ML19256C789

From kanterella
Jump to navigation Jump to search
PNO-79-55:on 790315,radioactive Release of Noble Gases & Iodine Occurred in Excess of Regulatory Limits.Caused by Leak in Residual Heat Removal Sys.Some Iodine Release Continues Offsite.Concentrates Did Not Exceed Spec Level
ML19256C789
Person / Time
Site: Maine Yankee
Issue date: 03/19/1979
From: Cohen L, Higginbotham L
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE)
To:
References
PNO-79-055, PNO-79-55, NUDOCS 7910120467
Download: ML19256C789 (1)


Text

h PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION ^

f' March,19, 1979 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVF" 0R UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PNO-79-55

_This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of event of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance.

The information presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation and is basically all that is known by IE staff on this date.

Facility:

Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company Maine Yankee Plant Wiscasset, Maine

Subject:

RADI0 ACTIVE RELEASE IN EXCESS OF REGULATORY LIMITS The plant experienced a leak in the Residual Heat Removal System (RHR) at 1:15 P.M. on March 15 while cooling down to the Cold shutdown condition.

A valve was shut to isolate the leaking component but it leaked past the seat.

The release was stopped at 2:45 P.M. by depressurizing the RHR system. A monitored release of noble gases and iodines occurred from the spray building to the plant vent stack.

An estimated 127 Ci of noble gas a.d 0.034 Ci of iodine were released.

The Technical Specifi-cation one-hour gaseous release limit on radioactive materials, other than iodines and particulates with half-lives greater than 8 days, was exceeded.

Traces of iodine release are continuing.

Off site concen-trations did not exceed the level stated in 10 CFR 20 Appendix B, Table II.

The State of Maine has been informed.

A press release is not planned by the licensee or NRC.

NRC, Region I, (Philadelphia) received notification of this occurrence by telephone from the plant Chemistry Supervisor at 3:30 P.M. on March 16,1979.

Contact:

LKCohen, IE x28188 LBHigginbotham, IE x28138 Distribution:

Transmitted H St b3b Chairman Hendrie Commissioiie~r Bradford S. J. Chilk, SECY Commissioner Kennedy Commissioner Ahearne C. C. Kammerer, CA Commissioner Gilinsky (For Distribution)

Transmitted: MNBB2*.33 P. Bldg b J. G. Davis, 1.* M IE Region T L. V Gossick, EDO H. R. Denton, NRR H. L. Ornstein, ED0 R. C. DeYoung, NRR J. J. Fouchard, PA R. J. Mattson, NRR N. M. Haller, MPA V. Stello, NRR (MAIL)

R. G. Ryan, OSP R. S. Boyd, URR J. J. Cummings, 0IA H. K. Shapar, ELD SS Bldg 2. : 3R R. Minogue, SD W. J. Dircks,flMSS PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION g47 069

$910120/[/ g