ML20134C273

Forwards Insp Rept 70-0036/96-03 on 960822-28.Weaknesses in Chemical & Radiological Sampling Performed During Event, Identified

ML20134C273
Person / Time
Site:	07000036
Issue date:	09/20/1996
From:	Beach A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Kaiser B ABB COMBUSTION ENGINEERING NUCLEAR FUEL (FORMERLY
Shared Package
ML20134C275	List: ML20134C273 ML20134C287
References
EA-96-328, NUDOCS 9609270013
Download: ML20134C273 (4)

Text

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September 20, 1996 go f

EA No.96-328 1

-Dr. Bruce Kaiser Vice President, Fuel Operations ABB Combustion Engineering 3300 State Road P j Hematite, MO 63047

SUBJECT:

NRC REGION III AUGMENTED INSF ON TEAM REVIEW 0F THE AUGUST 22, i 1996, CHEMICAL REACTION EVEN~i sEPORT NO. 070-00036/96003(DNMS))

Dear Dr. Kaiser:

} On August 22 through August 28, 1996, an NRC Augmented Inspection Team (AIT) conducted an inspection at your Hematite Fuel Fabrication Facility. The inspection focused on the circumstances surrounding an unanticipated, exothermic chemical reaction which occurred at approximately 7:50 a.m., on

August 22, 1996, in the large evaporation tank just outside of Building 240.

Specifically, the AIT focused on the chemical and radiological consequences of 4 the event, your response to the event, your root cause investigation and initial corrective actions, and whether or not there were any precursor events.

The AIT was cc m red of Messrs. G. Shear (Team Leader), J. Jacobson, and J. House, of tMs office, and W. Troskoski of the Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Ss.T. guards (NMSS). The enclosed copy of our AIT report identifies areas examined by the team. At the conclusion of the inspection, the AIT discussed its findings with you and others of your staff during a public ,

meeting on August 28, 1996.

The AIT concluded that there were r. Indications of offsite chemical or radiological consequences as a resu, t of the event. In addition, the team concluded that the response by your management and staff appropriately implemented the guidance provided in your Emergency Plan and associated Implementing Procedures. The AIT did, however, identify weaknesses in the chemical and radiological sampling performed during the event.

The AIT determined that the root causes of the event appeared to be inadequate i system design and the lack of management oversight for the evaporation 1  :

process. The design of the outside hold and evaporation tank system did not j ,

meet the industry's standards for isolating acids and bases, and there were inadequate controls over material that was placed in the system. Inadequate operating procedures, out of date Process & Instrument Diagrams, inadequate labeling and component identification, inadequate operator training, and a 4 lack of maintenance were contributing causes. Although many of the issues identified by the AIT were known by your staff, they remained unresolved.

2'70033 i

• ,0FFICIAL RECORD COPY 9609270013 960920 I PDR ADOCK 07000036

_ J

Dr. Bruce Kaiser In addition, the AIT concluded that your staff had opportunities to identify the problems with the system design and control. Two precursor events 4 involving unanticipated vigorous reactions in the storage and evaporation tanks were not investigated to develop root causes and appropriate corrective actions.

It is not the responsibility of an AIT to determine compliance with NRC rules and regulations, or to recommend enforcement actions. These aspects will be reviewed during subsequent inspections.

In accordance with 10CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of

this letter and its enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR).  ;

1 We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this inspection.

Your cooperation with us is appreciated.

Sincerely, Original Signed by W.L. Axelson for A. Bill Beach Regional Administrator Docket No. 70-36 i 1

License No. SNM-33

Enclosures:

1. Inspection Report No. 070-00036/96003(DNMS)

2. AIT Charter

3. Chronology of Events  ;

cc w/encls: R. W. Sharkey, Director of Regulatory Affairs '

R. A. Kucera, Missouri Department of Natural Resources l

See Attached Distribution:

l DOCUMENT NAME: R:\INSPRPTS\FUELFAC\COM96003.DNM g_ . . ,.,.... _ ... . .... m c .c.,,.m .... .f o n .c.,,... .....f o ..

0FFICE DNMS:RIII O NMSS O DNMS:RI M ORA:RIII NAME Shear:ib/jkO'A TenEyck$YM81Pederson Beach DATE 09//9/96 09//T/96 09//f /96 09/ /96 0FFICIAL RECORD COPY

r l  !

Dr. Bruce Kaiser .

i i  !

In addition, the AIT concluded that your staff had at least two opportunities

to identify the problems with the system design and control. Two precursor

. events within:the last eight years involving unanticipated vigorous reactions

! in the storage and evaporation tanks were not investigated to develop root

causes and appropriate corrective actions.  !

! It is not the responsibility of an AIT to determine compliance with NRC rules j and regulations, or to recommend enforcement actions. These aspects will be

- reviewed during subsequent inspections.

4 ,

i In accordance with 10CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of f this letter and its enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR). .

i We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this inspection. i Your cooperation with us is appreciated.  ;

Sincerely, j Original Signed by W.L. Axelson for A. Bill Beach Regional Administrator Docket No. 70-36 License No. SNM-33

Enclosures:

1. Inspection Report No. 070-00036/96003(DNMS)

2. AIT Charter

3. Chronology of Events cc w/encls: R. W. Sharkey, Director of Regulatory Affairs -

R. A. Kucera, Missouri Department of Natural Resources S.pe Attached Distribution:

1 DOCUMENT NAME: R:\INSPRPTS\FUELFAC\COM96003.DNM I

g. . .< . . 2. . . . - n - e. , . .. i , , - e. , a ... i , , , -

7 )

0FFICE DNMS:RIII NMSS DNMS:RIII ORA:RUI// L NAME- Shear:ib/jk TenEyck Pederson Beach ['k DATE 09/ /96 09/ /96 09/ /96 09d/96 l OFFICIAL RECORD COPY (See previous concurrence page) 4

Dr. Bruce Kaiser 2 Distribution:

Chairman Jackson Commissioner Rogers Commissioner Dieus Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffigan, Jr.

R. R. Boyle, OCM '

J. M. Taylor, EDO

. H. L. Thompson, DEDS 1 V. M. McCree, OEDO T. S. Kress, ACRS E. L. Jordan, AE00 C. E. Rossi, AE00 J. Lieberman, OE J. R. Goldberg, OGC C. J. Paperiello, NMSS

. J. T. Greeves, NMSS E. Q. TenEyck, NHSS

, E. W. Brach, NMSS P. Ting, NMSS R. C. Pierson, NMSS W. M. Troskoski, NMSS A. E. Chaffee, NRR Regional Administrators RI, RII and RIV A. B. Beach, RIII ,

W. L. Axelson, RIII 1 J. L. Caldwell, RIII ,

G. E. Grant, RIII l J. Strasma, RIII

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B. L. Burgess, RIII bec w/encls: PUBLIC (IE07)  ;

0FFICIAL RECORD COPY