ENS 48680
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:20 Dec 23, 2012 | |
| Title | Minor Incidental Uranium Hexafluoride Release |
| Event Description | Note this is a late report (1/17/2013).
During December 2012, the C-360 Toll Transfer and Sample building experienced three incidents where the Laboratory Process Gas Leak Detection (PGLD) system was actuated. No visible smoke was ever seen. Subsequent bioassay samples of personnel in the area confirmed that minor exposures did occur, although no work restrictions were required. The exposures confirm that the PGLD actuations were due to actual minor incidental uranium hexafluoride releases. Investigation and testing found that the first two incidents were caused by a small pinhole leak in instrument tubing and the third incident was caused by slight leakage around the stem of a small instrument valve. These three events were evaluated for reportability at the time they occurred, but it was determined they did not meet our reporting criteria. However, after further evaluation and discussion with NRC staff, USEC is conservatively reporting the incidents. The actuations occurred on December 22, 23, and 29, 2012. Upon each actuation, the system automatically closed the appropriate valves as designed. Response to each leak consisted of atmospheric sampling for HF and radiological swipes per procedure along with precautionary bioassay samples. The atmospheric sampling and radiological swipes on the first release were negative and the system was returned to service. The second incident the next day was similar to the first and again the immediate samples were negative. Bioassay results were then obtained from the previous night and showed a detectable exposure. With confirmation of a small leak, helium leak detection was utilized to find the small pinhole leak. The third incident was due to slight leakage around a valve stem that was discovered by soap testing the valve and evidence of some visible oxides on the valve stem. These types of releases are incidental and do not have the potential for impact on the health and safety of personnel or the public. These incidents are being conservatively reported as a 24-hour event based on SAR 6.9 Table 1, J.2 as an Unplanned Actuation of a Q Safety System." An automatic or manual actuation of a Q safety system that results from an event or condition that has the potential for significant impact on the health or safety of personnel. Events having the potential for significant Impact are those events where actual plant conditions existed that the system was designed to protect against. The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant Paducah, Kentucky (NRC Region 2) | |
| License number: | GDP-1 |
| Reporting | |
| Other Unspec Reqmnt | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+611.67 h25.486 days <br />3.641 weeks <br />0.838 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | David Petty 17:00 Jan 17, 2013 |
| NRC Officer: | Charles Teal |
| Last Updated: | Jan 17, 2013 |
| 48680 - NRC Website | |
Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant with Other Unspec Reqmnt | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 495442013-11-17T20:17:00017 November 2013 20:17:00
[Table view]Other Unspec Reqmnt, 10 CFR 76.120(a)(4) Alert Due to Storm Damage on Site ENS 486802012-12-23T05:20:00023 December 2012 05:20:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Minor Incidental Uranium Hexafluoride Release ENS 473072011-09-30T13:10:00030 September 2011 13:10:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Hydraulic Leak Contained on Site- State Officials Notified ENS 470992011-07-27T09:15:00027 July 2011 09:15:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt, 10 CFR 76.120(a)(4) Alert Declared Due to Onsite Release of Fluorine/Chlorinated Fluorine Gas Mixture ENS 464872010-12-17T15:37:00017 December 2010 15:37:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Diesel Fuel Oil Spill Contained on Site - Federal and State Officials Notified ENS 447762009-01-15T02:39:00015 January 2009 02:39:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Ongoing Recirculating Cooling Water Leak at C337A Facility ENS 447442008-12-28T10:45:00028 December 2008 10:45:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt 24 Hour Report - Actuation of Leak Detection System Due to Minor Process Gas Leak ENS 446042008-10-27T07:39:00027 October 2008 07:39:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Concurrent Notification to Nrc of Pcb Spill ENS 444482008-08-28T16:43:00028 August 2008 16:43:00 10 CFR 76.120(c)(2), Other Unspec Reqmnt Leak in High Pressure Fire Water System ENS 443102008-06-21T04:25:00021 June 2008 04:25:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt, Part 70 App A (C) Notification to Kentucky Ert Due to Exceeding Permit Limits at Outfall ENS 438642007-12-23T09:58:00023 December 2007 09:58:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt, 10 CFR 76.120(c)(1) Small Uf6 Process Leak ENS 438292007-12-07T02:44:0007 December 2007 02:44:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt, 10 CFR 76.120(c)(1) Unplanned Safety System Actuation and Contamination Event ENS 438282007-12-06T21:50:0006 December 2007 21:50:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt, 10 CFR 76.120(c)(1) Unplanned Safety System Actuation and Contamination Event ENS 437872007-11-15T15:15:00015 November 2007 15:15:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Safety System Actuation Due to Incidental Uf6 Release ENS 436622007-09-25T05:05:00025 September 2007 05:05:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Leaking Sulfuric Acid Tank ENS 433852007-05-24T13:15:00024 May 2007 13:15:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Offsite Notification Made to Another Government Agency ENS 421442005-11-15T19:30:00015 November 2005 19:30:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Reportable Incident Due to Deviation from Technical Specification Requirements ENS 414652005-03-06T17:40:0006 March 2005 17:40:00 Other Unspec Reqmnt Small Hydrogen Fluoride Leak 2013-11-17T20:17:00 | |