ML19296C298
| ML19296C298 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Buffalo |
| Issue date: | 02/12/1980 |
| From: | Orlosky P NEW YORK, STATE UNIV. OF, BUFFALO, NY |
| To: | |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8002250544 | |
| Download: ML19296C298 (2) | |
Text
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':~c:.Can se:E:.cE aso TEca.soLooY FacIL::Y February 12, 1980 Mr. Donald Caphton Nuclear Regulatory Coc=rission Directorate of Regulatory Operations 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406
Dear Mr. Caphton:
SUBJECT:
Documentation of Non-compliance Event as Reported by Phone on 2/6/80.
On the morning of February 4,1980 at approximately 0800 the dry chamber nosepiece tank of our reactor was flooded (CO replaced by water) while the 2
reactor was operating at full licensed power of 2 Mw.
This is contrary to our Technical Specifications (page 35 paragraph K(1) ) which states that the reactor will be shutdown when the flooded / voided condition of beam tubes or dry chamber is altered.
The events leading up to this infraction is as follows. On Friday February 1,1980, a series of irradiations were conducted in the dry chamber.
In the course of the day, the nosepiece was voided and flooded several times.
The test was completed about 1800 that evening. A senior operator, myself, and an operator trainee were on duty to terminate the test and secure the facility. Af ter the reactor was shutdown, the trainee was instructed to flood the nosepiece.
Earlier in the day, he had been instructed and shown how to manipulate the three valves used to control the nosepiece.
Normal operations resumed at 1700 on Sunday February 3,1980. At shortly before 0800 on Monday February 4,1980 when I arrived at the facility, the morning shif t supervisor informed me that the stack gas effluent monitor had been higher than normal all night. He had checked the monitor calibrations and found it to be operating properly. My first thought was of the dry chamber because it produces an increase of Argon-41 production when in use.
Upon checking the valves, I found two valves in the proper position and the third in the wrong position.
I opened the valve and returned to the control room and advised the operator to watch for a possible reactivity change. A positive reactivity change did occur cenfirming that the nosepiece had been lef t voided.
The fill pipe is small diameter and flooding takes about five minutes. The operator easily maintained power level by inserting control blades. During the flooding period, the building air monitor increased to
' '0 0}9 g a peak of about five times unrestricted MPC.
When the nosepiece was filled, both effluent monitors returned to their normal operating levels.
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8 o oes s o SW RO?aRY RO AD. SL*TTALo, NC'V YORK ;4214 TEL.C1+i A01250s iFO R?.:CRLY YESTERL NET YCRK ; CCLE u ?ESE GCM CENTE3 :.N C..
Mr. Donald Caphton February 12, 1980 Nuclear Regulatory Coc: mission Page 2 Since the morning of February 4, the Facility had been in full compliance with all license and Federal regulations. The event was discussed informally by members of the Operating Committee on February 5,1980 and again formally by all Committee taembers on February 6,198 The reactivity inserted during flgding was approximately + 0.15 % g/K.
We are permitted to insert t 0.30 %
/K while the reactor is operating. The Operating Committee feels that the event at no time constituted a threat to the saf ety of the facility, staff, or general public.
The only means available to determine if the nosepiece is changing from voided to flooded or vise versa, is to note a small change in the pool level. To help prevent a recurrence of the problem, we propose to require recording the pool level in the reactor log book before and af ter each change of status.
This requirement will be incorporated into the appropriate Operating Procedure as soon as possible and will be initiated by memo immediately.
If you have any questions about this matter, please do not hesitate to Contact me.
Very truly yours,
).. &
r Philip M. Orlosky PMO:ss Operations Manager cc Dr. A. W. Halt Dr. Chon Dr. Bruce