ENS 40793
ENS Event | |
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22:00 Jun 4, 2004 | |
Title | Licensee Reported A 4 Hour 91-01 Response Bulletin |
Event Description | Material accumulation discovered in a 55-gallon drum. The 55-gallon drum was used as a knock-out pot for moisture condensate during high-pressure nitrogen drying of clean UF6 cylinders undergoing re-certification.
In accordance with Westinghouse Operating License (SNM-1107), paragraph 3.7.3 (b.2), this event satisfies the criteria for a 4-hour notification. Specifically, any determination that a criticality safety analysis or evaluation was deficient, or that a particular system was not previously analyzed; and that less than two unlikely, independent, and concurrent changes in process conditions would be required before a criticality accident would be possible. During a normal process hazards assessment an NCS Engineer was informed of a 55-gallon drum in the cylinder re-certification process. The drum was found to contain approximately 28 kilograms of dry material. Laboratory analyses determined a maximum concentration of 53.5 weight percent uranium in the form of uranyl fluoride. This corresponds to a uranium mass of approximately 15 kilograms. UF6 cylinders contain virtually no uranium at the time they undergo drying in the cylinder re-certification process. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the drum was inspected from 1993 to 1996 and repeatedly found to contain no solid accumulation before the inspections were discontinued. Cylinder re-certification was not in operation at the time of discovery. NCS formally notified Operations not to operate cylinder re-certification. The drum was removed from the system and inspected. The material was removed from the drum, sampled, and analyzed. This particular system was not previously analyzed for criticality safety. Much less than a critical mass was involved. 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) has determined that this is a safety significant incident in accordance with governing procedures. A causal analysis will be performed. |
Where | |
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Westinghouse Electric Corporation Columbia, South Carolina (NRC Region 2) | |
License number: | Snm-1107 |
Reporting | |
Response | |
Time - Person (Reporting Time:+-1.77 h-0.0738 days <br />-0.0105 weeks <br />-0.00242 months <br />) | |
Opened: | Owen Connelly 20:14 Jun 4, 2004 |
NRC Officer: | Chauncey Gould |
Last Updated: | Jun 4, 2004 |
40793 - 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 | |