ML20141F090
| ML20141F090 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant |
| Issue date: | 06/20/1997 |
| From: | Polston S UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM), NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| References | |
| GDP-97-1018, NUDOCS 9707020034 | |
| Download: ML20141F090 (3) | |
Text
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Enrichment Corporation Paducah Site Ofnce L-P.o. Box 1410 Paducah, KY 42001 Tel: 502 441-6806 Fax: 502 441-6803 June 20,1997 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Administrator, Region III GDP-97-1018 Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP), Docket No. 70-7001, Nuclear Critlailty Control of Legacy Equipment at PGDP On June 19,1997, during a root cause analysis investigation of separate problems related to the handling and storage oflegacy process equipment we discovered that controls necessary for double contingency have not been completely implemented for two NCSAs. We initially informed you of this situation in Event Notification Worksheet Number 32516 on June 19,1997.
While two ibet edge-to-edge spacing has been accomplished for potentially fissile PGDP legacy equipment, the mass and assay of fissile material in all of this equipment has not been determined.
Although double cor.tingency cannot be demonstrated for some legacy process equipment, the potential for an item to contain an unsafe mass i.; very unlikely as described in the Even!
Notificson Worksheet.
We have taken the immediate action of placing the plant in a safe condition by ceasing the movement of all potentially fissile material that falls within the coverage of the two NCSAs (GEN-27, covering process equipment removed at Paducah, and GEN-20, covering process equipment from Oak Ridge and Portsmouth). Administrative controls are in place to allow movement of non-legacy material such as product cylinders.
We have initiated comprehensive walkdowns of all buildings containing potentially fissile material to establish an accurate inventory oflegacy equipment. These walkdowns will be completed by midnight on June 23,1997.
We are also in the process of thoroughly investigating and evaluating the root cause of this event.
As a result of this review, we will make the appropriate changes to prevent recurrence and to fully ensure the double contingency principle is met. These actions will be completed prior to resuming movement oflegacy equipment.
N Fo4 o '
9707020034 970620 l
PDR ADOCK 07007001
4 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 2 June 23,1997 Plans are being developed to perform characterizations of the legacy equipment to verify that no significant deposits exist. Full characterization of potential deposits will follow to establish double contingency within 45 days.
We will notify you in writing when the actions addressed in this letter are completed.
Ifyou have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Bill Sykes at (502) 441-6796.
Sincerely, lM
~0Y1 Steve Polston, General Manager Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant SP:SRC:lcl J
cc: NRC Region III NRC Senior Resident Inspector, PGDP
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