ML20209D247

Discusses Kerr-McGee Feb 1974 Muf Quantity.On 740228, Licensee Notified Region That Feb Monthly Pu Inventory Indicated Positive Muf Loss Quantity.Cause Under Investigation.Fuel Fabrication Stopped

ML20209D247
Person / Time
Site:	07001193
Issue date:	03/12/1974
From:	James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Jennifer Davis US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
Shared Package
ML20209D148	List: ML20209D144 ML20209D165 ML20209D191 ML20209D202 ML20209D214 ML20209D237 ML20209D247 ML20209D259 ML20209D265 ML20209D276 ML20209D281 ML20209D289 ML20209D303 ML20209D322 ML20209D331 ML20209D337 ML20209D355 ML20209D364 ML20209D778
References
FOIA-86-281 NUDOCS 8609090246
Download: ML20209D247 (3)

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i , 'Ma{ch12,1974 John C. Davis, Deputy Director for Field Operations Directorate of Regulatory Operations. Headquarters KERR-McGEE PLUTONIUM FACILITY FEBliUARY 1974 HATERIAL UNACCOUNTED FOR (MUF) QUANTITY Kerr-McGee's requirements for the control, accounting, and physical security of special nucicar material are presently detailed in an amendment to their. license No. SNM-1174. , , ,,,

By License Condition 6.1 of the amendment, the licensee shall close a material balance around the facility by material balance areas at intervals not to exceed thirty (30) days. ... . . . . ,,

On February 28, 1974 RO III was notified by Kerr-McGee by telephone that the February monthly plutonium inventory indicates a positive HUF loss quantity of 11.474 Kgs Pu with associated limits

• of error of 8.4 Kgs Pu. By License Condition 3.6, if the quantity of Pu MUF er.ceeds its associated limits of error or tha limits of error associated with the HUF (LEMUF) exceeds 1.5 Kgs Pu, Kerr-McGee is to immentately notity .

RO:III and take iur.ediate action to investigate the cause for the excessive values. Within thirty days af ter the initial notico, Kerr-McGee is to notify RO:III in writing of the probable reasons for the excessive values and the corrective action taken or planned. ,

5nsnediate investigation by the licensee had failed to reveal exact causes of the February MUF quantity. In a telephone conversseion and confirmed in writing by RO:III, the licensee irznediately stopped fuel fabrication and started conducting a new inventory on March 1, 1974.

An RO:III inspector was ictnediately sent to the site (arrived March 1) to observe the preparations for the inventory and the actual taking of l *

' the inventory.

l" From March 1 through March 11. Kerr-McGee pr'epared for and completed this inventory. Efforts were directed toward rechecking suspect material (reveighing, resampling, and reanalyzing) and investigating areas of possible material contain.nent that was previously missed.

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Jihn G. Davis March 12, 1974 Some of the specific inventory actions taken by the licensee were:

1. All discrete items in vault storage were reweighed.

2. Reveighed all stored pellets in cans.

3. Additional sweeping and cicaning of dry glove boxes.

4. Acid cleaning of wet glove boxes.

5. Acid cleaning of some cahka and pipelines that were supposedly empty.

This solution was then filtered' and the resulting solids and filtrates were simpled. .

6. Removal of scme equipment {calciner end plates) for, cleanup.

7... Reanalyze scrap solution samples for verification of original values.

The inspector onsite was in daily contact with RO:III outlining the progress of the inventory and commenting on the adequacy of the Kerr-McCce procedures during this period. Four (4) scrap solution sanples were taken by the inspector for eventual independent analysis by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. . .

Discussions with Kerr-McGee and the site inspector over the weekend of March 9-10, indicated a possible MUF gain of 7-10 Kgs Pu. Subsequent discussions indicate that no large amount of material missed in Februsty

- was found during this inventory, and that because the increased through-puts in the last two months, they think material has been deposited in

- certain equipment at a faster rate than expected. This mears a possible

. revision of present inventory procedures to indicate more extensive cleanups prior to listing of the inventory. Kerr-McGee is still review.

. ing the inventory data and more details of this will be in their investi-gation report. ,

on Harch 10, 1974, a RO:III physical security inspector was s,ent to the site to perform a security inspection. At this time he has not encountered any significant deviations from the physical security requirements in the amerdment to their license. u -r - -

I on March 11, 1974, Mr. Parker Dunn, Vice President Nuclear Manufacturing, Kerr-liccee, called to report the inventory material balance of a MUr

- gain of 10.037 Kgs Pu. Mr. Dunn said he thinks this number satisfactorily compens.ates for and explains the February HUF loss', and the plutonium plant would like to resume operations.

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fter consultation with the site inspector and RO:14. RO:III informed Mr. Dunn that RO:III had no problems with Kerr-McGae resuming production.

A confirmation telegram was requested from Kerr-McGee.

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• Jsha C. Davis a 3- March 12, 1974 The LEMUF for this inventory and the February inventory continues to exceed the license condition specification of 1.5 Kgs Pu. As a result of a special inspection of Kerr-!!cGee conducted in December 1973, the licensee was cited for this violation. The violation letter was trans-mitted to Kerr-ticcee on February 19, 1974. A reply has not been received.

If the reply is not responsive, we expect to involve Licensing in resolution of the problem.

- RO:III will cont.inue to r.:enitor 'all required inventory data from future inventories. .

James C. Keppler  :. .- . . .. :. .

Regional Director

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