ENS 54767
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:00 Jan 1, 2020 | |
| Title | Part 21 - Parts Manufactured Using Source Material Without a Specific License |
| Event Description | The following is a summary of information received from Piezotech, LLC:
Piezotech possessed and used source material, in the form of depleted uranium, without applying for and receiving a specific license in accordance with 10 CFR 40.31. The depleted uranium was used to manufacture piezoelectric ceramics which contained an "Unimportant Quantity" of depleted uranium as defined in 10 CFR 40.13(c)(2)(ii). Piezotech transferred the piezoelectric ceramics to several customers without first applying for and receiving a license for initial transfer of items containing source material in accordance with 10 CFR 40.52 and did not file initial transfer reports as required by 10 CFR 40.53. Piezotech suspects that a formulation to manufacture piezoceramics, named K180, was developed in the 1970s or 1980s. K180 uses depleted uranium as one of the doping materials in the manufacture of piezoceramics. The formulation uses an amount of depleted uranium that is less than 1 percent by weight. In January of 2020, an engineer raised a concern to Piezotech's General Manager and to its Compliance Director that the company may need an NRC license to use depleted uranium in making the K180 piezoceramic. A review of NRC regulations showed that this was the case and at that time all activity regarding K180 was halted. All material used in K180 manufacturing and all existing inventory and intermediate stage materials were segregated from manufacturing and the container of depleted uranium was secured in a locked cabinet where it currently remains. In February 2020, Piezotech commissioned a radiation survey of the facility and sampling occurred in all areas where K180 and its component materials were stored or processed. This survey indicated that all processing areas were at background radiation levels and all areas where the depleted uranium and K180 ceramics had been stored were below the annual exposure levels for untrained personnel. Piezotech has decided to discontinue manufacturing the K180 material. The depleted uranium will remain sealed in the original container and shipping crate, having all the original markings and labels and secured in a locked flameproof cabinet. Piezotech is making arrangements with an appropriately licensed facility for the proper disposal of the remaining depleted uranium and intermediate stage and finished K180 product. If in the future Piezotech decides to resume manufacturing the K180 material or any material using NRC regulated substances, Piezotech will apply for the required licenses and will not initiate any regulated manufacturing or sales activities until all applicable licenses have bee issued. For further information, contact: John Churchill Piezotech Compliance Director Phone: (301) 216-3002 FAX: (301) 330-8873 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Piezotech, Llc Indianapolis, Indiana (NRC Region 3) | |
| Organization: | Piezotech, Llc |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+4573.28 h190.553 days <br />27.222 weeks <br />6.264 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Eric Heidt 16:17 Jul 9, 2020 |
| NRC Officer: | Dan Livermore |
| Last Updated: | Jul 9, 2020 |
| 54767 - NRC Website | |
Piezotech, Llc with 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 547672020-01-01T04:00:0001 January 2020 04:00:00
[Table view]10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect Part 21 - Parts Manufactured Using Source Material Without a Specific License 2020-01-01T04:00:00 | |