PNO-IV-98-006, on 980124,spill of Sulfuric Acid in & Outside Unit 2 Turbine Bldg Occurred.Licensee Initiated top-level Site Problem Report to Investigate Root Causes for Spills & Assign Corrective Actions
| ML17313A185 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 01/27/1998 |
| From: | Kirsch D NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-98-006, PNO-IV-98-6, NUDOCS 9801270155 | |
| Download: ML17313A185 (6) | |
CATEGORY REGULA'LORY INFORMATION DISTRIBUTI
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ACCESSION NBR:9801270155 DOC.DATE: 98/01/27 NOTARIZED: NO DOCKET FACIL:STN-50-529 Palo Verde Nuclear Station, Unit 2, Arizona Publi 05000529 AUTH.NAME AUTHOR AFFILIATION KIRSCH,D; Region 4 (Post 820201)
RECIP.NAME RECIPIENT AFFILIATION
SUBJECT:
PNO-IV-98-006:on 980124,spill of sulfuric acid in E outside Unit 2 turbine bldg occurred. Licensee initiated top-level site problem report to investigate root causes for spills assign corrective actions.
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January 27, 1998 PREI IININARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE P NO-IV-98-006 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 IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date.
FacilitaF Arizona Public Service Co.
Palo Verde 2 Wintersburg,Arizona Dockets: 50-529 Licensee Emer enc Classification Notification of Unusual Event Alert Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
SPILL OF SULFURIC ACID IN AND OUTSIDE THE UNIT 2 TURBINE BUILDING On January 24, 1998, Arizona Public Services issued Event Notification 33590 to report a spill of sulfuric acid inside and outside the Palo Verde Unit 2 turbine building. The purpose of this report is to supplement and update information on the spill.
At approximately 7:40 a.m. MST on January 23, 1998, personnel notified the Unit 2 control room of a spill of 96% sulfuric acid in the yard north of the turbine building. The licensee determined that the acid was leaking from a flange to a drain valve on the Sulfuric Acid Storage Tank. The leaking valve and flange were part of a recent modification. The acid is used in the plant to regenerate the condensate polishers. Approximately 1400 gallons were spilled, with a concrete trench containing all but approximately 60 gallons, which spilled on the ground.
Once the acid spilled beyond the trench, the licensee decided to pump the acid in the trench into a portable tank on a flat bed truck. The acid in the portable tank would then be pumped to the High Total Dissolved Solids Sump and, then, the chemical waste neutralizing tank, for processing.
The High Total Dissolved Solids Sump, located in the turbine building, was designed to collect any leaks of the highly concentrated sulfuric acid which occur during plant evolutions.
iiiiiiiilhiiUi Instead of pumping to the dissolved solids sump, the licensee mistakenly pumped the acid to the Turbine Building South Condensate Sump. This sump was not designed for acids.
When personnel in the turbine building noticed acid fumes, the pumping was stopped.
Approximately 600 gallons of acid had been pumped to the south condensate sump. At 2 p.m. MST, the licensee implemented their hazardous materials and waste contingency plan/emergency response plan, due to the potential impact to the health of on-site personnel. Air samples indicated 45 parts per million hydrogen sulfide at the south condensate sump. General turbine building air samples were normal. The hazardous material emergency was terminated at PDR E&E 9801270155 980127 PNO-IV-98-00h PDR
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7:03 p.m. MST.
PNO-IV-98-006 Subsequently, the acid in the south condensate sump, now diluted with water, was automatically pumped outside the turbine building to a tank that is used to separate oil and water. The acid-water mixture clogged this tank and approximately 320 gallons spilled onto the blacktop and dirt outside the Unit 2 turbine building, but within the protected area. This acid-water mixture contained very low levels of radiological contamination. The contaminants were by-products from the 1993 steam generator tube leak that had remained within the residue of the dissolved solids sump. The licensee measured the spilled liquid to contain approximately 1.5E-6 microcurie per milliliter Cobalt 60 and 1.0E-7 microcurie per milliliter Cesium. The licensee determined that the volume of acid in this second spill was sufficient to require reporting and at 7:15 p.m. MST, the licensee notified the Hazardous Materials National Response Center of the spill. The licensee stated that no injuries occurred and that cleanup was in progress.
The licensee initiated a top-level site problem report to investigate the root causes for the spills and assign corrective actions. Unit 2 continued to operate at full power during this event. Region IV plans to perform a special inspection of this occurrence.
The state of Arizona has been informed.
Region IV received notification of this occurrence from the resident inspectors at approximately 2 p.m. PST on January 23, 1998. Region IV has informed the OEDO, PAO, and NRR.
This information has been discussed with the licensee and is current as of 12:30 p.m. PST, January 26, 1998.
Contact:
Dennis Kirsch (601)975-0290
k e