Power-plant discharges: toward more reasonable effluent limits on chlorine

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Nucl. Saf.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7283737

Mattrice, J S

A method is presented for restricting chlorine in power-plant effluents to environmentally safe levels. Development of this method was stimulated by the controversy between electric utilities and regulatory agencies over the justification of the present universally applied limits. The scientific literature conclusivey demonstrates the effects of physical, chemical, and biotic factors on chlorine toxicity. The method proposed includes these factors, to the extent currently possible, to set limits based on site-specific aquatic conditions and plant design and operation specifications. In these effluent limits, the organisms considered are those which are entrained into the plume or which maintain themselves within the plume during chlorination. In each instance the time course of exposure concentration is divided into small time intervals. Weighted mean concentrations for successively larger time intervals following initial exposure are then calculated. Exposures resulting from releases at various levels are compared either graphically or mathematically with acute and chronic mortality thresholds to find the highest discharge concentration that does not cause mortality. The thresholds are derived from existing toxicity data and are different for marine and freshwater organisms. This method is based on the latest literature available and can incorporate further data concerning chemistry, toxicity, and behavior as they become available. The method also is amenable to coupling with models of chemical dispersion and population dynamics to permit more complete analysis. This approach serves to permit use of chlorine for biofouling control at power plants, while ensuring that this use will not be inimical to the environment.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 7283737
• Journal Information: Nucl. Saf.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Saf.; (United States) Vol. 18:6; ISSN NUSAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220500* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
CHLORINE
ELEMENTS
HALOGENS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MORTALITY
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
REGULATIONS
RELEASE LIMITS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS