Concurrent Uranium Overmass and Hydraulic Fluid Leak
- Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
In the Spring of 2017, the Y-12 National Security Complex had a NCS operational event involving hydraulic fluid leaking into a glovebox containing fissile material. The hydraulic fluid intermixed with fissile material in the glovebox but remained in a safe slab-like configuration. Unknown at the time, a large enough mass of uranium to support a moderated nuclear criticality accident resided below the glovebox floor in an unfavorable volume sand separator system. Thanks to the operator following procedures and shutting down the hydraulic pump supplying the jolter, a potential accident was adverted. As a result of the event, significant physical modifications were made to the process to enhance safety. Additionally, changes were made in how the materials in the glovebox are processed in order to prevent liquid intrusion and significant uranium accumulation in the sand separator system.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant (Y-12), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-NA0001942
- OSTI ID:
- 1476644
- Report Number(s):
- IROS4033
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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