Nuclear Event – Manual Reactor Shutdown, Equipment Failure: Limerick Nuclear Power Plant, Pennsylvania

North America – USA | State of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Limerick Nuclear Plant
Location: 40°13’36.0″N 75°35’14.0″W
Present Operational Age: ~30 years
Event: RPS ACTUATION – CRITICAL

MANUAL REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO UNEXPECTED CORE FLOW CHANGE

“Limerick Unit 2 was manually scrammed from 100 [percent] power at 0900 [EDT] on 6/1/2016 in accordance with plant procedure OT-112 ‘Unexpected/Unexplained change in core flow’ when both 2A and 2B Recirculation Pump Adjustable Speed Drives (ASDs) tripped due to an electrical fault. The shutdown was normal and the plant is stable in Hot Shutdown with normal pressure control via the Main Steam Bypass valves to the Main Condenser and normal level control using Feedwater. The Manual RPS actuation is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(2).”

All rods inserted fully on manual scram and the plant is in a normal shutdown electrical line up. Unit 1 was not affected by this event.

The licensee plans to issue a press release.

The licensee notified local counties and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.

Source: NRC  Event Number: 51968

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