Information Notice 1999-03, Exothermic Reactors Involving Dried Uranium Oxide Powder (Yellowcake): Difference between revisions
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| issue date = 01/29/1999 | | issue date = 01/29/1999 | ||
| title = Exothermic Reactors Involving Dried Uranium Oxide Powder (Yellowcake) | | title = Exothermic Reactors Involving Dried Uranium Oxide Powder (Yellowcake) | ||
| author name = Greeves J | | author name = Greeves J | ||
| author affiliation = NRC/NMSS/DWM | | author affiliation = NRC/NMSS/DWM | ||
| addressee name = | | addressee name = | ||
Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
| page count = 10 | | page count = 10 | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES | {{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES | ||
COMMISSION | NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION | ||
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS | |||
NOTICE 99-03: EXOTHERMIC | WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 January 29, 1999 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 99-03: EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS INVOLVING DRIED | ||
URANIUM OXIDE POWDER (YELLOWCAKE) | |||
==Addressees== | ==Addressees== | ||
: | : | ||
All operating | All operating uranium recovery facilities that produce uranium oxide powder (U3 08)(yellowcake). | ||
uranium recovery facilities | |||
that produce uranium oxide powder ( | |||
==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory | : | ||
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert | |||
licensees to recent incidents involving strong exothermic reactions that occurred during the | |||
packaging of low-temperature or vacuum-dried U30, hydrogen peroxide precipitated | |||
to | (yellowcake) powder. It is expected that recipients will review this information for applicability to | ||
their licensed activities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. | |||
However, suggestions contained in this IN are not NRC requirements; therefore no specific | |||
action nor written response is required. | |||
==Description of Circumstances== | |||
: | |||
of | On four separate occasions involving different licensees, dry U308 hydrogen peroxide | ||
precipitated (yellowcake) powder, packaged in 208.2 liter (55 gallon) drums, was observed to | |||
have undergone strong exothermic reactions after the drying and packaging process. These | |||
scenarios can be placed into two categories: 1) generation of oxygen as a byproduct of the | |||
production process; and 2) hydrocarbon contaminants reacting with U308 hydrogen peroxide | |||
precipitated (yellowcake) product. The incidents date as far back as 1984 and as recently as | |||
July 1998. | |||
Category 1: On two separate occasions, licensees experienced expansion of the sealed drums | |||
process. | from generation of oxygen from the decay of hydrogen peroxide. In the production process, hydrogen peroxide is used to precipitate uranium in the form of uranium oxide (UxOx). This | ||
precipitate is then pressed through a filter, dried in an oven and packaged in drums for | |||
shipment. Even though the dryer temperatures reached 537.70 C (10000F), converting the | |||
precipitate to uranate peroxide (U04-2H 20), sufficient hydrogen peroxide either remained in the | |||
product or was generated to develop oxygen pressure by the following reactions: | |||
U0 4 + 4H 20-UO3+ H20 2 I +3H 201 | |||
2H2 02 - 2H 20 + 02 t | |||
9 p ' | |||
&012IA252J J 93 \ | |||
IN 99-03 January29, 1999 The production of gases was sufficient to bulge the lids and sides of the drums, as well as | |||
cause a pressure excursion, when a lid was removed, sufficient to eject about one-fourth of the | |||
drummed U308 (yellowcake) 90.7 kilograms (-200 pounds) onto workers and through isolation | |||
doors. | |||
Cateaory 2: On two separate occasions, licensees experienced a violent exothermic reaction | |||
when hydrocarbon contaminants were mixed with U308 hydrogen peroxide precipitated | |||
(yellowcake) product. At one facility, a leaky flange in a bag filter allowed lubricating oil to leak | |||
process, | into the production process, and a deformed tank paddle allowed oil seepage into the mixing | ||
tank. At another facility, oils from various process stages were introduced into the sump | |||
system and eventually reintroduced into the production line. Both cases yielded an energetic | |||
exothermic reaction. With one barrel, the lid had been melted onto the rim in one spot, and | |||
reached | another reached a temperature of 648.9 0C (12000 F) within the drum. Subsequent examination | ||
the | of the contents revealed several discolored layers, indicating extreme oxidation of product | ||
powder in various stages. | |||
Discussion | |||
to | Category 1: Analyses of the incidents estimated 103.4 kilopascal (15-pounds-per-square-inch) | ||
pressure on the lids. Drum pressure began to rise most rapidly in the first hour, but peaked at | |||
3-4 hours. Pressure began to subside at 5 hours. Other drums showed bulges and | |||
deformities, but excess gases had bled off. Analysis of the trapped gases yielded 62 percent | |||
of | oxygen, further indicating an oxygen generation from the decay of hydrogen peroxide. | ||
Although no workers were injured, several received uptakes of uranium even though respiratory | |||
protection was used. | |||
of | The oxygen generation incidents were isolated incidents that originated with the use of newer | ||
drums or other modifications of equipment which allowed excessive pressures. For one | |||
licensee, the incident was a result of using newer drums with airtight seals. Older drums had | |||
less efficient seals that allowed pressure to escape as it was generated. Both licensees | |||
instituted corrective actions consisting mainly of leaving the lids off the drums for a minimum | |||
of 3 hours after filling. Corrective actions appear to have been sufficient to prevent | |||
future incidents. | |||
Category 2: Since uranium is a pyrophoric metal, especially in fines or powder form, any | |||
contaminant in contact with yellowcake powder can be hazardous. Hydrocarbons such as | |||
lubricating oils and grease are very likely to cause an unstable condition in the packed | |||
yellowcake powder. | |||
into the | In one incident, a leaky flange on a bag filter allowed lubricating oil to leak into and mix with the | ||
yellowcake powder in a dryer tank. Once the exothermic reaction began, temperatures rose | |||
sufficiently to turn residual water to steam, covering the room with yellowcake powder. The | |||
leak was found and repaired, but the room had to be decontaminated. As the next batch of | |||
yellowcake was processed, a severely bent paddle inside the mixing tank allowed further oil to | |||
again mix into the yellowcake. After the product was packaged, temperatures again rose inside | |||
the drum to produce sufficient steam pressure to blow the lid off. The licensee then found and | |||
corrected the bent paddle. Corrective actions included installation of oil pressure relief valves | |||
and a hot oil boiler cutoff with a temperature controller. | |||
IN 99-03 January29, 1999 In a recent incident, a licensee had routinely washed equipment contaminants into a dryer room | |||
sump. This contained not only uranium contamination, but exposed oils and grease from | |||
equipment maintenance and dryer heating oils from spills and leaks. The sump contents were | |||
transferred to a holding tank, where the yellowcake and contaminants settled to the bottom. | |||
When the system was cleaned, the heel from this tank was put into a thickening tank to recover | |||
any trapped product. The process, however, did not remove the contaminants. Yellowcake | |||
from the | tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface-skimmed, and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When the | ||
contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer operations | |||
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it acted as an | |||
insulator, retaining reaction energy that further increased the rate of reaction. Seven drums of | |||
product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. Corrective actions | |||
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oil/grease leaks, and sending the | |||
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover product through | |||
the system. | |||
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any questions about the | |||
information in this notice, please contact the technical contacts listed below, or the appropriate | |||
NRC office. | |||
John T. Greeves, Director | |||
Division of Waste Management | |||
Office of Nuclear Material Safety | |||
and Safeguards | |||
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV | |||
(817) 860-8220 | |||
E-mail: dss@nrc.gov | |||
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.D., RIV | |||
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs@nrc.gov | |||
John H. Lusher, NMSS | |||
(301) 415-7694 E-Mail: jhl@nrc.gov | |||
Attachments: | Attachments: | ||
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information | 1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices J1 /' | ||
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices (/ wlu4q t~ l | |||
AI 4T | |||
'Attachment 1 IN 99-03 January 29, 1999 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED | |||
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES | |||
Information Date of | |||
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to | |||
Notice No. | |||
All medical licensees authorized to | |||
. | |||
99-02 Guidance to Users on the 1/21/99 Implementation of a New conduct brachytherapy | |||
Single-Source Dose- treatments. | |||
Calculation Formalism and Revised | |||
Air-Kerma Strength Standard | |||
for Iodine-125 Sealed Sources | |||
99-01 Deterioration of High-Efficiency 1/20/99 All holders of licences for nuclear | |||
Particulate Air Filters in a power, research and test reactors; | |||
Pressurized Water Reactor and fuel cycle facilities. | |||
Containment Fan Cooler Unit | |||
98-33 NRC Regulations Prohibit 8/28/98 All holders of a Nuclear | |||
Agreements that Restrict or Regulatory Commissission license | |||
Discourage an Employee from | |||
Participating in Protected Activities | |||
98-30 Effect of the Year 2000 8/12/98 All material and fuel cycle | |||
Computer Problem on NRC licensees and certificate holders | |||
Licensees and Certificate Holders | |||
97-91 Recent Failure of Control 8/10/98 All industrial radiography | |||
Supp. 1 Cables Used on Amersham licensees. | |||
Model 660 Posilock Radiography | |||
Systems | |||
98-20 Problems With Emergency 6/3/98 All holders of operating licenses | |||
Preparedness Respiratory for nuclear power reactors; non- Protection Programs power reactors; all fuel cycle and | |||
material licensees required to | |||
have an NRC-approved | |||
emergency plan. | |||
Incidences | 98-18 Recent Contamination Incidences 5/13/98 Part 35 Medical Licensees | ||
Resulting | Resulting from Failure to Perform | ||
Adequate Surveys | |||
of | 98-17 Federal Bureau of Investigations 5/7/98 All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory | ||
(FBI) Awareness of National Commission fuel cycle and power | |||
Security Issues and Responses and non-power reactor licensees | |||
(ANSIR) Program | |||
Attachment 2 IN 99-03 January 29, 1999 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED | |||
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES | |||
Information Date of | |||
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to | |||
All | 99-02 Guidance to Users on the 1/21/99 All medical licensees authorized | ||
Implementation of a New to conduct brachytherapy | |||
Single-Source Dose- treatments. | |||
Calculation Formalism and Revised | |||
Air-Kerma Strength Standard | |||
for Iodine-125 Sealed Sources | |||
99-01 Deterioration of High-Efficiency 01/20/99 All holders of licenses for nuclear | |||
Particulate Air Filters in a power, research and test reactors; | |||
Pressurized Water Reactor and fuel cycle facilities. | |||
Containment Fan Cooler Unit | |||
98-45 Cavitation Erosion of Letdown Line 12/15/98 All holders of operating licenses | |||
Orifices Resulstin in Fatigue Cracking for nuclear power reactors, except | |||
of Pipe Welds those that have permanently | |||
ceased operations and have | |||
certified that fuel has been | |||
permanently removed from the | |||
reactor. | |||
98-44 Ten-year Inservice Inspection 12/10/98 All holder of operating licenses | |||
(ISI) Program Update for Licensees for nuclear power reactors, except | |||
that Intend to Implement Risk-Informed those that have permanently | |||
ISI of Piping ceased operations and have | |||
certified that fuel has been | |||
permanently removed from the | |||
reactor | |||
98-43 Leaks in the Emergency Diesel 12/04/98 All holder of operating licenses | |||
Generator Lubricating Oil and for nuclear power reactors, except | |||
Jacket Cooling Water Piping those licensees that have | |||
permanently ceased operations | |||
and have certified that fuel has | |||
been permanently removed from | |||
the reactor vessel | |||
OL = Operating License | |||
CP = Construction Permit | |||
* IN 99-03 January 29, 1999 In a recent incident, a licensee had routinely washed equipment contaminants into a dryer room | |||
sump. This contained not only uranium contamination, but exposed oils and grease from | |||
equipment maintenance and dryer heating oils from spills and leaks. The sump contents were | |||
and | transferred to a holding tank, where the yellowcake and contaminants settled to the bottom. | ||
When the system was cleaned, the heel from this tank was put into a thickening tank to recover | |||
any trapped product. The process, however, did not remove the contaminants. Yellowcake | |||
tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface-skimmed, and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When the | |||
contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer operations | |||
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it acted as an | |||
that | insulator, retaining reaction energy that further increased the rate of reaction. Seven drums of | ||
product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. Corrective actions | |||
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oil/grease leaks, and sending the | |||
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover product through | |||
the system. | |||
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any questions about the | |||
information in this notice, please contact the technical contacts listed below, or the appropriate | |||
NRC office. | |||
[J. Holonich for] | |||
John T. Greeves, Director | |||
Division of Waste Management | |||
Office of Nuclear Material Safety | |||
and Safeguards | |||
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV | |||
(817) 860-8220 | |||
E-mail: dsstnrc.gov | |||
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.D., RIV | |||
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs nrc.gov | |||
John H. Lusher, NMSS | |||
(301)415-7694 E-Mail: jhl nrc.gov | |||
Attachments: | |||
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices | |||
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices OFFICIAL RECORD COPY | |||
DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWM\URB\JHL\DRAFTIN.JHL *See previous concurrence | |||
OF RIV* l TECH ED* lURB* l URB j/URB l | |||
NAME BSpitzberg EKraus JLusher CAbrs KStablein | |||
DATE I 1/ 1/99 l 1/11/99 1 1/11/99 l 1<199 1/12/99 OFC DIk 0_1 C/ | |||
NAME J-W | |||
DATE 99 _ | |||
lqo-r _Vk ft1661C- | |||
IN 99 - XX | |||
l - @w | |||
January XX, 1999 When the system was cleaned, the heel from this tank was put into a thickening tank to reco r | |||
any trapped product. The process, however, did not remove the contaminants. Yellowcak | |||
to | tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface-skimm | ||
When | and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When th | ||
yellowcake | contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer oper ions | ||
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it ac d as an | |||
insulator, retaining reaction energy that further increased the rate of reaction. 8ev n drums of | |||
product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. CorrecI actions | |||
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oil/grease leaks, d sending the | |||
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover prod t through | |||
the system. | |||
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have an questions about the | |||
information in this notice, please contact the technical contacts listed low, or the appropriate | |||
NRC office. | |||
N. King Stablein, Acting C ef | |||
Uranium Recovery Bran | |||
Division of Waste Man gement | |||
Office of Nuclear Mat rial Safety | |||
And Safeguards | |||
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV | |||
(817) 860-8220 | |||
E-mail: dss~nrc.gov | |||
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.DRIV | |||
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs~nrc.go | |||
John H. Lusher, MSS | |||
(301) 415-769 E-Mail: jhl@ c.gov | |||
Attachments: | |||
1. List of Recently Issued S Information Notices | |||
2. List of Recently Issued RC Information Notices | |||
DOCUM IENT NAME: S:\DWM\URB HL\DRAFTIN.JHL *See previous concurrence | |||
OF-C RIV TOH ED* l URB* URB , / liI | |||
NAME BSpitzberg EKraus JLusher CAbw. l>KStA'ein'i) | |||
DATE 1/11/99 1/11/99 l 1/11/99 ln/i99 l 1/12/99 OC DELAY t | |||
NAME Dz | |||
DAE1/3n/9 | |||
/ | |||
l zz _zzr ______ | |||
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY | |||
izzzzzl zzz | |||
1MaT b-D PBLIc. | |||
IN-XX | |||
January XX, 1999 When the system was cleaned, the heel from this tank was put into a thickening tank to recov | |||
any trapped product. The process, however, did not remove the contaminants. Yellowcake | |||
tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface-skimme | |||
and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When the | |||
contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer opera*ins | |||
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it act as an | |||
insulator, retaining reaction energy that further increased the rate of reaction. Seve drums of | |||
product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. Correctiv ctions | |||
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oil/grease leaks, a sending the | |||
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover produ through | |||
the system. | |||
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any estions about the | |||
information in this notice, please contact the technical contacts listed be w, or the appropriate | |||
NRC office. | |||
N. King Stablein, Acting Chi | |||
Uranium Recovery Branc | |||
Division of Waste Managment | |||
Office of Nuclear Mate al Safety | |||
And Safeguards | |||
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV | |||
(817) 860-8220 | |||
E-mail: dssinrc.gov | |||
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.D., IV | |||
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs@nrc.gov | |||
John H. Lusher, N SS | |||
(301) 415-7694 E-Mail: jhlnrc ov | |||
Attachments: | |||
1. List of Recently Issued N S Information Notices | |||
1. List of Recently Issued S Information | |||
Notices | |||
2. List of Recently Issued C Information Notices | |||
DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWM\URB\J \DRAFTIN.JHL *See previous concurrence | |||
OFC RIV* TE ED* URB* l I RE _RII | |||
NAME BSpitzberg raus JLusher CAb- gig4 il | |||
!DATE 1/11/99 1 1/11/99 1/11/99 l ._ /99 _l_1/__ 9 OFC DWM I | |||
NAME JGreeves / | |||
DATE 1/ /9 I I OFFICIAL 1 RECORD COPY | |||
M&or '70f | |||
oR SCLaC. | |||
IN - XX | |||
them from being surface skimm | January XX, 1999 tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface skimm | ||
were not sufficient | and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When th | ||
contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer opertions | |||
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it ac d as an | |||
insulator, retaining reaction energy which further increased the rate of reaction. Se en drums | |||
of product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. Correc e actions | |||
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oiVgrease leaks, a sending the | |||
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover produ through the | |||
system. | |||
This information notice requires no specific action nor written response. I ou have any | |||
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the techni I contact listed below | |||
or the appropriate NRC office. | |||
N. King Stablein, Acting ief | |||
Uranium Recovery Bran | |||
Division of Waste Man gement | |||
Office of Nuclear Ma rial Safety | |||
And Safeguards | |||
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV | |||
(817) 860-8220 | |||
E-mail: dss~nrc.gov | |||
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.D. IV | |||
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs~nrc.gov | |||
John H. Lusher, N SS | |||
(301) 415-7694 E-Mail: jhl~nrc ov | |||
Attachment: | |||
1. List of Recently Issued N SS Information Notices | |||
2. List of Recently Issued C Information Notices | |||
DOCUMENT NAME; S:\DW URB\JHL\DRAFTIN.JHL | |||
FC IVer; URB RB zzURB l zDWMzl | |||
NAME BSpitzberg JLushe CAbrams KStablein JGreeves | |||
DATE 01/// /9/ 01/11 /99 01/ /99 l 01/ /99 01/ /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY | |||
1 VOT *e)R PUCLIC. P. | |||
P | |||
1-11-1999 4:18PM FROM cETZER-KRAUS. INC. 202 537 P'3 | |||
1 -4.., , . , . IV. L.u I J | |||
IN 99-XX | |||
January XX, 1999 () (301) 415-7694 E-Mail: jhT0nrc.gov | |||
Attachmen$ jimc | |||
Notices | 1. Lst of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices | ||
2. Ust of Recently Issued NRC Information NoUces ,so | |||
mIAMR- V . 5 | |||
1.21 i1 I//#/I-,v | |||
DCU | |||
seh*, ___.l Ww-. Vb, TYwe | |||
VW% _4M *Wo l t Vw v^. W" | |||
BAMIULA | |||
I _ _ , - | |||
-C RIV - URB _ URB | |||
l 7WI | |||
NAME BSpitzberg _ JLusher _ CAbrams KStableln ( JGreeves 41 DATE 1Ul01 W/ i 99 l 01 /99 I -P k, | |||
04 "41 ( | |||
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY | |||
fV) | |||
f t, cj/- (}} | |||
{{Information notice-Nav}} | {{Information notice-Nav}} |
Latest revision as of 22:51, 22 March 2020
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 January 29, 1999 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 99-03: EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS INVOLVING DRIED
URANIUM OXIDE POWDER (YELLOWCAKE)
Addressees
All operating uranium recovery facilities that produce uranium oxide powder (U3 08)(yellowcake).
Purpose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert
licensees to recent incidents involving strong exothermic reactions that occurred during the
packaging of low-temperature or vacuum-dried U30, hydrogen peroxide precipitated
(yellowcake) powder. It is expected that recipients will review this information for applicability to
their licensed activities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems.
However, suggestions contained in this IN are not NRC requirements; therefore no specific
action nor written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
On four separate occasions involving different licensees, dry U308 hydrogen peroxide
precipitated (yellowcake) powder, packaged in 208.2 liter (55 gallon) drums, was observed to
have undergone strong exothermic reactions after the drying and packaging process. These
scenarios can be placed into two categories: 1) generation of oxygen as a byproduct of the
production process; and 2) hydrocarbon contaminants reacting with U308 hydrogen peroxide
precipitated (yellowcake) product. The incidents date as far back as 1984 and as recently as
July 1998.
Category 1: On two separate occasions, licensees experienced expansion of the sealed drums
from generation of oxygen from the decay of hydrogen peroxide. In the production process, hydrogen peroxide is used to precipitate uranium in the form of uranium oxide (UxOx). This
precipitate is then pressed through a filter, dried in an oven and packaged in drums for
shipment. Even though the dryer temperatures reached 537.70 C (10000F), converting the
precipitate to uranate peroxide (U04-2H 20), sufficient hydrogen peroxide either remained in the
product or was generated to develop oxygen pressure by the following reactions:
U0 4 + 4H 20-UO3+ H20 2 I +3H 201
2H2 02 - 2H 20 + 02 t
9 p '
&012IA252J J 93 \
IN 99-03 January29, 1999 The production of gases was sufficient to bulge the lids and sides of the drums, as well as
cause a pressure excursion, when a lid was removed, sufficient to eject about one-fourth of the
drummed U308 (yellowcake) 90.7 kilograms (-200 pounds) onto workers and through isolation
doors.
Cateaory 2: On two separate occasions, licensees experienced a violent exothermic reaction
when hydrocarbon contaminants were mixed with U308 hydrogen peroxide precipitated
(yellowcake) product. At one facility, a leaky flange in a bag filter allowed lubricating oil to leak
into the production process, and a deformed tank paddle allowed oil seepage into the mixing
tank. At another facility, oils from various process stages were introduced into the sump
system and eventually reintroduced into the production line. Both cases yielded an energetic
exothermic reaction. With one barrel, the lid had been melted onto the rim in one spot, and
another reached a temperature of 648.9 0C (12000 F) within the drum. Subsequent examination
of the contents revealed several discolored layers, indicating extreme oxidation of product
powder in various stages.
Discussion
Category 1: Analyses of the incidents estimated 103.4 kilopascal (15-pounds-per-square-inch)
pressure on the lids. Drum pressure began to rise most rapidly in the first hour, but peaked at
3-4 hours. Pressure began to subside at 5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />. Other drums showed bulges and
deformities, but excess gases had bled off. Analysis of the trapped gases yielded 62 percent
oxygen, further indicating an oxygen generation from the decay of hydrogen peroxide.
Although no workers were injured, several received uptakes of uranium even though respiratory
protection was used.
The oxygen generation incidents were isolated incidents that originated with the use of newer
drums or other modifications of equipment which allowed excessive pressures. For one
licensee, the incident was a result of using newer drums with airtight seals. Older drums had
less efficient seals that allowed pressure to escape as it was generated. Both licensees
instituted corrective actions consisting mainly of leaving the lids off the drums for a minimum
of 3 hours3.472222e-5 days <br />8.333333e-4 hours <br />4.960317e-6 weeks <br />1.1415e-6 months <br /> after filling. Corrective actions appear to have been sufficient to prevent
future incidents.
Category 2: Since uranium is a pyrophoric metal, especially in fines or powder form, any
contaminant in contact with yellowcake powder can be hazardous. Hydrocarbons such as
lubricating oils and grease are very likely to cause an unstable condition in the packed
yellowcake powder.
In one incident, a leaky flange on a bag filter allowed lubricating oil to leak into and mix with the
yellowcake powder in a dryer tank. Once the exothermic reaction began, temperatures rose
sufficiently to turn residual water to steam, covering the room with yellowcake powder. The
leak was found and repaired, but the room had to be decontaminated. As the next batch of
yellowcake was processed, a severely bent paddle inside the mixing tank allowed further oil to
again mix into the yellowcake. After the product was packaged, temperatures again rose inside
the drum to produce sufficient steam pressure to blow the lid off. The licensee then found and
corrected the bent paddle. Corrective actions included installation of oil pressure relief valves
and a hot oil boiler cutoff with a temperature controller.
IN 99-03 January29, 1999 In a recent incident, a licensee had routinely washed equipment contaminants into a dryer room
sump. This contained not only uranium contamination, but exposed oils and grease from
equipment maintenance and dryer heating oils from spills and leaks. The sump contents were
transferred to a holding tank, where the yellowcake and contaminants settled to the bottom.
When the system was cleaned, the heel from this tank was put into a thickening tank to recover
any trapped product. The process, however, did not remove the contaminants. Yellowcake
tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface-skimmed, and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When the
contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer operations
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it acted as an
insulator, retaining reaction energy that further increased the rate of reaction. Seven drums of
product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. Corrective actions
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oil/grease leaks, and sending the
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover product through
the system.
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any questions about the
information in this notice, please contact the technical contacts listed below, or the appropriate
NRC office.
John T. Greeves, Director
Division of Waste Management
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV
(817) 860-8220
E-mail: dss@nrc.gov
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.D., RIV
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs@nrc.gov
John H. Lusher, NMSS
(301) 415-7694 E-Mail: jhl@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices J1 /'
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices (/ wlu4q t~ l
AI 4T
'Attachment 1 IN 99-03 January 29, 1999 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
All medical licensees authorized to
.
99-02 Guidance to Users on the 1/21/99 Implementation of a New conduct brachytherapy
Single-Source Dose- treatments.
Calculation Formalism and Revised
Air-Kerma Strength Standard
for Iodine-125 Sealed Sources
99-01 Deterioration of High-Efficiency 1/20/99 All holders of licences for nuclear
Particulate Air Filters in a power, research and test reactors;
Pressurized Water Reactor and fuel cycle facilities.
Containment Fan Cooler Unit
98-33 NRC Regulations Prohibit 8/28/98 All holders of a Nuclear
Agreements that Restrict or Regulatory Commissission license
Discourage an Employee from
Participating in Protected Activities
98-30 Effect of the Year 2000 8/12/98 All material and fuel cycle
Computer Problem on NRC licensees and certificate holders
Licensees and Certificate Holders
97-91 Recent Failure of Control 8/10/98 All industrial radiography
Supp. 1 Cables Used on Amersham licensees.
Model 660 Posilock Radiography
Systems
98-20 Problems With Emergency 6/3/98 All holders of operating licenses
Preparedness Respiratory for nuclear power reactors; non- Protection Programs power reactors; all fuel cycle and
material licensees required to
have an NRC-approved
98-18 Recent Contamination Incidences 5/13/98 Part 35 Medical Licensees
Resulting from Failure to Perform
Adequate Surveys
98-17 Federal Bureau of Investigations 5/7/98 All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
(FBI) Awareness of National Commission fuel cycle and power
Security Issues and Responses and non-power reactor licensees
(ANSIR) Program
Attachment 2 IN 99-03 January 29, 1999 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
99-02 Guidance to Users on the 1/21/99 All medical licensees authorized
Implementation of a New to conduct brachytherapy
Single-Source Dose- treatments.
Calculation Formalism and Revised
Air-Kerma Strength Standard
for Iodine-125 Sealed Sources
99-01 Deterioration of High-Efficiency 01/20/99 All holders of licenses for nuclear
Particulate Air Filters in a power, research and test reactors;
Pressurized Water Reactor and fuel cycle facilities.
Containment Fan Cooler Unit
98-45 Cavitation Erosion of Letdown Line 12/15/98 All holders of operating licenses
Orifices Resulstin in Fatigue Cracking for nuclear power reactors, except
of Pipe Welds those that have permanently
ceased operations and have
certified that fuel has been
permanently removed from the
reactor.
98-44 Ten-year Inservice Inspection 12/10/98 All holder of operating licenses
(ISI) Program Update for Licensees for nuclear power reactors, except
that Intend to Implement Risk-Informed those that have permanently
ISI of Piping ceased operations and have
certified that fuel has been
permanently removed from the
reactor
98-43 Leaks in the Emergency Diesel 12/04/98 All holder of operating licenses
Generator Lubricating Oil and for nuclear power reactors, except
Jacket Cooling Water Piping those licensees that have
permanently ceased operations
and have certified that fuel has
been permanently removed from
the reactor vessel
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit
- IN 99-03 January 29, 1999 In a recent incident, a licensee had routinely washed equipment contaminants into a dryer room
sump. This contained not only uranium contamination, but exposed oils and grease from
equipment maintenance and dryer heating oils from spills and leaks. The sump contents were
transferred to a holding tank, where the yellowcake and contaminants settled to the bottom.
When the system was cleaned, the heel from this tank was put into a thickening tank to recover
any trapped product. The process, however, did not remove the contaminants. Yellowcake
tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface-skimmed, and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When the
contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer operations
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it acted as an
insulator, retaining reaction energy that further increased the rate of reaction. Seven drums of
product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. Corrective actions
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oil/grease leaks, and sending the
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover product through
the system.
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any questions about the
information in this notice, please contact the technical contacts listed below, or the appropriate
NRC office.
[J. Holonich for]
John T. Greeves, Director
Division of Waste Management
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV
(817) 860-8220
E-mail: dsstnrc.gov
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.D., RIV
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs nrc.gov
John H. Lusher, NMSS
(301)415-7694 E-Mail: jhl nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWM\URB\JHL\DRAFTIN.JHL *See previous concurrence
OF RIV* l TECH ED* lURB* l URB j/URB l
NAME BSpitzberg EKraus JLusher CAbrs KStablein
DATE I 1/ 1/99 l 1/11/99 1 1/11/99 l 1<199 1/12/99 OFC DIk 0_1 C/
NAME J-W
DATE 99 _
lqo-r _Vk ft1661C-
IN 99 - XX
l - @w
January XX, 1999 When the system was cleaned, the heel from this tank was put into a thickening tank to reco r
any trapped product. The process, however, did not remove the contaminants. Yellowcak
tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface-skimm
and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When th
contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer oper ions
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it ac d as an
insulator, retaining reaction energy that further increased the rate of reaction. 8ev n drums of
product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. CorrecI actions
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oil/grease leaks, d sending the
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover prod t through
the system.
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have an questions about the
information in this notice, please contact the technical contacts listed low, or the appropriate
NRC office.
N. King Stablein, Acting C ef
Uranium Recovery Bran
Division of Waste Man gement
Office of Nuclear Mat rial Safety
And Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV
(817) 860-8220
E-mail: dss~nrc.gov
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.DRIV
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs~nrc.go
John H. Lusher, MSS
(301) 415-769 E-Mail: jhl@ c.gov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued S Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued RC Information Notices
DOCUM IENT NAME: S:\DWM\URB HL\DRAFTIN.JHL *See previous concurrence
OF-C RIV TOH ED* l URB* URB , / liI
NAME BSpitzberg EKraus JLusher CAbw. l>KStA'ein'i)
DATE 1/11/99 1/11/99 l 1/11/99 ln/i99 l 1/12/99 OC DELAY t
NAME Dz
DAE1/3n/9
/
l zz _zzr ______
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
izzzzzl zzz
1MaT b-D PBLIc.
IN-XX
January XX, 1999 When the system was cleaned, the heel from this tank was put into a thickening tank to recov
any trapped product. The process, however, did not remove the contaminants. Yellowcake
tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface-skimme
and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When the
contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer opera*ins
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it act as an
insulator, retaining reaction energy that further increased the rate of reaction. Seve drums of
product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. Correctiv ctions
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oil/grease leaks, a sending the
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover produ through
the system.
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any estions about the
information in this notice, please contact the technical contacts listed be w, or the appropriate
NRC office.
N. King Stablein, Acting Chi
Uranium Recovery Branc
Division of Waste Managment
Office of Nuclear Mate al Safety
And Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV
(817) 860-8220
E-mail: dssinrc.gov
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.D., IV
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs@nrc.gov
John H. Lusher, N SS
(301) 415-7694 E-Mail: jhlnrc ov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued N S Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued C Information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DWM\URB\J \DRAFTIN.JHL *See previous concurrence
OFC RIV* TE ED* URB* l I RE _RII
NAME BSpitzberg raus JLusher CAb- gig4 il
!DATE 1/11/99 1 1/11/99 1/11/99 l ._ /99 _l_1/__ 9 OFC DWM I
NAME JGreeves /
DATE 1/ /9 I I OFFICIAL 1 RECORD COPY
M&or '70f
oR SCLaC.
IN - XX
January XX, 1999 tended to agglutinate onto the hydrocarbons, preventing them from being surface skimm
and final dryer temperatures were not sufficient to drive off the hydrocarbons. When th
contaminated yellowcake was packaged into drums, the residual heat from dryer opertions
initiated an exothermic oxidation reaction. Since yellowcake is relatively dense, it ac d as an
insulator, retaining reaction energy which further increased the rate of reaction. Se en drums
of product reacted with increased temperatures and oxidation of material. Correc e actions
included installation of oil drip pans for collecting all possible oiVgrease leaks, a sending the
oil-yellowcake contaminants as waste rather than attempting to recover produ through the
system.
This information notice requires no specific action nor written response. I ou have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the techni I contact listed below
or the appropriate NRC office.
N. King Stablein, Acting ief
Uranium Recovery Bran
Division of Waste Man gement
Office of Nuclear Ma rial Safety
And Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Douglas S. Simpkins, RIV
(817) 860-8220
E-mail: dss~nrc.gov
D. Blair Spitzberg, Ph.D. IV
(817) 860-8191 E-mail: dbs~nrc.gov
John H. Lusher, N SS
(301) 415-7694 E-Mail: jhl~nrc ov
Attachment:
1. List of Recently Issued N SS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued C Information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME; S:\DW URB\JHL\DRAFTIN.JHL
FC IVer; URB RB zzURB l zDWMzl
NAME BSpitzberg JLushe CAbrams KStablein JGreeves
DATE 01/// /9/ 01/11 /99 01/ /99 l 01/ /99 01/ /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
1 VOT *e)R PUCLIC. P.
P
1-11-1999 4:18PM FROM cETZER-KRAUS. INC. 202 537 P'3
1 -4.., , . , . IV. L.u I J
IN 99-XX
January XX, 1999 () (301) 415-7694 E-Mail: jhT0nrc.gov
Attachmen$ jimc
1. Lst of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. Ust of Recently Issued NRC Information NoUces ,so
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NAME BSpitzberg _ JLusher _ CAbrams KStableln ( JGreeves 41 DATE 1Ul01 W/ i 99 l 01 /99 I -P k,
04 "41 (
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
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