Overview of environmental control aspects for the gas-cooled fast reactor

Technical Report · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6480553· OSTI ID:6480553

Nolan, A M

Environmental control aspects relating to release of radionuclides have been analyzed for the Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GCFR). Information on environmental control systems was obtained for the most recent GCFR designs, and was used to evaluate the adequacy of these systems. The GCFR has been designed by the General Atomic Company as an alternative to other fast breeder reactor designs, such as the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR). The GCFR design includes mixed oxide fuel and helium coolant. The environmental impact of expected radionuclide releases from normal operation of the GCFR was evaluated using estimated collective dose equivalent commitments resulting from 1 year of plant operation. The results were compared to equivalent estimates for the Light Water Reactor (LWR) and High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR). A discussion of uncertainties in system performances, tritium production rates, and radiation quality factors for tritium is included.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6480553
• Report Number(s): PNL-3562; TRN: 81-011235
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
GCFR REACTOR
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
DOSE COMMITMENTS
GASEOUS WASTES
RADIATION DOSES
TRITIUM
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BREEDER REACTORS
DOSES
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GCFR TYPE REACTORS
HELIUM COOLED REACTORS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MATERIALS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTORS
WASTES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
220500* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Environmental Aspects