L-2009-097, LER for St. Lucie, Unit 2 Regarding Technical Specification Special Report, Radiation Monitor Inoperable Greater than 72 Hours

LER for St. Lucie, Unit 2 Regarding Technical Specification Special Report, Radiation Monitor Inoperable Greater than 72 Hours

ML091180325
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	04/20/2009
From:	Katzman E Florida Power & Light Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
L-2009-097
Download: ML091180325 (3)

Text

Florida Power & Light Company, 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 0 April 20, 2009 FPL L-2009-097 10 CFR 50.36 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, D. C. 20555 Re: St. Lucie Unit 2 Docket No. 50-389 Date of Event: April 5, 2009 Technical Specification Special Report Radiation Monitor Inoperable Greater Than 72 Hours The attached special report is being submitted pursuant to the requirements of St. Lucie Unit 2 Technical Specification 3.3.3.1, Action b, Table 3.3-6, Action 27, and Technical Specification 6.9.2. This report provides notification that the plant vent wide range gas monitor was inoperable for greater than 72 hours8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br />.

Alternate means of radiation monitoring were implemented in accordance with the Technical Specification ACTION statement.

Please contact us if there any questions on this information.

Sincerely, Eric S. Katzman Licensing Manager St. Lucie Plant ESK/KWF an FPL Group company

St. Lucie Unit 2 L-2009-097 Docket No. 50-335 Attachment Page 1 of 2 I. TITLE Plant Vent Wide Range Gas Monitor Inoperable Greater Than 72 Hours.

II. EVENT DESCRIPTION On April 5, 2009, St. Lucie Unit 2 was in Mode 1 at 100% power. The sample pump for the plant vent wide range gas monitor, RIM-26-90, started cycling excessively, and the radiation monitor was taken out of service. The limiting condition for operation (LCO) for TS 3.3.3.1, Action b, Table 3.3-6, Action 27, states that:

"With the number of OPERABLE Channels less than required by the Minimum Channels OPERABLE requirement, either restore the inoperable Channel(s) to OPERABLE status within 72 hours8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br />, or:

1) Initiate the preplanned alternate method of monitoring the appropriate parameter(s), and

2) Prepare and submit a Special Report to the Commission pursuant to Specification 6.9.2 within 14 days following the event outlining the action taken, the cause of the inoperability and the plans and schedule for restoring the system to OPERABLE status."

Work Order (WO) 39007656 was initiated to troubleshoot and repair the sample pump cycling issue. On April 8, 2009, troubleshooting efforts to repair the radiation monitor were unsuccessful and the 72-hour time period to restore the subject radiation monitor to operable status expired.

III. CAUSE OF THE EVENT Investigation into the plant vent wide range gas monitor, RIM-26-90, revealed the monitor's flowpath was filled with water. The monitor was purged and dried, however, issues remained with the monitor low range sample flow; troubleshooting revealed the low range sample flowmeter had failed. Grounding issues with the onsite replacement flowmeters resulted in the plant not being able to restore the monitor to an operable condition. As of April 20, 2009, the ground issues in the flowmeter circuit have not been resolved and an additional flowmeter is being procured to affect the repair.

St. Lucie Unit 2 L-2009-097 Docket No. 50-335 Attachment Page 2 of 2 IV. ACTIONS TAKEN Short Term:

Alternate monitoring was implemented in accordance with TS 3.3.3.1, Action b, Table 3.3-6, Action 27.

Long Term:

An additional flowmeter is being procured in accordance with the troubleshooting efforts continuing under WO 39007656.

V. SCHEDULE FOR RESTORING SYSTEM If the plant vent wide range gas monitor, RIM-26-90, is not restored to service by May 1, 2009, an update will be provided.