IR 05000528/1997024
| ML17312B757 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 11/18/1997 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17312B756 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-528-97-24, 50-529-97-24, 50-530-97-24, NUDOCS 9711210295 | |
| Download: ML17312B757 (28) | |
Text
ENCLOSURE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORYCOMMISSION
REGION IV
Docket Nos.:
License Nos.:
Report No.:
Licensee:
Facility:
Location:
Dates:
Inspector:
Approved By:
Attachment:
50-528; 50-529; 50-530 NPF-41; NPF-51; NPF-74 50-528/97-24; 50-529/97-24; 50-530/97-24 Arizona Public Service Company Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3 5951 S. Wintersburg Road Tonopah, Arizona November 3-7, 1997 J. Blair Nicholas, Ph.D., Senior Radiation Specialist Plant Support Branch Blaine Murray, Chief, Plant Support Branch Division of Reactor Safety Supplemental Information 97ii2i0295 97iii8 PDR ADQCK 05000528
l
-2-EXECUTIVE SUMNIARY Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Vnits 1, 2and 3 NRC Inspection Report 50-528/97-24; 50-529/97-24; 50-530/97-24 This routine, announced inspection reviewed the implementation of the radiological environmental monitoring and the meteorological monitoring programs.
Training and qualifications, quality assurance oversight, facilities and equipment, and annual reports were also reviewed.
Plan u
o Overall, excel(ent radio(ogical environmental and meteorological monitoring programs were implemented.
Environmental sampling locations were properly established and met Offsite Dose Calculation Manual requirements.
Environmental sampling equipment and chemistry laboratory radiochemistry analytical instruments were properly calibrated and maintained.
Appropriate changes were made to the environmental sample locations described in the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual as a result of the land use census.
Good radiological environmental monitoring implementing procedures were maintained.
The meteorological tower instrumentation was properly calibrated and maintained.
The meteorological data recovery rate was greater than 99 percent (Sections R1.1, R1.2, R2.1, R2.2, and R3.1).
Good training and qualification programs were implemented.
However, no individual responsible for implementing the radiological envirorimental monitoring program was fully qua(ified. The knowledge and performance of the environmental management and technical staff were excellent (Sections R4, R5, and R6).
Excellent, comprehensive annual audits of the radiological environmental monitoring program were performed.
Timely corrective actions were implemented.
Qualified auditors, who were assisted by experienced and knowledgeable technical specialists, performed the audits.
There was an appropriate evaluation performed of the central environmental laboratory's performance (Section R7.1).
ii l
I l
i
-3-Summa of Plan S a us Units 1, 2 and 3 were at power operations during the inspection.
There were no events during this inspection that adversely affected the inspection results.
R1 Radiological Protection and Chemistry Controls R1.1 adiolo ica vironm n I
ni rin Pro ram a.
In ec ion Sco 475 The radiological environmental monitoring program was reviewed to determine compliance with the requirements in the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual. Selected environmental media sampling stations were inspected.
b.
Observa ion nd Findi An environmental senior chemistry technician was observed collecting air particulate filters, iodine charcoal cartridges, and surface water samples and performing radiochemistry analyses.
Sample collections and analyses were performed at the required frequencies specified in the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual. The inspector verified that the environmental sample locations met the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual requirements.
The 1995, 1996, and 1997 annual land use censuses were conducted, and the results were documented in the appropriate Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Report.
Based on the annual land use censuses, appropriate changes were made to several environmental sample locations described in the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual.
Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Reports were submitted to, the NRC as required.
The inspector noted that the radiological environmental monitoring program was fully implemented in accordance with the requirements in the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual. A summary of the 1995 environmental sample results showed that with the exception of onsite surface water from the evaporation ponds and associated sludge, all sample analyses revealed no detectable radioactivity which could be attributed to the operation of the station. There were no observed radiological impacts on the environment during 1996. An assessment of the preoperational and operational environmental data showed no changes to the environmental radiation levels due to station operations.
Based on observations during this inspection, the inspector determined that the licensee's performance continued to be excellen l
I l
I
C~onclusion Overall, an excellent radiological environmental monitoring program was implemented in accordance with the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual. Allrequired environmental sampling and analysis activities were performed.
Environmental sampling locations were properly established and met Offsite Dose Calculation Manual requirements.
Me orol i
Moni orin Pro ram Ins eci nS e
The meteorological monitoring program was reviewed to determine agreement with the recommendations in NRC Regulatory Guide 1.23 and compliance with the commitments in the Updated Safety Analysis Report and Technical Specification requirements.
The meteorological tower and monitoring instrumentation were inspected, and the meteorological instrument calibration results were reviewed.
erva i n nd Findi The inspector toured the meteorological tower with the system engineer responsible for the tower and monitoring instrumentation.
The meteorological tower was equipped with dual instrumentation for wind speed, wind direction, and temperature measurement at the 35-and 200-foot levels. The meteorological tower's monitoring instrumentation provided the instrument channels required by the Technical Specifications.
Meteorological monitoring instrumentation including sensing and data transmitting equipment was operational, calibrated, and properly maintained.
The required daily channel checks and semiannual calibrations and physical inspections were performed on the meteorological monitoring instruments.
Meteorological data was transmitted to the plant computer and displayed in each units'ontrol room and the site's emergency facilities. The inspector verified and monitored the meteorological data in the Unit 1 Control Room and Technical Support Center.
The inspector discussed the meteorological data results with the licensee's meteorologist.
The inspector determined that an excellent meteorological data collection and evaluation program was implemented.
During 1995 and 1996, the meteorological
data recovery rate was greater than 99 percent.
During an inspection of the meteorological tower, it was discovered that at least one of the meteorological tower's support anchor rods connected, via a steel shackle to the tower's support, cables and embedded into a concrete pad buried in the ground, displayed significant corrosion and represented a possible industrial safety concern.
The inspection of the anchor rods was conducted by a contractor, Tower Systems, prior to the scheduled climbing of the tower to inspect the meteorological instrumentation and perform the semiannual instrument calibrations.
The 1 ower System's inspectors declared that the meteorological tower was not in a safe condition to climb. Condition report/disposition report No. 1-7-0251 was written to document the unsafe condition of
-5-the anchor rod. Deficiency Maintenance Work Order-00810737 was initiated to perform the engineering design work to evaluate and correct the problem.
Deficiency Maintenance Work Order 00810737 was scheduled to be issued on November 7, 1997, to perform and complete the required work to return the meteorological tower's supporting anchor rod to its original strength and safe condition. The work was scheduled to be completed by November 24, 1997, in time to perform the required semiannual meteorological instrument calibration surveillance tests prior to December 1, 1997.
~Cni~lu iqn.>
An excellent meteorological monitoring program was implemented.
The meteorological data recovery rate was greater than 99 percent.
The meteorological monitoring program satisfied the commitments in the Uodated Safety Analysis Report and met Technical Specification requirements.
R2 Status of Radiological Protection and Chemistry Facilities and Equipment R2.1 Environmen al Moni orin E
i men a.
In ion co e 84750 Selected environmental sampling stations were inspected to verify that the stations were properly maintained and that all sampling equipment was operable and properly calibrated.
The central chemistry laboratory facilities, where environmental samples were prepared and stored for analyses, were inspected to verify that sufficient supplies, equipment, and analytical instrumentation were available.
b. 'b rva ions'a dFindin s The central chemistry laboratory was equipped with the necessary supplies, equipment, and analytical instrumentation to perform the required radiological environmental monitoring program sampling and radiological analyses.
The inspector toured the following types of sampling sites with an environmental senior chemistry technician:
air, vegetation, thermoluminescent dosimeter, groundwater, and surface water.
The inspector noted that all air samplers in the field were operational and properly calibrated.
A timing device was used with each air sampler to monitor its time of operation and to account for any power outages during the sampling period. Also, the licensee performed an operational check of each air sampler by installing a calibrated air flowrate measurement device in-line with the air sample holder during the filter exchange to determine the proper sample flowrate through the air sampling media.
All environmental samples were prepared and analyzed in the central chemistry laboratory on site.
The analytical instrumentation was properly calibrated, and an excellent quality control program was implemented.
The central chemistry laboratory participated in an interlaboratory comparison program as required by the Technical
I
-6-Specifications.
The analytical results from the interlaboratory comparison program were reported in the Annual Environmental Operating Reports.
The 1995 and 1996 analytical results were within three standard deviations of the known certified results.
c.
~onctusion Sufficient supplies and spare environmental sampling equipment were available and properly maintained.
Environmental monitoring stations were properly maintained, and
,the sampling equipment was operable and properly calibrated.
The central chemistry laboratory radiochemistry analytical instruments were properly calibrated and maintained.
R2.2 Me orolo i
IMoniorin E ui m n Ins eci n
co e
4750 The meteorological instrumentation at the meteorological tower was inspected, and the instrument calibration procedures and records were reviewed to ensure that the meteorological instrumentation on the tower was operable and properly calibrated and maintained.
b.
bserv i ns nd Findin The meteorological tower and the monitoring instrumentation installed at the 30- and 200-foot levels were as described in the Updated Safety Analysis Report. The meteorological tower was equipped with dual wind speed, wind direction, and temperature sensing instrumentation at each level, which met Technical Specification requirements.
The instrumentation was operable and properly calibrated and maintained.
A new computer-based data monitoring system was installed since the previous NRC inspection conducted in April 1996.
Daily channel checks and semiannual calibrations and physical inspections of the meteorological instrumentation were performed in accordance with Technical Specification requirements.
c.
C~onci sions The meteorological monitoring instrumentation channels were operational, inspected, maintained, and properly calibrated at the required frequency.
R3 Procedures and Documentation R3.1 Chan es o he Off i e Dose Calcula ions Manual and Radiolo ical Environmen al Monitorin Pro ram lm lementin Procedures Revisions to the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual regarding the radiological environmental monitoring program were reviewed.
Radiological environmental
II
-7-monitoring program implementing procedures were reviewed.
Procedures for the collection and evaluation of the meteorological data were reviewed.
b erv ions and Fin in Changes to the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual were made since the last inspection.
These changes included:
(1) changed the wording for conducting the land use census from "at least once per 12 months" to "annually"; (2) changed the location and description of the nearest gardens producing broadleaf vegetation, as a result of the land use census; and (3) provided an enhanced description of the radiological environmental monitoring program and its intent to meet the regulatory requirements.
The inspector noted that the licensee decided to discontinue milk sampling as of August 1995. The annual land use census showed that milk was not produced for human consumption within 5 miles of the site ( the nearest milk sample was obtained at a distance greater then 10 miles from the site). The inspector noted that the changes to the radiological environmental monitoring program as described in the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual did not result in a decrease of the effectiveness of the program.
The radiological environmental monitoring program implementing procedures described the responsibilities and requirements for collection, analyses, and documentation of environmental media samples collected around the site. The procedures were written with sufficient detail to effectively conduct the required radiological environmental monitoring program activities.
Qgnclusions Revisions to the radiological environmental monitoring program were appropriately made in the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual and the radiological environmental monitoring program implementing procedures.
Good radiological environmental monitoring implementing procedures with sufficient detail were maintained.
I'LL Ins ection Sco e 84750 The 1995 and 1996 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Peports were reviewed to determine compliance with Technical Specification and Offsite Dose Calculation Manual requirements.
The reports were reviewed relative to the radiological environmental monitoring program for data omissions, anomalous measurements, trends in the data, and interlaboratory analysis comparisons.
Observations and Findin s Sample data in the 1995 and 1996 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Reports demonstrated that the required sampling, analyses, and reporting requirements were met.
Program discrepancies and missed samples were properly reported.
The results of the central chemistry laboratory's participation in an interlaboratory comparison
'I II II t
-8-program were reported as required.
The results of the annual land use censuses were documented in the appropriate Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Report.
The reports were submitted in a timely manner and contained the required information.
c.
conclusions Excellent Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Reports were submitted in a timely manner and contained the required information.
R4 Staff Knowledge and Performance Ins ec i S
e 4750 Chemistry support department and central chemistry laboratory personnel were observed and interviewed to determine their knowledge of the radiological environmental monitoring program sampling and analyses requirements and implementing procedures.
b.
erv i n and Findin The inspector noted that good radiological sample handling practices were used by the environmental senior chemistry technician to maintain sample integrity. Sample collection, sample preparation for analysis, and sample analysis activities observed were conducted in accordance with approved procedures.
The inspector determined that chemistry support department and central chemistry laboratory personnel were familiar with the requirements of the radiological environmental monitoring program and maintained a high level of understanding and performance.
c.
~Con lu lons The knowledge and performance of personnel responsible for implementing the radiological environmental monitoring program were excellent.
R5 Staff Training and Qualification In ec ion Sco e 84750 The training and qualification programs for the technical staff responsible for implementing the radiological environmental monitoring program were reviewed.
Discussions concerning staff training and qualification were conducted with the director of site chemistry, the chemistry support department leader, and the central chemistry laboratory team leader responsible for implementing the radiological environmental monitoring progra bserva ions and Findin s The inspector determined that proper training and qualification programs had been.
implemented.
The environmental chemistry technicians met the qualifications for independent work they performed.
However, the inspector had several concerns with the training and qualifications of the central chemistry laboratory personnel.
Based on a review of the qualification cards for the environmental central chemistry laboratory staff, the inspector noted that no individual responsible for the implementation of the radiological environmental monitoring program was fully qualified to independently perform all program required tasks and activities. The environmental senior chemistry technician was the most qualified and was the only individual qualified to perform radiochemistry analyses of the environmental samples and also perform calibrations and quality control tasks on the central chemistry laboratory counting instruments.
However, he was not qualified to independently perform the annual land use census.
The environmental senior chemistry technician was scheduled to complete his land use census qualifications in the Spring of 1998. At the time of the inspection, the central chemistry laboratory team leader and the second environmental chemistry technician were only qualified to perform sample collections but were not qualified to operate the laboratory's counting instruments and analyze the environmental samples or perform the annual land use census.
A senior radiation monitor technician in the chemistry support group was the only individual currently qualified to independently perform the annual land use census and train and qualify the other personnel responsible for implementing the radiological environmental monitoring program.
The inspector discussed the above observation with licensee management during the inspection and at the exit meeting on November 7, 1997. The licensee stated that they were aggressively training the second chemistry technician and the central chemistry laboratory team leader to become fullyqualified to independently perform all radiological environmental monitoring program sampling and analysis activities. They also stated that until additional central chemistry laboratory personnel were qualified to perform environmental sample analyses that qualified chemistry technicians from the units'adiochemistry counting facilities would be available to support the environmental senior chemistry technician if assistance was required to perform the required environmental sample analyses.
~Con tusions Good training and qualification programs were implemented.
However, no individual responsible for implementing the radiological environmental monitoring program was fully qualified.
R6 Organization and Administration Ins ection Sco e 84750 The organization, staffing, and assignment of the radiological environmental monitoring program responsibilities were reviewe b.
Observa ions and Findin s The chemistry support department and the central chemistry laboratory were responsible for implementing the radiological environmental monitoring program.
The inspector reviewed the current chemistry organizational chart which identified the staff and positions.
One chemistry technician in the central chemistry laboratory was transferred to the engineering department since the previous NRC inspection of this area in April 1996.
This reduced the staff;ng of the central chemistry laboratory to the team leader and two chemistry technicians.
This laboratory staff reduction left only one chemistry technician assigned to the central chemistry laboratory who was qualified to perform the environmental sample analyses.
The inspector noted that this reduction in staff did not appear to reduce the quality of the radiological environmental monitoring program performance, but left only one qualified central chemistry laboratory senior chemistry technician with no backup personnel to perform radiochemistry analyses.
Conclusions The central chemistry laboratory maintained a relatively stable technical staff. However, all staff assigned to the central chemistry laboratory was not fully qualified to independently perform all radiological environmental monitoring program activities.
R7 Quality Assurance Program R7.1 adiol ical Environmen al M ni orin uali As ura'nce Pro ram a.
Ins ec ion Sco e 8475 The following items were reviewed:
Qualifications and resumes of auditors and technical specialists 1996 and 1997 annual nuclear assurance audit reports Nuclear assurance evaluation reports b.
Observations and Findin s Annual nuclear assurance audits of the radiological environmental monitoring program and the environmental central chemistry laboratory were comprehensive and provided management with good oversight of the radiological environmental monitoring program.
The licensee used the environmental central chemistry laboratory to perform required radiochemistry analyses of environmental media samples.
Several findings were identified during the audits.
The licensee used the condition reports/disposition request system for tracking identified items and implementation of corrective actions.
The condition reports/disposition requests were closed promptly with the completion of appropriate corrective action I t
-11-The audit teams consisted of licensee personnel and technical specialists from other nuclear power plants.
The inspector determined that the nuclear assurance auditors and technical specialists who performed the audits had appropriate knowledge and experience, which enabled them to properly assess performance and implementation of the radiological environmental monitoring program.
c.
Qgnc~lu i )~n Excellent, comprehensive annual audits were performed which effectively evaluated the performance and implementation of the radiological environmental monitoring program, including an appropriate evaluation of the environmental central chemistry laboratory's performance.
Qualified auditors, who were assisted by experienced and knowledgeable technical specialists, performed the audits.
R7.2 ondi ion e
/Di o
i'd Correc ive Ac i n a.
Ins i n 8475 Selected condition reports/disposition requests to evaluate the effectiveness of the licensee's controls in identifying, resolving, and preventing problems in the radiological environmental monitoring program and the meteorological monitoring program were reviewed.
b.
erva ion a
Fin in s Condition reports/disposition requests issued in 1996 and 1997 in the areas of the radiological environmental monitoring and meteorological monitoring programs revealed that licensee personnel used this reporting system as needed and had a proper threshold for identifying problems.
Condition reports/disposition requests were initiated for problems identified during quality assurance audits and the routine implementation of the radiological environmental monitoring program and were effectively used to track and trend identified problems.
Responses to the reviewed condition reports/disposition requests were timely and included proper corrective actions.
~Conctusio Good performance was noted in identifying problems, performing evaluations, and implementing corrective actions in a timely manner.
V. Mana ement Meetin s
X1 Exit Meeting Summary The inspector presented the inspection results to members of licensee management at an exit meeting conducted on November 7, 1997.
The licensee acknowledged the findings presented.
No proprietary information was identifie,I t
ATTACHMENT SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PARTIALLIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED iiceneee R. Fullner, Director, Nuclear Assurance F. Gowers, Site Representative, El Paso Electric C. Gray, Senior Chemistry Technician, Central Laboratory - Chemistry Support R. Henry, Site Representative, Salt River Project W. Ide, Vice President, Engineering L. Johnson, Manager, Chemistry Support A. Krainik, Department Leader, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs D. Larkin, Senior Engineer, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs D. Leech, Department Leader, Nuclear Assurance D. Marks, Section Leader, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs D. Peckham, Meteorologist, Chemistry Support R. Pickwoad, Senior Engineer, Operations Computer Systems J. Scott, Director, Site Chemistry D. Sneed, Team Leader, Central Laboratory - Chemistry Support T. Sundeen, Acting Section Leader, Nuclear Assurance
~NR J. Moorman, Senior Resident Inspector D. Carter, Resident Inspector INSPECTION PROCEDURE USED IP 84750 Radioactive Waste Treatment and Effluent and Environmental Monitoring LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED ORGANIZATIONCHART Site Chemistry Department - October 1997 NUCLEAR ASSURANCE AUDITS Nuclear Assurance Audit Report 96-003. "Radiological Effluent and Environmental Monitoring Programs," February 13-23, 1996
I il I
K
-2-Nuclear Assurance Audit Report 97-002, "Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program,"
February 3-14, 1997 C
Nuclear Assurance Evaluation Report ER96-0547, "Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program," September 3-6, 1996 eEKWJI Chemistry Procedure 74AC-9CY12, "Review and Control of the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual," Revision 4 Chemistry Procedure 74DP-9CY08, "Radiological Monitoring Program," Revision 2 Chemistry Procedure 74DP-OCH01, "Laboratory Analytical Control Manual," Revision
Chemistry Procedure 74IG-OCH05, "Intra/inter Laboratory Cross Checks," Revision 3 Chemistry Procedure 74CH-9XC50, "Operation and Calibration of the Gamma Spectroscopy System," Revision 6 Chemistry Procedure 74CH-9XC71, "Automatic Gas Flow Proportional Counter Operation and Calibration (Tennelec 5100)," Revision
Chemistry Procedure 74CH-9XC72, "Gross Beta Analysis of Environmental Water Samples and Air Filters," Revision
Chemistry Procedure 74CH-9XC73, "Environmental Tritium," Revision
Chemistry Procedure 74CH-9XC75, "Eberline SAC-4 Alpha Counter Operation and Calibration," Revision 2 Chemistry Procedure 74CH-9XC76, "Environmental Sample Handling and Preparation,"
Revision 0 Chemistry Procedure 74CH-OEN02, "Radiological Environmental AirSample Collection,"
Revision 8 Chemistry Procedure 74CH-OEN03. "Water, Food Products, and Sediment Sample Collection,"
Revision 10 Chemistry Procedure 74RM-OEN05. "Environmental TLD Exchange/Reporting,"
Revision 5 Chemistry Procedure 74RM-OEN07, "Land Use Census," Revision 4
l
'
t,'
I I
t I
h
-3-Chemistry Procedure 74RM-OEN09, "Quarterly Radiological Environmental Sample Analysis Verification," Revision 4 Chemistry Procedure 74RM-OEN10, 'Weekly Radiological Environmental Sample Analysis Verification," Revision 4 SU VEILLAN E TESTS Surveillance Procedure 36ST-9RG02, "Meteorological System Calibration (Redundant System)," Revision 11 Surveillance Procedure 36ST-9RG03, "Meteorological System Calibration (Primary System)," Revision 8 QP~P) RTS Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Reports - 1995 and 1996 Annual Radioactive Effluent Release Reports - 1995 and 1996 I
NEOUS DOC MENT Environmental central chemistry labo'ratory technician training records Annual Land Use Census - 1995, 1996, and 1997
I