ML11322A041
| ML11322A041 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hope Creek  |
| Issue date: | 11/04/2011 |
| From: | Pantazes J Public Service Enterprise Group |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, State of NJ, Dept of Environmental Protection |
| References | |
| 11-10-05-1615-09, LR-E11-0146 | |
| Download: ML11322A041 (3) | |
Text
PSEG Nuclear LLC P.O. Box 236, Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038-0236 NOV 0 4 2011 LR-E11-0146 Nuclear LLC CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED ARTICLE NUMBER: 7008 1830 0004 1875 9263 Administrator of Water Compliance and Enforcement New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection 401 East State Street, 4th Floor East PO Box 422 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0422 RE:
PSEG NUCLEAR LLC HOPE CREEK GENERATING STATION NJDEP CASE NO. 11-10-05-1615-09 FOLLOW UP REPORT
Dear Sir/Madam:
As a follow up to the call made to the NJDEP hotline and assigned case 11-10 1615-09, PSEG Nuclear LLC ("PSEG Nuclear") is submitting this update concerning a reported release of approximately 195 gallons of 15% by weight of Sodium Hypochlorite into the Hope Creek Service Water Intake Structure (SWIS). Subsequently, the quantity was recalculated to be only 81.25 gallons. This release was also reported to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission pursuant to that agency's reporting requirements.
On October 5th, 2011 at approximately 16:00 hours, Operators at the Hope Creek Generating Station discovered a Sodium Hypochlorite diffuser valve open to a standby Service Water pump bay. Because the pump bay communicates with the Delaware River, a 15 minute call to the NJDEP was initiated at 1608. Upon discovery, the valve was immediately closed securing the flow of product into the pump bay. The standby pump was subsequently started thus withdrawing all remaining product from the pump bay and utilizing it in the system.
PSEG conducted an investigation in accordance with our problem identification and resolution process. The summary result of this investigation indicates that a fuse failure in an electrical interface module caused a false run signal to the water treatment system for a standby station service water pump. The water treatment system responded by opening the injection valve for that out of service pump. The initial report of 195 gallons was based upon one operator's estimate of chlorine usage. However operators had, earlier reduced the chlorine injection rate and the subsequent 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> period indicated a reduced usage and a revised calculation showing only 81.25 gallons.
I NOV 0 4 2011 During the time that chlorine was being introduced into the standby service water pump bay, there were two adjacent service water pumps, one upstream pump and one downstream pump that were operating continuously. In the event that any chlorine left the pump bay, all product would have been drawn into the adjacent pump bays and utilized in the system. This was confirmed when a sample was obtained and analyzed from directly outside the standby pump bay and contained no detectable chlorine.
The Service Water pump bays measure 30'6" by 9'6" and using mean tide level for a depth of 19.3 feet of water contain a total volume of 41,829 gallons. Sodium Hypochlorite is injected into the pump bay on the pump side (inside) of a travelling screen which is located approximately 20 feet from the opening into the Delaware River. Considering the size of the pump bay that the chlorine is injected into, the demand from river water, the adjacent pumps continuously operating and the sample demonstrating no detectable chlorine, PSEG believes that this event did not pose a threat to the environment and therefore the spill report should be withdrawn.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Christopher White of my staff at (856) 339-3301.
Sincerely, I
Jeffrey Pantazes Manager - Nuclear Environmental Affairs
C NOV 0 4 2011 C:
NJDEP Southern Enforcement Office One Port Center 2 Riverside Drive, Suite 201 Camden, NJ 08102 Attn: Mr. Steven Mathis U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Delaware Emergency Management Agency Attn.: Janet Chomiszak 1165 Brick Store Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977