ML20050B353

Ro:On 820205,during Initial Startup,Linear Power Channel Did Not Respond.Rod Withdrawal Terminated.Caused by Detector High Detector High Voltages Switch in Off Position.Training Session Implemented on Monitoring of Instrumentation

ML20050B353
Person / Time
Site:	05000128
Issue date:	02/12/1982
From:	TEXAS A&M UNIV., COLLEGE STATION, TX
To:	Madsen G NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
References
NUDOCS 8204050239
Download: ML20050B353 (2)

Text

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TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPElllM ENT STATION THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM COLLEGE STATION. TEXAS 77843

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NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER 12 February 1982 713/845-7551 C A C ~

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b REcpygg Mr. G. L. Madsen

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Office of Inspection and Enforcement $* #atar 2A 2 '

Region IV e cag % 10 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission g 611 Ryan Plaza, Suite 1000 /f Arlington, Texas 76012  % g

Subject:

Reactor Startup Without Proper Instrumentation Reported 2-5-82

Dear Mr. Madsen:

Enclosed is a final report of a reportable occurrence observed during a reactor startup of the NSCR. This report is submitted in compliance with section 6.4 and 1.8.c of change No. 11 of the Technical Specifications, Facility License No. R-83 for the Nuclear Science Center, Texas A&M University.

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Dale Rogers, Fb ager of Reactor Operations DR/ym Enclosure a

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8204050239 820212 DR ADOCK 05000128 PDR

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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR MANKIND

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r Final Report of Violation Due to Reactor Startup Without Proper Instrumentation Reportable Occurrence On February 5, 1982 during the initial reactor startup of the day, it was noticed that the linear power channel was not responding. Rod withdrawal was terminated at that time with the shim safety control rods at approximately 40% and reactor power less than 1 watt. Upon investigation it was found that the detector high voltage switch was in the off position, and a reactor shut-down was initiated. The reactor supervisor restored power to the detector, and the reactor was then started up to 1 Mw with no further problems.

It should be noted that during the completion of the reactor prestartuo check-list the trainee operator observed and recorded proper detector voltage. There was a fif teen minute delay between the completion of the checklist and commencing the reactor startup. Apparently during this time period the detector high voltage switch was inadvertently turned off. However, both the trainee operator and the reactor supervisor failed to notice that the linear recorder and pico-ammeter were reading zero at the time of startup. Subcritical multiplication was observed to be normal on the log power channel, but it was not until the reactor approached 1 watt that the operator noted no response on the linear channel.

Corrective Action A critique of the incident by management was conducted, and both the trainee operator and reactor supervisor were counseled on the necessity of monitoring all reactor instrumentation while operating the reactor. A training session was held by the Manager of Reactor Operations for the entire operations staff to review the incident and to emphasize the importance of proper observation of instrumentation and proper documentation. In addition access to the control room prior to steady utate operation is being limited in an effort to reduce distractions during startup.