PNO-II-88-015B, on 880229,licensee Informed NRC That 1 Mwt Pool Reactor Had Been Shutdown Due to Primary Coolant Leak Outside Containment.Two Leaks Identified.Util Plans to Isolate Leak & Test Further to Assure That Leak Is in Liner

PNO-II-88-015B:on 880229,licensee Informed NRC That 1 Mwt Pool Reactor Had Been Shutdown Due to Primary Coolant Leak Outside Containment.Two Leaks Identified.Util Plans to Isolate Leak & Test Further to Assure That Leak Is in Liner

ML20151A161
Person / Time
Site:	North Carolina State University
Issue date:	03/24/1988
From:	Fredrickson P NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:
References
PNO-II-88-015B, PNO-II-88-15B, NUDOCS 8804060325
Download: ML20151A161 (2)

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• S/.2y/ff- % March 24,1988 l PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-II-88-15B f This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or  !

public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verifi-  !

cation or evaluation, and is basically all that is kaown by the Region Il staff on this date.  ;

FACILITY: North Carolina State University Licensee Emergency Classification: i Pulstar Kotification of Unusual Event t Docket No. 50-297 Alert Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable ,

SUBJECT:

REACTOR COOLANT LEAK IN UNRESTRICTED AREA - UPDATE On 2/29/88, the licensee informed the NRC that the unit, a 1 MWt pool reactor, had been I shut down due to a primary coolant leak outside containment. The last tirre the reactor had l bGen operated was 2/26/88.  ;

Teo leaks have been identified. The first was found in the 2' sump pump transfer line to the waste tanks. The portions of piping that are outside the facility 1 include several hundred feet of 10" stainless steel pipe and a Nitrogen 16 delay tank.

Piping is buried between 5 and 15 feet underground. The pipe is constructed of Dutron pipe Gnd the leak was found to be at a bell and spicket connection. A piece fractured and cracked away. The licensee has isolated the leak in the 2" line and plans to replace the entire length of pipe with new piping material and remove all existing pipe. They also plan to install an isolation valve in the waste tank pit to facilitate system isolation and pressure testing of drain line. Repairs are anticipated to take two weeks.

The second leak was identified by acoustical and ultrasonic testing in the liner in the fuel pit. The licensee plans to isolate the leak and test further to assure that this is the only leak in the liner.

Radiation levels and contamination levels on the soil around the excavation are at background level. The licensee has agreed to not restart without NRC notification. The licensee plans to coordincte with NRC Public Affairs Office and issue another press release next week.

The State of North Carolina was informed by the licensee.

The NRC received initial notification af this event by telephone from the licensee at 4:30 p.m. (EST) on February 29, 1988.

This information is current as of 1:00 p.m. (EST) on March 24, 1988.

CONTACT: P. Fredrickson - 242-5649 q 9

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,s 8804060325 880324 PDR 2 8sE PNO-II-88-015B _ DCfD

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, DIb79IBUTION H. Street MNBB Phillips E/W Willste Regions Chairman Zech AE00 NRR UTA NMSS Region ! -/<? /g Conn. Roberts ARM 01 Region II Comm. Bernthal EDO Region !!I-//' 9 Comm. Carr PA Region IV ft //-)k i Comm. Rogers OGC Air Rights Region V /'23 SECY SLITP OGC-H CA FAX T0: MAIL TO:

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PDR LICENSEE RESIDENT INSPECTOR HQS. OPERATIONS OFFICER l ecoe**************************************************************************************

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