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05000293/LER-2016-005Pilgrim15 August 2016Ultimate Heat Sink and Salt Service Water System Declared Inoperable

Nuclear Power Station (PNPS) declared the ultimate heat sink (UHS) and salt service water (SSW) system inoperable due to high sea water inlet temperatures greater than 75 degrees Fahrenheit (F). PNPS had already taken action, in accordance with plant procedures, to reduce power from 100 percent in an effort to keep from exceeding the Technical Specification (TS) Limit. PNPS entered a 24-hour shutdown Limiting Condition for Operation Action Statement (LCO-AS) for Salt Service Water (SSW) inlet temperature exceeding the TS limit in TS 3.5.6.4. The LCO-AS was subsequently exited at 1651 hours when the temperature of SSW trended to below the TS limit.

Under certain design conditions, the SSW system is required to provide cooling water to various heat exchangers such as the Reactor Building Closed Cooling Water (RBCCW) and Turbine Building Closed Cooling Water (TBCCW) systems. When the inlet temperature to these supplied loads exceeds the 75 degree F limit established in the TS, the SSW system is conservatively declared inoperable until the temperature trends below this value. This condition existed for 59 minutes reaching a maximum of 75.1 degrees F. The cause of the sea water inlet temperature exceeding the 75 degree F TS criterion was sustained increased sea water surface temperature in Cape Cod Bay due to summer weather conditions and recirculation of water from the plant's discharge due to wind and tidal conditions.

There was no impact to public health and safety from this condition.

05000333/LER-2016-001FitzPatrick23 January 2016
23 March 2016
System Actuations during Manual Scram in Response to Frazil Ice Blockage and Residual Transfer
LER 16-001-00 for James A. FitzPatrick Regarding System Actuations during Manual Scram in Response to Frazil Ice Blockage and Residual Transfer

On January 23, 2016, James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant (JAF) was ascending in power when screenwell water level started to lower. At 89 percent power, at 22:23, Operators began taking compensatory measures to reduce power and mitigate water level lowering. At 22:40, a manual scram was initiated.

The scram was complicated by a residual transfer that resulted in non-vital equipment trips. This event resulted in the manual actuation of the Reactor Protection System, High Pressure Coolant Injection, Reactor Core Isolation Cooling, Main Steam Isolation Valves and automatic actuation of Emergency Diesel Generators, Emergency Service Water, and containment isolations in multiple systems, reportable per 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A).

The lowering screenwell water level was caused by frazil ice blockage at the intake structure. The frazil ice stopped affecting screenwell water level after the manual scram. Corrective actions include strengthening mitigating actions in response to frazil ice.

The residual transfer was caused by lubrication hardening in the lower control valve assembly of the 71PCB-10042 breaker. Corrective actions included replacing or reworking the lower control valve assembly.

05000280/LER-2014-001Surry29 March 2014Closed Service Water Valve Results in Exceeding Technical Specifications

At 11:40 on March 29, 2014, with both Unit 1 and Unit 2 operating at 100% power, the Unit 1D service water header was declared inoperable as a result of indications received during testing. The direct cause of the indications was due to a mostly closed service water header isolation valve for the Unit 1D service water header. In October 2013, following valve replacement, the valve handwheel was re- oriented causing the valve to become mostly closed while indicating open. Therefore, the Unit 1D service water header was inoperable from October 21, 2013 until March 29, 2014 and Technical Specification limiting conditions of operation were exceeded twice during timeframes when one of two other operable service water headers was tagged out for maintenance. Also, as a result of the restricted flow condition, a service water pump that supplies cooling to a charging pump was also determined to be inoperable beyond its Technical Specification limiting conditions of operation.

  • Therefore, this report is being submitted, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), for operations prohibited by Technical Specifications. Based on the risk assessment of this event, the risk impact was determined to be very small and, as a result, the health and safety of the public were not affected.
05000368/LER-2013-004Arkansas Nuclear9 December 2013Fire and Explosion of the Unit Auxiliary Transformer resulted in an Automatic Reactor Scram and Initiation of the Emergency Feedwater SystemOn December 9, 2013, at approximately 0747 CST, Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 2 (ANO-2), experienced an electrical fault on the Unit Auxiliary Transformer (2X-02) buses resulting in a fire and catastrophic failure of the transformer. This caused an automatic reactor and main turbine trip, lockout of the Switchyard Auto Transformer, lockout of (ANO-2) Startup 3 Transformer (2X-03) and loss of power to Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 1 (ANO-1) Startup 1 Transformer (X-03) The switchyard auto transformer supplies one of the two credited offsite sources supplying both Startup 3 Transformer (2X-03) and Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 1 (ANO-1) Startup 1 Transformer (X-03). A loss of one of the two available offsite power sources for ANO-2 resulted in an auto-start of the ANO-2 Emergency Diesel Generator (2K-48) to supply ANO-2 safety bus 2A-4 and initiation of the Emergency Feedwater (EFW) System. Investigations determined the most probable cause of the event that led to failure of the Unit Auxiliary Transformer began with a phase-to-ground fault on the 6900V 'C' phase non-segregated bus flexible link for 2X-02. Transformer 2X-02 protective relays designed to isolate the bus from an electrical fault actuated, but due to a disconnected lead, the Main Generator Lockout relays failed to actuate leading to 2X-02 failure. A root cause evaluation determined a flexible link for 2X-02 was not properly installed which led to an insulation breakdown at the bolted connection. The subsequent 2X-02 explosion and fire resulted from a non-landed wire due to a human performance error most likely occurring in 1995 that failed to connect the DC conductor to the output contacts for the protective relays.
05000336/LER-2013-004Millstone9 November 2013Reactor Trip While Backwashing D Waterbox

On November 9, 2013, at 1514, Millstone Power Station Unit 2 (MPS2) experienced a turbine trip and an automatic reactor trip from 95% power MODE 1.due to loss of condenser vacuum. The Unit was in the process of condenser backwashing operations when condenser vacuum was lost due to unexpected pump ramp-down of the 'C' circulating water pump (CWP) when the 'D' CWP was secured as required by procedure.

All control rods inserted on the reactor trip. An auxiliary feedwater (AFW) automatic start occurred post trip, as expected per design, and all other safety systems functioned as required.

The direct cause of the event was the MPS2 'C' CWP ramped off due to failure of contacts on a time- delay relay to deenergize as designed.

The defective relay was replaced. Additional corrective actions are being taken in accordance with the station's corrective action program.

This event is being reported per 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) as an event that resulted in a manual or automatic actuation of systems listed in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(B). Actuations of the reactor protection system and the AFW system are reportable under this paragraph.

05000293/LER-2013-007Pilgrim16 July 2013Ultimate Heat Sink and Salt Service Water System Declared Inoperable

On Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 1652 (EDT) and again on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 1054 (EDT) with the reactor at 100% core thermal power (CTP) the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station (PNPS) declared the ultimate heat sink (UHS) and the salt service water (SSW) system inoperable due to high sea water inlet temperatures greater than 75°F. A maximum sea water inlet temperature reading of 75.5°F was observed and the maximum duration for either event was 5.5 hours.

The limiting condition for operation (LCO) action for technical specification (TS) 3.5.B.4 was entered then exited based on the rise and fall of sea water inlet temperature. Plant systems and components operated as required and no equipment failures occurred. The plant was not shutdown due to the short duration of the sea water temperature excursion.

The cause of the high sea water inlet temperature readings was sustained increased sea water surface temperature in Cape Cod Bay due to hot summer weather conditions and the contribution from recirculation of water from the plant's outfall due to wind and tidal conditions. Corrective action was completed to establish an operational decision making issue (ODMI) action plan to reduce station power levels prior to reaching the TS UHS LCO temperature limit.

This event posed no threat to public health and safety.

05000374/LER-2013-002Lasalle25 April 2013Manual Reactor Scram Following Trip of Circulating Water Pumps

On April 25, 2013, Unit 2 was in Mode 1 at approximately 56% power. The east condenser waterbox was being dewatered in order to address a condenser tube leak. Waterbox isolation valves 2CW007A and 2CW007C had been closed using their motor operators; however, in order to minimize leak-by, an attempt was made to manually seat the valves. These valves are 144 inch butterfly valves with no internal stops. Outlet isolation valve 2CW007C was seated without incident, but inlet valve 2CW007A was inadvertently moved past its closed position, which allowed flow from the running circulating water pumps to fill the waterbox.

At 2005 hours CDT, the Main Control Room was informed that a large amount of water was coming from the open waterbox upper manways. An attempt was made to close the manways; however, at 2019 hours, the 2A and 2B circulating water pumps tripped on high condenser pit water level, requiring Unit 2 to be manually scrammed.

The root causes of the event were determined to be a lack of strict procedural adherence on the part of the operators performing the waterbox dewatering task, and inadequate procedure quality. Corrective actions include coaching in accordance with company policies, and clarifying revisions to the circulating water dewatering procedure.

05000456/LER-2012-005Telephone Number (Include Area Code)13 December 2012Incorrect Procedure Guidance Due to a Lack of Technical Rigor Resulted in Unplanned Inoperability of the lA and 1B Emergency Diesel Generators

On December 13, 2012, it was questioned whether both emergency diesel generators (DGs) would be considered inoperable if one diesel oil storage tank (DOST) room water tight door was impaired because the door between the DOST rooms was not water tight. The Plant Barrier Impairment Program procedure contained a pre-evaluated compensatory action for impairment of one of the DOST room water tight doors, which required declaring only the affected emergency diesel generator (DG) inoperable. A subsequent technical review determined that the compensatory note was incorrect and that both DOST rooms would be vulnerable to flooding with the water tight door for one DOST room impaired. A review of prior plant barrier impairments identified one instance in the previous three years where only one DG was declared inoperable while the corresponding water tight door was impaired.

The cause of the event was determined to be inadequate technical rigor, which led to improper compensatory measures being included in the Plant Barrier Impairment Program procedure. The corrective action was to revise the procedure to consider both trains of the affected unit's DGs inoperable when either DOST water tight door was impaired.

05000458/LER-2012-00324 May 2012Reactor Scram Following a Loss of Main Reactor Feedwater Pump Due to Electrical Fault

On May 24, 2012, at 3:40 p.m. CDT, a manual reactor scram was initiated in response to the loss of the running reactor feedwater pump. The plant was operating at approximately 32% power. The reactor core isolation cooling system was manually started to provide high pressure makeup to the reactor. The high pressure core spray system was manually started during the recovery from the event, but was not aligned to the reactor vessel. An electrical transient caused by the failure of a lockout relay resulted in the main supply breaker to the "B" 13.8kv switchgear to trip. Reactor recirculation pump "B" tripped due to the loss of its power source; the "A" reactor recirculation pump continued to operate in slow speed. The electrical transient also caused a loss of power to all main condenser circulating water pumps and normal service water pumps, necessitating the manual closure of the main steam isolation valves. The standby service water system actuated as designed in response to low normal service water pressure. The operators manually operated selected SRVs for reactor pressure control and for reactor cooldown.

Personnel in the turbine building reported the presence of smoke in the area of the feedwater pumps, but no actual fire was observed. There were no safety-related systems out of service at the time. This event is being reported in accordance with 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) as an actuation of the reactor protection system and the standby service water system. This event was of low safety significance to the health and safety of the public.

05000458/LER-2012-00221 May 2012Automatic Reactor Scram Due to Low Main Condenser Vacuum Resulting From Electrical Fault

On May 21, 2012, at 2:52 p.m., while the plant was operating at 100% power, an automatic reactor scram occurred due to a partial loss of vacuum in the main condenser. This condition initially caused a trip of the main turbine, and the fast closure of the turbine control valves provided the actuation signal to the reactor protection system (RPS).

Main condenser vacuum remained within the operating limits for use of the main turbine bypass valves, thus reactor pressure was automatically controlled following the initial transient. The reactor feedwater system remained in service. The decrease in main condenser vacuum resulted from the loss of two of four circulating water pumps.

This condition was caused by the failure of a splice in one of three 13.8kV cables providing power to half of the 4160V switchgear at the circulating water structure. The splice failure resulted in a small fire inside a manhole located outside the protected area. The plant fire brigade confirmed the fire was out within approximately 24 minutes of the onset of the event. Six reactor safety-relief valves actuated in response to the main turbine trip. The reactor core isolation cooling (RCIC) system steam supply valve automatically closed due to a false high-flow signal from the steam flow sensors. The system was restored to its standby configuration at 5:36 p.m. No plant parameters requiring the automatic actuation of the RCIC system were exceeded during the event. The failed splice was replaced, and the other cables in the circuit were tested for integrity, resulting in the replacement of one other splice. This event is being reported in accordance with 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) as an automatic actuation of the RPS system. There were no safety-related systems out of service at the time of the event.

05000362/LER-2012-002San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (Songs)14 March 2012Unit 3 Steam Generator Tube Degradation Indicated by Failed In-Situ Pressure Testing

On 03/14/2012 at 1120 PDT, SONGS Unit 3 was in Mode 5 (cold shutdown), when the first of eight Steam Generator (SG) tubes failed in-situ pressure testing. A SG tube is considered degraded and is reportable if it does not meet the tube integrity performance criteria stated in the SG Program (Technical Specification 5.5.2.11), as indicated by a failed in-situ test. In addition, the degraded condition was considered a safety system functional failure; i.e., potential failure to isolate radioactive fission products in the primary coolant from the secondary system as part of the reactor coolant pressure boundary.

The first tube that failed was the tube with a through-wall leak that resulted in the Unit 3 shutdown from full power on 01/31/2012. Following the shutdown, extensive inspection, testing, and analysis of SG tube integrity in both Unit 3 SGs commenced, with a total of eight tubes failing in-situ testing in SG 3E088 as follows: on 03/14/12, three tubes did not meet the accident induced leakage performance criteria (exceeded 0.5 gpm at maximum pressure achieved during test); and on 03/15/12 and 03/16/12, a total of five tubes did not meet the structural integrity performance criteria (failed three-times normal pressure conditions). The postulated post-accident onsite and offsite doses were well below allowable limits.

SG tubes was performed, with one tube requiring in-situ testing. This tube met the performance criteria.

05000335/LER-2011-001Saint Lucie22 August 2011Unit 1 Manual Reactor Trip Due To High Condenser Backpressure Caused by Severe Influx of Jellyfish into the Intake Structure

On August 22, 2011, St. Lucie Unit 1 was operating in Mode 1 at 89% when it was manually tripped due to rising condenser back pressure. All control element assemblies (CEAs) fully inserted into the core. The cause of the rising back circulating water system performance. Decay heat removal was initially from the main feedwater and steam bypass to the main condenser. However, subsequent to the manual trip, the 1B main feedwater pump was manually secured due to a leak on the pump casing. The 1A main feedwater pump subsequently tripped due to low suction pressure after manually securing the 1B condensate pump and decay heat removal was transitioned to the atmospheric dump valves and auxiliary feedwater.

Root cause evaluation determined the jellyfish intrusion rate exceeded the current capacity of the traveling water screens and trash pits. In addition, procedural guidance did not anticipate the possible rapidly escalating jellyfish intrusion rate and the urgency for response regarding the negative effect of the rapid jelly intrusion on condenser back pressure was not recognized.

Contributing causes included: plant maneuvering did not account for condenser back pressure margin, equipment degradation and malfunctions, and design deficiencies.

Corrective actions include procedure revisions and design changes to address procedure deficiencies and correct design deficiencies.

05000250/LER-2010-00323 September 2010Turkey Point Unit 3 050000250 1 OF 4On September 23, 2010, with Unit 3 operating at 100% power, an unplanned automatic reactor trip occurred at approximately 17:14:40 when an electrical flashover on the high side of the Unit 3 Generator Step Up (GSU) transformer occurred. All systems responded as designed At 17:52, a notification (EN# 46274) was made to the NRC Operations Center in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) due to actuation of the Reactor Protection System with the reactor critical and 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) due to Auxiliary Feedwater System actuation. The Unit 3 reactor and turbine tripped due to a generator differential protection relay trip. This event was entered into the Corrective Action Program as AR 582206. All systems functioned as normal with the exception of Control Rod G5 in Control Bank A which indicated 18 steps. The unit entered and exited E-0 "Reactor Trip" and ES-0.1 "Reactor Trip Response." All 4kV buses had power from the Unit 3 Start Up Transformer. Heavy weather (rain and wind) conditions existed at the time of the reactor trip. The root cause was an external flashover to ground of the "C" phase high voltage (HV) bushing. The Unit 3 GSU Transformer High Voltage Bushings (all phases) were replaced with longer bushings. Transformer Surge Arresters, Stand Off Insulators, Conductors, and Generator Radial Lead Seals were replaced.
05000325/LER-2010-001Brunswick27 February 2010APR 2 7 2010

SERIAL: BSEP 10-0047 10 CFR 50.73
U. S: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
ATTN: Document Control Desk
Washington; DC 20555-0001
Subject: Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, Unit No 1
Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR-71
Docket No. 50-325
Licensee Event Report 1-2010-001
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In accordance with the Code of Federal RegulatiOns, Title 10, Part 50.73, Carolina Power
& Light Company, now doing business as Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc:, submits the
enclosed Licensee Event Report (LER). This report fulfills'the requirernent for a written
report within sixty (60) days of a reportable occurrence.
Please refer any questions regarding this submittal to Ms. Annette Pope,-Supervisor -
Licensing/Regulatory Programs, at (910) 457-2184.
Sincerely,
Edward L. Wills, Jr.
Plant General Manager
Brunswick Steam Electric Plant
LJG/lj g
Enclosure:
Licensee Event Report
Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.
Brunswick Nuclear Plant
PO Box 10429
Southport, NC 28461
Document Control Desk
BSEP 10-0047 / Page 2
cc (with enclosure):
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region II
ATTN: Mr. Luis A. Reyes, Regional Administrator
Marquis One Tower
245 Peachtree Center Ave. N.E., Suite 1200
Atlanta, GA 30303-1257
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
ATTN: Mr. Philip B. O'Bryan, NRC Senior Resident Inspector
8470 River Road
Southport, NC 28461-8869
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Electronic Copy Only)
ATTN: Mrs. Farideh E. Saba (Mail Stop OWFN 8G9A)
11555 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852-2738
Chair - North Carolina Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 29510
Raleigh, NC 27626-0510
. .,_.
NRC FORM 366_U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
(9-2007)
LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LER)
(See reverse for required number Of
digits/characters for each block)
1. FACILITY NAME
Brunswick Steam Electric Plant (BSEP), Unit 1
4. TITLE
APPROVED BY OMB: NO. 3150-0104 EXPIRES: 08/31/2010
Estimated burden per response to comply with this mandatory
collection request: 80 hours. Reported lessons learned are
incorporated into the licensing process and fed back to industry.
Send comments regarding burden estimate to the Records and
FOIA/Privacy Service Branch (T-5 F52), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or by internet e-mail to
infocollects@nrc.gov, and to the Desk Officer, Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, NEOB-10202, (3150-0104), Office of
Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. If a means used
to impose an information collection does not display a currently valid
OMB control number, the NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to, the information collection.
2. DOCKET NUMBER 3. PAGE
05000325 1 of 4
Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) Manually Started to Maintain RPV Level Following Pre-planned Scram.

On February 27, 2010, at approximately 0116 hours Eastern Standard Time (EST), Control Room Operators manually inserted a Reactor Protection System (RPS) trip to shutdown the reactor from approximately 21 percent of rated thermal power to begin a planned refuel outage. The 1B Reactor Feedwater Pump (RFP) had been removed from service at approximately 61% rated thermal power and isolated to support scheduled maintenance' activities. Following the insertion of the RPS trip, the lA RFP was shutdown due to high RFP turbine casing drain level. At 0158 hours, Unit 1 Control Room Operators manually started the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) system to maintain reactor pressure vessel (RPV) coolant level following the pre planned reactor scram. The RCIC system maintained RPV coolant level until the 1B RFP could be returned to service. The RCIC system was shutdown at 0306 hours. All systems functioned as designed.

The safety consequences of this event were minimal. The RPV level remained in the normal band while RCIC was being used for level control during the transient. All Emergency Core Cooling Systems (ECCS) were operable and available to provide adequate core cooling if needed. The root cause of this event was that Operators made the redundant RFP unavailable while still above the reactor pressure at which a RFP is required to feed the RPV. The corrective actions to prevent recurrence for this event are to revise operating procedures cautioning that a Reactor Feedwater Pump should not be made unavailable before reactor pressure is less than 350 psig.

05000323/LER-2009-00226 August 2009Technical Specification 3.7.1 Violation Due to Cracked Valve Spring

On August 26, 2009, at 12:45 PDT, with Unit 2 in Mode 1 (Power Operation) plant operators declared the main steam safety valve (MSSV) RV-224 inoperable in accordance with Technical Specification (TS) 3.7.1 Limiting Condition for Operation, and reduced power.

On August 26, 2009, at 16:06 PDT, Technical Maintenanc&personnel completed resetting the power range high flux reactor trip setpoints from 109 percent to 87 percent reactor power completing TS Action 3.7.1.A.1.

This event was the result of a cracked MSSV spring. Based upon the final assessment Pacific I Gas and Electric Company presumes the valve was outside the TS allowable setpoint prior to discovery. Immediate corrective actions included gagging the MSSV to preclude inappropriate fifteenth refueling outage. Additional failure analysis supports that the cause of the failure was I environmentally induced corrosion initiated cracking with subsequent spring fracture.

05000323/LER-2008-00221 October 2008, Manual Reactor Trip Due to Pacific Ocean Circulating Water System Debris

On October 21, 2008, at 20:49 PDT, with Unit 2 in Mode 1 (Power Operation) at approximately 55 percent power, a manual Reactor Trip was initiated due to the failure of the Pacific Ocean Circulating Water System (CWS) debris removal system to maintain adequate flow for power operation. Plant operators stabilized Unit 2 in Mode 3 (Hot Standby) and made an emergency event notification (EN#44588) in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(i) at 22:44 PDT.

This event was due to a sudden large influx of Moon Jellyfish in the Pacific Ocean CWS that exceeded the ability of the debris removal system to effectively remove. PG&E has developed extensive models to help predict the impact of Pacific Ocean storms associated with CWS debris removal, and to give adequate time to prepare for such events. PG&E could not have anticipated this event and the potential adverse affects from the sudden large influx of jellyfish.

05000275/LER-2007-00328 May 2007Emergency Diesel Generator Actuation Due To A Transient Undervoltage Condition

On May 28, 2007, at 2250 PDT, with Unit 1 at approximately 8 percent power, preparations were being made to parallel the Main Generator to the grid. All 12kV and 4160V electrical busses had been transferred to the Startup-Standby power supply (230kV System).

Operations started Circulating Water Pump 1-2, a large 12kV motor. Starting this motor caused a transient voltage dip in the Startup Standby System voltage. The voltage dip duration was sufficient to time-out the undervoltage diesel generator start time delay relay on the 4160V Vital Bus 'G,' causing a start of the associated Emergency Diesel Generator (DG) 1-2. The 4160V Vital Bus 'G' continued to be powered by the Startup-Standby power source; loads were not transferred and DG 1-2 remained in operation unloaded. DG 1-2 was verified not to be required and returned to its normal standby condition.

On May 29, 2007, at 0501 PDT, an eight-hour nonemergency report was made pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(iv)(A) via the Event Notification System (ENS Number 43393).

Corrective actions to prevent recurrence include incorporation of precautions in plant operating procedures to minimize the transient voltage effects due to the start of large motors.

05000272/LER-2007-002Docket Number24 April 2007MManual Reactor Trips Due to Degraded Condenser Heat Removal

On April 24, 2007 at approximately 2248, a manual reactor trip was initiated with reactor power level at approximately 40%.

The manual reactor trip was initiated in response to a degraded Circulating Water System (CWS) and in accordance with operating procedures. The degradation of the CWS was due to extremely heavy river debris loadings that affected the ability of plant equipment to operate under the condition.

The unit was returned to service on April 26, 2007 at 1236 following the cleaning of the condenser water boxes and lowering river debris conditions.On April 30, 2007, at approximately 1502, with the unit at approximately 80% power a sudden localized high amount of river water debris again affected the CWS intake resulting in the loss of four (4) circulating water pumps due to high screen differential levels, and a manual reactor trip.

The cause of manual reactor trips is attributed to unusual and severe external environmental conditions resulting in record high amounts of river debris loadings, which challenged the design of the CWS. Following cleaning and inspection of the Circulating Water Traveling Screens, condenser waterboxes, and lowering river debris conditions the unit was returned to service on May 3, 2007 at 0310. A root cause investigation has been initiated to improve the plant operation and to minimize challenges to the CWS design by: (a) Improving predictive tools and actions on high river debris conditions, and (b) Improving the availability and reliability of the Circulating Water System.

This report is being made in accordance with 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), "any event or condition that resulted in manual or automatic actuation of any of the systems listed in paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(b)....

�NRC FORM 366A U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (6-2004) 2. DOCKET1. FACILITY NAME 6. LER NUMBER 3. PAGE

05000324/LER-2006-00211 November 2006Manual Scram Due To Conductivity Increase

At 1243 EST on November 11, 2006, with the reactor critical and in Mode 2 for startup activities, high conductivity in the condenser resulted in initiation of a manual Reactor Protection System actuation. All control rods properly inserted when the manual reactor scram was performed. No emergency core cooling systems (ECCS) actuated. At the time of the conductivity excursion, the condensate/feedwater system was not feeding the vessel, thus the reactor water chemistry was not adversely affected.

This event is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), as an event or condition that resulted in manual or automatic actuation of any of the systems listed in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(B).

The high conductivity in the condenser was determined to be the result of missing plugs on 165 condenser tubes, of which 17 of the tubes were found leaking (i.e., existing tube leaks reopened). The root cause is the failure to have procedural guidance to inspect the condenser water boxes for missing tube plugs following a Loss Of Offsite Power (LOOP) event.0Corrective actions included reinstalling the missing plugs and checking all plugs for tightness.

05000302/LER-2006-001Crystal River Unit 320 October 2006Train B Raw Water System In A Condition Prohibited By Technical Specifications Due To Equipment Failure

At 11:15, on October 20, 2006, Progress Energy Florida, Inc. (PEF), Crystal River Unit 3 (CR-3) was operating in MODE 1 (POWER OPERATION) at 100 percent RATED THERMAL POWER when an evaluation concluded that flow through the Train B Nuclear Services and Decay Heat Seawater (RW) System cyclone separator (RWSP-1B) was severely reduced. A flow of

  • approximately 9 gpm is required through RWSP-1B to ensure flush water with particles less than 250 microns to the bearings of RW System pumps RWP-2B and RWP-3B. A subsequent review concluded that Train B of the RW System was inoperable from July 6, 2006, through 11:15 on October 20, 2006. Additionally, Train A of the RW System was taken out of service for scheduled maintenance from 02:00 on July 18, 2006, to 15:00 on July 19, 2006, rendering both RW System trains inoperable during this time. The cause for this event was failure of a duplex strainer basket upstream of RWSP-1 B. This failure allowed debris to migrate to and block the RWSP-1 B drain port, stopping the filtration process. RWSP-1 B was cleaned and flushed. This report is being submitted pursuant to 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(i)(B) and 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(v)(B). This condition does not represent a reduction in the public health and safety. No previous similar occurrences have been reported.
05000301/LER-2004-00215 May 2004

On May 15, 2004, a manual trip of the Point Beach Nuclear Plant (PBNP) Unit 2 was initiated when the control room was notified that a diver had become entangled in the intake structure for the circulating water (CW) system. While inspecting the intake structure for winter damage, the diver's tether, air and communication line became snagged. The diver's line tender, together with the assistance of a rescue diver, were unable to clear the lines. When communications with the diver were lost, the NMC diving liaison on the boat requested that the Unit 2 CW pumps be secured in order to facilitate removing the diver from the water. Securing the CW pumps requires that the reactor first be tripped. After the reactor trip and securing the CW pumps, both divers exited the water uninjured. Plant systems functioned as expected during the reactor trip transient, including the reactor protection and auxiliary feedwater systems.

Since the circulating water system was secured, the main condensers were unavailable for decay heat removal. The steam generator atmospheric steam dump valves were used to remove decay heat. An incident investigation and root cause evaluation were conducted. The primary causes of this event were determined to be unclear and inconsistent communications and inadequate supervisory oversight.

Process and procedural corrective actions are being completed. PBNP Unit 2 was returned to full load operations on May 20, 2004.

05000483/LER-2004-001Call.Away Plant Unit 112 November 2003Loss of Service Water system requires manual initiation of Essential Service Water.
  • On 11/12/03 while restoring the Circulating and Service Water pump house electrical bus lineups to a normal configuration, two out of three electrical buses were de-energized resulting in a loss of the service water system and necessitating manual actuation of the Essential Service Water (ESW) system. The loss of service water coupled with a reduction in circulating water system capacity required Control Room Operators to manually reduce Main Generator electrical loading to prevent a loss of condenser vacuum and automatic main turbine runback.

After operator actions restored service water system operation, power stabilized at approximately 70 percent. An Event Review Team concluded the cause of the event was failure to follow an approved plant procedure. The Licensed Operator selected position 2201-2202 versus the proper position of 2201-2102, which is located on a different selector switch. A contributing cause was the fact the two bus transfer selector switches have identical name plate labels.

Once the cause of the event was understood, power was increased to 100 percent and normal operation resumed.

Corrective actions include revising the Main Contra! Board name plate labels for the bus transfer selector switches and revising plant procedures to reflect the new labels_

  • NRC FORM 3(.41.(/-2001I
05000261/LER-2002-001Docket Number9 October 2002During testing of the 'Main Steam Safety Valves (MSSVs) on October 9 and 10. 2002, it was determined that four of the 12 MSSVs had as-found lift pressures that exceeded the Technical Specifications (TS) tolerance of +/- 3%. T The four valves' as-found lift pressures were over TS lift pressures by the following amounts: T SV1-1A was 3.1% over, SV1-2B was 4.1% over, SV-1C was 3.8% over, and SV1-2C was 6.9% over. T A condition report (number 73940) was initiated and the corrective action program significant adverse condition investigation has been completed. T The root cause of the high lift pressures was attributed to mechanical component failure/degradation based on slight binding of the spindle on the guide bearing. T The corrective actions for this event included maintenance on the MSSVs and post-maintenance testing as required for the maintenance performed. T This condition was determined to be reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B) as a condition prohibited by the plant's TS. based on guidance contained in NUREG-1022. -Event Reporting Guidelines 10 CFR 50.72 and 50.73," Revision 2.
05000315/LER-2002-005Cook14 June 2002Unit 1 Manual Trip due to Trip of East Main Feedwater Pump

At 1443 hrs on June 14, 2002, Unit 1 was manually tripped following the trip of the East main feedwater (FW) pump (MFP). The East MFP tripped due to a loss of main feed pump turbine condenser vacuum caused by an influx of debris following the start of the #13 circulating water (CW) pump. On June 14, 2002, at 1751 hours, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(2)(iv)(B), a four-hour ENS notification (Event No. 38993) was made to the NRC for a condition that resulted in an actuation of the reactor protection system when the reactor is critical.

The cause of this event was the transport of debris (primarily zebra mussel shells and sand) into the East MFP turbine condenser upon the start of the #13 CW pump. A contributing factor was the closure of 12-WMO-30 (the center lake water intake valve) a few days prior to the start of the #13 CW pump.

The safety significance of this event was minimal since plant procedures and operator training provided sufficient direction for control room personnel to shutdown the plant and maintain it in a safe shutdown condition. In addition, this event had no impact on the ability of the main FW system to perform its feedwater isolation accident mitigation function.

The Unit 1 East and West MFP turbine condenser tubes and waterboxes were cleaned on June 14, 2002.

CNP will take actions to mitigate the effects of debris on CW pump startups with the unit on line. Specifically, precautions will be added to the CW system operating procedure to identify the potential vulnerability for debris intrusion associated with starting CW pumps with the unit on-line. The procedures will also include guidance for use of MFP turbine condenser waterbox lancing when starting a CW pump with a unit on-line.

05000529/LER-2001-001Docket Number19 March 2001

On March 19, 2001, Unit 2 was in MODE 1, operating at approximately 100 percent power when augmented testing revealed that a single main steam safety valve (MSSV) had an as-found lift pressure above the Technical Specification limit of -F/- 3 percent of design lift pressure. The single MSSV is believed to have experienced a sticking phenomenon resulting from the valve disc bonding with the nozzle seat.

The valve was reset per plant procedures to +/-1% of the required setpoint.

Previous similar events have been reported in LERs 50-529/2000-009, 50-529/1999-002, 50-530/1998-003, 50-528/1998-004, 50-529/1997-001, and 50-530/1997-003.

05000333/LER-1997-001, Forwards LER 97-001-01,manual Reactor Scram Occurred Due to Fouling of Circulating Water Sys Traveling Screens.Revised LER Being Submitted to Amend Info Reported in CA 6 & 7FitzPatrick13 February 1998Forwards LER 97-001-01,manual Reactor Scram Occurred Due to Fouling of Circulating Water Sys Traveling Screens.Revised LER Being Submitted to Amend Info Reported in CA 6 & 7
05000482/LER-1996-001, Revises Commitment Made in LER 96-001-00 Re Repair/Rework of CWS Condenser Water Box Air Release Valves.New Committed Date for Refurbishment of Valves Will Be 980430Wolf Creek12 September 1997Revises Commitment Made in LER 96-001-00 Re Repair/Rework of CWS Condenser Water Box Air Release Valves.New Committed Date for Refurbishment of Valves Will Be 980430
05000333/LER-1991-032FitzPatrick1 May 1993LER 91-032-01:on 911226,determined That During Postulated CR Fire,Existing Design of Circulating Water Sys Intake Structure Deicing Heaters Outside Design Basis.Caused by Omission of Heaters in Analyses.Fsar revised.W/930501 Ltr
05000311/LER-1983-013, Forwards LER 83-013/03L-0.Detailed Event Analysis EnclSalem6 May 1983Forwards LER 83-013/03L-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl
05000272/LER-1982-050, Forwards Corrected LER 82-050/04L-0.Detailed Event Analysis EnclSalem6 October 1982Forwards Corrected LER 82-050/04L-0.Detailed Event Analysis Encl