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Des accidents nucléaires partout

Etats-Unis : Wilmington : Mass control limit exceeded




13 février 2012


Une vanne mal installée a permis d’accumuler 43 kg de poudre d’uranium dans le tube d’alimentation de presse alors que la limite est fixée à 36 kg.

Available in english only.


Fuel Cycle Facility - Facility : GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL - AMERICAS - RX Type : URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION - LEU CONVERSION (UF6 TO UO2)

City : WILMINGTON State : NC - County : NEW HANOVER

Event Date : 02/13/2012 - Event Time : 09:20 [EDT]

"It was discovered on 2/13/12 that the mass control limit in the gadolinia pellet press operation was exceeded. An improperly installed valve allowed a total of 43 kg of uranium powder into the favorable geometry press feed tube, exceeding the 36 kg limit. This resulted in a failed item relied on for safety (IROFS) < 1 hour condition where a criticality control was not maintained. The press feed mass control is a sole IROFS for a fire accident sequence. Control indications functioned as designed and provided notification of the malfunction to the operator and the operation was secured. The other controls on geometry and moderation were maintained at all times.

"At no time was an unsafe condition present. The gadolinia pellet press operation was shut down and the powder was removed by 1000 on 2/13/2012.

"Additional corrective actions, extent of condition, and extent of cause have been documented.

"SAFETY SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS : At no time was an unsafe condition present

"SAFETY EQUIPMENT STATUS : Equipment was shut down and powder removed

"STATUS OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS : Additional corrective actions, extent of condition, and extent of cause have been documented.

"This event is being communicated in order to administratively meet the reporting requirements of 10CFR70, Appendix A."

The licensee has spoken with Region 2 (Thomas) regarding this issue, and discussed the issue in a Reply to Notice of Violation dated 6/29/2012 letter book number SPM12-030.

https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/2012/20120702en.html


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