ML20237H695
| ML20237H695 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07001113 |
| Issue date: | 08/19/1987 |
| From: | Bernero R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20237H665 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8708250114 | |
| Download: ML20237H695 (5) | |
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- i UNITED STATES i NUCLEAP REGULATORY COMMISSIGN l In the matter of GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ) Docket 70-1113 P. O. Box 780 ) License SNM-1097 Wilmington, NC 28402 )
l ORDER MODIFYING LICENSE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY l
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General Electric Company is the holder of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) License No. SNM-1097 that authorizes it to possess and use special nuclear material for, among other things, the heating, emptying, filling, or shipping i
of uranium hexafluoride (UF6 ) in 48- and 30-inch diameter cylinders. The license was most recently renewed on June 29, 1984 and is due for renewal on June 30, 1989.
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On July 24, 1987, the U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Operations Office Safety Division (DOE), notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of !
parallel cracks that were observed in and around the- threads of 1-inch valves used in 30- and 48-inch diameter uranium hexafluoride cylinders. The cracks were !
observed in the valve threads of valves in lots 17 and 20 manufactured by Superior Valve Company. NRC licensees were notified by phone to look for defects in valves in these lots. On July 29, 1987, after further investigation, DOE again notifiad reported to NRC that Superior valves in lots 16 through 22 inclusive should be suspect for thread cracking. The affected lots were later 8708250114 870819 PDR ADOCK 07001113 ;
C PDR
s confirmed to be lots 16 through 22 inclusive. DOE is in the process of determining the reasons for the cracking and recommend that cylinders fitted with 1-inch valves in lots 16 through 22 not be filled, emptied, heated, or shipped until a determination of their safety is made. NRC does not have objections to the use of 30- and 48-inch cylinders refitted with valves not in the affected lots but cautions that valves be thoroughly inspected before l refitting and that valve changes be made using approved procedures.
Superior Valve Cornpany fabricated about 4,500 valves in lots 16 through 22.
Of these, about 60 percent were designated for DOE use, and about 40 percent of the valves were procured for the private sector. The valves, fabricated from l
aluminum-silicon-bronze alloy, have been in use for rany years by industry for i this application without incident. The defect observed by DOE is a parallel cracking of the 1-inch valve thread used to fit the valve to the cylinder. Valves in the affected lots, lots 16 through 22, can be identified by a lot number i
stamped in the body of the valve. Further identification of the valve and its applications may be found in ORO 651 Rev 4, " URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE: Handling Procedures and Container Criteria."
Failure of a valve with a defect as noted above could potentially cause a UF6 release if sheared from a cylinder during installation or removal, handling the valve during operation, or by accidental impact on the valve. Such a release could cause injury from the toxic fumes of the reaction products uranyl fluoride I
and hydrofluoric acid.
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For the reasons given above, to avoid unnecessary health and safety risks, I have determined that valves identified as potentially defective should be removed from service and other valves manufactured by Superior Valve Company should be inspected before further use. Furthermore, I have determied in the '1 interest of public health and safety, these measures should be made immediately effective.
l III Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 161b,1611, and 161o of the Atomic Energy l Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission's regulations' in 10 CFR Parts 2, 40, and 70, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THAT LICENSE NUMBER SNM-1097 l IS PODIFIED AS FOLLOWS:
- 1. General Electric Company shall not fill, heat, empty, or deliver to I a carrier for transport 48-inch and 30-inch uranium hexafluoride cylinders fitted with Superior Valve Company 1-inch valves manufactured in Superior Valve Company lots numbered 16 through 22. !
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- 2. All 1-inch valves procured in your warehouse stock manufactured by Superior Yt.lve Company shall be visually inspected. The valves shall be reinspected prior to fitting to a cylinder. Defects j noted curing these inspections shall be reported to the Administrator
.i' of tt4 appropriate NRC Regional office.
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The Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, may relax or ,
rescind any of the above conditions upon a showing by;the licensee of good cause.
I The licensee, or any other person who has an interest adversely affected j by this Order, may request a hearing within 20 days of the.date of its issuance.
If a person other than the licensee _ requests a hearing, that person shall set d forth with particularity the manner in which the petitioner's interest is adversely affected by this Order and should address the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 2.714(d). Any answer or request for hearing shall be filed with l Mr. Richard E. Cunningham, Director, Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission, Washington, D.C. 20555, with a copy to the Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement, Office of the General Counsel, at the same address. Any request for a hearing shall not stay the immediate effectiveness of this Order. If a hearing is requested, the Commission will issue an Order designating the time and place for the hearing.
1 In the event a hearing is requested, the issue to be considered at such a hearing shall be whether this Order should be sustained.
FOR THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
. f~ - ~,~ - c I Robert M. Bernero, Acting Director '
l Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Dated at Silver Spring, MD i this 19th day of August 1987. !
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