Headquarters Daily Report
NOVEMBER 26, 1999
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REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT
ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED
HEADQUARTERS X
REGION I X
REGION II X
REGION III X
REGION IV X
PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION IV NOV. 26, 1999
Licensee/Facility: Notification:
Entergy Operations, Inc. MR Number: 4-99-0026
River Bend 1 Date: 11/26/99
St Francisville,Louisiana Telephone call from RI
Dockets: 50-458
BWR/GE-6
Subject: FAILURE OF LOWER FUEL TRANSFER POOL GATE PNEUMATIC SEAL
Discussion:
On November 24, 1999, at approximately 3:20 p.m. a pneumatic seal on a
gate between the lower spent fuel pool and the lower fuel transfer cavity
failed. The lower fuel transfer cavity, which includes the access to the
inclined fuel transfer tube to the upper refueling pool, had been drained
for maintenance. The seal failure resulted in flooding of the lower fuel
transfer cavity and lowering of level in the lower spent fuel pool. Once
the level in the two pools equalized, the licensee estimated an overall
decrease in level in the lower spent fuel pool of approximately 4-5 feet.
Operators responded to a spent fuel pool low level alarm, secured the
lower spent fuel pool cooling pumps, and initiated actions to restore
level in the lower spent fuel pool. Spent fuel pool cooling was restored
at approximately 6:24 p.m., and level was restored to normal at
approximately 1:38 a.m. on November 25. Spent fuel pool temperatures
increased approximately 2 degrees F during the event. Radiation levels in
the vicinity of the spent fuel pool increased approximately 25-30
millirem per hour, but have returned to normal.
The resident inspector was onsite at the time and responded to the event.
The licensee has formed a Significant Event Review Team to evaluate the
event. Long-term corrective actions will not begin before November 29.
Regional Action:
The Resident Inspector will continue to monitor licensee actions.
Supplemental inspection resources will be determined once the licensee's
long-term plans are better understood.
Contact: Norman Garrett (225)635-3193
Bill Johnson (816)860-8148
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