L-2009-250, Date of Event: October 6, 2009, Technical Specification Special Report, Sodium Hypochlorite Spill Greater than 100 Pounds

Date of Event: October 6, 2009, Technical Specification Special Report, Sodium Hypochlorite Spill Greater than 100 Pounds

ML093170210
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	11/05/2009
From:	Katzman E Florida Power & Light Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
L-2009-250
Download: ML093170210 (3)

Text

0 Florida Power & Light Company, 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 November 5, 2009 FPL L-2009-250 10 CFR 50.4 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: October 6, 2009 Technical Specification Special Report Sodium Hypochlorite Spill Greater Than 100 Pounds On October 6, 2009, at 2115 hours0.0245 days <br />0.588 hours <br />0.0035 weeks <br />8.047575e-4 months <br />, an estimated 240 pounds of sodium hypochlorite was discharged from a holding tank onto plant grounds. This spill exceeded the reportable quantity of 100 pounds.

The attached report is being submitted pursuant to the requirements of Section 5.4.2 of the St.

Lucie Units 1 and 2 Environmental Protection Plan to provide the description to the event.

Please contact us if there are any questions.

Sincerely, Eric S.

Licensing Manager St. Lucie Plant ESK/CAA an FPL Group company

St. Lucie Unit 2 L-2009-097 Docket No. 50-335 Attachment Page 1 of 2 I. TITLE Sodium Hypochlorite Spill Greater Than 100 Pounds.

II. EVENT DESCRIPTION On October 6, 2009, sodium hypochlorite was added to the St. Lucie Unit 2 main condenser as a normal operating procedure to decrease biological growth in the condenser tubes. A routine system flush was initiated at 1545 hours0.0179 days <br />0.429 hours <br />0.00255 weeks <br />5.878725e-4 months <br /> after the sodium hypochlorite was added. This system flush consisted of backwashing the system with city water to remove chlorine residue from system components. The city water valve that was supplying the tank was not completely closed upon completion as required by plant procedures.

At 2115 hours0.0245 days <br />0.588 hours <br />0.0035 weeks <br />8.047575e-4 months <br /> the sodium hypochlorite tank was found to be overflowing into its secondary containment. A large label affixed to the side of the tank had peeled up and diverted some of the overflow filling the secondary containment onto the graveled area adjacent to the tank. The liquid spill on the gravel was conservatively estimated to be 240 pounds of sodium hypochlorite, which exceeds the reportable quantity of 100 pounds.

The city water valve was closed upon discovery thus terminating the release. The impacted graveled area was immediately washed down with city water to mitigate any possible hazard to plant personnel, or to the environment. The spill was confined to the immediate area adjacent to the tank and did not reach any surface water or the storm water drainage system.

III. CAUSE OF THE EVENT The valve supplying the holding tank with city water was required to be closed as per plant procedures. Human error caused this valve to be mis-positioned.

IV. ACTIONS TAKEN

1) The open valve was closed immediately upon discovery.

2) The individual responsible for flushing the system was coached and counseled.

3) The tank vendor subsequently inspected the tank for extent of condition. No issues were identified that had could have contributed to this event.

St. Lucie Unit 2 L-2009-097 Docket No. 50-335 Attachment Page 2 of 2 V. AGENCIES NOTIFIED

1) The National Response Center was notified on October 7, 2009 at 0328 hours0.0038 days <br />0.0911 hours <br />5.42328e-4 weeks <br />1.24804e-4 months <br />.

2) The State Emergency Response Commission was notified on October 7, 2009 at 0328 hours0.0038 days <br />0.0911 hours <br />5.42328e-4 weeks <br />1.24804e-4 months <br />.

3) The Florida Department of Environmental Protection was notified on October 8, 2009 at 1000 hours0.0116 days <br />0.278 hours <br />0.00165 weeks <br />3.805e-4 months <br />.

4) The State Siting Coordination Office was notified on October 8, 2009.