ML20052E236

RO: on 820421,instructions Given to Disconnect Power Supply & Single Lead to Compensated Ion Chamber.Incident in Violation of Tech Specs Requiring Two Linear Safety Channels Operating While Reactor Is Operating

ML20052E236
Person / Time
Site:	Dow Chemical Company
Issue date:	04/28/1982
From:	Macki J, Rampy L DOW CHEMICAL CO.
To:	John Miller Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 8205100222
Download: ML20052E236 (2)

Text

a a 6'd-Of DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. ..

,  :% i April 28, 1982 m h(CHIGAN l4864 r{ p .

James R. Miller, Chief

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W 4g Standardization ana Special Projects $kN TN f Division of Licensing United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission g -

Washington, D. C. 20555 Mr. Miller:

We would like to inform you of an incident which resulted in a minor and momentary violation of the Technical Specifications of the Dow TRIGA. Dr. C. W. Kocher operated the Dow Ti. IGA research reactor on Wednesday, April 21, 1982 at a power level of 5 watts. While the reactor was at a steady state power level of 5 watts, he instructed another person to disconnect the 10 volt power supply to the compen-sated ion chamber which is part of the linear channel safety circuit.

He then instructed the other person to disconnect the signal lead to the compensated ion chamber. Both leads were reconnected in less than one minute. These actions were taken to test the response of the compensated ion chamber to loss of compensating voltage.

We feel this incident is a violation of our Technical Specifications because we are required to have two linear safety channels operating while the reactor is operating, and for a short period of time we had only one linear safety channel operating. We feel this incident is of minor significance for the following reasons:

1. TRIGA fuel elements are designed to be inherently safe.

2. There is a redundancy in the safety circuitry in that there is an additional linear safety channel (percent power).

3. The signal interruption was mc.entary, lasting less than one minute.

4. The reactor was operating ,,t a very low power level (5 watts).

5. There were no health er safe *,y hazards associated with the incident.

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AN OPEFtATING UNIT oF THE ooW CHEMICAL COMPANY 8205100222 820428 PDR ADOCK 05000025 S PDR

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James R. Miller United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission April 28, 1982 We are taking the following remedial action:

1. C. W. Kocher was indefinitely relieved of his responsibility as Reactor Supervisor by J. M. Macki, effective April 26, 1982.

K. J. Kelly will assume this responsibility until Dr. Kocher is rein-stated.

2. C. W. Kocher will design and implement L training program which will cover permissible and prohibited activities at the facility with several examples of situations that may be considered border-line. The training program will also reinforce a " reflex" response of operators to report unusual occurrances.

3. A temporary procedure will be instituted which will . require approval by the Reactor Supervisor or his designated alternate for any reactor operation except routine checkout procedures which are well documented. This temporary procedure will be reviewed at the next regular Reactor Operations Committee meeting to determine if it should be instituted on a permanent basis. ,

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}J. M. Macki. >u. sk Chairman L. W. Rampy Chairman Reactor Operations Committee Radiation Safety Committee kr

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