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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 55809 | 29 March 2022 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Stuck Open Shutter | The following information was obtained from the state of Iowa via e-mail: When conducting routine shutter checks on an Ohmart/Vega SHLG-2 fixed gauge, the operator was not able to extend the plunger to move the source into a shielded position (use of hands and basic tools). The device is in a facility that is restricted access and unmanned due to chemical production. Unless manually operated for shutter checks or vessel maintenance, the standard position of this device is open. No increase of radiation levels compared to standard operating conditions. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) has contacted Vega for corrective action guidance and direct support. Initial guidance is the application of a coil lubricant and rotating the handle. Any action above this will be performed by a Vega service technician. The Licensee has a scheduled shutdown of the production line next week when they will schedule the Vega tech for support. Source/Radioactive Material: SEALED SOURCE GAUGE Manufacturer: OHMART CORP. Model Number: A-2102 IAEA Category: 3 Serial Number: 9849CN Radionuclide: Cs-137 Activity: 4 Ci (148 GBq) Iowa Event Number: IA220002
The following information was received from the state of Iowa via email: Update to Iowa Event No. IA220002 involving a stuck fixed nuclear gauge shutter operating on a low pressure separator on top of a vessel within the low-density production unit. On March 30, 2022, the RSO, under the direction of the manufacturer, removed a small amount of debris, applied Kroil lubricant to the shutter plunger, and was able to successfully close the Vega SHLG-2 gauge shutter. After an additional application of the Kroil lubricant, the gauge shutter operation was back to normal without resistance and no additional actions were necessary. The manufacturer instructed the RSO to apply the Kroil lubricant annually as a preventative measure which the licensee is planning on doing and there are no generic concerns. The 30-day written report was provided to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) on April 26, 2022. There was no exposure to any individuals to radiation from this event and IDPH considers this to be closed. Notified R3DO (Ziolkowski) | ||
| ENS 55754 | 24 February 2022 00:00:00 | Agreement State | Broken Source Cable | The following information was provided by the state of Louisiana via email: On February 24, 2022, at 0759 CST, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality received this event notification. The facility involved was Louisiana Integrated Polyethylene JV, LLC. On February 23, 2022, at 1800 CST, a Berthold device cable broke or disconnected in a vessel. The source cannot be retrieved back into a shielded condition. The gauge is a Berthold Model: SSC-200, source holder: LB 300 IRL, source S/N: 1405-11-16, 1000 mCi of Cs-137. Survey meter readings at the vessel are 400 mR/hr and 2 mR/hr at fifteen (15) feet. The facility has contacted the manufacturer to come assist in source retrieval within the pipe inside the vessel. Louisiana Event Report ID No.: LA 20220003 | ||
| ENS 52258 | 21 September 2016 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Stuck Shutter | The following was received by the State of Illinois via email: The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at Equistar Chemical notified the Agency (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) via email that while performing routine shutter tests of fixed gauges at their Morris, IL location, it became known that for one of the gauges, a shutter was stuck in the 'open' position. The affected Ohmart Vega model SH-F2 gauge contains 300 milliCi of Cs-137 and is mounted on a reactor vessel within a secure area at the plant. The associated process line for the vessel does not have any maintenance scheduled to occur until next year, therefore, no entry into the vessel should be necessary and the gauge is expected to remain in the 'on' position due to operational need. The gauge manufacturer has been contacted and advised of the situation. Equistar and Vega Americans are currently attempting to schedule a field service engineer to come on site to investigate the matter and make necessary repairs/replacement. The licensee has previous experience with events of this type due to the large number of devices in use and the stressful environment that exists at this site. The licensee is prepared to respond to any further deterioration that, although not likely, may occur. Plant personnel have been advised of the matter and the process line supervisors have been instructed to contact the RSO should any abnormal events associated with the reactor processes becomes known. No on-site investigation is planned by the Agency at this time. Illinois Item Number: IL16008 | ||
| ENS 47243 | 2 September 2011 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State - Fixed Process Gauge Failed Shutter Check | The following report was received from the State of Illinois via e-mail. While performing routine shutter checks of fixed gauges at the licensee's site, a device failed to perform as expected. As a result, the Radiation Safety Officer contacted the Agency and made the required report. The failed Ohmart/Vega Model SH-F2 gauge is used for level detection on a high temperature, high pressure vessel. The vessel is located on a roof 50 feet above grade with the nearest workstation approximately 300 feet away. The gauge was left in the 'on' position so as to allow continued routine operation of the process line. Shift supervisors and site personnel were advised of the situation and any entry into the vessel has been prohibited should the line become disabled or shut down. The manufacturer has been contacted and arrangements are pending for repair of the device at the first available opportunity. Should the gauge mounting fail and it become necessary, additional shielding material is available on-site to cover the open beam port and personnel have adequate training to perform that task. No threat to health and safety exist at this time and there are no associated exposures. The Ohmart Gauge Model SH-F2, Serial Number 7306GK contains an 0.3 Ci sealed Cs-137 source. Illinois Report Number IL11120 | ||
| ENS 45685 | 8 February 2010 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Fixed Gauge Stuck Shutter | The following information was received via e-mail: The Plant Manager called the (Illinois Emergency Management) Agency to advise that a shutter on a gauge had failed. When staff went to close the shutter, (while performing) work in the immediate vicinity, the handle used to close the shutter, 'twisted off'. The shutter remained stuck in the open position. Radiation levels near the gauge did not change from the previous configuration. The area was posted to warn of the hazard and system maintenance personnel changed work procedures to account for the failure. No work is scheduled to be completed within the beam fan area in the lower portion of the vessel. The company's radiation safety officer confirmed the steps taken and applied additional shielding to the front of the gauge to effectively render the gauge 'off' until such time as the vessel is once again filled with product to reduce the radiation levels or the manufacturer can be on-site. Current weather predictions are such that it may be a couple of days until a field engineer can be dispatched to the site. This item remains open and may be further investigated depending on response by the manufacturer. This device experienced similar problems in October of 2009 which were addressed by the manufacturer. In that case, the gauge was 'upgraded' to include additional seals and replacement of others to prevent the infiltration of water which lead to corrosion of the shutter causing it to 'stick' in the open position unless sufficient force was applied to the handle. The fixed gauge was manufactured by Ohmart Corp.; model number SH-F2; serial number 74932. The sealed source radionuclide is CS-137 with an activity of .08 Ci (2.96 GBq). Illinois Event Number: IL10010. |