in 1990.
Three badges were used at each site.
The licensee representative stated that the official reading for each site was taken as the average of the readings from the 9 calcium sulfate chips at that site.
The inspector examined four separate air sampling sites.
The air flow integrator was in current calibration at each site.
Two air samplers were used at some sites.
Those extra samples were used for transuranic analysis, and some were used for quality control (sent to State lab for analysis).
Rainwater collectors were also located at each sample station.
These could be used for fallout identification.
Vegetation samples could be taken near the sample stations, but the Health Physicist stated that since milk samples were being taken, vegetation samples were not.
Soil
samples were being taken at the established schedule.
The Heal th Physicist stated that these and other samples were taken by the Field Engineering Section of TVA's Data Systems Group.
The WARL evaluated the environmental samples and published the Monthly and Annual Radiological Environmental Reports for TVA's nuclear plants.
Through discussion with the Health Physicist, inspection of the sampling sites, and review of the Radiological Environmental Reports, the inspector determined that the licensee's Radiological Environmental Monitoring program was conducted in compliance with TS and REM requirements.
No violations or deviations were identified.
Meteorological Instrumentation (84750)
TS 3/4.2. I states operability and surveillance requirements for meteorological monitoring instrumentation.
The inspector examined the meteorological tower, its sensors and instrumentation, its documentation, and discussed its operation and surveillance with a Senior Instrumentation Mechanical Foreman to determine compliance and assess quality and capability.
The tower was
meters tall, with wind direction, wind speed, and temperature sensors at 10 meters, 46 meter s, and 91 meter s.
A dewpoint sensor was mounted at the 10 meter level.
A solar radiation unit and a
rain gauge were mounted on the ground near the tower.
The inspector observed that there were no obstructions, such as trees, which would interfere with the free flow of air in the vicinity of the tower.
A licensee representative stated that the system consistently retrieved more than the required 90 percent of the weather data.
There was no designated backup system.
The licensee used instead TVA's NOWCAST aids to predict weather parameters whenever one or more of the parameter channels might be out of service.
The tower and its instrument system had a 30 kW generator for a backup power supply, and an Uninterruptable Power Supply which would provide power for 31 minutes if the primary power and backup generator both failed., Within the instrument shack at the base of the tower, the inspector observed that the recorders in use were operable and the data appeared to be consistent with conditions at that time.
Calibration records showed that the systems had been calibrated at the required six month intervals, the last calibration being conducted on March 12, 1990.
The licensee Foreman stated that calibrations were conducted at the site except for the wind speed sensors, which were calibrated at a TVA facility in Knoxville.
The inspector checked the'ite log book.
The book recorded calibrations, checks, and maintenance activities on the meteorological system.
The results of the inspector's observations showed that the meteorological tower and support system were operated and surveillances were conducted in accordance with requirements.
No violations or deviations were identifie.
Water Chemistry (84750)
TS 3/4.6.B, Coolant Chemistry, and Plant Yianager's Instruction PMI-24.4, Conduct of Chemistry, Revision 3, August 17, 1989, describe requirements and responsibilities for the Chemistry program.
The inspector toured the Chemistry Lab, Chemistry Count Room, and various sampling and monitoring points with a cognizant Nuclear Chemist in order to assess capability and evaluate quality.
A new sampling panel (25-103)
had been installed near the condensate pumps and condensate booster pumps in the Unit 2 Turbine Building.
Sample lines from the pumps, Hotwells A, B, and C, and Final Feedwater ran to the panel and associated sink.
An online ion chromatograph (IC)
was installed nearby.
The IC was set up with four channels to analyze anions, cations, silicon, and transition metals.
Since the Unit was shut down, standards were being run through the IC.
The Analytic Lab was equipped with a
PE 4000 and a
PE 5000 Atomic Absorption (AA) Spectrophotometer, two Dionex ICs, two Fischer-Porter Titrators, a Model 700 TOC Analyzer, a Fischer Model 1200 Gas Partitioner, a
CEM Microwave digestion System, a
CDM-83 Conductance Meter, a
UY/VIS Spectrophotometer, and a
Hach Model 2100A Turbidmeter.
The Lab was clean and the equipment appeared to be operable and well maintained.
The Count Room was equipped with three gamma spectroscopic systems with a fourth awaiting installation.
The gamma spectroscopic systems were controlled and readout by ND6600 systems.
The room was also equipped with a Packard TriCarb 2000LS Liquid Scintillation system and a Tennelec alpha/beta LB5100 counting system.
The inspector reviewed analytical chemistry results for Reactor Water, Fuel Pool Water, Condensate Demineralizer Effluent, Reactor Water Cleanup, Reactor Building Closed Cooling Water, Condensate Storage Tank, Condensate Demineralizer Influent, Control Rod Drive Water, Feedwater, Chiller System Water, Standby Liquid Cleanup, Makeup Water, Torus, RHR, RCIC, HPCI, Core Spray, and Waste Sample Tanks for January I to June 30, 1990.
The chemistry results for the various systems were generally within the Administrative Limits (AL) for cold shutdown.
For those instances where an AL or Action Level was exceeded the record sheet was annotated, and the system was returned to within the AL as soon as possible.
No violations or deviations were identifie.
Chemistry guality Control (84750)
Chemistry Instructions in the CI-1100 series state requirements for guality Assurance/guality Control in the Chemistry Lab and Count Room.
The inspector reviewed instrument logbooks to determine compliance and assess quality.
The inspector reviewed data for:
UV/VIS Lambda-2-Silicon-Hydrazine,
-Boron Dionex Ion Chromatograph-High Range-Anions-Fluoride-Phosphate-Chloride-Nitrite-Nitrate-Sulfate-Cations-Sodium-Ammonia Dionex Ion Chromatograph-Anions-Chloride-Nitrite-Nitrate-Sulfate-Cations-Sodium-Ammonia-Potassium PE 5000 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer-Copper The data reviewed consisted of both tabular data and control charts. 'he period covered was from Nay 25 to July 11, 1990.
Control charts showed that close control was maintained on the instruments.
Whenever an instrument's results would start to drift or otherwise show undesirable results, the instrument would be restandardized.
The inspector concluded from the reviews conducted that the instruments were maintained within acceptable quality limits.
No violations or deviations were identifie.
Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Report (84750)
The Radiological Effluent Technical Specification (RETS)
Manual, Section F. l. states the requirements for timeliness, format, and content of the Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Report.
The inspector reviewed the Report for Calendar Year 1989 to determine compliance.
The Report discussed changes in the TLD system discussed in Paragraph 6 of this report, and addition of a second sampler at two of the air sampling stations, with these additional samplers being analyzed weekly for gross alpha and composited quarterly for analysis of transuranic isotopes.
During the year, the licensee stopped taking vegetation samples at dairy farms where milk samples were taken.
Transuranic analyses were started during the year.
The Report showed that no significant doses were possible offsite due to plant operation.
The few Nuclides that were determined to be present were considered to be either natural elements or
'due to fallout from previous atmospheric weapons testing.
The Report was prepared in accordance with the RETS.
No violations or deviations were identified.
11.
Semiannual Radiological Effluent Release Report (84750)
The RETS, Section F.2.,
states requirements for the Semiannual Radiological Effluent Report including timeliness, content, and format.
The inspector reviewed the Report issued for the last half of Calendar Year 1989 to determine compliance and reviewed liquid and gaseous effluents specified in this and previous Reports to determine trends.
The review of the Report showed that the content and format were as specified in the RETS.
The following Table compares the effluents for the past three years:
TABLE Gaseous Effluents 1987
~curies)
1988
~curies)
1989
~curies)
Fission and Activation Gases Iodines II Particulates Tritium 3.22E-01 1.78E-03 1. 18E+00 0.0 1.76E-03 5.92E-01 0.0 1.86E-04 2.00E-Ol Li uid Effluents Fission Imt Activation Products Tritium 3.25E-01 2.03E+00 2.42E-01 1.46E+00 1.71E-Ol 7. 01E-01
The Table showed steadily decreasing effluents, which was consistent with a plant which had been shut down since 1985.
The inspector's review showed that the Report had been prepared in accordance with the requirements, and the effluents had been decreasing as were expected.
No violations or deviations were identified.
Followup Items (92701)
(Open)
Inspector Followup Item (IFI) 50-260/90-02-01:
Evaluate the PASS under operating conditions against NUREG-0737 criteria.
The inspector discussed this item with a licensee System Engineer to assess compliance with the commitments.
The System Engineer stated that the PASS would be installed and ready for testing during November 1990.
(Open)
IFI 50-259, 260, 296/90-02:
Evaluate liide Range General Electric Radiation Yionitor (WRGERN)
operational performance using approved procedure.
The inspector discussed this item with a cognizant System Engineer to determine compliance with the commitment.
The Systems Engineer stated that the test would be performed in August 1990.
Additionally, the required Constant Air Yionitors (CANS) required for Unit 2 startup would be installed and operational by the end of August 1990.
No violations or deviations were identified.
Exit Interview (30703)
The inspection scope and findings were summarized on July 13, 1990, with those persons indicated in Paragraph 1.
The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed in detail the inspection findings.
No dissenting comments were received from the licensee.
Mater chemistry and quality control, meteorological, radiological environmental monitoring and effluents, and audits of the programs were adequate.
IFI's were reviewed and remained open.
The Unit 2 PASS was expected to be ready for testing during November 1990, and the Wide Range Stack Monitor was expected to be tested during August 1990.
The licensee did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspector during this inspectio Procedures Reviewed ATTACHMENT I Chemistry Group Instruction Letter No.
10, Plant Chemistry Trending, Revision 1, April 2, 1990 CI-911, PASS Colle'ctor Drain Procedure CI-912, Small Volume Liquid Sampling Procedure CI-913, Large Volume Liquid andlor Dissolved Gas Sampling Procedure CI-914, PASS Gas Atmosphere Sampling Procedure The above Chemistry Instructions were not dated.
They were initial procedures taken from another utility's procedures for the same kind of PASS.
It was anticipated that they would undergo several revisions before use.
Plant Yianager's Instructions PNI-24.4, Conduct of Chemistry, Revision 3, August 17, 1989
'J 0