Event Notification Report for April 29, 2002
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
04/28/2002 - 04/29/2002
EVENT NUMBERS
38886
Other Nuclear Material
Event Number: 38886
Rep Org: FMC IDAHO LLC
Licensee: FMC IDAHO LLC
Region: 4
City: POCATELLO State: ID
County: POWER
License #: 11-27071-01
Agreement: N
Docket: 03032191
NRC Notified By: JAMES RICE
HQ OPS Officer: LEIGH TROCINE
Licensee: FMC IDAHO LLC
Region: 4
City: POCATELLO State: ID
County: POWER
License #: 11-27071-01
Agreement: N
Docket: 03032191
NRC Notified By: JAMES RICE
HQ OPS Officer: LEIGH TROCINE
Notification Date: 04/30/2002
Notification Time: 15:37 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2002
Event Time: 15:30 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 04/30/2002
Notification Time: 15:37 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2002
Event Time: 15:30 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 04/30/2002
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
MALFUNCTIONING (RUPTURED), CESIUM-137, INSERTION SOURCE ON A BERTHOLD DENSITY DEVICE AT FMC IDAHO LLC IN POCATELLO, IDAHO
Prior to the event, a representative from FMC Idaho LLC (an elemental phosphorous plant which has been shutdown) contacted Thermo Measure Tech (used to be TN) to remove several density devices at the plant. The plan was to have several devices removed, packed up, and shipped back to Thermo Measure Tech.
During the process of removing a Berthold (model number LB300, serial number 2576-10-94) device with a 15-millicurie, cesium-137, insertion source (used to monitor tank levels), the cable which lowers the source pellet into the tube parted. Workers improvised, got a hold of the wire, and pulled it back up. When the source came out of the top, it became obvious that it had ruptured. All of the contaminated items (the source, a rag, a pair of gloves) were then put back into the tube, and the top was placed back on. The area was surveyed, and there was no contamination outside of the tube. Everything was locked up, and the area was marked off.
The licensee contacted Berthold USA. Because the device was manufactured in Germany, Berthold USA notified Berthold in Germany. The licensee anticipates that Berthold will arrange to take possession of the device. A manufacturer representative told the licensee that they had never had one of these devices rupture in this fashion before.
The licensee notified the NRC Region 4 office (Christine Maier and Mark Shaffer).
(Call the NRC operations center for a licensee contact telephone number.)
Prior to the event, a representative from FMC Idaho LLC (an elemental phosphorous plant which has been shutdown) contacted Thermo Measure Tech (used to be TN) to remove several density devices at the plant. The plan was to have several devices removed, packed up, and shipped back to Thermo Measure Tech.
During the process of removing a Berthold (model number LB300, serial number 2576-10-94) device with a 15-millicurie, cesium-137, insertion source (used to monitor tank levels), the cable which lowers the source pellet into the tube parted. Workers improvised, got a hold of the wire, and pulled it back up. When the source came out of the top, it became obvious that it had ruptured. All of the contaminated items (the source, a rag, a pair of gloves) were then put back into the tube, and the top was placed back on. The area was surveyed, and there was no contamination outside of the tube. Everything was locked up, and the area was marked off.
The licensee contacted Berthold USA. Because the device was manufactured in Germany, Berthold USA notified Berthold in Germany. The licensee anticipates that Berthold will arrange to take possession of the device. A manufacturer representative told the licensee that they had never had one of these devices rupture in this fashion before.
The licensee notified the NRC Region 4 office (Christine Maier and Mark Shaffer).
(Call the NRC operations center for a licensee contact telephone number.)