PNO-IV-04-014, Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office: Leak of Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid Gas Cylinder Near NRC Licensed Facility
| ML041770358 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Three Mile Island, 07200020  |
| Issue date: | 06/25/2004 |
| From: | Ray Kellar, Spitzberg D NRC Region 4 |
| To: | |
| References | |
| -RFPFR PNO-IV-04-014 | |
| Download: ML041770358 (1) | |
June 25, 2004 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE -- PNO-IV-04-014 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region IV, Arlington, Texas, staff on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification Department of Energy Notification of Unusual Event Idaho Operations Office Alert TMI-2 ISFSI __ Site Area Emergency Docket No.: 72-20 General Emergency License No.: SNM-2508 X Not Applicable
SUBJECT:
LEAK OF ANHYDROUS HYDROFLUORIC ACID GAS CYLINDER NEAR NRC LICENSED FACILITY DESCRIPTION:
On June 24, 2004, at approximately 1:41 p.m. (MDT), a site area emergency was declared by the Department of Energy (DOE), Idaho National Engineering and Enviromental Laboratory (INEEL). The site area emergency was declared under the non-licensed DOE emergency plan. The incident occurred in the same operational area as the NRC licensed DOE TMI-2 Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI). The emergency classification was due to an environmental incident that occurred at INEELs Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center involving a leak from an anhydrous hydrofluoric acid (HF) gas cylinder. The event occurred while INEEL representatives were removing 40-year-old cylinders from a pit located next to a road. A small, unknown quantity of HF was released to the atmosphere. Site responders placed the leaking cylinder into an overpack to contain the leak. The site area emergency was terminated at 3:01 p.m. (MDT).
The TMI-2 ISFSI was not impacted during the incident. As a precaution, the area surrounding the scene of the release was secured. All the employees working in the area were accounted for and there were no resultant injuries.
The State of Idaho INEEL Oversight Program has been notified concerning contents of this Preliminary Notification.
INEEL issued three (3) press releases during the incident. Region IV received notification of this incident by telephone from the licensee Emergency Response Facility.
This information has been discussed with the licensee and is current as of Noon (CDT) on June 25, 2004.
ADAMS ACCESSION NUMBER: ML041770358 CONTACTS: D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.D., 817-860-8191 DBS@NRC.GOV Ray L. Kellar, P.E., 817-860-8164 RLK2@NRC.GOV