ML19211C833

Summary of 791206 Meeting W/Vendor in Silver Spring,Md Re Investigation of FL-10-1 Inner Container Problems

ML19211C833
Person / Time
Site:	07001143
Issue date:	12/19/1979
From:	Browne W NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:	Rouse L NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
References
NUDOCS 8001150051
Download: ML19211C833 (2)

Text

-

s-

~~

Distribution:

ocket File RECunningham TFCarter DEC 19 G79 NMSS R/F DANussbaumer FCAF R/F FFisher WGBrowne JEAyer JShafer LCRouse R0degaarden Docket No. 70-1143 License No. SNM-ll20 MEMORANDUM FOR: Leland C. Rouse, Chief Advanced Fuel and Spent Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Matetial Safety FROM:

Willis G. Browne Advanced Fuel and Spent Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety

SUMMARY

OF MEETING WITH WESTINGHOUSE - PLUT0NIUM FUELS DEVELOPMENT IJ.BORATORY (PFDL), AT SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND, DECEMBER 6,1979 Meetino Attendees:

- ' --. ?. :..... h :

Westinghouse NRC Jack J. Bastin Leland C. Rouse Jack L. Shoulders Richard H. Odegaarden John C. CWynar Willis G. Browne Ron DiPiazza Discussion:

Mr. Bastin said that Westinghouse PFDL has completed their investigation of the FL-10-1 1rtner container problems and that the final report will be forwarded to the NRC during the week of Dece:nber 10, 1979. Mr. Bastin, Mr. Shoulders and Mr Cwynar discussed the additional infonnation that had been obtained since the meeting on. November 16, 1979 and the conclusions they have reached as a result of this information.

It was discovered by SRL, through dye penetrant tests, that thewweld of the end cap on the FL-10-1 inner container was faulty and that there were two small channels through which gases could pass.

Photographs of metallographic sections,I th~vi-through these fault areas, that SRL had prepared showed the channels through the weld..

Based in the procedures used for loading the FL-10-1 inner container, welding of the end cap and then testing the integrity of the container, and the records of the operations perfonned by the PF,DL operator, it was clear that the helium leak 1744 249 8001150oSI OFFICE >

SURNAME >

OATE >

NRC Fo m 318A (4 79) NRCM 02040 e u.s. e ev e a - s =,....eme on-ic s em -.

n.

u c.

i w

p;

}

w ~...

~

DEC 191979 Leland C. Rouse....

check did not result in a position identification of the larger than normal leakiin the weld. Apparently the operator assumed that the seals on the test equipment were faulty on the basis of the long evacuation time that was necessary for checking the inner container integrity.

SRL provided PFDL with photographs of the bulged and collapsed cans that they had removed from the FL-10-1 inner shippina container (Serial Number RL 070). PFDL performed tests on similar cans and were able to essentially duplicatethe failure modes shown in the ~ photographs taken by SRL. They showed us the test cans and pointed out the similarities between the cans and the SRL photographs of the RL 070 cans.

3 PFDL concluded that aelium used to leak test the RL 070 s.hioping container.

~

I seals, entered the inner canister through the two channel defects in the weld bead of the top end cap and pressurized the inner container and the cans i

in the inner container. When the pipe cutter has used to remove the bottom end cap, the sudden depressurization of the inner container sithout releasing l

the pressure inside the cans, caused the cans to swell and caused the ejection j

of the cans from the open container.

Samples taken by SRL confirmed the presence of helium in the plastic bag contained atmosphere surrounding the i

j product cans.

l To prevent a recurrence of this type of problem in the future, PFDL recomends that their certificate of compliance (9009) be amended to require a dye penetrant test of all inner container welds, after completion of the leak test

j specified for the inner container under Item 9 of the Certificate of Compliance.

Mr. Odegaarden will review the final report when it is submitted.

I i

!S i

j Willis G. Browne Y

Advanced Fuel and Sr 4t Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and

]

Material Safety j

El 1

4 1744 MEto s

FCAF[

FCAF

.-a,

Xi..E.a,,,, ucds,,..,.,.

r.cwn

...............c 742 5

..,.,,.,0.a.., y......,...s,,,...

em *

i.c ou m i,.m us.J.

~ ' V *.......... -......................

s.

I-

....