ENS 46244
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
14:00 Sep 10, 2010 | |
| Title | Degradation of Safety Equipment |
| Event Description | At approximately 1000 [EDT] on September 10, 2010 during normal operation of a Gad slugger feed hood in the Fuel Manufacturing Building, a connection between the powder hopper and the vibrating feeder was observed as being not properly secured. After starting the vibrating feeder a small amount of powder leaked from the vibrating feeder into the hood. The base of the hood is equipped with a photo-sensor that detected the powder accumulation and automatically shut down the vibrating feeder to stop the leak. A total of 2.2 kg of powder was removed from the hood. An investigation determined that a clamp on the feed tube had not been properly reinstalled following an equipment cleanout.
The two controlled parameters for criticality safety of this equipment are moderation and geometry and Items Relied on for Safety (IROFS) are established for both. With the clamp improperly installed, the geometry-related IROFS was in a degraded state. Additional IROFS on moderation remained available to perform their intended safety functions and were not challenged. Geometry control was maintained by the photo-sensor interlock; however this IROFS is not credited for this accident sequence in the ISA. Although, this event did not result in an unsafe condition and double contingency was maintained, the performance requirements could not be met when taking no credit for the degraded IROFS. As a result, this report is conservatively being made per 10CFR70 Appendix A (b)(2). The Gad slugger and similar equipment have been shutdown pending implementation of additional corrective actions. The licensee will notify the NRC Region 2 Office, the North Carolina Radiation Protection Section and the New Hanover County Emergency Preparedness Organization. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Global Nuclear Fuel - Americas Wilmington, North Carolina (NRC Region 2) | |
| License number: | SNM-1097 |
| Reporting | |
| Part 70 App A (B)(2) | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+3 h0.125 days <br />0.0179 weeks <br />0.00411 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Scott Murray 17:00 Sep 10, 2010 |
| NRC Officer: | Vince Klco |
| Last Updated: | Sep 10, 2010 |
| 46244 - NRC Website | |
Global Nuclear Fuel with Part 70 App A (B)(2) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 562562022-12-02T20:30:0002 December 2022 20:30:00
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