Information Notice 2002-07, Use of Sodium Hypochlorite for Cleaning Diesel Fuel Oil Supply Tanks

Use of Sodium Hypochlorite for Cleaning Diesel Fuel Oil Supply Tanks

ML013450182
Person / Time
Issue date:	01/28/2002
Revision:	0
From:	Beckner W D NRC/NRR/DRIP/RORP
To:
Freeman, S, NRR/DRIP/REXB, 415-1175
References
TAC MB3345 IN-02-007
Download: ML013450182 (6)

January 28, 2002

NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2002-07:USE OF SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE FORCLEANING DIESEL FUEL OIL SUPPLY TANKS

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses for nuclear power except those who have ceased operationsand have certified that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel.

Purpose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alertaddressees to the potential problems related to the use of sodium hypochlorite solutions for cleaning diesel fuel oil supply tank Use of this chemical in higher concentrations can cause the release of significant amounts of chlorine ga The NRC anticipates that recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider taking appropriate action However, suggestions contained in this IN do not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is require BackgroundNuclear plants are required to design and maintain an onsite electric power system inaccordance with Appendix B, "Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel Reprocessing Plants," to Part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFRPart 50). One acceptable method for complying with these regulations for fuel oil systems for standby diesel generators is described in Regulatory Guide 1.137, "Fuel Oil Systems for Standby Diesel Generators."Position 2.f of Regulatory Guide 1.137 recommends that licensees clean fuel oil supply tanks atleast every 10 years and that they use sodium hypochlorite solutions or equivalent rather than soap or detergents to avoid introducing surfactants (surface active agents) into the fuel syste However, the use of sodium hypochlorite in higher concentrations can release appreciable amounts of heat and chlorine gas.DiscussionSodium hypochlorite is generally available in two forms: as a commercial solution containing12 to 15 trade percent available chlorine (a so-called bleaching solution), and as a household solution containing 5 trade percent chlorin Trade percent is defined as the amount of chlorine, in grams, that is available for each 100 milliliters of sodium hypochlorite solutio Sodium hypochlorite is a strong oxidizer and, when mixed with organic materials such as dieselfuel oil, undergoes an exothermic reaction that generates heat and releases chlorine gas, sometimes violentl A solution with a concentration of 12 trade percent available chlorine can produce up to 1 pound of chlorine gas for each gallon of solution that react Since fuel oil supply tanks are usually located underground and cleaning them may involve working in a confined space, this release could be harmful to the cleaning personne Licensees should take appropriate precautions to protect personnel.Regulatory Guide 1.137 states that solutions equivalent to sodium hypochlorite can be used toclean fuel oil supply tank The intent is to keep surfactants from soap or detergents out of the tan Therefore, to prevent personnel injury, other materials with cleaning properties equivalent to sodium hypochlorite can be used to clean fuel oil supply tanks, provided they meet the intent of the recommendation.The technical specifications of some licensees may include the requirement to use sodiumhypochlorite to clean the fuel oil supply tank This requirement came from Revision 4 of the Westinghouse standard technical specifications, but has been removed in subsequent revision Therefore, any licensee with this requirement has an opportunity to remove it by submitting a license amendment reques Alternatively, when a licensee converts to the improved technical specifications, the cleaning requirement is moved, along with the other fuel oil requirements, to a fuel oil progra Any licensee that has the requirement in a fuel oil program can change it under 10 CFR 50.59.This information notice requires no specific action or written respons If you have anyquestions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager./RA/William D. Beckner, Program Director Operating Reactor Improvements Program Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts:Krzysztof Parczewski, NRRM. Scott Freeman, RII301-415-2705864-822-6927 E-mail: kip@nrc.govE-mail: msf1@nrc.gov

Attachment:

List of Recently Issued Information Notices Sodium hypochlorite is a strong oxidizer and, when mixed with organic materials such as dieselfuel oil, undergoes an exothermic reaction that generates heat and releases chlorine gas, sometimes violentl A solution with a concentration of 12 trade percent available chlorine can produce up to 1 pound of chlorine gas for each gallon of solution that react Since fuel oil supply tanks are usually located underground and cleaning them may involve working in a confined space, this release could be harmful to the cleaning personne Licensees should take appropriate precautions to protect personnel.Regulatory Guide 1.137 states that solutions equivalent to sodium hypochlorite can be used toclean fuel oil supply tank The intent is to keep surfactants from soap or detergents out of the tan Therefore, to prevent personnel injury, other materials with cleaning properties equivalent to sodium hypochlorite can be used to clean fuel oil supply tanks, provided they meet the intent of the recommendation.The technical specifications of some licensees may include the requirement to use sodiumhypochlorite to clean the fuel oil supply tank This requirement came from Revision 4 of the Westinghouse standard technical specifications, but has been removed in subsequent revision Therefore, any licensee with this requirement has an opportunity to remove it by submitting a license amendment reques Alternatively, when a licensee converts to the improved technical specifications, the cleaning requirement is moved, along with the other fuel oil requirements, to a fuel oil progra Any licensee that has the requirement in a fuel oil program can change it under 10 CFR 50.59.This information notice requires no specific action or written respons If you have anyquestions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager./RA/William D. Beckner, Program Director Operating Reactor Improvements Program Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts:Krzysztof Parczewski, NRRM. Scott Freeman, RII301-415-2705864-822-6927 E-mail: kip@nrc.govE-mail: msf1@nrc.gov

Attachment:

List of Recently Issued Information NoticesDistribution:PUBLIC IN Reading FileADAMS ACCESSION NO.: ML013450182OFFICEPM:RORP:DRIPTech EditorEMCBEMBC NAMEOTYazi*OTYazi/for*KParczewski*LALund*DATE01/25/0201/25/0201/25/0201/25/02OFFICEC:EMCBIQMBSC:REXBPD:RORP:DRIPNAMEWHBateman*GCCwalina*TKoshy*WDBeckner*DATE01/25/0201/25/0201/25/0201/28/02OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

______________________________________________________________________________________OL = Operating License CP = Construction PermitAttachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUEDNRC INFORMATION NOTICES_____________________________________________________________________________________InformationDate of Notice N SubjectIssuanceIssued to_____________________________________________________________________________________2002-06Design Vulnerability in BWRReactor Vessel Level Instrumentation Backfill Modification01/18/2002All holders of operating licensesor construction permits for boiling water reactors (BWRs).2002-05Foreign Material in StandbyLiquid Control Storage Tanks01/17/2002All holders of licenses for nuclearpower reactors.2002-04Wire Degradation at BreakerCubicle Door Hinges 01/10/2002All holders of operating licensesfor nuclear power reactors.2002-03Highly Radioactive ParticleControl Problems During Spent Fuel Pool Cleanout01/10/2002All holders of operating licensesfor nuclear power reactors, holders of licenses for permanently shutdown facilities with fuel onsite, and holders of licenses for non-power reactors.2002-02Recent Experience withPlugged Steam Generator Tubes01/08/2002All holders of operating licensesfor pressurized-water reactors (PWRs), except those who have permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor.2002-01Metalclad Switchgear Failuresand Consequent Losses of Offsite Power01/08/2002All holders of licenses for nuclearpower reactors.2001-19Improper Maintenance andReassembly of Automatic Oil Bubblers12/17/2001All holders of operating licensesfor nuclear power reactors, except those who have permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel.