ML101550566

Event Notification for Surry on Relief Valve Failure Results in Tritium and Cesium Spill

ML101550566
Person / Time
Site:	Surry
Issue date:	03/04/2009
From:	Oliver T Virginia Electric & Power Co (VEPCO)
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Event 44891, FOIA/PA-2010-0209
Download: ML101550566 (1)

Text

Power Reactor Event Number: 44891 Facility: SURRY Notification Date: 03/04/2009 Region: 2 State: VA Notification Time: 15:53 [ET]

Unit: [1] [2] [ ] Event Date: 03/04/2009 RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP Event Time: 14:40 [EST]

NRC Notified By: THOMAS OLIVER Last Update Date: 03/04/2009 HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY Person (Organization):

10 CFR Section: DANIEL RICH (R2) 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION SCRAM Initial Current Unit Code I RX CRIT PWR Initial RX Mode PWR Current RX Mode 1 N I Y 1001 Power Operation 1001 Power Operation 2 N Y 1001 Power Operation 1001 Power Operation Event Text RELIEF VALVE FAILURE RESULTS IN TRITIUM AND CESIUM SPILL "At 1100 on March 3rd, 2009 the Main Control Room received a report from the Health Physics Shift Supervisor that 1-BR-RV-114B ( 'B' PG tank heater relief valve) was relieving to the RCA yard near the Primary Grade (PG) tanks. At 1115 an operator confirmed the initial report, stating the relief valve appeared to be full open and relieving at approximately 20 gallons per minute. 0-AP-35.01 (Radioactive Liquid Release Control) was then entered and executed. At 1120 the PG line was then isolated by closing isolation valves, thereby stopping the release.

"The release amount was then determined per 0-AP-35.01. Using the tank level initial indication of 87.5% taken on operator rounds at 1050 and a final level indication of 87.25%, approximately 450 gallons. of water was released. This volume of water coincides with the initial report of an approximate 20 gpm release rate over the 20 minute duration of the event.

"A sample of the water released was evaluated for tritium and cesium as part of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Ground Water Protection Initiative. Sample analysis results showed that tritium concentration was 4,810 picoCuries per liter and cesium concentration was 25.1 picoCuries per liter.

These concentrations of tritium and cesium pose no threat to employees or the public. Even though the concentrations are well below reportable limits for groundwater, a spill or leak to soil greater than 100 gallons containing licensed material requires that notification be made per VPAP-2103S (Offsite Dose Calculation Manual) as part of our commitment to the NEI Ground Water Protection Initiative.

"This leak has been contained and relief valve will remain isolated until repaired.

"This notification is being transmitted due to Notification of Other Government Agencies under 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi). The Surry County Administrator was notified. The Senior NRC Resident, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has or will be notified."

/