Information Notice 1999-34, Potential Fire Hazard in the Use of Polyalphaolefin in Testing of Air Filter

Potential Fire Hazard in the Use of Polyalphaolefin in Testing of Air Filter
	ML993550113
Person / Time
Issue date:	12/28/1999
From:	Marsh L, Weber M; NRC/NMSS/FCSS, Operational Experience and Non-Power Reactors Branch
To:	;
	Weber M, Marsh L
References
	IN-99-034
	Download: ML993550113 (7)
	v • d • e

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 December 28, 1999 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 99-34: POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD INTHE USE OF

POLYALPHAOLEFIN IN TESTING OF AIR FILTERS

Addressees

All holders of licenses for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities.

Purpose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice to alert

addressees to a recent event in which a flame was emitted from a thermal aerosol generator

being used for in-place testing of a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The aerosol was

generated from a synthetic aliphatic hydrocarbon, polyalphaolefin (PAO). The flame did not

result in personnel injury, but it had the potential to create serious consequences. It is expected

that recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not NRC

requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response to this notice is required.

Description of Circumstances

On April 28, 1999, at the Department of Energy's West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP),

operations personnel were conducting in-place testing of a high-efficiency particulate air

(HEPA) filter on a main filter bank using a thermal aerosol generator (NUCON F-1000-DG

Model F) to produce a test aerosol of polyalphaolefin (PAO).

In accordance with West Valley's established procedure, the generator heater temperature had

stabilized at 720 OF. The liquid flow valve was placed in the "on" position and adjusted to

produce a predetermined flow rate. Then the vapor adjust control valve (carrier air) was

opened slowly until a steady supply of aerosol was observed. As the vapor adjust control valve

was slowly opened, a 2-to 3-foot-long flame was emitted from the generator discharge port.

The attending operator was able to extinguish the flame by immediately closing both the vapor

control valve and the liquid flow valve.

The thermal aerosol generator had earlier been used to generate dioctyl phthalate (DOP) test

aerosol. Such an aerosol is produced in the generator at a heater block temperature of

approximately 720°F; the auto-ignition temperature of DOP is 7350 F. The heater block

temperature is not adjustable, but the temperature regulator can be replaced with one that will

maintain the heater block temperature at about 625 0F, which is adequate for producing the

PAO aerosol while maintaining a margin below the PAO auto-ignition temperature of 650 0F.

WVDP had changed the test aerosol to PAO but had not modified the heater controls to

produce the lower temperature applicable to PAO.

ML993550113

IN 99-34 December 28, 1999 The operators actuated the two control valves in an order opposite to the order presented in the

vendor's operating manual. The vendor's manual recommends that airflow ("carrier air") be

initiated before establishing liquid flow.

Following the event, West Valley suspended all HEPA filter testing on site until corrective

actions were completed. The vendor of the thermal aerosol generator simulated the event

under the same flow conditions and valve manipulations. The vendor observed flames at the

aerosol discharge port in approximately 75 percent of the tests.

West Valley has modified its generator heater block controls and its valve operating procedures

appropriately and, in conjunction with the vendor, has modified the carrier air valve so that it

remains open a small amount even when in the closed position.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any

questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts

listed below, the appropriate regional office, or the appropriate Project Manager of the Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) or of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

(NMSS).

Michael F. Weber, Director Ledyard B. Marsh, Chief

Division of Fuel Cycle Safety Events Assessment, Generic Communications

and Safeguards and Non-Power Reactors Branch

Office of Nuclear Material Safety Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs

and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: Todd J. Jackson, Region I John P. Segala, NRR

610-337-5308 301-415-1858 E-mail: tii(&_nrc.pov E-mail: ipsla-nrc.,qov

Candice M. Drummond, NMSS

301-415-6433 E-mail: cmdO-nrc.aov

Attachments:

1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Attachment 1 IN99-34 December 28, 1999 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

99-33 Management of Wastes 12/28/99 All medical licensees

Contaminated With

Radioactive Materials

99-32 The Effect of the Year 2000 12/17 All NRC medical licensees

Issues on Medical Licensees

99-31 Operational Controls to Guard 11/17/99 All NRC licensed fuel cycle

Against Inadvertent Nuclear conversion, enrichment and

Critically fabrication facilities

99-30 Failure of Double Contingency 11/8/99 All fuel cycle licensees and

Based on Administrative certificates performing laboratory

Controls Involving Laboratory analysis to determine uranium

Sampling and Spectroscopic content, in support of

Analysis of Wet Uranium administrative criticality safety

Waste controls

99-29 Authorized Contents of Spent 10/28/99 All power reactor licensees and

Fuel Casks spent fuel storage licensees and

applicants

99-28 Recall of Star Brand Fire 9/30/99 All holders of licenses for nuclear

Protection Sprinkler Heads power, research and test

reactors, and fuel cycle facilities

99-27 Malfunction of Source 9/2/99 All medical licensees authorized

Retraction Mechanism in to conduct teletherapy treatments

Cobalt-60 Teletherapy

Treatment Units

99-26 Safety and Economic 8/24/99 All Distributors and/or

Consequences of Misleading Manufacturers of Generally

Marketing Information Licensed Products

99-24 Broad-Scope Licensees' 7/12/99 All medical licensees' of broad

Responsibilities for Reviewing scope and master materials

and Approving Unregistered licensees

Sealed Sources and Devices

Attachment 2 IN 99-34 December 28, 1999 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES