Tritium issues in commercial pressurized water reactors
- Constellation Energy Group, R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant, Ontario, NY (United States)
Tritium has become an important radionuclide in commercial Pressurized Water Reactors because of its mobility and tendency to concentrate in plant systems as tritiated water during the recycling of reactor coolant. Small quantities of tritium are released in routine regulated effluents as liquid water and as water vapor. Tritium has become a focus of attention at commercial nuclear power plants in recent years due to inadvertent, low-level, chronic releases arising from routine maintenance operations and from component failures. Tritium has been observed in groundwater in the vicinity of stations. The nuclear industry has undertaken strong proactive corrective measures to prevent recurrence, and continues to eliminate emission sources through its singular focus on public safety and environmental stewardship. This paper will discuss: production mechanisms for tritium, transport mechanisms from the reactor through plant, systems to the environment, examples of routine effluent releases, offsite doses, basic groundwater transport and geological issues, and recent nuclear industry environmental and legal ramifications. (authors)
- OSTI ID:
- 22109371
- Journal Information:
- Fusion Science and Technology, Vol. 54, Issue 2; Conference: 8. international conference on tritium science and technology, Rochester, NY (United States), 16-21 Sep 2007; Other Information: Country of input: France; 6 refs; ISSN 1536-1055
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
DOSES
ELECTRIC POWER
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
GROUND WATER
LEGAL ASPECTS
LIQUIDS
NUCLEAR ENERGY
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
RECYCLING
SAFETY
TRITIUM
WASTE WATER
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER VAPOR