ML20033D962

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Discusses Suspected Leaking Cs-137 Source Capsules During Shipment from Radiation Sterilizers,Inc to Ornl.Capsules Shipped in Model GE-600.Proposed Procedures to Assure Dryness by Blowing Water Out of Canister Acceptable
ML20033D962
Person / Time
Site: 07105980
Issue date: 09/13/1988
From: Macdonald C
NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:
NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
Shared Package
ML20033D963 List:
References
FOIA-90-29 NUDOCS 8809190302
Download: ML20033D962 (2)


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PVacca MEMORANDUM FOR: The Files n

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Charles E. MacDonald, Chief E

Transportation Branch d

Division of Safeguards and 1

Transportation, NMSS

SUBJECT:

SHIPMENT OF RADIATION STERILIZERS, INC. (RSI) SUSPECTED 1

LEAKING Cs-137 SOURCE CAPSULES IN MODEL NO. GE-600 CASK

REFERENCES:

(1) Memo, MacDonald to files, dated September 7, 1988 s.

(2) Memo, Rawl to Odegaarden, dated September 2, 1988 tiK The staff agreed to the shipment of a potentially leaking Cs-137 capsule from N

RSI to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) on August 17,1988(Reference 1)

"l in the Model No. GE-600 cask.

The procedures reviewed by the staff concluded that only 1 gram of water would

.g remain in the encapsulation canister.

Upon opening the canister in the Hot 2;

Cells at ORNL on August 18, 1988, about 100 grams of water was found in the a;

canister. As a result of this failure of the procedures further shipments of suspected leaking Cs-137 source capsules were suspended until revised procedures could be developed and tested.

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The proposed procedures in Reference 2 assure dryness by blowing the water out 5

of the canister with nitrogen gas through a dip leg in the canister. This P

would be followed by a purge with dry nitrcgen gas and the sealing of the 4

inlet and outlet lines. An added T-fitting in the inlet line on the canister will then be opened and a vacuum will be introduced into the canister.

Pressure in the canister will be reduced to below the saturated vapor pressure of water T

at the prevailing pool temperature and be held for 30 minutes. The vacuum will 3

then be broken by the introduction of helium into the capsule followed by reducing N

the pressure again in the capsule. This will be repeated twice.

Then helium at O

10 psig will be introduced into the capsule and a bubble check preformed on all e

seals in the pool.

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4R The staff believes the revised procedures with vacuum drying of the capsules 3

for the proposed content meets the requirement of 10 CFP. Part 71.

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Charles E. MacDonald, Chief E

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71 5980 CEMacDonald CRChappell L

RH0degaarden(2) NMSS r/f gy EPEaston PVacca W

MEMORANDUM FOR: The Files SGTB r/f a.

Charles E. MacDonald, Chief j.

FROM:

Transportation Branch d,

Division of Safegtiards and n

Transportation. HMSS t

SHIPMENT OF RADIATING STERILIZERS, INC. (RSI) SUSPECTED w.f

SUBJECT:

LEAK 1HG Cs-137 SOURCE CAPSULES IN MODEL NO. GE-600 CASK 0,..

i Note dated July 7,1988 (Heiskeli to MacDonald))

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REFERENCES:

13, 1988 (Heiskell to MacDonald Note dated July Note dated August 4, 1988 (Heiskell to MacDonald j

50 The NRC staff has reviewed the informaticn provided by the above refprences a

concerning the. shipment of possible leaking C.137 capsules from RSI, Decatur,

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The sources will be contained

$j Georgia to ORNL in the Model No. GE.600 cask. individually in an encapsu f

9' 5.(b)(1) of Certificate of Compliance No. 5980, 4

Pressure drop tests will be performed to ensure a leak-tight seal of 1x10 a

t The valves are protected from impact conditions of transport,

@j atm.cc/sec.

A detailed structural analysis was not submitted, but the design appearsA sma i

reasonable and sufficient.

N canister following the drying procedure.

y The staff believes the proposed contents meets the requirements of 10 CFR

+^j Part 71.

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h-Charles E. MacDonald, Chief

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Transportation Branch 1

Division of Safeguards and Transportation, HMSS 3

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