ML20151U836

Ro:On 880715,discovered That Fission Chamber Containing 4 Uci U-235 & 0.05 Uci U-238 Missing.Accountability Program Upgraded to More Rigorously Incorporate Small Quantities of non-fuel SNM

ML20151U836
Person / Time
Site:	Big Rock Point File:Consumers Energy icon.png
Issue date:	08/11/1988
From:	Frisch R CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM)
References
NUDOCS 8808190267
Download: ML20151U836 (1)

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Consumers Power rowsmna  ;

mumaaws encaness l oeneral offices: 1945 West Pernell Road, Jackson, MI 49201. ($17) 788-0550 August 11, 1988 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 DOCKET 50-155 - LICENSE DPR BIG ROCK POINT PLANT -

ACCOUNTABILITY OF NON-FUEL SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL Nuclear Regulatory Commission Information Notice 88-34 was issued on May 31, 1988 and discussed recent non-fuel special nuclear material (SNM) material control and accounting inspections at several facilities. During our review, initiated as a result of this notice, it was determined that our inventory records had not adequately addressed small quantities of non-fuel SNM. Further review and updating of non-fuel SNM files was accomplished. ,

While updating these files, we were unable to locate a fission chamber for which we had an NRC-741 form. This chamber had been shipped to us in 1984 by i Pacific Cas and Electric (Humboldt Bay Nuclear Plant). In accordance with  ;

10CFR70.52(a) the NRC was verbally notified of the utssing fission chamber upon discovery on July 15, 1988. This submittal is a follow-up report of the event. i The weight of special nucicar material contained in the unit was two grams. A thorough search of the plant facilities was unable to locate the chamber. It is speculated that the fission chamber was discarded during a general clean-up of the reactor deck in 1985 and sent to a disposal facility for burial. The curie content is calculated to be 4.00 901 of uranium-235 and 0.05 pCi of uranium-238. All other fission chambers on site are verified to correspond by serial number to those documented in our files.

Our accountability program is being upgraded to more rigorously incorporate small quantities of non-fuel special nuclear material. This upgrade includes tighter procedural control over item control areas containing small quantities of non-fuel special nucicar material. A Nuclear Material Transaction Report will be issued for the unaccounted material in our next semiannual accountability report.

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Ralpi R Frihch Senior Licensing Analyst 2 CC Administrator, Region III, NRC NRC Resident Inspector - Big Rock Point Plant f

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