ENS 45400
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:00 Sep 30, 2009 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Shutter on Nuclear Gauge Failed to Close |
| Event Description | The following information from the State of Illinois Emergency Management Agency via e-mail:
On September 30, the facility's radiation safety officer contacted the Agency to advise that a fixed gauge had failed to operate as intended. While performing routine safety and shutter condition checks, attempts to close the shutter on the level gauge were not successful. The gauge is operated in an elevated, open environment on a polymer process vessel and there are no occupiable workstations in the area. The safety officer reports that they believe the shutter could be rotated to the closed position if additional force were applied to the shutter arm. However, previous experience has shown such actions could result in the arm becoming sheared from the shutter. Attempts to apply additional lubricant and remove debris from the pathway not otherwise readily observed, did not improve the extent of closure. The process vessel involved is continuously operated and not scheduled for any routine maintenance at this time. The licensee continues to operate the line at this time with the shutter open. Warning notices have been posted near the gauge regarding the shutter operation and all operational supervisors and personnel responsible for the line have been made aware of the condition. Should an emergency condition exist the licensee is prepared to remove the gauge from the vessel and apply additional shielding. Arrangements are pending with the manufacturer to come on-site to perform an evaluation of the three year old device and make the necessary repairs or replace the device as necessary. Similar failures of this device have been noted in the past. The manufacturer states the common cause for those failures is poor or non-existent maintenance, operation of the gauge outside of its approved conditions and/or attempting to force operation of the shutter handle. The licensee indicated the necessary written report would be filed within the next 30 days. The gauge involved is an Ohmart Model SHF2 (S/N 74932) with a 80 millicurie Cs-137 source. See similar event report EN#45399 involving an Ohmart gauge with a stuck open shutter. Illinois Report Number IL0900075. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Equistar Chemicals Lp Morris, Illinois (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | IL-01737-01 |
| Organization: | Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+35.32 h1.472 days <br />0.21 weeks <br />0.0484 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Daren Perrero 16:19 Oct 1, 2009 |
| NRC Officer: | Bill Huffman |
| Last Updated: | Oct 1, 2009 |
| 45400 - NRC Website | |
Equistar Chemicals Lp with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 573172024-09-11T05:00:00011 September 2024 05:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State - Stuck Open Shutter ENS 493672013-09-18T05:00:00018 September 2013 05:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Stuck Shutter on Process Gauge ENS 476912012-02-22T06:00:00022 February 2012 06:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Stuck Gauge Shutter ENS 474112011-11-02T05:00:0002 November 2011 05:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Process Gauge Shutter Stuck Open ENS 454002009-09-30T05:00:00030 September 2009 05:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Shutter on Nuclear Gauge Failed to Close 2024-09-11T05:00:00 | |