PNO-I-97-066A, on 971107,return of Intermodal Containers to Cabot Corp Update Made.Nrc Continuing to Review & Evaluate Cabot Efforts to Characterize Ores Filtered Press Cake & Package in Compliance W/Dot Regulations for Shipment
| ML20199A472 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 04006940 |
| Issue date: | 11/17/1997 |
| From: | Kinneman J, Ullrich B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-I-97-066A, PNO-I-97-66A, NUDOCS 9711170193 | |
| Download: ML20199A472 (2) | |
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November 17, 1997 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PHO-I-97-066A Thio preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE cofoty or public interest significance. The information is as initially rocoived without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region I staff in King of Prunsia, Pennsylvania on this date. ,
Facility Licensee Emeraency Classification Cabot Corporation Notification of Unusual Event Cabot Corporation Alert P.O. BOX 1608 Site Area Emergency ;
Boyertown, Pennsylvania 19512 General Emergency Dockots: 04006940 License No: SMB-920 X Not Applicable Subjects UPDATE - RETURN OF INTERMODAL CONTAINERS TO CABOT CORPORATION This updates information regarding leaking intermodal containers
-identified in Toronto, Canada which are being returned through Buffalo, New York and Taylor, Pennsylvania to Cabot Corporation (Cabot) in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. Review of the return transportation has involved the Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) (Canada), the U.S.
Dapartment of Transportation (US DOT), the State of New York, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the NRC. On November 7, 1997, Cabot was granted an exemption by the US DOT pursuant to 49 CFR Sections 107.105 and 107.117 in order to return intermodal containers known to be, or suspected of, leaking. The intermodal containers meet the " strong, tight" criteria for shipment of Class 7 solid material, however, on ,
October 27, 1997, the AECB notified the NRC that liquid leakage was discovered on October 20 and October 23 in Toronto, Canada from 10 out of 34-intermodal containers in a rail yard. Cabot's exemption request
, included procedures for overpacking the containers and absorbing and neutralizing any liquid leakage.
The intermodal containers were used to transport " Ores Filtered Press Cake" (OFPC) material, which results from processing of uranium and thorium ores to recover tantalum, from Cabot to another processor in Utah for further mineral recovery. The OFPC contains about one percent total uranium and thorium by weight in an insoluble form. Cabot representatives have concluded that the containers which leaked held material from Bin 6 at their facility, and this has a higher liquid content than OFPC from other bina shipped previously. The liquid apparently separated from the OPPC during shipment. The liquid contains dilute hydrofluoric acid (HF) in concentrations up to about 4% HF. A i total of 107-containers, suspected of containing Bin 6 material, will be L returned to Cabot for stabilization and neutralization of the liquid.
On November 9, 1997, 17-gondola railcars, each holding two intermodal containers, reached Buffalo, New York where they were inspected by representatives of Cabot, CP Rail, and the US DOT Federal Railroad l Administration. One container, Intermodal Box IS26268, had accumulated
- l. liquid in the overwrap bag and was dripping. This railcar was held for further remediation. All other cars and containers were released and
- reached the Taylor, Pennsylvania rail yard on November 13, i Representatives of Cabot, the US DOT Federal Railroad Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Emergency 9711170193 971117 ,
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.PNO-1-97 066A '
ROcponse Program, the PADEP Bureau of Radiation Protection, and the NRC waro present to observe unloading activities and preparation for trcnsport,by truck to Cabot's facility in Boyertown. No leakage was id:ntified in any of the containers at the Taylor rail yard.
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On November 14, 1997, representatives of the US DOT Federal Railroad Administration, the PADEP Emergency Response Program, PADEP Bureau of Rcdiction ?rotection, PADEP Waste Mancgement Program, and the NRC were proccnt at Cabot's Boyertown f acility to observe unloading of the intormodal containers from trucks, treatment of the OFPC, and re-packcging of the material. The NRC is continuing to review and evelaate Cabot's efforts to characterize the OPPC and package it in compliance with DOT regulations for shipment of the OFPC.
Tho Region I Office of Public Affairs is prepared to respond to media; inquiries. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New York and US DOT have been informed. The information in this notification is current as of 8 a.m. on November 17, 1997.
Contact:
Betsy Ullrich John Kinneman (610)337-5040 (610)337-5252
.