ML20151J811
| ML20151J811 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 07/14/1988 |
| From: | Martin J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V) |
| To: | Karner D ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE CO. (FORMERLY ARIZONA NUCLEAR |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20151J816 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8808030059 | |
| Download: ML20151J811 (2) | |
See also: IR 05000528/1988020
Text
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30L141988
Docket No 50-528
Arizona Nuclear Power Project
P. O. Box 52034
Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2034
Attention: Mr. D. B. Karner
Executive Vice President
Gentlemen:
Subject: Special NRC Inspection
This letter refers to the special inspection conducted by Messrs. L. Miller,
D. Coe, and R. Pate on May 25-26, June 6-10, and June 24, 1988, of activities
authorized by NRC License No. NPF-41 and to the discussion of our findings
held by Mr. L. Miller with Mr. J. Haynes.
Areas examined during this inspection are described in the enclosed inspection
report. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective
examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with
personnel, and observations by the inspectors.
Based on the results of the inspection, it appears that you failed to operate
the Palo Verde Unit 1 reactor safely in accordance with the technical
specification requirements and 10 CFR Part 50 during and subsequent to the
reactor startup perf ormed on May 14, 1988.
Specifically, the reactor was
brought critical below the Transient Insertion Limit, and at an excessive
startup rate. Criticality was recognized by the Control Room Supervisor and
Primary Reactor Operator, but was neither logged in the official log nor
reported to the NRC. No attempt was made to borate as required to restore
apparently inadequate shutdown margin, concurrent with the actions that were
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taken to shutdown the reactor. The initial post trip review report of the
incident was not adequate in scope and depth, and did not accurately
characterize the incident.
Enforcement actions relative to the findings
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discussed in the enclosed report will be the subject of separate
correspondence.
!
In reviewing the attached inspection report, I was disturbed by the apparent
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willingness of the operating crew to proceed in a manner contrary to
fundamental principles of nuclear reactor operations.
I was even more
disturbed by the inability or unwillingness of the operations personnel and by
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Palo Verde management to do a self-critical evaluation of this event.
I urge
your attention to these two key matters and would appreciate your assessment
as to why this situation exists, and what will be done to correct it.
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8808030059 880714
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JUL 141988
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'In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790(a),'a copy of this letter will be placed in'-
the NRC Public Document Room.
If you havelany questions concerning this inspection, we will be glad to
discuss them with you.
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Jo n B. Ma itin
Regional Administrator
Enclosure:
Inspection Report No. 50-528/88-20
cc w/ enclosure:
J. G. Haynes, ANPP
W. F. Quinn, ANPP
R. Papworth, ANPP
L. Souza, ANPP
T.-D. Shriver, ANPP
C. N. Russo, ANPP
L. Bernabei, GAP
T. Hogan, ACC
A. C. Gehr, Esq., Snell & Wilmer
bec w/ enclosure:
Project Inspector
Resident Inspector
docket file-
G. Cook, RV
B. Faulkenberry, RV
J. Martin, RV
T. Foley, NRR
bec w/o enclosure
J. Zollicoffer
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