Salem 2 is still offline – note the update – condenser water contained radioactive tritium.

Norm

 

 

Power Reactor

Event Number: 43382

Facility: SALEM
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: KEN McKUNE
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN

Notification Date: 05/24/2007
Notification Time: 05:11 [ET]
Event Date: 05/24/2007
Event Time: 02:32 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/25/2007

Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)( iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL

Person (Organization) :
EUGENE COBEY (R1)

 

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX CRIT

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

2

A/R

Y

100

Power Operation

0

Hot Standby

Event Text

AUTOMATIC REACTOR TRIP ON LOW STEAM GENERATOR WATER LEVEL

"This 4-hour notification is being made to report that Salem Unit 2 automatically tripped on low steam generator water level. The automatic trip was preceded by lowering steam generator feed pump suction pressure, followed by the trip of both steam generator feed pumps on low suction pressure. The cause of the low suction pressure was due to a condensate system breach that occurred in the Condensate Polisher building. The condensate polishing system has been isolated and condensate pressure has stabilized.

"Salem Unit 2 is currently in mode 3 with reactor coolant system temperature at 547 degrees with pressure at 2235 psig. Auxiliary feedwater pumps 21, 22, and 23 started automatically, as expected, due to the low steam generator level. Decay heat removal is via the steam dumps to the main condenser. All equipment functioned as designed. There were no personnel injuries.

"A 15 minute notification was made to the State of New Jersey due to hydrazine laden water exiting the Condensate Polisher building and entering the storm drainage system."

All control rods fully inserted following the reactor trip. Emergency Diesel Generator are available, if needed. The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE AT 17:18 ON 5/25/2007 FROM ERIC POWELL TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *

"In addition to hydrazine that was contained in the condenser water that exited the Condensate Polisher Building, supplemental samples determined that the water also contained tritium at approximately 50,000 picoCuries per liter. The state of New Jersey was updated with this information."

Notified the R1DO (Trapp).

The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.