Trihalomethanes in chlorinated cooling waters of nuclear reactors

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01607702· OSTI ID:7090579

Hollod, G J; Wilde, E W

The Savannah River Plant (SRP) near Aiken, SC has three operating nuclear reactors and used approximately 100-300 kg/day of chlorine to combat reactor heat exchanger biofouling. SRP cooling water is high in organic carbon and following chlorination, the water is occasionally heated to temperatures exceeding 70/sup 0/ C as it passes through the heat exchangers, forming conditions conducive to the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs), which are known human carcinogens. This study was conducted to examine the production and persistence of THMs resulting from the chlorination and heating of SRP reactor cooling waters. The concentration of total THM in all water samples collected in and around the SRP site were less than 59..mu..g/L, and there was no appreciable increase in the concentrations of THM in the Savannah River downstream of the SRP site. THM levels in all cases were below U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water guidelines (100 ..mu..g/L), and it was concluded that THM levels resulting from the chlorination of reactor cooling water at the SRP were insignificant. (JMT)

• Research Organization: Savannah River Lab., Aiken, SC
• OSTI ID: 7090579
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 28:4; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANTIFOULANTS
CARCINOGENS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINATION
COOLANTS
COOLING PONDS
COOLING SYSTEMS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HALOGENATION
HEAT EXCHANGERS
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
PONDS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
RIVERS
SAVANNAH RIVER
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER POLLUTION
WATER RESERVOIRS