Recent developments in radiation field control technology
- Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA (United States)
The U.S. nuclear power industry has been remarkably successful in reducing worker radiation exposures over the past ten years. There has been over a fourfold reduction in the person-rem incurred for each MW.year of electric power generated: from 1.8 in 1980, to only 0.39 person-rems in 1991 and 1992. Preliminary data for 1993 are even lower: approximately 0.37 person-rem.MW.year. Despite this substantial improvement, challenges for the industry remain. Individual exposure limits have been tightened in ICRP 60 and there will be increased requirements for special maintenance work as plants age, suggesting that vigorous efforts with be increased requirements for special maintenance work as plants age, suggesting that vigorous efforts will be required to meet the industry goals for 1995. Reducing out-of-core radiation fields offer the best chance of continuing the downward trend in exposures. To assist utilities select the most economic technology for their specific plants, EPRI has published a manual capturing worldwide operating experience with radiation-field control techniques (TR-100265). No one method will suffice, but implementing suitable combinations from this collection will enable utilities to achieve their exposure goals. Radiation reduction is generally cost-effective: outages are shorter, manpower requirements are reduced and work quality is improved. Despite the up front costs, the benefits over the following 1-3 years typically outweigh the expenses.
- Research Organization:
- US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Regulatory Applications; Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 54625
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG/CP-0143; BNL-NUREG-52440; CONF-940505-; ON: TI95008770; TRN: 95:012659
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 3. international workshop on implementation of ALARA at nuclear power plants, Long Island, NY (United States), 8-11 May 1994; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the Third International Workshop on the implementation of ALARA at nuclear power plants; Khan, T.A. [comp.] [Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)]; Roecklein, A.K. [Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Div of Regulatory Applications]; PB: 810 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
RADIATION EXPOSURE OF THE WHOLE POPULATION
Snubber reduction program at LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2