Effect of a reactor fuel element failure on the Columbia River radionuclide concentrations at Pasco, Washington
The failure of a fuel element cladding in one of the water-cooled plutonium production reactors permits the erosion of irradiated uranium metal by the cooling water which is normally disposed to the Columbia River. Monitoring systems at both the reactors and at their effluent basin outlets to the river continuously monitor these streams, and if major fission-products release occurs the coolant can be held in retention basins. In addition to these monitoring systems, a river monitor is located at the 300 area which continuously monitors the gross gamma activity of the Columbia River; however, its sensitivity to rupture debris is limited because of the relatively high background'' from the short-lived (n, {gamma}) produced radionuclides in the river. In making hazard assessments and in providing adequate monitoring techniques and equipment at down-river locations, it is essential to know what changes occur in fission and (n, {gamma}) produced radionuclides following release of rupture products to the river.
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Richland, WA (USA). Hanford Atomic Products Operation
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/EH
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 5530559
- Report Number(s):
- HW-76153; ON: DE90000091
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220500* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Environmental Aspects
520300 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTINIDES
CLADDING
COLUMBIA RIVER
DEPOSITION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FAILURES
FISSION PRODUCT RELEASE
FUEL ELEMENTS
METALS
MONITORING
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE COATING
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
220500* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Environmental Aspects
520300 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTINIDES
CLADDING
COLUMBIA RIVER
DEPOSITION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FAILURES
FISSION PRODUCT RELEASE
FUEL ELEMENTS
METALS
MONITORING
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE COATING
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
WATER COOLED REACTORS