PNO-II-05-013, Vogtle Unit 2 Shutdown to Repair RHR Pipe Leak
| ML053460510 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vogtle  |
| Issue date: | 12/12/2005 |
| From: | Gerald Mccoy, Widmann M Division of Nuclear Materials Safety II |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-II-05-013 | |
| Download: ML053460510 (1) | |
December 12, 2005 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-II-05-013 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 II staff (Atlanta, Georgia) on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.
Notification of Unusual Event Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Unit 2 Alert Waynesboro, Georgia Site Area Emergency Dockets/License: 50-425/NPF-81 General Emergency X
Not Applicable
Subject:
VOGTLE UNIT 2 SHUTDOWN TO REPAIR RHR PIPE LEAK At 4:33 a.m., EST on December 9, 2005, the licensee shutdown Unit 2 to evaluate an unidentified Reactor Coolant System (RCS) leak inside containment. Prior to the shutdown, the licensee had indications of increasing total RCS leak rate (0.286 gpm on December 8, 2005, at 4:29 p.m., and 0.337 gpm at 8:20 p.m.)
Additionally, containment atmospheric radiation levels, containment pressure, and moisture indicated an increasing trend. At 10:40 p.m., on December 8, 2005, upon containment entry, the licensees inspection team identified no leakage outside the bioshield. At 3:44 p.m., on December 9, 2005, after entering Mode 3, the licensees inspection team entered the bioshield and reported pressure boundary leakage at a welded connection where a 3/4 inch bypass line is welded upstream of the Residual Heat Removal (RHR) loop suction valve 2HV8701B off the loop 1 RCS hot leg. In accordance with Technical Specification 3.4.13, which does not allow any pressure boundary leakage, the unit was placed in Mode 5 and repairs were commenced.
The unit will remain shutdown until a full American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code repair is made to the RHR bypass line.
The resident inspector was made aware of the increased leak rate on December 9, 2005, at approximately 2:00 a.m. Media inquires have not been made and the licensee currently has no plans for a press release.
The state of Georgia has not been notified.
This information presented herein has been discussed with the licensee and is current as of 10:00 a.m., on December 12, 2005.
CONTACT:
Malcolm Widmann 404-562-4550 Gerald McCoy 706-554-9901