ML20235U818

Responds to NRC Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 50-219/87-12.Corrective Actions:Free Standing Water Allowed to Drain,Authorities Notified & Waste Solidification & Shipments Suspended Until Full Compliance Achieved

ML20235U818
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	06/25/1987
From:	Fielder P GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITIES CORP.
To:	Martin T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
NUDOCS 8707220600
Download: ML20235U818 (3)

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l GPU Nuclear Corporation L

l Nuclear  :: = = 8r 388 Forked River, New Jersey 08731-0388 1

1 609 971-4000 5.riter's Direct Dial Number:

June 25, 1987 Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards l Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406

Subject:

Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Docket No. 50-219 IE Inspection Report 50-219/87-12 Response to Notice of Violation Attachment I to this letter provides GPU Nuclear's response to the Notice of Violation in Appendix A of your letter dated May 26, 1987. If any further information is required, please contact Mr. Michael Heller of my staff at (609)971-4860.

Very truly yours, n m &1 Pue, i "fEdler Vice President and Director Oyster Creek PBF/MH/dmd (0346A)

Attachment cc: Mr. William T. Russell, Administrator Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

& - 631 Park Avenue mE@ King of Prussia, PA 19406

- rygt og Mr. Alexander W. Dromerick, Project Manager b U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Division of Reactor Projects I/II g

{u 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Phillips Bldg.

oO Bethesda, MD 20014

@< Mail Stop No. 316 E NRC Resident Inspector mae Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station i

GPU Nuclear Corporation is a subsidiary of the General Pubhc Utihties Corporation LCCD \ $

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ATTACHMENT I Violation I

10 CFR 20.311(d)(1) requires, in part, preparation of radioactive wastes to meet waste characteristics requirements in 10 CFR 61.56. 10 CFR 61.56(a)(3) requires wastes containing liquid to contain as little free-standing and noncorrosive liquid as is reasonably achievable, but in no case shall that liquid exceed 1% of the volume.

Contrary to the above on April 22, 1987, Shipment OC-2003-87 of filter sludge, radioactive wastes solidified in cement, was found to contain 49 gallons of free-standing liquid in a waste volume of 1,324 gallons constituting 3.7% of the radioactive waste volume.

Response _

GPUN concurs with the violation as stated.

1. Brief description of incident Shipment 0C-2003-87 containing liner #442479-2 was solidified on April 2,1987 by a contracted waste processor / transporter and shipped by GPUN on April 9,1987 to Barnwell, SC for disposal. The liner was randomly selected by the State of South Carolina for inspection and was found to contain free-standing liquid in excess of allowable limits.

2. Reason for the violation Approximately 18 months ago a foaming problem was experienced while solidifying evaporator bottoms. To reduce the foaming problem, the contracted solidification technician was given verbal permission by his supervisor to reduce the mixing blade speed on that occasion to 45 RPM. Processing procedure 351.36 Step 5.11.3 required the mixing speed to be approximately 65-85 RPM or as operator experience dictates. During processing of liner #442479-2, the technician again lowered the mixing speed based on his experience. On this occasion, the reduction in mixing blade speed resulted in not achieving a uniform chemical / waste mixture within the liner.

3. Corrective steps which have been taken and results achieved (a) The liner was placed aside to allow free-standing water to drain.

(b) The NRC, Waste Processor / Transporter, and the State of South Carolina were notified.

(c) Waste solidification and shipments were suspended until the cause and corrective action were identified and full compliance was achieved.

(d) An investigation / critique was held to determine the cause of the incident and to establish corrective actions.

, m (e) The GPUN Manager of Radwaste/ Chemistry and the Radwaste Shipping Supervisor met with contractor personnel and State of South Carolina officials.

(f) Processing procedure 351.36 Step 5.11.3 has been temporarily revk <d to ensure that the proper mixing blade speed is maintained.

l (g) The chemical (cement and lime) addition line had plugged and delayed processing of liner #442479-2 for about 20 minutes.

Plugging was due to a moisture problem in supply air lines.

Although this problem did not contribute to the excess water in the liner, additional moisture separators have been installed on air lines to reduce the potential for cement buildup and blockage.

4. Corrective steps which will be taken to avoid further violations (a) Processing procedures are being reviewed and revised as n?cessary to ensure that all permissiveness is removed. Ir. the future, any and all changes in waste processing shall be reviewed and concurred by both GPUN and waste processing contractor supervision prior to that change being instituted.

(b) A thermocouple wire in the liner, used to monitor the exothermic evolution during solidification, had broken off during processing of liner #442479-2. Although this problem did not contribute to the excess water (the thermocouple connecting point was in an area that would have been chemical rich versus chemical poor and would have seen the exothermic evolution) the thermocouple wire will be rerouted to ensure that it will not become dislodged during processing.

5. Date when fall compliance was achieved Full compliance was achieved on April 22, 1987 when processing procedure 351.36 was temporarily revised to ensure proper mixing blade speed is maintained. Also, on April 22, 1987 officials of the State of South Carolina agreed to accept the liner as dewatered filter media meeting the requirements of 10 CFR 61 and conditions 32(B) and 35 of South Carolina Radioactive Material License No. 97.

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