ENS 40985
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
14:05 Aug 24, 2004 | |
| Title | 24 Hour 91-01 Response Bulletin |
| Event Description | An incorrect valve line-up caused a batch from the solvent extraction system to be pumped to the uranyl nitrate bulk storage tank without having the necessary sample results for grams U-235 per liter, percent free acid, and pH. It was determined that approximately 38 gallons of uranyl nitrate at 4.6 grams U-235, 8 percent free acid, and a pH of 1 was pumped to the bulk storage tank. These parameters meet the requirements for an authorized pumpout. The bulk storage tank contained approximately 1600 gallons of uranyl nitrate at approximately 1.4 grams U-235 per liter, 11.6 percent free acid, and a pH of 1.
Double contingency protection for the bulk storage tank is based on concentration control. Concentration control is based upon maintaining uranyl nitrate that is pumped to the tanks at less than 5 grams U-235/liter. The pH is maintained at a value of less than 2 to ensure that the uranyl nitrate stays in solution. The percent free acid is maintained at greater than 4 percent to ensure that the uranyl nitrate stays in solution and depresses the freezing temperature of the solution to prevent concentration by freezing. It has been determined that less than previously documented double contingency protection remained for the system and that greater than a safe mass was involved, but a sufficient number of controls that were lost were restored within 4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br />. In accordance with Westinghouse Operating License (SNM-1107), paragraph 3.7.3 (c.5b), this event satisfies the criteria for a 24-hour notification. Summary of Activity All pumpouts to bulk storage tanks were stopped immediately upon recognition. This action was initiated by operators monitoring system performance. Samples for grams U-235/liter, pH, and %free acid were taken to ensure the tanks were in specification. Before the end of the shift, sample results for grams U-235/liter, pH, and %free acid were confirmed to be acceptable. At the beginning of each shift, operators are being informed of the incident. The procedure is being modified immediately to incorporate an additional peer check. Independent locks will be installed to require separate individuals to unlock the valve prior to pumpout. Conclusions Loss of double contingency protection occurred. At no time was the health or safety to any employee or member of the public in jeopardy. No exposure to hazardous material was involved. The Incident Review Committee (IRC) determined that this is a safety significant incident in accordance with governing procedures. Notification was the result of an event, not a deficient NCS analysis. A causal analysis will be performed. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Westinghouse Electric Corporation Columbia, South Carolina (NRC Region 2) | |
| License number: | SNM-1107 |
| Reporting | |
| Response | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+19.65 h0.819 days <br />0.117 weeks <br />0.0269 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Carl Snyder 09:44 Aug 25, 2004 |
| NRC Officer: | Chauncey Gould |
| Last Updated: | Aug 25, 2004 |
| 40985 - NRC Website | |
Westinghouse Electric Corporation with Response | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 419332005-08-19T19:30:00019 August 2005 19:30:00
[Table view]Response Nrc Bulletin 91-01 Violation of Criticality Spacing Requirements ENS 417232005-05-20T22:40:00020 May 2005 22:40:00 Response, Part 70 App A (B)(5) Deviation from Integrated Safety Analysis, and a 24 Hour Notification - Bulletin 91-01 Criticality Control ENS 414182005-02-17T17:00:00017 February 2005 17:00:00 Response, Part 70 App A (B)(1) 24 Hour 91-01 Response Bulletin and Part 70 App a Unanalyzed Condition ENS 413722005-02-04T14:00:0004 February 2005 14:00:00 Response 24-Hour Notification-Bulletin 91-01 Criticality Control ENS 409852004-08-24T14:05:00024 August 2004 14:05:00 Response 24 Hour 91-01 Response Bulletin ENS 408882004-07-21T13:00:00021 July 2004 13:00:00 Response 4-Hour 91-01 Nrc Bulletin Notification Due to Adu in Non-Favorable Geometry Nitrogen Accumulator Tank ENS 408552004-07-07T21:00:0007 July 2004 21:00:00 Response Nrc Bulletin 91-01 - 4 Hour Report ENS 407932004-06-04T22:00:0004 June 2004 22:00:00 Response Licensee Reported a 4 Hour 91-01 Response Bulletin ENS 405672004-03-04T20:00:0004 March 2004 20:00:00 Response 24-Hour Notification - Bulletin 91-01 Criticality Control ENS 404402004-01-12T20:45:00012 January 2004 20:45:00 Response 24 Hour Notification Bulletin 91-01 Criticality Control ENS 402552003-10-16T19:30:00016 October 2003 19:30:00 Response 24 Hour Bulletin 91-01 Notification from Westinghouse Columbia Fuel Facility ENS 402462003-10-14T11:30:00014 October 2003 11:30:00 Response 24-Hour Nrc 91-01 Bulletin Report Involving Improper Mass Control ENS 401522003-09-12T14:32:00012 September 2003 14:32:00 Response Improper Scanning of Lead Rods for the Product Engineering Laboratory 2005-08-19T19:30:00 | |