ML19256C952
| ML19256C952 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | MIT Nuclear Research Reactor |
| Issue date: | 06/25/1979 |
| From: | Liza Cunningham NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-79-188, NUDOCS 7910150780 | |
| Download: ML19256C952 (1) | |
Text
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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION June 25, 1979
(
i PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PNO-79-188 This preliminary notification constitutes Early notice of an event of POSSIBII 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:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Nuclear Reactor Laboratory Cambridge, Massachusetts (DN 50-20)
Subject:
ABNORMAL FUEL CLADDING DEGRADATION The licensee informed the Region I office that an apparent degradation of fuel cladding had occurred based on increased stack releases.
The release rates had been averaging 1.6% MPC (Maximum Permissible Concentrations) for ten combined isotopes of Xe and Kr.
During several approximate 20 minute intervals on June 21 the releases were observed to increase to 10%, and the facility was shut-down on June 22 at 1:00 p.m. when a spike was observed averaging 20% of MPC.
The licensee plans replacement of two-thirds of the core on June 23 to eliminate fuel elements with degraded cladding. MIT utilizes Materials Testing Reactor type grooved, rhomboid shaped fuel.
Releases returned to background as soon as the facility was shutdown.
Media interest is not expected. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been informed.
A press release is not planned by the licensee or NRC.
NRC, Region I, (Philadep..la) received notification of this occurrence by telephone from the Laboratory Director at 5:00 p.m. on June 22, 1979.
Contact:
LJ Cunningham, x28188 LB Higginbotham, x28454 N!ff' /,*/
Distribution:
Transmitted H St CommissionerBgdford Chairman Hendrie ra S. J. Chilk, SECY Commissioner Kennedy Commissioner Ahearne C. C. Kammerer, CA Commissioner Gilinsky ACRS (For Distribution) h/
MNBB W 0 P. Bldg //..f9 V. Stello, IE Transmitted:
L. V. Gossick, E00 H. R. Denton, NRR Region jg;r l \\ '. 2%
H. L. Ornstein, EDO R. C. DeYoung, NRR J. J. Fouchard, PA R. J. Mattson, NRR N. M. Haller, MPA D. Vassallo, NRR (MAIL)
R. G. Ryan, OSP D. Eisenhut, NRR J. J. Cummings, OIA H. K. Shapar, ELD SS Bldg 1( q7_
R. Minogue, SD W. J. Dircks, NMSS S. Levine, RES
, e a7 1d7 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION 9910150750 f
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