Airborne radioactivity in primary containments of nuclear power plants. Final report

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5350427

Jacob, Jr, N P; Tawney, B E

The phenomenon of airborne radioactivity in the primary containments of nuclear power plants was surveyed as it pertains to limiting initial reactor access following shutdowns, thus causing reduced plant availability. To this end, 39 pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and 23 boiling water reactors (BWRs) were surveyed. Information on the main sources of airborne radioactivity in the containments and on the methodology used by nuclear plants to minimize this airborne radioactivity was collected. In addition, site visits were conducted at selected plants to obtain detailed data from existing records during instances when airborne radioactivity precluded rapid reactor access following shutdown. These data were used in a model developed by Babcock and Wilcox to calculate reactor coolant system leakage rates and to evaluate sources that contribute to and methods that reduce radioactivity in containment atmospheres. Results of this program indicate that airborne radioactivity in primary containment is a generic problem that can delay initial reactor access and cause reduced availability at PWRs. The results show that airborne radioactivity is not a significant problem for BWRs in causing drywell access following shutdown.

• Research Organization: Babcock and Wilcox Co., Lynchburg, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5350427
• Report Number(s): EPRI-NP-3258; ON: DE84920185
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
ACTIVITY LEVELS
BUILDINGS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
CONTAINMENT
CONTAINMENT BUILDINGS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MAINTENANCE
OPERATION
PWR TYPE REACTORS
RADIATION HAZARDS
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS