ENS 46168
ENS Event | |
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13:50 Jan 25, 2010 | |
Title | Degradation of an Item Relied on for Safety |
Event Description | On January 25, 2010 during normal operation of a slugger press in the Fuel Manufacturing Building, a tube connecting the feed hood to the press became disconnected. After starting the vibrating feeder, an operator discovered the feed tube was slightly misaligned and some [uranium] powder had spilled into the hood. The operator immediately used the emergency stop button and the equipment was shutdown. A total of 6.9 kg was removed from the hood. An investigation determined that a clamp on the feed tube came loose, allowing the tube to separate from the fit up device.
The two controlled parameters for criticality safety for this equipment are moderation and geometry and Items Relied on for Safety (IROFS) are established for both. When the tube became misaligned, one geometry related IROFS became unavailable to perform its intended safety function. Additional lROFS on geometry and moderation remained available to perform their intended safety functions and were not challenged. Therefore, this did not result in an unsafe condition. GNF-A's [Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas] initial review determined this event was not reportable. However, during an inspection February 22 to 26, 2010, NRC evaluated the event and determined that during the period when the tube was misaligned, one IROFS was not available to perform its intended safety function. Therefore, facility performance requirements were not met and a report to the NRC was required. The NRC issued a notice of violation to GNF-A on March 26, 2010 (70-1113/2010-002-01) for failure to report the event pursuant to 10CFR70 Appendix A(b)(2). The event is now being reported retroactively to satisfy this reporting requirement. The licensee notified the NRC Region 2 Office, the North Carolina Radiation Protection Section and the New Hanover County Emergency Response Organization. |
Where | |
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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:+4753.92 h198.08 days <br />28.297 weeks <br />6.512 months <br />) | |
Opened: | Scott Murray 14:45 Aug 11, 2010 |
NRC Officer: | Vince Klco |
Last Updated: | Aug 11, 2010 |
46168 - 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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