ML18095A725

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 910124,spill of Sodium Hypochlorite Observed in Storage Tank Containment of Approx 15,000 Gallons.Caused by Valve Being Left Open.Hypochlorite Pumped to Nonradioactive Liquid Waste Disposal Sys

ML18095A725
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	01/29/1991
From:	Preston B Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	NEW JERSEY, STATE OF
References
NLR-E91035, NUDOCS 9102060236
Download: ML18095A725 (3)

Text

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• Public Service Electric and Gas Company P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey 08038 Nuclear Department CERTIFIED MAIL -

RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED NJ Department of Environmental Protection Off ice of Hazardous Substance Control Division of Water-Resources

. P.O. aox 2809

• Trenton, New Jersey . 08625 Gentlemen:

SALEM GENERATING STATION SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE SPILL

~.

On January 24 / 1991, a spill of dilute (15%) sodiµm hyp,pchlorite .*

solution occurred at the Salem Generating' Station. This spill*was reported to the NJDEP* Hotline (Ca~e 91-01-24-1034~49) and the National Response Center (Case 5~330). -

0

• SYSTEM-BACKGROUND Sodium hypochlorite solution is used in a dilute concentrations at the facility to control biofouling of ~ooling water systems and is allowed to be discharged to the Delaware River under the conditions o~ the NJPDES Permit NJ0005622.

The sodium hypochlorite is stored in two above ground tanks with a capacity of -approximately 88, o.oo gallons each. Each tank is equipped with a Uehling Comp.any "Type s Tankometer". Pipes carry the sodium hypochlorite to a small building which houses the met~ring system which applies the sod.ium hypochlorite to. cooling water sy.ste~s *.

• EVENT DESCRIPTlON At approximately 0840 hours0.00972 days <br />0.233 hours <br />0.00139 weeks <br />3.1962e-4 months <br /> on January 24, 1991; a spill of sodium hypochlorite was observed in the storage tank containment.

Approximately 15,000 gallons of sodium hypochlorite had been

'released' from the stdrage tanks. Further investigation 1dentified that* sodium hypochlorite had leaked from the.

containment, at the containment piping penetration. An estimated 50 gallons of sodium h-ypochlorite had been released from the' storage tank containment, some .of which had entered a y~rd drain discharging through DSN 488.

9:l02060236 91o:t-:29 -- -~

PDR ADOCK 05000272 S PDR The Energy People

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NJDEP NLR-E91035

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• JAN 2 9 1991 Initial investiqation indicates that a valve was inadvertently opened allowinq sodium hypochlorite from the storage tank in service to a storaqe tank which was undergoinq maintenance. The storage tank undergoinq maintenance had the access manway cover removed. When the valve was opened, the sodium hypochlorite transferred from the in service tank, through the open access manway, to the storage tank containment.

REMEDIAL ACTIONS The level in the storage tank containment was l~wered by pumping sodium hypochlorite to the Non-Radi9active Liquid waste Disposal system for treatment to preclude further leakage from the storage tankd containllient. *The sodium hypochlorite. whic.~w-~s released from.

the. storage tank containment was .diluted 'wi"'t:h ~t'St. and sodium metabisulfite was added to remove the *chlorine. * ~v personnel were injure.d and no evacuation was reqliired. The area of the spill was.

isolated to minimize personnel access.

PROJECTED ACTIVITIES The sodium hypochlorite which was released from the storage tank containment has been cleaned up and the source of this leakage from the storage tank containment pipe penetration has been repaired. ~resently, the sodium hypochlorite collected and removed f.rom t:Q.e storage tank containment is being evaluated for either reuse or disposal. Lastly, the storage tank containment is being evaluated to determine the necessity of any additional repairs which would preclude future leakage.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Edward J.

Keating at (609) 339-5430.*

Sincerely, ill~* . .j '

\.5~,:*J;tG\\; '~: 1; ...

• • • \\~'

B. A.

• Pres-i:!on Manager - Licensing & Regulation c NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division of Environmentai Quality Bureau of Communications and Support ~eryices CN 411

• Trenton, New Jersey 08625

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NJDEP NLR-E91035

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• 'JAN 2 9 7991 C NJ Department of Enviro~ental Protection Division of Water Resources CN 029 Trenton, New Jersey 08625 ATTN: Mr. George Caporale NJ Department of Environmental Protection Southern Bureau of Regional Enforcement 20 E. Clementon Road Gibbsboro, New Jersey 08026 ATTN: Mr. Steve Mathis U. s, Coast Guard ATTN: P.O. Norac~

Via telecopy (215) 271-4899

.us Nuclea*r Regulatory Commission Document CQntrol Besk Washingtori, *tic. 20555 Salem COUQtY Department of Health 98 Market Street Salem, New jersey. ~8079 ATTN: Mr. James Warner LAC Township Police Department P.O. Box 142 Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey 08038 ATTN: Chief of Police

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