ML093420022

Email from M. Ferdas to P. Wilson, J. White, and R. Bellamy, Et Al, Subj: Oc - Tritium Update

ML093420022
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	04/18/2009
From:	Marc Ferdas NRC/RGN-I/DNMS/MB
To:	Bellamy R, Jason White, Wilson P NRC/RGN-I/DRP/PB6, Division of Reactor Safety I, NRC/RGN-I/DRS/PSB2
References
FOIA/PA-2009-0214
Download: ML093420022 (2)

Text

Bellamy, Ronald From: Marc Ferdas Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 6:12 PM To: Peter Wilson; John White; Ronald Bellamy; Ronald Nimitz Cc: David Lew; Darrell Roberts

Subject:

OC - Tritium Update Update as of 6 pm 4/18. **INFORMATION ONLY - VERY PRELIMINARY**

OC completed initial "Guided Wave" testing. Testing revealed a potential indication on a 6" line from the condensate system to the hotwell level control system (aka, condensate transfer system discharge line). The preliminary test results indicate the an abnormality/indication approximately 13-17 ft toward the condensate transfer house. That would mean that a potential leak exists under the condensate transfer house. OC will be starting shortly a second "Guided Wave" test from inside the condensate transfer building to see if they can get better results on the 6" pipe. The initial results were not fully conclusive, but this give them an area of heighten interest at this time.

I completed walkdowns of the excavation area, condensate transfer buidling, and CST. I did not see any indications of a leak.

Also, reviewed CST level trends with operators in the control room and they do not show any adverse trends at this point in time (however difficult to assess data due to recent operational activities that have impacted hotwell and CST level).

The information is PRELIMINARY and further evaluation is needed by the site before the source can be accurately determined/confirmed.

Mar'c S. Fercdas Senior Resident Inspector, Oyster Creek Marc. Ferdas(anrc.cov 609-693-0702 From: Peter Wilson Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 12:29 PM To: John White; Ronald Bellamy; Ronald Nimitz; Marc Ferdas Cc: David Lew; Darrell Roberts

Subject:

Summary of Telecon with Peter Orphanos Below is a summary of a telecon with Peter Orphanos, Dave Lew and myself that was conducted at1 1:00 a.m.

on April 18, 2009. The purpose of the call was to confirm at the management level what information the licensee has learned regarding the tritium discovery and to discuss their path forward.

1. The licensee has been excavating two trenches in the vicinity of the condensate storage tank (CST) to examine the integrity of buried pipes that communicate with the CST., They have designated one trench as the South Trench. This trench contains four pipes that communicate with the CST. The licensee completed this excavation and the pipes have been completely exposed. Visual inspection of the exposed piping did not reveal the source of the leak. They are preparing the piping for guide wave testing and hope to complete the testing this afternoon. Oyster Creek has designated the second dig site as the North Trench. This trench exposes a single pipe that communicates with the CST. The licensee's plan is to perform a guide wave test of this pipe later today.

2. Outside of the cable vault and the sample well MW-1 5K-1A, tritium has not been detected in the other monitoring wells in the vicinitvL of,%TST informaton in this rqcord .;.4Xo rmeio Act, exe

3. Mr. Orphanos provided information on how the CST is supported. He said the CST rests on a bed of sand surrounded by a concrete "donut."

4. Ifthe piping examinations prove negative, the licensee next steps are to focus on potential leakage from the CST.

5. We had a short discussion on the licensee's April 17,2009 p.m. press release. Their press release opened with the statement, "Environmental experts at the Oyster Creek Generating Station confirmed Friday that tritium found in a concrete vault near the olant's turbine buildina on Wednesday is confined to the olant site-"

(b)(5) {

Peter RWilson Acting Deputy Director Division of Reactor Safety, Region I oeter.wilson@nrc.sov Jwork) 610-337-5126 .

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