Event Notification Report for June 17, 2019

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED GAUGE

The following report was received from the state of Georgia via email:

"[On 6/17/2019,] the mill instrumentation group was called to check on a problem with readout from a nuclear gauge indication of high level for the number 26 chip digester. In the course of troubleshooting the problem, the Instrument Mechanic found that the gauge shutter handle would not remain locked in the [full] open position, but would slowly close as the digester operation caused the instrument to vibrate.

"The gauge shutter was left in the open position with instructions for operations to notify the Instrument Mechanic if needed. As the shutter for the digester level gauges are open during normal operations, this poses no added safety risk.

"Berthold was called and arrangements have been made for them to come on site on 6/27/2019 to either repair or replace the shutter."

The gauge is a Berthold model LB7442 with a 50 mCi Co-60 source (serial number 526-03-09).

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGE TO RADIOGRAPHY GUIDE TUBE PREVENTING RETRACTION OF SOURCE

The following information was received from the Ohio Department of Health via E-mail:

"On 6/17/2019, the licensee reported an incident while shooting at a client location in Bremen, Ohio. They were setting up 2 inch welds on a table in the shooting vault. The spool piece weighed approximately 40 pounds. As the radiographer cranked out the shot at approximately 1130 EDT, he immediately heard a loud noise and tried to crank the shot in, but could not get the source (Ir-192; 63.8 Curies) back into the camera. The vault door was opened slightly to see what had happened. The spool piece had fallen off the table and crushed the guide tube. The door to the vault was shut and licensee staff prepared a plan to get the source back into the camera.

"The RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] made a 15 second trip into the vault to shield the source using (6) 1 inch long x 2 inch thick x 4 inch wide lead blocks. During this first entry into the vault to put the shielding down, the RSO received a dose of 20 mR. The RSO made a second trip into the vault to put more shielding down and access the situation. During this time he discovered that the drive cable was partially sheared off and the guide tube was crimped at that area. The RSO received an additional 10 mR during this trip. With the shielding in place the licensee measured approximately 0.5 mR/hr outside the shooting vault.

"Proper source retrieval procedures were followed and the source was retrieved and placed into the camera using source retrieval equipment and new cranks and guide tubes. The Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health and Radiation Protection was contacted by phone at approximately 1430 EDT on 6/17/2019, to inform of what transpired. At no time were there any members of the public exposed. During the whole retrieval process the RSO received a total dose of 55 mR."

Ohio Item Number: OH190008

PART 21 REPORT - NA - TYPE ACTUATOR OUTER CLUTCH RING ANOMALY

The following was received via fax:

"Rotork Controls Inc. has identified a potential concern as defined under 10 CFR Part 21 with model NA1 [nuclear A-range (inside containment)] and NA5 [seismic component] nuclear safety related actuators manufactured [and shipped] between January 1, 1979 and December 31, 1982. Switch mechanism in these actuators utilize an Outer Clutch Ring ([Part number =] N40039) made from beryllium copper. [Duke Energy] has reported (4) instances of Outer Clutch Ring failure between 2000 and 2019 [at Catawba and McGuire]. All failures occurred in Outer Clutch Rings made from beryllium copper.

"The number of affected actuators remaining installed is thought to be low and those still installed are approaching the end of their 40 year service life.

"Rotork cannot assess the risk further. Rotork recommends licensed operators assess this potential failure mode if actuators from this date range are still installed and should consider risk if affected actuators are to remain in service beyond 40 years.

"Failure of the Outer Clutch Ring results in:
1) lost travel limit switch operation in open and closed directions;
2) lost auxiliary switch operation for open and closed indication limits;
3) lost mechanical torque latch operation, if fitted.
Torque limit sensing is not affected. AOP [Add-On-Pack] operation is not affected."

"In 1982, Rotork changed the Outer Clutch Ring material to spring steel 'to improve setting and operation.'"

Rotork Controls, Inc.
675 Mile Crossing Blvd.
Rochester, New York 14624
tel: 1-585-247-2304
fax: 1-585-247-2308
www.rotork.com
info@rotork.com