ML13031A738

J. Martens Ltr West Valley Demonstration Project Hazardous Waste Contigency Plan Activation 15-Day Written Report

ML13031A738
Person / Time
Site:	West Valley Demonstration Project, P00M-032
Issue date:	09/27/2012
From:	Bower B C US Dept of Energy, West Valley Demonstration Project
To:	Martens J J NRC/FSME, State of NY, Dept of Environmental Conservation
References
Download: ML13031A738 (5)

Text

Department of Energy West Valley Demonstration Project 1 0282 Rock Springs Road West Valley, NY 14171-9799 September 27, 2012 Mr. Joseph Martens, Commissioner New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-1011

SUBJECT:

West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan Activation 15-Day Written Report

REFERENCE:

Title 6 ofthe Official Compilation of Codes, Rules, and Regulations ofthe State ofNew York (NYCRR) Part 373-3.4(g)(10), Contingency Plan and Emergency Procedures

Dear Mr. Martens:

On September 13, 2012, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the WVDP Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan was activated in response to a small incipient stage fire reported in the Vitrification Cell. The small fire was believed to have started during remote in-cell cutting of an old out-of service piece of equipment, a robotic controlled demolition machine known as a BROKK, while using an abrasive wheel cutting saw. This type of cutting generates sparks, which were believed to have caused ignition of some oily debris located within the cell. The fire lasted for approximately 13 minutes. The flames appeared to be approximately 5-6 inches tall covering an area approximately ten square inches. Upon discovery of the fire, the supervisor of the Vitrification Size Reduction Project initiated an 812 all-page, activating on-site emergency response personnel.

Concurrently, the Vitrification Cell crew initiated remote actions to dispatch the pre-placed extinguishing agent and retardant blankets to the fire. However, prior to application, the fire self-extinguished.

No site emergency support was needed; therefore, no requests were made to local response agencies.

Immediately upon the 812 all-page report of a fire, CH2M HILL B&W West Valley, LLC (CHBWV) Radiation Protection personnel and Environmental Monitoring personnel responded to the Vitrification Facility heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HV AC) stack monitoring station to observe the gross alpha and gross beta radiation air monitors.

No discernible changes in radiation readings were observed in the stack monitoring readings during or after this incident.

Photographs of the Vitrification HVAC stack monitoring alpha and beta strip charts are enclosed.

These charts provide the radiation monitoring information before, during, and after the event. At approximately 3:00 p.m., an initial notification was made to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), followed by courtesy notifications to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Region 2 personnel and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission personnel.

Mr. Joseph Martens September 27, 2012 A "Safety Pause" was taken for Vitrification Cell and Remote Handled Waste Facility "hot" operations to re-evaluate protocol for fire prevention and fire suppression activities while performing "hot" work in these remotely operated cells. Some specific corrective actions identified and being implemented include: requiring use of fire blankets as a preventative measure; performance of an extent of conditions review to determine if combustibles are present in other areas where a similar event could occur; inspection of equipment that was being processed (the BROKK) to ensure there are no leaking fluids; coordination with Fire Protection Engineer to obtain concurrence on planned corrective actions; and issuance of a Lessons Learned document covering the effective response to the event by site personnel.

Prior to resumption of Vitrification Cell "hot" work activities, notification will be made to NYSDEC in accordance with 6 NYCRR Part 373-3.4(g)(9).

Should you have any questions, please contact Moira N. Maloney of my office at 716-942-4255.

Sincerely,

-* Bryan C. Bower, Director West Valley Demonstration Project

Enclosure:

Vitrification Cell HV AC Stack Monitoring Chart Photos and Explanation cc: D. P. Klenk, CHBWV, w/enc. J.D. Rendall, CHBWV, w/enc. M.P. Krentz, DOE-WVDP, w/enc. M. N. Maloney, DOE-WVDP, w/enc. J. J. Prowse, DOE-WVDP, w/enc. D. W. Sullivan, DOE-WVDP, w/enc. J. R. Craig, DOE-EMCBC, Office of the Director, w/enc. R. E. Holland, DOE-EMCBC, Office ofthe Director, w/enc. P. W. Concannon, NYSDEC, Buffalo, w/enc. T. B. Rice, NYSDEC, Albany, w/enc. D. R. Weiss, NYSDEC, Buffalo, w/enc. L. M. Winterberger, NYSDEC, Albany, w/enc. P. J. Bembia, NYSERDA, AC-NYS, w/enc. J. Eng, USEPA Region 2, w/enc. P. A. Gardina, USEPA Region 2, w/enc. A. Y. Park, USEPA Region 2, w/enc. C. J. Glenn, US NRC, w/enc. ./ M. Roberts, US NRC, w/enc. JMD:358370-452.3 JMD/jmd l Vitrification Cell HV AC Stack Monitoring Explanation The attached are photos of the Continuous Air Monitor (CAM) strip charts for the Vit HV AC monitoring system. One is from the alpha CAM and one is from the beta CAM. These are near real-time monitors located in the middle west operating aisle of the Vit Facility.

On the charts, time progresses on the chart from right to left and increasing CAM count rate is toward the bottom (away from the sprocket holes). The technician has handwritten times on the chart corresponding to when they inspected the charts. These handwritten notes indicate the current time (please note that printed numbers on the chart do not correspond to actual time). There are two sets ofhandwritten notes on the charts. One is from an environmental technician who performed a routine check of the system just prior to the fire event and the other handwritten notes are from a Radcon tech. After the environmental technician performs the system checks the chart paper is advanced and a line is drawn. Although it appears there is a gap in the data recorded, there is not as the system was, in fact, in a continuous operation.

This appearance is from the advancing the chart for the system check. The RadCon technician also made a notation on the chart at 10:00 on 09-13-2012 at the time of the fire. It is clear for both alpha and beta charts the count rates before and after the fire are the same. WD:20 12:0506

Q) g> 0...