Did a criticality almost occur happen at NFS due to the March 6, 2006 spill of the high enriched uranium solution?
No. The liquid containing the high-enriched uranium was never close to the conditions required for a criticality accident. The issue was that NFS lost control of the liquid transfer and did not know where the liquid was going. NRC licensees that handle enriched uranium must maintain control of the material at all times to avoid conditions favorable for a criticality accident. On March 6, 2006, nine gallons of high-enriched uranyl nitrate solution leaked into a glovebox and spilled onto the process floor. A criticality did not occur due to the functioning glovebox drains and lack of nuclear material that leaked. The puddle of solution was approximately six feet from an open elevator pit. The elevator pit had the potential of collecting the solution into a geometry favorable for criticality and did not have controls in place to prevent the buildup. For additional details, refer to NFS inspection report 70-143/2006-006. [The inspection report can be reviewed in the NRC Public Document Roo
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