ML19338C539

Requests Info on Types of Accidents That Could Lead to Contamination of Secondary Cooling Sys,Particularly in Case of Rupture in Steam Condenser.Response Should Be Sent to VT Agency of Environ Conservation

ML19338C539
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	06/22/1980
From:	John Miller AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
To:	Houston R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML19338C534	List: ML19338C539
References
NUDOCS 8008180099
Download: ML19338C539 (1)

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June 22, 1980 J. Sam Miller Northwood Narrows -

NH 03261 ,6 Mr.R. Wayne Houston . Chief Jt , .

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Accident Analysis Branch -

Div. of Site Safety' and Environmental Analysis US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555

Dear Mr. Houston,

Last Friday there was a public hearing regarding the application for a new permit to discharge once-through cooling water at the Vermont Yankee plant. The application is being made to the State of Vermont Dept. of Water Resources. At the hearing I raised the question of accidents involving leakage of large amounts of primary coolnnt water into the secondary coolant systems would there be significantly greater contamination released to the environment during open cycle operation? The accident at TMI, particularly from the standpoint of the unexpected dump of some 200,000 gallons of primary coolant into the auxillary building, has prompted the industry and the NRC to take another look at various accio%t scenarios involving leakage of primary coolant i

into the env&onment, and I would ask if any of these studies are applicable to the Vermont Yankee permit application.

Specifically, could you summarize the types of accidents that could lead to contamination of the secondary cooling system at Vermont Yankee, particularly the case of a rupture in the steam condenser? What would be the effects of a large dump running closed cycle versus open cycle? If the system were running closed. .would the cooling tower system have to be shut down, and the emergency core cooling system used? Have there ever been any accidents of this nature / and what were their effects?

What about minor leakage paths to the secondary system, and how soon are the detected? The answers to these questions will help to allay the fears of some area residents and also will aid the State officials in the review of such applications and in preparing for such emergencies.

Please direct your reply to Mr. Brendan J. Whittaker, Secretary Agency of Environmental Conservation State of Vermont Montpelier, Vermont 05602 With a copy to the Vermont Yankee-Decommissioning Alliance 127 Main Street -

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Brattleboro Vermont 05301. ,

along with copies. of any related reports. Thank You.

Cordia11 Yours, l

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( J. Sam Miller l cc Mr. Whittaker

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