W3F1-2023-0021, Submittal of Special Report SR 2023-003-00 Radiation Monitor Inoperable Greater than 7 Days

Submittal of Special Report SR 2023-003-00 Radiation Monitor Inoperable Greater than 7 Days

ML23076A075
Person / Time
Site:	Waterford
Issue date:	03/17/2023
From:	Milster L Entergy Operations
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk
References
W3F1-2023-0021 SR-2023-003-00
Download: ML23076A075 (1)

Text

W3F1-2023-0021 Page 2 of 2

Enclosure:

Waterford 3 Special Report SR-2023-003-00 cc: NRC Region IV Regional Administrator NRC Senior Resident Inspector - Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 NRC Project Manager - Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality

Enclosure W3F1-2023-0021 Special Report SR-2023-003-00

W3F1-2023-0021 Enclosure Page 1 of 2 SPECIAL REPORT SR-2023-003-00 Radiation Monitor Inoperable Greater Than 7 Days DESCRIPTION The Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 (Waterford 3) Condenser Vacuum Pump Discharge Wide Range Gas Monitor (WRGM) (PRMIR0002) radiation monitor was declared inoperable on March 4, 2023. Operability was not restored within the required 7-day period as specified in Waterford 3 Technical Specification (TS) 3.3.3.1, "Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation," Table 3.3-6. This Special Report is submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in accordance with TS 6.9.2, "Special Reports," and 10 CFR 50.4, "Written communications," within the next 14 days outlining the actions taken, the cause of the inoperability and the plans and schedule for restoring the system to operable status.

The Condenser Vacuum Pump WRGM monitors condenser vacuum pump discharge continuously to detect steam generator tube leakage and to quantify release rate.

The operability of the subject WRGM channels ensures that: (1) the radiation levels are continually measured in the areas served by the individual channels; (2) the alarm or automatic action is initiated when the radiation level trip setpoint is exceeded; and (3) sufficient information is available on selected plant parameters to monitor and assess these variables following an accident. The radioactive gaseous effluent WRGM instrumentation is provided to monitor and control, as applicable, the releases of radioactive materials in gaseous effluents during actual or potential releases of gaseous effluents. The alarm/trip setpoints for these instruments are calculated and adjusted in accordance with the methodology and parameters in the Offsite Dose Calculation Manual (ODCM) to ensure that the alarm (and/or trip, if applicable) will occur prior to exceeding the limits of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 20.

ACTIONS TAKEN On March 4, 2023, the Condenser WRGM was found indicating operate failure with no pulses received on RM-11, Radiation Monitor System Central Computer. The monitor was declared inoperable, the required actions were taken in accordance with TS 3.3.3.1, Table 3.3-6, and an entry in the Equipment Out of Service log was initiated to track the condition.

The Chemistry Department established the pre-planned alternate method of monitoring as required.

Actions were taken to procure a replacement detector and a high voltage power supply for the low range channel. Maintenance could not analyze the low range detector circuitry because the site does not possess an approved calibration source for this detector type.

The site requires a certificate of conformance for use of the replacement calibration source with this detector type which must be obtained from the vendor. The detector and the source were shipped to the vendor for pairing and certificate of calibration count rate.

W3F1-2023-0021 Enclosure Page 2 of 2 CAUSE OF INOPERABILITY The cause of the Condenser Vacuum Pump Discharge Wide Range Gas Monitor inoperability cannot be determined until the detector and paired source are returned from the vendor. A supplement to this Special Report will be submitted to the Commission after the site receives the paired detector and source and performs analysis.

PLANS AND SCHEDULE FOR RESTORING OPERABLE STATUS The detector and replacement source are expected to be delivered from the vendor in four weeks. The site will analyze the Condenser WRGM low range detector circuitry and complete repairs expeditiously upon receipt of the paired detector calibration source and documentation. The site expects the detector to return to operable status one week following the receipt of the detector and replacement source.