The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has identified an apparent regulatory violation at the BWXT Nuclear Operations Group (NOG) Inc. facility in Lynchburg, Va.
The incident occurred June 9 at BWXT’s Mount Athos Road manufacturing facility near Lynchburg, where the company found that an in-plant water line connection to a uranium recycling process had not been properly reviewed in accordance with NRC regulations. Management halted operations and ordered tests performed, ensuring there was no risk to the public, employees, or the environment. BWXT voluntarily reported the incident to the NRC the following day, according to company spokesman Jud Simmons.
The Lynchburg facility produces components for the U.S. government, while also converting or downblending highly enriched uranium into low-enriched fuel for use in commercial nuclear reactors.
Simmons said BWXT had not specifically analyzed and documented the potential for nuclear material to accidentally pass through a water line and into a hot water heater, which wasn’t designed to safely contain the material. There was no actual backflow of material to the water heater, Simmons said, nor any leakage or release of the material.
BWXT has provided the NRC with a risk assessment that demonstrates regulatory compliance and an engineering study that demonstrates backflow through the water system to the hot water tank is not physically possible. The NRC is considering BWXT’s filing in its evaluation of the violation and any potential action that could be taken against the company.
Regulators are evaluating the significance of the situation. NRC staff and BWXT representatives discussed the results of the inspections during exit meetings held on Aug. 18 and Oct. 13, according to the NRC.
“BWXT is dedicated to ensuring the safety our employees and finishing each day without incident or injury,” Simmons wrote. “We are also committed to the long-term wellbeing of the facilities we own and operate, the communities in which we operate, and the environment that surrounds them. The company will continue to work with the NRC to reach resolution.”
