ML19256D433
| ML19256D433 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 06/14/1974 |
| From: | Everett R, Stohr J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19256D429 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-289-74-24, NUDOCS 7910180773 | |
| Download: ML19256D433 (8) | |
See also: IR 05000289/1974024
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U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY OPERATICNS
REGION I
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RO Inspect!on Report No:
50-289/74-24
Docket No:
50-289
Licensee:
Metropolitan Edison Company -
License No: DPR-40
Box 542
Priority:
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Reading, Pennsylvania 19603
Category:
Location:
Three' Mile Island Nuclear Power Station (TMI)
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Middletown, Pennsylvania 17126
Type of Licensee:
Type of Inspection:
PWR, 831 MWe
Dates of Inspection:
May 29-31, 1974
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Dates of Previous Inspection:
May 20-24, 1974
Reporting Inspector:
6S'd
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R. J. Everett, Raciation, Specialist
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Accompanying 'nspectors:
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- Other Accompanying Personnel
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Reviewed By:
6Jhio. y.dd.
4 t'l W
J. P.. Stohr[ Senior Enviromental Scientist
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Enforcement Action
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The following items were found to be in apparent violation of Sections
2.1.a(2) and 2.2.1.a of the licensee's Technical Specifications (TS) for
T' ee Mile Island (TMI) Unit One.
1.
The plant discharge water te/aperature exceeded the allowable rate of
decrease of 2*F/ hour on May 26, 1974.
(Details, Paragraph 7)
2.
The free chlorine concentration of plant water discharged to the
river exceeded .1 ppm on May 29, 1974.
(Details, Paragraph 8)*
Licensee ' Action on Previous 1v Identified Enforcement Action
(Independent Measurements)
None
Design Chances
None
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Abnormal Occurrences
During the inspection two abnormal occurrences (Environmental Incidents
Nos. 74-1 and 2) were reported by the licensee; these concerned the rate
of decrease of discharge water temperature and free chlorine concentra-
tions in discharge water. These occurrences are listed above as viola-
tions of the licensee's TS.
Other Sienificant Findings
Capability test samples submitted to the TMI laboratory resulted in
agreement in all cases.
(Details, Paragraph 4)
Unresolved Items
None
M ana cemen t Interview-
On May 31,1974, following the inspection, a meeting was held in the TMI
Management Conference room. The following individuals were in attendance:
- Subsequent to the inspection, the free and total chlorine concentra-
tions ,(at the plant river discharge) equalled or exceeded 0.1 and/or
0.2. PPM, respectively, on June 5, 6, 8,13 and 19,1974. These
apparent violations were reported by the licensee as Environmental
Incidents Nos. 74-3, 74-4, 74-5, 74-6 and 74-7.
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Mr . R. J . Evere t t , Radiation Specialist, AEC, RO:I
Mr. J. G. Herbein, Station Superintendent, TMI
Mr. J. J. Colitz, Station Engineer, Unit One, Acting Supervisor of
Health Physics
Dr. T. S. Baer, Station Engineer, Unit Two, Acting Supervisor of
Chemis try
During the meeting, the followin'g items were discussed:
A.
Discharge Water Temperatures
The inspector noted that the discharge water temperature on May 29,
1974, exceeded the allowable rate of decrease of 2*F/ hour as reauired
in Section 2.1.a(2) of the licensee's TS.
(Details, Paragraph 7)
B.
Free Chlorine Concentrations in Discharge kater
The inspector noted that the free chlorine concentration of 0.15 poo,
measured on Iby 29, 1974, was in violation of Section 2.2.1.a of the
licensee's TS.
(Details , Paragraph 8)
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C.
Compositing of Radwaste Liouids
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The licensee stated that the problems in storing composite radioactive
1iquid samples for analysis would be investigated and a satisfactory
solution obtained.
(Details, Paragraph 5)
D.
Laboratorv Ouali ty Control (CC) Procram
The licensee stated that steps would be taken to improve their plant
laboratory QC program and a QC program initiated with their con-
tracting laboratory.
(Details, Paragraph 3)
E.
Radwaste Alarm Setncints
The licensee stated that the question of alarm settings on radwaste
monitors would be reviewed and these settings would correspond to
the dilution flow at the time of release.
(Details , Paragraph 5)
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DETAILS
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1.
Persons Contacted
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Mr. J. G. Herbein, Station Superintendent, TMI
Mr. J. J. Colitz, Station Engineer, Unit One
Dr. T. S. Baer, Station Engi!.eer, Unit Two
Mr. Ken Beale, Health Physics Foreman
Mr. K. Fredricks , Staf f Chemist
Mr. G. Reed, Chemistry Foreman
Mr. N. Bulmer, Lead Mechanical Engineer
Mr. M. Buring, Staff Health Physicist
Mr. T. Jenckes, Environmental Engineering, Reading
2.
General
The inspection consisted of a review of the licensee's analytical
performance on capability test samples submitted by the AEC's
reference laboratory, Idaho Health and Safety Laboratory (IHSL)
and a review of the licensee's laboratory, equipment and procedures
to be used in measuring gaseous and liquid effluent.
The capability
samples test the licensee's ability to measure radioactivity in
plant effluents. These test sample activities are referenced
directly to the National Bureau of Standards by laboratory inter-
comparisons.
The licensee's surveillance requirecents are detailed
in section two of their TS.
The licensee's program consists of
continuous measurements of liquid and gaseous effluent by remote
monitors during release and measurements of gross activity and
chemical analyses for specific isotopes, in order to demonstrate
compliance with 10 CFR 20, and their TS requirements.
3.
The Three Mile Island Unit One Laboratory
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The TMI laboratory utilizes a Ge(Li) detector and a Hewlett-Packard
spectrometer for their gamma isotopic analyses.
The licensee
reported the detector to have an efficiency of about 8.4% and a
resolution of 2 Kev relative to Cobalt-60.
Spectral data is
printed out via a HP-9100 B calculator and the data is resolved
manually.
A X-Y plotter is also available. The development of
automatic data handling is in progress.
A 3 x 3 inch NaI detector
is also available as a back-up. This detector is housed in a steel
vault with a graded shield. The Ge(Li) detector is unshielded.
Gross alpha and bete. measurements are made on an NMC, Model. PCC-11T,
internal, proportional counter and a Beckman wide beta prop'ortional
counter.
Gross beta backgrounds are about 18 and 1 count per minute
(CPM) respectively,
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Tritium measurements are performed on a Packard Model 3320, liquid
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scintillation spectrometer. This unit has automatic sample handling
and the reported background was 8-10 CPM. The cocktail mixture in
use is Packard tri-carb "Insta-Jel."
The inspector reviewed the primary radioactive standards in use in
the laboratory and noted no deficiencies.
The inspector also noted
that the laboratory lay-out Allowed personnel traffic to enter and
pass through the counting area, a practice clearly undesirable.
The
licensee stated that this problem would be reviewed and action taken
to eliminate this traffic, probably by blocking off one door.
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The inspector inquired as to what quality control (QC) program had
beer _ cstablished for their in-house laboratory and for strontium analy-
ses contracted to Teledyne, Incorporated.
The licensee responded
that all analyses were reviewed by proper supervision, prior to
release.
The inspector stated that a much more comprehensive pro-
gram needed to be established and outlined the essential elements
of a laboratory QC program. The licensee stated that the area
would be reviewed and a QC program developed.
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4.
Results of Canability Test Sanoles
Standard activities were prepared by 1HSL and submitted to TMI for
analysis in order to determine their capability to measure actual
effluent from the plant. .The licensee's r ; cults were acceptable
under present criteria.* The types of test c:andards used and the
results of measurements were:
Type of test standard:
filter
units: microcuries
Radionuclide
AEC Reference Measurenent
Licensee's Measure-
ment
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Ce-144
7.21 + 1 x 10-2
7.34 + 1 x 10-2
Ce-144
0.66 I .04 x 10-2
0.75 I .02 x 10-2
7.21 I .1 x 10-3
6.44 I . 2 x 10-3
2.60 I .04 x 10-3
2.25 I .02 x 10-3
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1.29 i .01 x 10-2
1.22 I .04 x 10-2
.48 + .01 x 10-2
.48 + .01 x 10-2
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Sr-89
2. 39 + . 2 x 10-4
1. 3 I . 3 x 10-4
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6.3 + .4 x 10-4
5.5
.9 x 10-4
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- See Attachment 1 to this report for a description of the criteria
used to evaluate differences between analytical results.
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Type of test standard:
charcoal filter
9.55 + .1 x 10-2
8.82 + .08 x 10-2
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I-131
. 57 2 ][ . 01 x 10-1
.4823[.01x10-1
Type of test standard:
liauid
units: DPM per milliliter
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8.77 + .001 x in3
7.52 + .05 x 10
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1.76 T .002 x 10
Ce-144
1.5 + .07 x 10
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Zn-65
1.41 + .04 x 10
1. 5 + . 002 x 10
4.84 I .04 x 103
4.5 I .02 x 1033
3
4.5 3[ .02 x 10
8 (Cs-137)
5.573[.03x10
5.
Liouid Ef fluent Measurements
Section 2.3.1 of the licensee's TS requires that liquids released
from the plant be continuously nonitored during release. The inspec-
The licensee
tor inquired as to how these requirements are met.
stated that a radiation monitor (Nal) is installed in line with the
The initial
liquid discharge pipe with read-out in the con' trol room.
calibration of this monitor was performed under contract using known
concentrations of gamma emitters.
The inspector visited this monitor
installation and noted no deficiencies.
The inspector reviewed
the liquid discharge of Iby 27, 1974 and noted that the activities
were below minimum detectable levels. The inspector noted also that
the alert point alarm was set at a level corresponding to a dilution
flow of 24,000 gallons per minute while the discharge permit indi-
cated a dilution flow of 6,000 gallons per minute at the time of
release.
The inspector requested that alarm point sets be reviewed
and set cecording to available dilution flow. The licensee stated
that this would be done.
The inspector inauired as to what measurements are made on radwaste
liquids prior to release. The licensee stated that a ' representative
one ballon cample is taken from a waste tank prior to release and
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after a variable time, 3.5 liters is transferred to a Marinelli
beaker which is then placed over the Ge(Li) detector for gar =a
isotopic analysis.
Gross alpha and beta measurement are made by
evaporating one milliliter of radwaste onto stainless steel planchets
and counted using equipment previously described. The irspector
noted that the gross beta technique
ld not enable the licensee
to detect a concentration of 1 x 10 gou
- microcuries p.
millilitcr er
the basis of an unidentified release. The licensee responded that
a gross beta and alpha measurement is not presently required by
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their TS and a gamma isotopic is the basis of liquids released.
The
licensee stated further that a gross alpha measurement is required
on monthly composites and a proper gross alpha. measurement would be
developed.
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The inspector inauired as to the compositing of radvaste liquids for
The licensee responded that a portion of each
subsequent analysis.
for monthly and cuarterly
release would be set aside without treatment
test requirements.
The inspector stated that information now known
on the behavior of activity in stored solutions would indicate that
a simple storage of a composite sample is not an adequate procedure.
The licensee stated that this problem would be reviewed and a satis-
factory solution to the problem or an alternate procedure would be
developed.
The inspector inouired as to how the monthly tritium and strontium-89
analysis would be performed. The licensee responded that an aliquot
of the composite would be taken for these analyses; the strontium
analysis will be contracted to Teledyne, Inc. and the tritium per-
formed in-house using equipment previously described. The tritium
procedure calls for 1 ml of sample and 10 ml of "Insta-Jel" cocktail
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mixture.
6.
Gaseous Effluent Measurements
Section 2.3.2 of the licensee's TS requires that gaseous ef fluent
released from the plant b2 continuously monitored.
The inspector
The licensee stated
inquired as to how these requirements are met.
that continuous monitoring stations have been established at four
Each station consists of a
points according to TS requirements.
noble gas detector (NaI or 6 phosphor), particulate filtration and
charcoal cartridges for iodine collection. The rad gas monitors
read out in the control room and were calibrated initially using
known concentrations of gases.
Each filter and charcoal cartridge
is replaced weekly.
Each station also has a valve arrangement so
that a grab sample can be taken or a tritium sample collected by
passing the gas sample through a water solution using a fritted
bubbler.
The licensee reported that the collection ef ficiency
using this collector was about 85% but the exact value had not
been determined. The inspector inquired as to what sampling media
The
was used to collect the particulate and iodine activities.
the filter was a 47 mm hV-70 and a Cesco "B"
licensee responded that
charcoal cartridge.
The inspector visited one of these monitoring
stations and noted no deficiancies.
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7.
Plant Discharce Water Tennerature
During the inspection, the licensee reported an abnormal occurrence
which occurred on 1545 hours0.0179 days <br />0.429 hours <br />0.00255 weeks <br />5.878725e-4 months <br />, May 26, 1974.
During a cooldown of the
reactor coolant system, the licensee noticed that the service water
discharge temperature to the river was increasing above~ river water
temperature. The licensee initiated action to decrease the tempera-
ture by starting the mechani' cal draf t cooling tower pump and fan.
This action resulted in a rate of decrease of about -7*F per hour.
By the tice the cooling tower pump and fan were stopped, the rate
of decrease was -3*F/hr.
The inspector noted that this rate of
decrease exceeded the licensee's TS limit of 2*F/ hour as stated
in Section 2.1.a(2) of his TS.
The licensee stated that the inci-
dent was caused by inexperience with the mechanical draf t tower and
the fact that the differential temperature alarm was inoperative.
The inspector verified that the alarm was back in operation.
The
inspector reviewed the licensee s corrective and preventive action
as described in the Environcental Incident Report (EI 50-289/74-1)
and had no further questions.
'8.
Free Chlorine Concentrations in Plant Discharce Water
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During the inspection, the licensee reported an abnormal occurrence
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which occurred on the 0700-1500 hour shift of May 29, 1974. According
to Section 2.2.1.a of the licensee's TS, chlorine concentrations shall
be monitored and recorded continuo'usly at the plant river water dis-
charge and in. the event this equipment is inoperative an analysis
will be made daily during the chlcrination period. The automatic
chlorir.ator introduces chlorine gas to cooling water three times a
day, once per shift. The usual setting for the chlorinator has been
at 475 pounds per day. On May 29, 1974 the continuous chlorine
monitor was inoperative, therefore the technician took a grab sample
at the plant discharge monitoring station. Using a portable aspero-
metric titrator, the free chlorine concentrations measured were .05,
.10 and 0.15 PPM at 10, 30 and 50 minutes respectively.
Plant super-
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vision was notified that 0.15 PPM exceeded the TS limit of 0.1 PPM
free chlorine. Plant supervision authorized lowering the automatic
chlorinator to about 200 pounds per day. The inspector observed the
next two chlorination cycles including the free chlorine tests. The
test values returned to normal,
i.e., < .05 PPM.
There is some rea-
son to question the high value of .15 since a chlorinator setting
of 475 has been used for some time without high levels of chlorine
at the discharge.
This occurrence is under investigation by the
licensee.
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