PNO-I-08-009, A: Vermont Yankee, Update - Water Leak in a Cooling Tower
| ML081980107 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee  |
| Issue date: | 07/16/2008 |
| From: | Norris B NRC/RGN-I/DRP/PB5 |
| To: | |
| NORRIS, B | |
| References | |
| PNO-I-08-009A | |
| Download: ML081980107 (2) | |
DCS No.: 0500027107162008 Date: 07/16/2008 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE - PNO-1-08-009A This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region I staff on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. Notification of Unusual Event Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, Unit 1 Alert Brattleboro, VT Site Area Emergency Docket No.: 50-271 General Emergency License No.: DPR-28 X Not Applicable
SUBJECT:
UPDATE - WATER LEAK IN A COOLING TOWER AT VERMONT YANKEE Entergy returned Vermont Yankees west cooling tower to service at approximately 4:25 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16. Entergy had removed the east and west towers from service on July 11, 2008, following the discovery of a 60 gpm leak in cell 1-1 in the east tower. The leak was attributed to a broken horizontal pipe support located directly beneath the pipe. The towers were removed from service to allow for extent of condition inspections and repairs.
An NRC special inspection team (SIT) was established in response to the July 11, 2008, leak.
The team, which arrived on site on Monday, July 14, has completed its near-term review of the safety-related cooling tower cell (2-1) and the adjacent, seismically-qualified cell (2-2). The team reviewed the preliminary cause of the July 11 failure in cell 1-1 and ensured, through hands-on inspection, that similar degraded conditions do not exist in cells 2-1 and 2-2. The team reviewed all deficiencies identified by the licensee in cells 2-1 and 2-2 and confirmed that appropriate corrective actions were implemented. For example, the licensee replaced cracked boards, and replaced a horizontal support structure that was not in accordance with the plant drawings. Additionally, the team performed an independent structural inspection of cells 2-1 and 2-2. The team has determined that there are no conditions challenging the operability of these cells.
The NRC has communicated these initial SIT results to state representatives from Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
The information presented herein has been discussed with Entergy and is current as of July 16, 2008, at 8:00 a.m.
This preliminary notification is being issued for information only.
ADAMS Accession Number: ML081980107 Contacts: B. Norris N. Sieller (610) 337-5111 (610) 337-5380 barry.norris@nrc.gov nicole.sieller@nrc.gov
DISTRIBUTIONS:
BY E-MAIL:
Chairman Klein Comm. Jaczko Comm. Lyons Comm. Svinicki OIP OCA OGC EDO OE NRR NMSS OIG RES ACRS FSME NRO NSIR OPA SECY Regional Offices Commonwealth of Massachusetts State of Vermont State of New Hampshire BY FAX:
DOT:Trans INPO NSAC RI Resident Office Licensee: Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Vermont Yankee Region I Form 83 (Rev. Nov. 21, 2006)
SUNSI Review Complete: BN (Reviewer=s Initials)
ML081980107 DOCUMENT NAME: G:\DRP\PNs\PNO-I-08-009A - VY SIT on Cooling Towers bn.doc After declaring this document AAn Official Agency Record@ it will be released to the Public.
To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment/enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment/enclosure "N" = No copy OFFICE RI/DRP RI/PAO RI/SLO RI/DRP NAME BNorris/BN DScrenci/DS NMcNamera /NM J Clifford/DCL for DATE 07/16/08 07/16/08 07/16/08 07/16/08 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY