Honeywell Uranium Hexafluoride Processing Facility

Honeywell Metropolis Works deploys a unique technology and process by which it converts yellowcake to uranium hexafluoride gas.

[2] The dry fluoride volatility conversion process at Metropolis works goes through five basic steps: feed preparation, reduction, hydrofluorination, fluorination, and distillation.

[3] The aim of this initial step is to ensure that uranium concentrates have the optimum particle size and density necessary to move forward in the process of conversion.

Although initial inspections confirmed that the Metropolis Works Facility was in full compliance with its operating license, the NRC shut down the plant in May 2012 and required a series of upgrades to improve resilience to natural disasters including earthquakes and tornadoes.

Honeywell elected to complete required upgrades and the plant restarted production of uranium hexafluoride in July 2013, after more than a year offline.

At 3:00 CST the licensee declared a Site Area Emergency, indicating failure of systems design to prevent risk to the public.

Honeywell attributed the accident to an equipment failure and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission began an investigation of the plant to make sure safety procedures were followed.

The NRC affirmed that what appeared to be a visible cloud of gas was the result of water cannons which are a part of the emergency response process in the event of a release.