Conservatism in SRS Criticality Alarm System 12 Rad Zone Calculations - How Much is Enough?
Savannah River Site (SRS) uses two methods (i.e., Approximate Method and MCNP) of calculating the 12-rad zone. The reasons for the two-tier approach are described in Ref. 1 and 2. Lately, there have been occasions in which the use of either the Approximate Method (AM) or MCNP3 calculations indicated potential facility impacts. For example, one or both methods may indicate that a 12-rad zone extends outside of relatively thick shielding, or extends to the roof of a facility, or extends through shielding to part of a stairwell. In such cases, a criticality alarm system may have to be installed to protect workers in a small, localized area from a potential dose that is not substantially greater than 12 rad in air. But, is the potential dose really greater than 12 rad in air? A subcommittee was appointed to look into the two 12-rad zone calculation methods for the purpose of identifying items contributing to over-conservatism and under-conservatism, and to recommend a path forward.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-96SR18500
- OSTI ID:
- 799396
- Report Number(s):
- WSRC-MS-2002-00557; TRN: US0300029
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Nuclear Society Meeting, Washington, DC (US), 11/17/2002--11/21/2002; Other Information: PBD: 13 Jun 2002
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Rad-in-Tissue versus Rad-in-Air - A Look at the Difference and its Effect on 12-Rad Zone Analysis
Improved Methodology Application for 12-Rad Analysis in a Shielded Facility at SRS