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Category:INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL MEMORANDUM
MONTHYEARML20217A7971999-10-0606 October 1999 Forwards NRC Approved Operator Licensing Exam (Facility Outline & Initial Exam Submittal & as-given Operating Exam) for Tests Administered During Week of 990607 ML20210G9711999-06-16016 June 1999 Informs That on June 9,two Occurrences of Hydrogen Burns Took Place at Palisades During VSC-24 Loading Activities ML20210G9611999-06-14014 June 1999 Informs That Sfpo Not Sure of Having Lead for Palisades Events Being Handled by Region III Insp ML20210G9411999-06-11011 June 1999 Informs That on 990610 Palisades 1 Notfied NRC That on 990609,minor Hydrogen Burns Occurred During Welding of Structural Lid on Sf Storage Cask ML20210G9361999-06-10010 June 1999 Informs That Attachment Has Been Reviewed & Approved in DNMS Re Palisades Pn ML20210G8871999-06-10010 June 1999 Forwards Draft Pn Region Iii,Concerning Latest Hydrogen Burn at Palisades ML20210G9091999-06-10010 June 1999 Requests That Cio Make Copy of Pn to Be Sent to M Sinclair in Midland,Mi ML20196F5281998-11-25025 November 1998 Notification of 981207 Meeting with Util in Rockville,Md to Discuss Licensees Efforts to Ensure Continued Compliance with 10CFR50.61,pressurized Thermal Shock Rule ML20236N5211998-04-20020 April 1998 Informs That Weld Team Will Be at Palisades Conducting Insp of VSC-24 Owners Group UT Effort During Wk of 980420 ML20236K9301998-03-26026 March 1998 Forwards Status on VSC-24 Weld Issues for Info Purposes. Future Events & Dates Subject to Change.Provides Outline of Internal Plan to Complete CAL Items.Requests Maintaining Guide as Internal Planning Guide ML20236M1921998-02-23023 February 1998 Informs That VSC-24 Owners Group Wants to Postpone Insp of UT Exam Procedure for VSC-24 Closure Welds by 2 Weeks to Week of 980316 Due to Unsuccessful Paint Job on mock-up ML20236N4201998-01-30030 January 1998 Forwards NMSS Items of Interest for Wk Ending 980130.Items Include Meeting W/Ge on 980121,insp at Amersham on 980122-23,US EPA Meeting on 980122 to Discuss Groundwater C/A Program at Church Rock & Visit to Flawtech on 980122 ML20236N4821998-01-28028 January 1998 Informs That Flawtech Has Been Inserting Flaws in Palisades VSC-24 Mockup & That Palisades (R Humphrey) Will Perform UT Exam & Receipt Insp at Flawtech on 980202.Flawtech Will Ship Mockup to ANO on 980203 ML20236N5031998-01-26026 January 1998 Forwards Item of Interest Re Flawtech Methods for Inserting Flaws Into Metallic Component Specimens.Flawtech Currently Under Contract to Consumers Energy to Implant Flaws Into Palisades VSC-24 Dry Fuel Storage mock-up ML20138J7671997-02-0505 February 1997 Informs That NRC Plans to Administer Generic Fundamentals Exam Section of Written Operator Licenseing Exam on 970409. Ltr W/Copy to Chief,Operator Licensing Branch Must Be Submitted to Listed Address in Order to Register Personnel ML20133P4211997-01-21021 January 1997 Notification of 970129 Meeting W/State of Mi & FEMA in Rockville,Md to Discuss Potential Alternative Approaches to Management of Dose Assessment for Protective Action Decision Making W/Respect to Emergency Planning ML20132F4961996-12-20020 December 1996 Notification of 970109 Meeting W/Listed Attendess in Rockville,Md to Discuss Potential Alternative Approaches to Mgt of Dose Assessment for Protective Action Decision Making W/Respect to Emergency Planning ML20138G3651996-11-0505 November 1996 Requests That Listed Info Be Forwarded to Licensee in Connection W/Unescorted Access Visits to Plant by Listed NRC Contractor Employees During 961118-970110 for Purpose of Assisting NRC in Conduct of Design Insp.Partially Deleted ML20128G5751996-10-0303 October 1996 Forwards Ltr to Be Sent to Licensees of Six Pressurized Water Reactor Plants That Have Used Fuel Mfg by Siemens Power Corp Since 1986.Licensees Requested to Verify Compliance of 10CFR50.46 W/Regulations ML20134B7921996-06-24024 June 1996 Discusses Results of Audit Review of Changes to Siemens Large Break ECCS Evaluation Model ML20058N4811993-12-15015 December 1993 Informs of Decision to Expand Senior Mgt Oversight of Selected Plants,Per Recent Meeting W/J Martin & H Miller. Lists Assignment of Managers,Effective Immediately ML20056E4571993-08-0505 August 1993 Forwards Technical Review Rept Re, Tardy Licensee Actions Initiated Because of Delayed Replacement of Batteries in Uninterruptible Power Supplies at Plant ML20127N5641993-01-25025 January 1993 Notification of 930127-28 Meeting W/Util in Rockville,Md to Discuss I&C TS Amend & Proposed analog-to-digital Conversion at Plant ML20248E5481989-09-29029 September 1989 Forwards AEOD/T919, Failure of Overcurrent Protective Device at Palisades Unit 1. Expresses Desire to Investigate All Future Class IE Devices Failures in-depth ML20128C6331988-12-13013 December 1988 Discusses Licensee 10CFR21 Rept Re Substitution of Geuine Parts in Masoneilan Valves Supplied by S-C Controls to Various Nuclear Power Plants ML20127L5021988-11-0909 November 1988 Summary of 881028 Meeting by Util at Plant Re Nonconforming Parts Received from Sample-Webtrol for Masoneilan Valve. Meeting Brought Together Parties Involved & Discussed Possible Causes of Problem IA-92-253, Informs of 880408 Fitness for Duty Program Allegation Re Individual Being Hired at Plant W/Prior Drug Use Problem1988-08-12012 August 1988 Informs of 880408 Fitness for Duty Program Allegation Re Individual Being Hired at Plant W/Prior Drug Use Problem ML20125B7851988-08-12012 August 1988 Informs of 880408 Fitness for Duty Program Allegation Re Individual Being Hired at Plant W/Prior Drug Use Problem ML20125B7811988-08-0909 August 1988 Provides Listed Info as Required by Section 3.2 of RP 0517A Re Allegation AMS RIII-88-A-0105 Concerning Use of Drugs by Employees Working Midnight Shift at Plant IA-92-271, Provides Listed Info as Required by Section 3.2 of RP 0517A Re Allegation AMS RIII-88-A-0105 Concerning Use of Drugs by Employees Working Midnight Shift at Plant1988-08-0909 August 1988 Provides Listed Info as Required by Section 3.2 of RP 0517A Re Allegation AMS RIII-88-A-0105 Concerning Use of Drugs by Employees Working Midnight Shift at Plant ML20125B7461988-08-0303 August 1988 Discusses Allegation Re Drug Use by Night Shift Employees at Plant.Informs That Allegation Will Continue to Be Carried as Open in Allegation Mgt Sys Pending Final Resolution/ Closeout by Division ML20125B7431988-08-0101 August 1988 Discusses Allegation Received on 880729 Re Drug Use at Plant ML20155G7431988-06-0707 June 1988 Forwards F Miraglia 880527 Memo for Review & Requests Proposed Priorities for Actions on Project Manager Rept by C.O.B. 880609 ML20154Q1661988-05-27027 May 1988 Discusses Updating Project Managers Rept (Pmr) in Accordance W/New Priority Ranking Sys.Mods Have Been Made So That Pmr Will Now Accept New Priority Data.Old Priority Data Will Be Deleted During Wk of 880530.Sample Data Format Encl ML20148A7571988-03-14014 March 1988 Forwards Project Directorate III-1 Slides for 880317 Briefing of Executive Team.Slides Marked P Primary Slides Directorate Plans to Show.Other Slides Backup for Possible Ref IA-88-165, Discusses Topics for Senior Mgt Meeting & Submits Partial Listing of Facilities Where Vendor Support Has Been Problem,Vendor Involved & Component/Issue of Interest. W/Copyrighted Matl1988-03-0909 March 1988 Discusses Topics for Senior Mgt Meeting & Submits Partial Listing of Facilities Where Vendor Support Has Been Problem,Vendor Involved & Component/Issue of Interest. W/Copyrighted Matl ML20155K2001988-03-0909 March 1988 Discusses Topics for Senior Mgt Meeting & Submits Partial Listing of Facilities Where Vendor Support Has Been Problem,Vendor Involved & Component/Issue of Interest. W/Copyrighted Matl ML20236L6661987-11-0909 November 1987 Forwards Rev 1 to NUS-1721, App I Analysis,Crystal River Nuclear Unit & NUS-1729, App I Analysis,Palisades Plant, for Placement in Document Control Sys.Record Copy ML20151C7621987-10-15015 October 1987 Forwards FBI Communication to Be Disseminated Only to NRC Employees W/Need to Know.W/O FBI Communication.Records of 860610,0926,1212,870404 & 0929 Telcons & Region III Repts of 860610,870318 & 0929 Events Encl ML20147F5041987-02-25025 February 1987 Forwards Comments on Licensee Training Performance During Period of INPO Accreditation Effort.Certification of Licensed Operator Training Program Encl ML20154A2831986-12-13013 December 1986 Forwards Assessments by Enforcement Staff of Regional Performance in Enforcement Area from Jul-Nov 1985 ML20214K6021986-11-24024 November 1986 Forwards Tentative Itinerary for 861201 Visit to Facility by Commissioner Carr ML20214C4751986-11-17017 November 1986 Notifies of Rescheduling of SALP 7 Assessment Period.Period Extended Until 870131 Due to Extended Outage.Author 861106 Memo,Requesting SALP 7 Inputs,Should Be Disregarded ML20214C6861986-11-17017 November 1986 Forwards List of Missing SALP Evaluation Forms (0516B). Requests Review of Files to Locate Missing Forms.Recognizing That RP 0516B Issued in Mar 1986,request Applies Only to Repts Issued After Mar 1986 ML20207A0771986-10-15015 October 1986 Forwards Request for Addl Info Re ATWS Rule,To Be Transmitted to Licensee.Response Requested by 861201 in Order to Meet Target Completion Date for SER Input of 861231 ML20215G1361986-10-14014 October 1986 Summary of 861006 Operating Reactor Events Meeting 86-35 Re Events Since Last Meeting on 860929.Assignees Should Review Identified Responsibilities & Completion Dates & Advise If Dates Cannot Be Met.Attendance List & Viewgraphs Encl ML20209H0271986-09-10010 September 1986 Requests That Electrical Insp Be Performed at Facility to Review 860826 Failure of Power Supply Breaker to Vital Bus 1-E to Close Upon Demand.Response to Listed Questions Also Requested ML20203H2741986-07-28028 July 1986 Forwards,For Review,Latest Update of SALP Ratings ML20236X6731986-06-16016 June 1986 Forwards NRC plant-specific Backfit Regulatory Analysis,Per NRC Manual Chapter 0514,covering Actions in Encl 860521 Confirmatory Action Ltr Re 860519 Reactor Trip.Info from 860508 Backfitting Workshop in King of Prussia,Pa Encl ML20199C6411986-06-13013 June 1986 Forwards Itinerary for Commissioner Zech 860623 & 24 Visit to Facilities 1999-06-16
[Table view] Category:MEMORANDUMS-CORRESPONDENCE
MONTHYEARML20217A7971999-10-0606 October 1999 Forwards NRC Approved Operator Licensing Exam (Facility Outline & Initial Exam Submittal & as-given Operating Exam) for Tests Administered During Week of 990607 ML20210G9711999-06-16016 June 1999 Informs That on June 9,two Occurrences of Hydrogen Burns Took Place at Palisades During VSC-24 Loading Activities ML20210G9611999-06-14014 June 1999 Informs That Sfpo Not Sure of Having Lead for Palisades Events Being Handled by Region III Insp ML20210G9411999-06-11011 June 1999 Informs That on 990610 Palisades 1 Notfied NRC That on 990609,minor Hydrogen Burns Occurred During Welding of Structural Lid on Sf Storage Cask ML20210G9091999-06-10010 June 1999 Requests That Cio Make Copy of Pn to Be Sent to M Sinclair in Midland,Mi ML20210G8871999-06-10010 June 1999 Forwards Draft Pn Region Iii,Concerning Latest Hydrogen Burn at Palisades ML20210G9361999-06-10010 June 1999 Informs That Attachment Has Been Reviewed & Approved in DNMS Re Palisades Pn ML20196F5281998-11-25025 November 1998 Notification of 981207 Meeting with Util in Rockville,Md to Discuss Licensees Efforts to Ensure Continued Compliance with 10CFR50.61,pressurized Thermal Shock Rule ML20236N5211998-04-20020 April 1998 Informs That Weld Team Will Be at Palisades Conducting Insp of VSC-24 Owners Group UT Effort During Wk of 980420 ML20236K9301998-03-26026 March 1998 Forwards Status on VSC-24 Weld Issues for Info Purposes. Future Events & Dates Subject to Change.Provides Outline of Internal Plan to Complete CAL Items.Requests Maintaining Guide as Internal Planning Guide ML20236M1921998-02-23023 February 1998 Informs That VSC-24 Owners Group Wants to Postpone Insp of UT Exam Procedure for VSC-24 Closure Welds by 2 Weeks to Week of 980316 Due to Unsuccessful Paint Job on mock-up ML20236N4201998-01-30030 January 1998 Forwards NMSS Items of Interest for Wk Ending 980130.Items Include Meeting W/Ge on 980121,insp at Amersham on 980122-23,US EPA Meeting on 980122 to Discuss Groundwater C/A Program at Church Rock & Visit to Flawtech on 980122 ML20236N4821998-01-28028 January 1998 Informs That Flawtech Has Been Inserting Flaws in Palisades VSC-24 Mockup & That Palisades (R Humphrey) Will Perform UT Exam & Receipt Insp at Flawtech on 980202.Flawtech Will Ship Mockup to ANO on 980203 ML20236N5031998-01-26026 January 1998 Forwards Item of Interest Re Flawtech Methods for Inserting Flaws Into Metallic Component Specimens.Flawtech Currently Under Contract to Consumers Energy to Implant Flaws Into Palisades VSC-24 Dry Fuel Storage mock-up ML20138J7671997-02-0505 February 1997 Informs That NRC Plans to Administer Generic Fundamentals Exam Section of Written Operator Licenseing Exam on 970409. Ltr W/Copy to Chief,Operator Licensing Branch Must Be Submitted to Listed Address in Order to Register Personnel ML20133P4211997-01-21021 January 1997 Notification of 970129 Meeting W/State of Mi & FEMA in Rockville,Md to Discuss Potential Alternative Approaches to Management of Dose Assessment for Protective Action Decision Making W/Respect to Emergency Planning ML20132F4961996-12-20020 December 1996 Notification of 970109 Meeting W/Listed Attendess in Rockville,Md to Discuss Potential Alternative Approaches to Mgt of Dose Assessment for Protective Action Decision Making W/Respect to Emergency Planning ML20138G3651996-11-0505 November 1996 Requests That Listed Info Be Forwarded to Licensee in Connection W/Unescorted Access Visits to Plant by Listed NRC Contractor Employees During 961118-970110 for Purpose of Assisting NRC in Conduct of Design Insp.Partially Deleted ML20128G5751996-10-0303 October 1996 Forwards Ltr to Be Sent to Licensees of Six Pressurized Water Reactor Plants That Have Used Fuel Mfg by Siemens Power Corp Since 1986.Licensees Requested to Verify Compliance of 10CFR50.46 W/Regulations ML20134B7921996-06-24024 June 1996 Discusses Results of Audit Review of Changes to Siemens Large Break ECCS Evaluation Model ML20058N4811993-12-15015 December 1993 Informs of Decision to Expand Senior Mgt Oversight of Selected Plants,Per Recent Meeting W/J Martin & H Miller. Lists Assignment of Managers,Effective Immediately ML20056E4571993-08-0505 August 1993 Forwards Technical Review Rept Re, Tardy Licensee Actions Initiated Because of Delayed Replacement of Batteries in Uninterruptible Power Supplies at Plant ML20127N5641993-01-25025 January 1993 Notification of 930127-28 Meeting W/Util in Rockville,Md to Discuss I&C TS Amend & Proposed analog-to-digital Conversion at Plant ML20248E5481989-09-29029 September 1989 Forwards AEOD/T919, Failure of Overcurrent Protective Device at Palisades Unit 1. Expresses Desire to Investigate All Future Class IE Devices Failures in-depth ML20128C6331988-12-13013 December 1988 Discusses Licensee 10CFR21 Rept Re Substitution of Geuine Parts in Masoneilan Valves Supplied by S-C Controls to Various Nuclear Power Plants ML20127L5021988-11-0909 November 1988 Summary of 881028 Meeting by Util at Plant Re Nonconforming Parts Received from Sample-Webtrol for Masoneilan Valve. Meeting Brought Together Parties Involved & Discussed Possible Causes of Problem IA-92-253, Informs of 880408 Fitness for Duty Program Allegation Re Individual Being Hired at Plant W/Prior Drug Use Problem1988-08-12012 August 1988 Informs of 880408 Fitness for Duty Program Allegation Re Individual Being Hired at Plant W/Prior Drug Use Problem ML20125B7851988-08-12012 August 1988 Informs of 880408 Fitness for Duty Program Allegation Re Individual Being Hired at Plant W/Prior Drug Use Problem IA-92-271, Provides Listed Info as Required by Section 3.2 of RP 0517A Re Allegation AMS RIII-88-A-0105 Concerning Use of Drugs by Employees Working Midnight Shift at Plant1988-08-0909 August 1988 Provides Listed Info as Required by Section 3.2 of RP 0517A Re Allegation AMS RIII-88-A-0105 Concerning Use of Drugs by Employees Working Midnight Shift at Plant ML20125B7811988-08-0909 August 1988 Provides Listed Info as Required by Section 3.2 of RP 0517A Re Allegation AMS RIII-88-A-0105 Concerning Use of Drugs by Employees Working Midnight Shift at Plant ML20125B7461988-08-0303 August 1988 Discusses Allegation Re Drug Use by Night Shift Employees at Plant.Informs That Allegation Will Continue to Be Carried as Open in Allegation Mgt Sys Pending Final Resolution/ Closeout by Division ML20125B7431988-08-0101 August 1988 Discusses Allegation Received on 880729 Re Drug Use at Plant ML20155G7431988-06-0707 June 1988 Forwards F Miraglia 880527 Memo for Review & Requests Proposed Priorities for Actions on Project Manager Rept by C.O.B. 880609 ML20154Q1661988-05-27027 May 1988 Discusses Updating Project Managers Rept (Pmr) in Accordance W/New Priority Ranking Sys.Mods Have Been Made So That Pmr Will Now Accept New Priority Data.Old Priority Data Will Be Deleted During Wk of 880530.Sample Data Format Encl ML20148A7571988-03-14014 March 1988 Forwards Project Directorate III-1 Slides for 880317 Briefing of Executive Team.Slides Marked P Primary Slides Directorate Plans to Show.Other Slides Backup for Possible Ref IA-88-165, Discusses Topics for Senior Mgt Meeting & Submits Partial Listing of Facilities Where Vendor Support Has Been Problem,Vendor Involved & Component/Issue of Interest. W/Copyrighted Matl1988-03-0909 March 1988 Discusses Topics for Senior Mgt Meeting & Submits Partial Listing of Facilities Where Vendor Support Has Been Problem,Vendor Involved & Component/Issue of Interest. W/Copyrighted Matl ML20155K2001988-03-0909 March 1988 Discusses Topics for Senior Mgt Meeting & Submits Partial Listing of Facilities Where Vendor Support Has Been Problem,Vendor Involved & Component/Issue of Interest. W/Copyrighted Matl ML20236L6661987-11-0909 November 1987 Forwards Rev 1 to NUS-1721, App I Analysis,Crystal River Nuclear Unit & NUS-1729, App I Analysis,Palisades Plant, for Placement in Document Control Sys.Record Copy ML20151C7621987-10-15015 October 1987 Forwards FBI Communication to Be Disseminated Only to NRC Employees W/Need to Know.W/O FBI Communication.Records of 860610,0926,1212,870404 & 0929 Telcons & Region III Repts of 860610,870318 & 0929 Events Encl ML20205R1101987-04-0101 April 1987 Staff Requirements Memo Re 870320 Discussion/Possible Vote on Restart.Region III Authorized to Permit Restart When Identified Prerequisites Completed.Continuation of Stringent Monitoring Programs Requested ML20147F5041987-02-25025 February 1987 Forwards Comments on Licensee Training Performance During Period of INPO Accreditation Effort.Certification of Licensed Operator Training Program Encl ML20154A2831986-12-13013 December 1986 Forwards Assessments by Enforcement Staff of Regional Performance in Enforcement Area from Jul-Nov 1985 ML20214K6021986-11-24024 November 1986 Forwards Tentative Itinerary for 861201 Visit to Facility by Commissioner Carr ML20214C6861986-11-17017 November 1986 Forwards List of Missing SALP Evaluation Forms (0516B). Requests Review of Files to Locate Missing Forms.Recognizing That RP 0516B Issued in Mar 1986,request Applies Only to Repts Issued After Mar 1986 ML20214C4751986-11-17017 November 1986 Notifies of Rescheduling of SALP 7 Assessment Period.Period Extended Until 870131 Due to Extended Outage.Author 861106 Memo,Requesting SALP 7 Inputs,Should Be Disregarded ML20207A0771986-10-15015 October 1986 Forwards Request for Addl Info Re ATWS Rule,To Be Transmitted to Licensee.Response Requested by 861201 in Order to Meet Target Completion Date for SER Input of 861231 ML20215G1361986-10-14014 October 1986 Summary of 861006 Operating Reactor Events Meeting 86-35 Re Events Since Last Meeting on 860929.Assignees Should Review Identified Responsibilities & Completion Dates & Advise If Dates Cannot Be Met.Attendance List & Viewgraphs Encl ML20209H0271986-09-10010 September 1986 Requests That Electrical Insp Be Performed at Facility to Review 860826 Failure of Power Supply Breaker to Vital Bus 1-E to Close Upon Demand.Response to Listed Questions Also Requested ML20203H2741986-07-28028 July 1986 Forwards,For Review,Latest Update of SALP Ratings ML20236X6731986-06-16016 June 1986 Forwards NRC plant-specific Backfit Regulatory Analysis,Per NRC Manual Chapter 0514,covering Actions in Encl 860521 Confirmatory Action Ltr Re 860519 Reactor Trip.Info from 860508 Backfitting Workshop in King of Prussia,Pa Encl 1999-06-16
[Table view] |
Text
) Steve O'Connor Pclisades _
pyg, 3 Nf From: Steve O'Connor To: Patncia Eng . N Date: Wed, Jun 16,199911:38 AM
Subject:
Palisades Pat, As you requested, the following is a synopsis of the Palisades event:
On June 9, two occurrences of hydrogen bums took place at Palisades during VSC-24 loading activities.
The flame was caused by hydrogen ignited at the outlet of the cask vent line by grinding sparks during welding activities on the structural lid. The vent line (plastic tubing) outlet was located too close to the work area and had become detached from the HEPA filter inlet (secured with duct tape).
On June 10, Region 111 issued a Preliminary Notification to discuss details of the events. Also on June 10, Palisades put a hold on cask welding activities and assembled an incident response team to examine the root cause of the event. On June 11, Palisades had re-routed the vent line using a braided stainless steel hose with the outWt located farther away from the welding activities and more rigidly affixed connection to the HEPA filter.
Palisades performed re-training of welders and continued the structural-lid welding the attemoon of June
- 11. A Region lliinspector (Landsman) was also present to observe the continuation of welding activities.
Welding and NDE of the cask welds were completed without any further incidences.
Let me know if you have any questions.111 be sure to keep you informed if I hear anything new.
Steve l
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990803o245 990729 -
PDR FOIA p OUNTER99-264 PDR h#10 3 0 02 V5'
- ) 'RC Preliminary Notsficaten http1/www.nrc gov /OPNpn'pn39931 htm o'. %
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- PNO-III-99-031 ! Palindes 1 n* n-v Notificarian 64 l News and Information l Main NRC Home Pane ! E-mad June 10, 1999 i
-PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-III-99-031
~ This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice'of events of POSSIBLE l safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially )
received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region III staff (Lisle, Illinois)'on this date.
Facility. Licensee Emergency Classification Consumers Power Co. Notification of Unusual Event Palisades 1 Alert Covert, Michigan- Site Area Emergency Dockets: 50-255 General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
MINOR HYDROGEN BURNS DURING CASK WELDING ACTIVITIES At about 5:00 p.m., and again at about 7:30 p.m. EDT on June 9, 1999, minor hydrogen burns occurred during welding of the structural lid on a spent fuel storage cask following its loading earlier in_the week. These brief. hydrogen burns occurred outside the cask at the discharge end of tubing being used to draw gases from the interior of the cask.
The cask was the fourteenth to be loaded at Palisades and the first since cask loading activities resumed. Storage cask loading activities had been halted to address issues identified following a hydrogen burn inside the cask during loading in May 1996 at the Point Beach plant and to address subsequent welding issues. involving the_ Sierra Nuclear VSC-24 cask.
Loading of 24 fuel assemblies-into the cask was completed on June 7 and the cask, still containing water for radiation shielding purposes, was removed from the spent fuel storage pool. The inner shield lid had been welded in place, and workers had begun welding the structural lid.
The cask was still' filled with water,_and the small air space at the top was being ventilated through a small plastic tube to remove any hydrogen being produced in the cask. One end of the tube was connected to the cask and the other to a filtering device. The tubing became separated from the filter, and sparks from the grinding ignited the hydrogen at the discharge end of the tubing. In each instance the welder observed a small
' flame at the end of the. tubing, pinched the tubing, and extinguished the flamei Work was stopped following the second incident, and the licensee's spent fuel storage cask group was notified. The discharge end of the ventilating tubing was reconnected to the filter unit and work activities were resumed. Plant management was not informed until the morning of June 10, 1999. At that time, a second work halt was imposed by plant management pending further review.
.The use of a ventilating system on the cask has been standard practice at Palisades. It is also one of the corrective actions following the Point Beach hydrogen burn event, to prevent a combustible accumulation of hydrogen inside the cask. The hydrogen is produced through a chemical reaction between boric acid in the water inside the cask and the zinc-based coating on the cask interior. As long as the boric acid in the
. water is present in the cask, hydrogen will be produced. When the welding 'r
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. NRC Paliminary Notification http://www.nrc. gov /OPA/ra'ra39931.htm l-
- i 'is completed,- the water. will be removed and the cask will be filled with helium.
i .'
This hydrogen burning was of minor safety. significance. The burning was outside the_ cask at-the discharge of the tubing, and no air was being added-to.the cask itself that would support ignition of any hydrogen
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inside.the cask. The flames were easily extinguished. No injuries or squipment damage'resulted. The presence of hydrogen was an expected phenomenon, and the ventilation system was functioning to prevent the accumulation of a potentially combustible concentration inside the cask.
-The NRC. resident inspectors will follow the licensee's response to the incident and observe when the licensee resumes work. Also, a special NRC inspection on cask loading activities is ongoing, and a cask team inspector was onsite until after the shield lid weld was completed,
.although rione of the cask team were onsite at the time of the incidents.
These incidents will be~ reviewed when a team member returns to the site to continue the inspection next week.
The Stet's of Michigan was ' informed. The information in this preliminary notification has been reviewed with licensee management.
Region III (Chicago) learned of these this event at about 8:00 a.m. CDT on 7une 10, ' 1999. This information is current as of 12:45 p.m. on June 10, 1999.
Contact:
ROSS LANDSMAN BRUCE JORGENSEN (630)829-9609. (630)829-9615 i
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.U 6/30/1999 6.49 AM l12 hf2 ,