PNO-I-98-026, on 980701,Millstone Unit 3 Criticality Update Made.Nrc Staff Continues to Provide Augmented Insp of Unit 3 Restart Activities,Including round-the-clock Coverage of Key Operational.Licensee Plans No Press Release

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PNO-I-98-026:on 980701,Millstone Unit 3 Criticality Update Made.Nrc Staff Continues to Provide Augmented Insp of Unit 3 Restart Activities,Including round-the-clock Coverage of Key Operational.Licensee Plans No Press Release
ML20236H143
Person / Time
Site: Millstone Dominion icon.png
Issue date: 07/01/1998
From: Cerne A, Durr J
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:
References
PNO-I-98-026, PNO-I-98-26, NUDOCS 9807070100
Download: ML20236H143 (1)


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a July 1, 1998 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-I-98-026 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region I staff in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on this date.

Fecility Licensee Emercency Classif.ication Northeast Utilities Notification of Unusual Event Millstone 3 Alert Waterford, Connecticut Site Area Emergency Dockets: 50-423 General Emergency X Not Applicable

Subject:

MILLSTONE UNIT 3 CRITICALITY - UPDATE Millstone Unit 3 established reactor criticality at 1:15 p.m. on July 1, 1998, after repairing an intermediate range monitor (IRM) instrument cable. Indications of spiking on the "B" IRM channel caused operators to return the unit to hot standby (mode 3) shortly after taking the reactor critical on 6/30/98. Plant personnel used time domain reflectometry (TDR) to identify a continuity problem in the "B" IRM outer containment penetration connector assembly. Repair was effected by tightening the connector and checking continuity by the TDR method.

With the reactor critical, planned licensee activities include gradual startup power increases to mode 1 (5 percent power) and subsequent power operation. Synchronization of the main generator to the offsite power grid above 15 percent power is scheduled to occur on July 2, 1998, and power increase to the first hold point (30 percent) could be achieved a couple days later. At the 30 percent power plateau, the licensee will conduct a management self-assessment of startup performance and discuss the results of its review with the NRC staff before proceeding with power ascension.

The NRC staff continues to provide augmented inspection of Unit 3 restart activities, including round-the-clock coverage of key operational evolutions.

The licensee plans no press release concerning the re-establishment of reactor critical conditions, but has been responding to press inquiries regarding plant status.

Contact:

CERNE, ANTONE DURR, JACQUE (860)701-3469 (610)337-5224 n

9807070100 980701 PDR I&E fg PNO-I-98-026 PDR