Evaluation of environmental dosimetry models for applicability to possible radioactive waste repository discharges

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5178987· OSTI ID:5178987

Mauro, J. J.; Michlewicz, D.; Letizia, A.

This report presents the results of a review of the available codes, for application to the National Waste Terminal Storage (NWTS) Program. Consideration was given to the types of radionuclides which may be of concern, the possible modes of release of these radionuclides and the various pathways by which members of the general public in the vicinity of a terminal storage facility may be exposed to the releases. Results reveal that the types and quantities of radioactive material requiring disposal will depend on the type of back and fuel cycle adopted. It can be assumed that under normal operating conditions there will be virtually no liquid effluent and inconsequentially small quantities of radioactive gaseous effluent. Under accident conditions during operation, both liquid and gaseous releases could occur resulting in exposures to the general public. Failure of the facility subsequent to decommissioning could also result in exposures but primarily via the aquatic pathways. A review of three atmospheric dispersion models and 32 environmental dosimetry codes presently used by the nuclear industry was performed. A discussion is presented on standard NRC methodologies for determining the dispersion coefficients used as input to the various models and the inherent limitations of many of the techniques routinely used to evaluate site specific atmospheric dispersion. The review of the dosimetry codes reveals that no one code is generally applicable to the NWTS Program, but some codes permit radiological assessment of the most important exposure pathways. (DLC)

• Research Organization: Envirosphere Co., New York (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5178987
• Report Number(s): Y/OWI/SUB-77/45705; TRN: 78-007314
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
RADIATION ACCIDENTS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
REVIEWS
COMPUTER CODES
DOSIMETRY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ENVIRONMENT
FISSION PRODUCTS
FUEL CYCLE
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
RADIOECOLOGY
WATER COOLED REACTORS
ACCIDENTS
DOCUMENT TYPES
DOSES
ECOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
POPULATIONS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTORS
STORAGE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
054000 - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety