Environmental aspects of MHTGR (Modular High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor) operation

Conference · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6780119

Neylan, A J; Dilling, D A; Cardito, J M

The Modular High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (MHTGR) is an advanced reactor concept being developed under a cooperative program involving the US Government, the utilities and the nuclear industry. This plant design utilizes basic High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) features of ceramic fuel, helium coolant, and a graphite moderator. The MHTGR design approach leading to exceptional safety performance also leads to plant operation which is characterized by extremely low radiological emissions even for very low probability accidents. Coated fuel particles retain radionuclides within the fuel, thus minimizing material contamination and personnel exposure. The objective of this paper is to characterize radioactive effluents expected from the normal operation of an MHTGR. In addition, other nonradioactive effluents associated with a power generating facility are discussed. Nuclear power plants produce radioactive effluents during normal operation in gaseous, liquid and solid forms. Principal sources of radioactive waste within the MHTGR are identified. The manner in which it is planned to treat these wastes is described. Like other reactors, the MHTGR produces nonradioactive effluents associated with heat generation and chemical usage. However, due to the MHTGR's higher efficiency, water usage requirements and chemical discharges for the MHTGR are minimized relative to other types of nuclear power plants. Based upon prior operating HTGR experience and analysis, effluents are quantified in terms of radioactivity levels and/or emission volume. Results, quantified within the paper, demonstrate that effluents from the MHTGR are well below regulatory limits and that the MHTGR has a minimal impact upon the public and the environment. 14 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.

• Research Organization: General Atomics Co., San Diego, CA (USA); Bechtel National, Inc., San Francisco, CA (USA); Stone and Webster Engineering Corp., Boston, MA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-88SF17367
• OSTI ID: 6780119
• Report Number(s): GA-A-19439; CONF-8809150-1; ON: DE88017340
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
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Nonbreeding
Graphite Moderated
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220502* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Environmental Aspects-- Radioactive Effluents
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
COORDINATED RESEARCH PROGRAMS
DESIGN
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
HTGR TYPE REACTORS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
REGULATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SAFETY
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES