Power Reactor
Event Number: 47744
Facility: SAN ONOFRE
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [ ] [ ] [3]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: RYAN TREADWAY
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 03/14/2012
Notification Time: 18:20 [ET]
Event Date: 03/14/2012
Event Time: 11:20 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 03/16/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION
Person (Organization):
CHUCK CAIN (R4DO)
Unit
SCRAM
Code
RX CRIT
3
N
N
Initial
PWR
Initial RX Mode
0
Current
PWR
Cold Shutdown
Current RX Mode
0
Cold Shutdown
Event Text
UNIT 3 STEAM GENERATOR TUBES FAILED IN-SITU PRESSURE TESTING
"On January 31, 2012, Unit 3 was shut down due to detection of a tube leak in one Steam Generator
(SG). The shutdown was previously reported on Event Notification # 47628. Southern California
Edison (SCE) has been performing in-situ pressure testing with non-radioactive water on tubes with
significant wear indications. On March 14, 2012, at approximately 1120 PDT, Unit 3 Steam
Generator (SG) E088 Tube R106 C78 did not meet the target performance criteria because leakage
exceeded 0.5 gallons per minute at the maximum pressure achieved during the test (2,884 psig).
This was the leaking tube that resulted in the Unit 3 shutdown.
"Subsequently, two additional tubes in Unit 3 SG E088 did not meet the target performance criteria
as follows: at 1249 PDT, Tube R102 C78 exceeded 0.5 gallons per minute at 3,268 psig and at 1425
PDT, Tube R104 C78 exceeded 0.5 gallons per minute at 3,180 psig. These occurrences are
reportable as an 8-hour notification to the NRC in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A).
Testing and inspection of Unit 3 steam generator tubes is ongoing to determine the extent and
cause of the observed wear. A follow-up notification will be made for additional in-situ pressure test
failures. The extent and cause of the condition will be addressed in the follow-up licensee event
report that will be submitted in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(ii)(A). Defective tubes will be
removed from service as required prior to Unit 3 plant startup.
"Unit 2 has been shut down since January 9, 2012 for a scheduled refueling outage. SCE previously
performed in-situ pressure testing of the tube with the most wear in Unit 2. Results from this test
demonstrated that the tube met the target performance criteria.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of this event."
* * * UPDATE FROM LEE KELLY TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 2108 EDT ON 3/15/2012 * * *
"In-situ pressure testing on Unit 3 steam generator tubes was started on March 14, 2012 and is
ongoing. On March 15, 2012, four additional tubes in Unit 3 SG E088 did not meet the target
performance criteria of three-times normal pressure conditions as follows: (1) At 1109 PDT, Tube
R100 C80 failed at 4,739 psig; (2) at 1437 PDT, Tube R107 C77 failed at 5,160 psig; (3) at 1604
PDT, Tube R101 C81 failed at 4,889 psig; and (4) at 1734 PDT, Tube R98 C80 failed at 4,886 psig.
"Testing and inspection of Unit 3 steam generator tubes is ongoing to determine the extent and
cause of the observed wear. Follow-up notifications will be made for any additional in-situ pressure
test failures."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Cain).
* * * UPDATE FROM LEE KELLY TO JOHN SHOEMAKER AT 2115 EDT ON 3/16/12 * * *
"In-situ pressure testing on Unit 3 steam generator tubes was started on March 14, 2012 and is
ongoing. On March 16, 2012, one additional tube in Unit 3 SG E088 did not meet the target
performance criteria of three-times normal pressure conditions as follows: at 1216 PDT, Tube R99
C81 failed at 5,026 psig.
"Testing and inspection of Unit 3 steam generator tubes is ongoing to determine the extent and
cause of the observed wear. Follow-up notifications will be made for any additional in-situ pressure
test failures."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Cain).