Radiation-related impacts for nuclear plant physical modifications

Technical Report · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5497023· OSTI ID:5497023

Sciacca, F.; Knudson, R.; Simion, G.; Baca, G.; Behling, H.; Behling, K.; Britz, W.; Cohen, S. ^[1]

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1. Science and Engineering Associates, Inc., Albuquerque, NM (USA)

The radiation fields in nuclear power plants present significant obstacles to accomplishing repairs and modifications to many systems and components in these plants. The NRC's generic cost estimating methodology attempts to account for radiation-related impacts by assigning values to the radiation labor productivity factor. This radiation labor productivity factor is then used as a multiplier on the greenfield or new nuclear plant construction labor to adjust for the actual operating plant conditions. The value assigned to the productivity factor is based on the work-site radiation levels. The relationship among ALARA practices, work-place radiation levels, and radiation-related cost impacts previously had not been adequately characterized or verified. The assumptions made concerning the use and application of radiation-reduction measures such as system decontamination and/or the use of temporary shielding can significantly impact estimates of both labor requirements and radiation exposure associated with a particular activity. Overall guidance was needed for analysts as to typical ALARA practices at nuclear power plants and the effects of these practices in reducing work-site dose rates and overall labor requirements. This effort was undertaken to better characterize the physical modification cost and radiological exposure impacts related to the radiation environment of the work place. More specifically, this work sought to define and clarify the quantitative relationships between or among: radiation levels and ALARA practices, such as the use of temporary shielding, decontamination efforts, or the use of robots and remote tools; radiation levels and labor productivity factors; radiation levels, in-field labor hours, and worker radiation exposure; radiation levels and health physics services costs; and radiation levels, labor hours, and anti-contamination clothing and equipment. 48 refs., 4 figs., 4 tabs.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (USA). Div. of Regulatory Applications; Science and Engineering Associates, Inc., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Cohen (S.) and Associates, Inc., McLean, VA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: NRC
• OSTI ID: 5497023
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-5236; SEA--87-253-08-A:1; ON: TI90002587
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210700 -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Regulation & Licensing
210800 -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ALARA
CLEANING
COMPLIANCE
COST
DECONTAMINATION
DOCUMENT TYPES
DOSE RATES
EFFICIENCY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MANAGEMENT
MITIGATION
MONITORING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERFORMANCE
POWER PLANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
PROGRESS REPORT
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIATION PROTECTION
REACTOR SAFETY
REGULATIONS
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SAFETY
SHIELDING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS