Honeywell’s Metropolis plant has resumed full operations after receiving the all-clear from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The plant had been in shut-down mode since August 1st when a leak of uranium hexafluoride was detected.
Honeywell’s Peter Dalpe says about 12 pounds of liquid UF6 (or approximately 4 cups) was released but which converted to dangerous hydrofluoric acid when exposed to air.
The NRC determined that the cause was excessive pressure on a machine undergoing maintenance.
The Honeywell plant has had 3 UF6 leaks at the plant since 2003, including one last October.