MOX REPORTS FAULTY WELDS IN HVAC COMPONENTS

Faulty welds have led to cracks in HVAC filter housings supplied by a vendor for installation in the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, according to a report to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission this week by construction contractor Shaw AREVA MOX Services. “The filter housings are credited for the confinement of radioactive material. There is a possibility for additional material stresses to be placed on the subject filter housings which could cause the propagation and increase in size of the cracks,” according to the MOX Services report to the NRC. It is unclear how many the filter housings with the nonconforming welds, supplied by the Flanders Corporation, have been purchased. “MOX Services will ensure repairs are performed by either the vendor, MOX Services, or a third party. These repairs will be performed in support of the construction schedule,” the report states.  

MOX Services said that its quality control processes worked as expected, and none of the components had been installed. “During a routine quality control inspection, we initially discovered an issue with a small amount of welds,” spokesman Bryan Wilkes said in a written response. “We reported the issue to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National Nuclear Security Administration in a timely manner. We will work with the vendor to ensure all welds and work performed meet the quality standards we expect and which fall under NRC guidelines and rules.”