PROJECT REPORT ON

Radiological Impact For Atmospheric Releases Following A

Hypothetical Nuclear Accident For A 100 MW Research
Reactor
Submitted by
Prakash Mandal
RSE
Towards Partial Fulfilment of the award of certificate of
Orientation Course for Engineering and Science Graduates (OCES 2013)

Under The Guidance of

Dr. R. K. Gopalakrishnan
RSSD/BARC
( Project Co-Guide : Shri Amit Bhatnagar, RSSD, BARC)

Human Resource Development Division

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Mumbai 400085. INDIA
1

July 2014

Certificate
This is to certify that, Prakash Mandal, RSE, OCES-2013, BARC Training School, Mumbai has
completed his Project Work under my guidance.

Signature _____________________________
Name & Designation_____________________
Division/Unit_________________________________

Acknowledgements
The work described in this Mini Project thesis has been carried out under the
guidance and supervision of Dr. R. K. Gopalakrishnan, Head RHCS RSSD, BARC
Mumbai, between May 2014 and July 2014.
I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to him for his constant guidance,
motivation, suggestions and discussions throughout this work.
I specially thank Shri Amit Bhatnagar RHCS Dhruva who helped me in
each and every step for doing this project. Apart from the academic guidance, his
friendly nature was a boost to my spirit to move ahead constantly.
I am thankful to Dr. K. S. Pradeepkumar Head RSSD for his suggestion and
motivation.
I specially thank my friends and lab mates for helping me. It has been a
pleasure to work in company of good people of the unit. My sincere thanks and
regards to Mr. N. Kalyansundarm RSO Dhruva for his kind help at various stages
in my project. I thank all my batchmates and friends for their constant support
which has given me the confidence for moving ahead across any difficulties. I
finally thank all my teachers and professors of training school, who have made me
capable to do whatever I am able to do today. Lastly, I would like to express my
gratitude to my parents, grandparents and my sister. All that I have accomplished
in my life is the result of their care and support.

PrakashManldal
BARC Mumbai
July, 2014

Table of Contents

Page Number

1. Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Nuclear accident classification

3. General feature of the reactor

4. Exposure pathways

5. Factors influencing source term

10

6. Radionuclide inventory in the core

11

7. Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling

13

8. Instantaneous and continuous point source

14

9. Atmospheric stability category

16

10.1 Evaluation of wind speed at the height of release and

Effective stack height for different stability class

17

10.2 Estimation of source term

18

10.3 Estimation of Submersion dose due to stack release

19

10.4 Estimation of submersion dose due to ground release

20

10.5 Estimation of plume dose

21

10.6 Estimation of inhalation dose due to stack release

21

10.7 Estimation of inhalation dose due to ground release

22

12.

23

Dose estimation in BDBA condition

11. Conclusion

25

12. References

25

1.1 Abstract: Research reactors are required for neutron research applications,
isotope production, reactor material testing, etc. During normal reactor operation
dose to the member of public and workers are insignificant. But in a rare event of a
reactor accident condition, the dose to the occupational workers and members of
the public can be large. It is required to estimate the dose to members of the public
in the event of an accident scenario. In this work, dose rate at different distances
has been estimated in hypothetical condition of accident in design and beyond
design basis accident. This project aims to calculate the dose from Fission Product
Noble Gases (FPNG) and iodine at various distance from nuclear facility in various
modes of exposure scenario. Dose in DBA and BDBA condition has been
compared. It is expected that this study would help in emergency preparedness
and planning.
1.2 Introduction
Radiological impact due to atmospheric releases following a hypothetical nuclear
accident for a 100 MW research reactor is analyzed with following assumptions.
1.

2.

3.
4.
5.

Assumptions:
For the calculation of dose in accidental condition, a hypothetical scenario is taken
into account. The following assumptions are made ( a) 43% of total fuel inventory
will lose its integrity and will have clad failure (b) From these fuels 100% fission
product noble gas (FPNG), 25% iodine and 1% particulate will get released into
primary coolant (c) ECCS is available (d) All FPNG will get released into the
containment (e) Partition factor of 700 is used for iodine release to containment.
As the emergency exhaust system is initiated, activity of containment will be
released to atmosphere through 100 m stack. All ventilation will be through
Charcoal and HEPA filter. Efficiency of charcoal filter is taken as 90% and HEPA
as 99% while calculating released activity.
Pressurisation is not envisaged due to the credit of Emergency exhaust system. A
leak rate of 0.2% V/V-hr has been taken into calculation for duration of 12 min.
Calculation has been done for weather category F with a wind speed 2 m/sec for
ground release and 4.3 m/s for stack release.
For beyond design basis accident, no credit has been given to charcoal filter.

1.3 Theoretical Description of accidental scenario:

Definition of an accident:An accident is an unintended event, caused by an
operator error, equipment failure or external events that could lead to core damage,
unacceptable exposures of personnel on-site or off-site, and degradation of the
environment.
Accident severities:
Design Basis accidents:A hypothetical accident considered in the design of a
nuclear facility which the facility can withstand without producing
consequences beyond acceptable limits.
Beyond Design Basis accidents: Nuclear power plant conditions beyond the DBA
which have a potential for causing large-scale off-site releases.
Severe accidents: Nuclear power plant conditions beyond those of the DBA which
can cause substantial core degradation.
1.4 Dose limits under Accident Condition: It is stipulated that no member of the
public should receive doses exceeding the following limits under accident
conditions.
Table 1: Dose limits prescribed by AERB for accidental condition

Organ
Whole body
Childs Thyroid

Dose Limit
100 mSv
500 mSv

1.5 Scope of Nuclear Accidents:

Of all nuclear facilities, maximum radiological hazard is posed by:
Power reactors,
Research reactors, and
Fuel reprocessing plants.
Effect of an accidents in power reactors extends to both off-site and on-site areas
while in research reactors and Fuel Reprocessing Plants, effect of accident is
generally limited to plant and site areas. However, exceptions exist.
6

1.6 Classification of Accidents: Accident classification may be based on:

Type of reactor (Power/Experimental)
Extent of core damage/ activity released
Environmental impact / casualties/ health effects
Mechanism leading to core over-heating / damage
- Loss of Coolant Accidents (LOCA);
- Reactivity insertion accidents;
- Internal/External events.

1.7 Reactor Description:

Table 2: Reactor engineering features

Power
Coolant
Moderator
Fuel
Clad
n-flux
Coolant inlet temperature
Coolant outlet temperature
No of coolant channels
No of fuel assembly
Reactor building volume
Burn-up (Average)

100MW
D2O
D2O
Nat-U metal
Al
1.8E+14
45C
75C
146
127
55,000m3
1000 MWD/T

1.8 General feature of the reactor: For the estimation of radiological imapact in
a hypothetical accidental scenario, a single containment 100 MW research reactor
was considered.

Fig 1: Structural feature of the reactor

1.9 Barriers to release of radioactivity: There are several barriers for the release
of radioactivity from fuel matrix to the environment.

Fig 2: Defense in Depth Philosophy

1.10 Introduction about the reactor: For the dose estimation, considered reactor
is a 100MW thermal neutron, vertical core, heterogeneous, tank type, U-natural
fuelled, heavy water moderated, cooled and reflected multipurpose research

reactor. It is operating to produce isotopes, and to provide research facilities such

as neutron beams, engineering loops, gamma irradiation, neutron irradiation etc.
1.11 Release of radioactivity following an accident: After a hypothetical nuclear
accident in a research reactor, radioactivity can be released via atmospheric route
or through ground release or by both. The exposure pathways in case of
atmospheric release are of two types, one is external exposure and other is internal
exposure.
External Exposure: For external exposure, Immersion in a Radioactive Plume,
Cloud shine (exposure from radioactive plume)and Exposure due to Contaminated
Soil (Ground shine)has been considered.
Internal Exposure:Inhalation dose due to airborne radioactive material has been
estimated.

Dose is estimated up
to 1.6 Km, for stability
class F plume will not
touch the ground up
to that distance so
the dose, contributed
by ground deposition
will be negligible.

1.12 Dose estimation: Due to atmospheric release dose can be estimated as

follows.

Di= REi x TRi x PAi x DFi

..........(1)

Di= Dose for radionuclide i

REi= Release Module (Quantity of radionuclide i released to the air)
TRi= Transport Module. (transport of a radionuclide through air or surface water
to an exposure location )
PAi= Pathway Assessment Module. (concentration or quantity of a radionuclide
that the receptor is exposed to, inhales, or ingests)
DFi=Dose conversion factor
1.13 Radiological consequence depends on:

Reactor type
Reactor size or power level
Fuel characteristics
Reactor utilization
Nature of Accident

1.14 Factors influencing the source term:

The inventory of fission products and other radionuclides in the core
The progression of core damage
The fraction of radionuclides released from the fuel, and the physical and
chemical forms of released radioactive materials
The retention of radionuclides in the primary cooling system
The performance of means of confinement (e.g. emergency ventilation rate,
filter efficiency, leak rate, liquid effluent release rate, radioactive decay due
to time delay of release, deposition on surfaces and resuspension).
Mode of release (puff/intermittent or continuous) and Release rate.
Release point(stack, ground level, confinement bypass) and released
environment.
10

 The magnitude, composition, physical and chemical form.

Radioactive elements (fission and/or activation products) released during a

reactor accident.

1.15 Radionuclide inventory in the core

Table 3: Radionuclides inventory assumed for a typical burn up of 1000 MWD/T
nuclide

Group

Half life

Core inventory
(Ci)

Kr-83m
Kr-85m
Kr-85
Kr-87
Kr-88
Kr-89
Kr-90
Kr-91
Kr-92

Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas

114m
4.4h
10.6y
78m
2.8h
3.2m
33s
10s
3s

4.44E+05
1.06E+06
2.56E+03
2.14E+06
3.01E+06
3.85E+06
3.82E+06
2.87E+06
1.26E+06

Xe-131m
Xe-133m
Xe-133
Xe-135m
Xe-135
Xe-137
Xe-138
Xe-139
Xe-140

Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas
Noble gas

12d
2.3d
5.27d
15.3m
9h
3.9m
17m
41s
16s

2.47E+04
1.64E+05
5.61E+06
9.45E+05
2.36E+06
4.99E+06
5.20E+06
4.26E+06
3.00E+06

I-129
I-131
I-132
I-133
I-134
I-135
I-136
I-137
I-138
I-139

Halogen
Halogen
Halogen
Halogen
Halogen
Halogen
Halogen
Halogen
Halogen
Halogen

17000000y
8.05d
2.3h
20.8h
52.5m
6.7h
86s
24.4s
6.3s
2s

4.10E-03
2.36E+06
3.56E+06
5.61E+06
6.33E+06
5.25E+06
2.52E+06
2.71E+06
1.37E+06
6.24E+05

11

Sr-89
Sr-90
Sr-91
Sr-92
Sr-93
Sr-94

Strontium group
Strontium group
Strontium group
Strontium group
Strontium group
Strontium group

50.5d
28y
9.7y
2.7h
7.9m
1.3m

2.36E+06
2.02E+04
4.86E+06
4.97E+06
5.29E+06
4.90E+06

Te-125m
Te-127m
Te-127
Te-129m
Te-129
Te-131m
Te-131
Te-132m
Te-133m
Te-134

Tellurium group
Tellurium group
Tellurium group
Tellurium group
Tellurium group
Tellurium group
Tellurium group
Tellurium group
Tellurium group
Tellurium group

58d
105d
9.3h
37d
72m
30h
24m
77h
52m
43m

7.75E+01
5.18E+03
1.09E+05
5.99E+04
5.28E+05
3.02E+05
2.13E+06
3.54E+06
2.49E+06
5.61E+06

Cs-134
Cs-135
Cs-136
Cs-137
Cs-138
Cs-139
Cs-140

Alkali metal
Alkali metal
Alkali metal
Alkali metal
Alkali metal
Alkali metal
Alkali metal

2.2y
2600000y
12.9d
30y
32.2m
9.5m
66s

3.24E+02
1.25E-06
5.87E+03
2.09E+04
5.61E+06
5.32E+06
4.82E+06

Ru-103
Ru-105
Ru-106
Ru-107
Ru-103m

Noble metal
Noble metal
Noble metal
Noble metal
Noble metal

1.79E+06
8.70E+05
3.97E+04
1.55E+05
1.62E+06

Ce-141
Ce-143
Ce-144
Ce-145
Ce-146

Cerium group
Cerium group
Cerium group
Cerium group
Cerium group

3.66E+06
4.93E+06
6.61E+05
3.25E+06
6.62E+03

Zr-95
Zr-97

Lanthanide
Lanthanide

2.69E+06
4.87E+06

12

1.16 Consideration in atmospheric dispersion modeling:

The dispersion and deposition of material released to the atmosphere are

typically modeled as a plume.
Model is based on a Gaussian plume with PasquillGifford dispersion
parameters.
Release height, topography and Buoyant plume rise.
Wake effects on plume dispersion caused by obstructions of buildings
Wet and dry deposition.
Time dependent radioactive buildup and decay in the plume

1.17 Gaussian plume:

Fig 5: Gaussian plume dispersion model

13

1.18 Instantaneous point source (Puff model): An ideal instantaneous point

source released at an instant t=0 will progressively develop due to eddy diffusion,
into a cloud which travels downwind with mean wind speed u. If we construct a
new co-ordinate system such that the origin is at the cloud centre, x-axis in the
mean downwind direction, y-axis in the horizontal crosswind direction and z-axis
in vertical direction, then in this moving co-ordinate system, the concentration at
a point (x,y,z) at a given instant is given by a triple Gaussian expression
( , , , )=

exp (

)exp (

) exp (

)....(2)

where
, and
are the standard deviations of concentration distribution along
the tree axes and Q is the source strength or the quantity of material released (Bq).
Time integrated concentration (TIC) , at a downwind point along the x-axis
over a period constituting complete passage of the cloud by integrating the above
equation using the transformation x=ut, we get
( , , , )=

exp (

) exp (

) ..(3)

Where,
U=mean wind speed at the height of release (m/s).
1.19 Continuous point source: For a continuous point source of strength Q`
(Bq/s) situated at the origin of a fixed co-ordinate system in which x-axis is in
downwind direction , y-axis is in horizontal crosswind direction and z-axis in the
vertical direction, the concentration at a point (x,y,z) is given by
( , , )=

exp (

) exp (

.(4)

Where
and
are the standard deviations of the concentrations at distance x in
the horizontal crosswind direction and in vertical direction respectively. These are

14

increasing functions of downwind distance and depends on atmospheric stability

conditions.
1.20 Stack release: The diffusion equation refers to a co-ordinate system with the
origin at the source. For elevated releases , it is more convenient to transfer the
origin to ground level. For stack discharges we may transfer the origin at the base
of the stack. If the physical stack height is and h is the plume rise then the
effective stack height is given by
H= + h

. (5)

Shifting the co-ordinate system from effective stack height level to the base of the
stack the equation (3) is transformed to
( , , ) =

`
2

exp (

){exp (

+exp (

2
( + )

)}...(6)

The additional exponential term takes account of the fact that ground being
impervious to the radioactive material would reflect the plume. The effect of
reflection is taken into account by considering a virtual source at a depth H below
the ground.
Special cases:
(i) Expression for ground level concentration (GLC) is obtained by setting z=0 in
equation (5), we get
( , , 0) =

exp (

)exp (

......(7)

(ii) expression for plume centerline concentration is obtained by setting y=0 in the
above equation yielding :
( , 0,0) =

exp (

.(8)
15

1.21 Wind speed correction with height: wind speed and direction change with
height. Wind speed to be used in the diffusion expression is the one at the effective
height of release H. Standard height for national networks recommended by World
Meteorological Organization is 10 metres above ground.
The power law of wind profile is expressed as:
Where

( )

( )=(

) ..(9)

(2 ) and n is the Sutton parameter with the following typical

values under various weather categories.
Unstable : n=0.2
Neutral : n=0.25 and
Stable

: n=0.5

1.22 Pasquill Atmospheric Stability Categories:

Table 4: Atmospheric stability category

16

1.23 The effective dose rate from immersion in a radioactive cloud is given by:
Dim = CA DFim

...(10)

is immersion dose (Sv/h),

where

CA is the specific activity of the radionuclide in air (Bq m-3);

DFim is the effective dose coefficient for immersion (Sv h-1 per Bq m-3).

2.0 CALCULATION:
2.1 Evaluation of effective stack height for different stability class: Formula
used
=

+ ( )

( +

.(11)

d=diameter of stack at the height of release.=2m

=Physical stack ht=100m
=velosity of effluents released from stack=4.86m/s (in normal condition)
u=wind speed=2.78m/s for class D at release height
=inside temp of stack=308K (assumed)
=temp of ambient atmosphere=303K (assumed)
(

= ( ) it gives wind profile with height, where

(2 )

Table 5: Effective stack height and wind speed for different stability class

Stack
height
(m)
100
100
100

Stability n-value
class

unstable
neutral
stable

0.2
0.25
0.5

p-value

0.11
0.14
0.33
17

wind speed
at 100m
(m/s)

(m)

2.58
2.77
4.30

104.4
104.2
103.2

2.2 Estimation of source term:

Assumption: It is assumed that 43% channels are failed during a hypothetical
nuclear accident.

Core
inventory
43% fail
100%

1%
25%

FPNG (water)

Iodine
(water)

100%

Containment

Particulates
(water)

0.143%

Containment

0.001%

Containment

Fig 7: Percentage of activity transfer considered for the hypothetical nuclear accident

Table 6: Amount of radioactivity at the different part of the reactor building

Isotope

core
equilibrium
activity (Ci)

activity in
coolant (Ci)

activity in
water (Ci)

I-129
4.10E-03
1.76E-03
4.40E-04
I-131
2.36E+06
1.01E+06
2.54E+05
I-132
3.56E+06
1.53E+06
3.82E+05
I-133
5.61E+06
2.41E+06
6.03E+05
I-134
6.33E+06
2.72E+06
6.81E+05
I-135
5.25E+06
2.26E+06
5.64E+05
I-136
2.52E+06
1.08E+06
2.71E+05
I-137
2.71E+06
1.17E+06
2.91E+05
I-138
1.37E+06
5.89E+05
1.47E+05
I-139
6.24E+05
2.68E+05
6.71E+04
FPNG 43% from fuel to coolant then 100% up to stack

18

activity in
containment
(Ci)

Stack
Stack
release(Ci) release in
Bq

6.30E-07
3.63E+02
5.46E+02
8.63E+02
9.73E+02
8.07E+02
3.88E+02
4.17E+02
2.11E+02
9.59E+01

3.15E-10
1.81E-01
2.73E-01
4.31E-01
4.87E-01
4.03E-01
1.94E-01
2.08E-01
1.05E-01
4.80E-02

1.16E+01
6.71E+09
1.01E+10
1.60E+10
1.80E+10
1.49E+10
7.17E+09
7.71E+09
3.90E+09
1.77E+09

release
Kr-83m
4.44E+05
1.91E+05
1.91E+05
Kr-85m
1.06E+06
4.54E+05
4.54E+05
Kr-85
2.56E+03
1.10E+03
1.10E+03
Kr-87
2.14E+06
9.20E+05
9.20E+05
Kr-88
3.01E+06
1.30E+06
1.30E+06
Kr-89
3.85E+06
1.65E+06
1.65E+06
Kr-90
3.82E+06
1.64E+06
1.64E+06
Kr-91
2.87E+06
1.23E+06
1.23E+06
Kr-92
1.26E+06
5.41E+05
5.41E+05
Xe-131m
2.47E+04
1.06E+04
1.06E+04
Xe-133m
1.64E+05
7.03E+04
7.03E+04
Xe-133
5.61E+06
2.41E+06
2.41E+06
Xe-135m
9.45E+05
4.06E+05
4.06E+05
Xe-135
2.36E+06
1.01E+06
1.01E+06
Xe-137
4.99E+06
2.14E+06
2.14E+06
Xe-138
5.20E+06
2.24E+06
2.24E+06
Xe-139
4.26E+06
1.83E+06
1.83E+06
Xe-140
3.00E+06
1.29E+06
1.29E+06
Particulates, 43%to coolant, 1%to water, 0.001%to
containment
Cs-134
3.24E+02
1.39E+02
1.39E+00
Cs-135
1.25E-06
5.38E-07
5.38E-09
Cs-136
5.87E+03
2.52E+03
2.52E+01
Cs-137
2.09E+04
8.97E+03
8.97E+01
Cs-138
5.61E+06
2.41E+06
2.41E+04
Cs-139
5.32E+06
2.29E+06
2.29E+04
Cs-140
4.82E+06
2.07E+06
2.07E+04
Sr-89
2.36E+06
1.01E+06
1.01E+04
Sr-90
2.02E+04
8.68E+03
8.68E+01
Sr-91
4.86E+06
2.09E+06
2.09E+04
Sr-92
4.97E+06
2.14E+06
2.14E+04
Sr-93
5.29E+06
2.27E+06
2.27E+04
Sr-94
4.90E+06
2.11E+06
2.11E+04

1.91E+05
4.54E+05
1.10E+03
9.20E+05
1.30E+06
1.65E+06
1.64E+06
1.23E+06
5.41E+05
1.06E+04
7.03E+04
2.41E+06
4.06E+05
1.01E+06
2.14E+06
2.24E+06
1.83E+06
1.29E+06

1.91E+05
4.54E+05
1.10E+03
9.20E+05
1.30E+06
1.65E+06
1.64E+06
1.23E+06
5.41E+05
1.06E+04
7.03E+04
2.41E+06
4.06E+05
1.01E+06
2.14E+06
2.24E+06
1.83E+06
1.29E+06

7.07E+15
1.68E+16
4.07E+13
3.40E+16
4.79E+16
6.12E+16
6.07E+16
4.56E+16
2.00E+16
3.93E+14
2.60E+15
8.92E+16
1.50E+16
3.75E+16
7.93E+16
8.27E+16
6.77E+16
4.77E+16

1.39E-05
5.38E-14
2.52E-04
8.97E-04
2.41E-01
2.29E-01
2.07E-01
1.01E-01
8.68E-04
2.09E-01
2.14E-01
2.27E-01
2.11E-01

1.39E-09
5.38E-18
2.52E-08
8.97E-08
2.41E-05
2.29E-05
2.07E-05
1.01E-05
8.68E-08
2.09E-05
2.14E-05
2.27E-05
2.11E-05

5.15E+01
1.99E-07
9.34E+02
3.32E+03
8.92E+05
8.46E+05
7.67E+05
3.75E+05
3.21E+03
7.74E+05
7.91E+05
8.41E+05
7.79E+05

2.3 Estimation of Submersion dose rate due to stack release :

Assumption: Submersion dose rate is estimated assuming single plume release
from a 100m stack for fission product noble gases Krypton and Xenon at different
downwind distances at the ground level plume centerline. Stability class is
19

assumed as F, wind speed at the height of release 4.3m/s., Reactor building

volume=55000m3, discharge rate=6700m3/h
Table 7: Submersion dose rate at different downwind distance for stack release

Downwind
Submersion Dose rate (Sv/h)
Distance
Isotope
I-131 & I- Cs-134
(m)
Krypton Xenon
135
&Cs-137
100
0.00E+00 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 0.00E+00
300
4.02E-16 3.50E-16 3.89E-21 8.19E-26
500
2.86E-08 2.49E-08 2.77E-13 5.83E-18
1000
1.51E-04 1.31E-04 1.46E-09 3.07E-14
1600
8.00E-04 6.96E-04 7.75E-09 1.63E-13
2.4 Estimation of submersion dose rate due to ground release:
Assumption: Leak rate from the containment is assumed 0.2% per hour, wind
speed at the ground 2m/s, up to 200m building wake effect is considered and the
surface area of the building is taken 1400m2, after 200m single plume release is
considered at H=0 with stability class F.

Table 8: Submersion dose rate at different downwind distances for ground release

Downwind
distance
(m)

100m
200m
300m
500m
1000m
1600m

submersion dose in Sv/h

Kr

Xe

8.36E-03
7.57E-03
6.68E-03
5.06E-03
3.77E-03
1.77E-03

7.27E-03
6.59E-03
5.81E-03
4.40E-03
3.28E-03
1.54E-03
20

Isotope
I-131 &I135
8.0905E-07
7.3273E-07
2.7471E-06
1.1604E-06
3.647E-07
1.711E-07

Cs-134 & Cs137

1.70E-12
1.54E-12
1.36E-12
1.03E-12
7.68E-13
3.60E-13

2.5 Estimation of plume dose:

Assumption: Plume dose rate is estimated at different downwind distances at the
plume centerline from the source. Source term is estimated according to the
assumption considered in section (B), then from the containment air activity it is
assumed that 100% FPNG, 10% iodine and 0.1% particulate matters will be
released to atmosphere through 100m stack. Stability class assumed F, wind speed
at the height of release 4.3m/s.
Table 9: Plume dose at different downwind distances

Downwind
distance
(m)
100
300
1000

Krypton
2.00E-03
2.41E-03
2.19E-03

Dose rate (Sv/h)

Radio Isotope
Xenon
Iodine
1.68E-03 1.98E-07
2.00E-03 2.37E-07
1.80E-03 2.13E-07

Cesium
2.78E-13
3.34E-13
3.01E-13

2.6 Estimation of inhalation dose:

2.6.1 From stack release: Inhalation dose rate is estimated for all isotopes of
iodine for adult worker for release of radioactive plume from a 100m stack,
stability class F, breathing rate 1.2m3/h, effective dose conversion factor is taken
for molecular iodine according to the conservative approach.

Table 10: Inhalation dose rate at different downwind distances for stack release

Downwind
distance (m)
100
300
500
1000
1600

Dose rate
(Sv/h)
0.00E+00
9.53E-19
6.78E-11
3.58E-07
1.90E-06

21

2.6.2 From ground release: Leak rate from the containment is assumed 0.2% per
hour, wind speed at the ground 2m/s, up to 500 m building wake effect is
considered and the surface area of the building is taken 1400m2, after 500m single
plume release is considered at H=0 with stability class F.

Table 11: Inhalation dose rate at different downwind distances for ground release

Downwind
distances (m)

Dose rate (Sv/h)

100m
200m
300m
500m
1000m
1600m

1.98E-04
1.80E-04
1.58E-04
1.20E-04
8.94E-05
4.19E-05

2.7 Total Dose Calculation:

2.7.1 Total submersion, plume and inhalation dose rate at different downwind
distances is estimated by adding the contribution for all radioactive isotopes.

Table 12: Submersion, plume and inhalation dose rate at different downwind distances

Downwin
d distance
(m)
100
200
300
500
1000
1600

Submersion Dose rate

(Sv/h)
Ground
release
1.56E-02
1.42E-02
1.25E-02
9.46E-03
7.05E-03
3.31E-03

Stack
Release
0.00E+00
7.52E-16
5.35E-08
2.82E-04
1.50E-03

Plume
Dose rate
(Sv/h)
3.68E-03
4.41E-03
3.99E-03
-

22

Inhalation Dose rate (Sv/h)

Ground
release
1.98E-04
1.80E-04
1.58E-04
1.20E-04
8.94E-05
4.19E-05

Stack Release
0.00E+00
9.53E-19
6.78E-11
3.58E-07
1.9E-06

2.7.2 Total dose rate due to submersion, inhalation and plume is estimated for
different downwind distances.

Table 13: Total dose depending on the duration of release at different downwind distances

Downwind
distance
(m)
100
300
1000

Total Dose (Sv)

Duration of Release
12 m
3.90E-03
3.41E-03
2.28E-03

30 m
9.75E-03
8.53E-03
5.71E-03

1h
1.95E-02
1.71E-02
1.14E-02

2.8 Dose estimation for BDBA type scenario:

Assumption: Along with the above assumptions, it was considered that charcoal
filter was completely failed so the contribution in the estimation of dose rate from
stack release will be changed due to the isotopes of iodine but rest will be same.

2.8.1 Submersion dose rate: From stack release.

Table 14: Submersion dose rate from stack release in BDBA condition

Downwind
Distance
(m)

Krypton

100
300
500
1000
1600

0.00E+00
4.02E-16
2.86E-08
1.51E-04
8.00E-04

Submersion Dose rate (Sv/h)

Isotope
Xenon
I-131 & ICs-134 & Cs135
137
0.00E+00
0.00E+00
0.00E+00
3.50E-16
3.89E-20
8.19E-29
2.49E-08
2.77E-12
5.83E-21
1.31E-04
1.46E-08
3.07E-17
6.96E-04
7.75E-08
1.63E-16

23

2.8.2 Plume dose:

Table 15: Plume dose rate in BDBA condition

Downwind
distance (m)
100
300
1000

Krypton
2.00E-03
2.41E-03
2.19E-03

Dose rate (Sv/h)

Radio Isotope
Xenon
Iodine
1.68E-03
1.98E-06
2.00E-03
2.37E-06
1.80E-03
2.13E-06

Cesium
2.78E-13
3.34E-13
3.01E-13

2.8.3. Inhalation dose: From stack release.

Table 16: Inhalation dose rate from stack release in BDBA condition

Downwind
distance (m)
100
300
500
1000
1600

Dose rate
(Sv/h)
0.00E+00
9.53E-18
6.78E-10
3.58E-06
1.90E-05

24

2.9 Conclusion
The study assumes an hypothetical accident condition in a research reactor
resulting in release of FPNGs, particulate matters and iodine, contributing dose to
the members of the public. Various assumptions in terms of releases are made to
arrive at the dose values and evaluation of dose is made for various modes of
exposure scenarios. From the results, it can be seen that the submersion dose due to
stack release is negligible and that due to ground release is 15.6 mSv at 100 m
downwind distance (see table- 12) and then gradually decreases with increase in
downwind distance. The estimated maximum plume dose is evaluated to be 4.41
mSv at downwind distance 300 m (see table -12). Due to inhalation of iodine, the
evaluated dose is found to be very less. For the BDBA scenario the evaluated dose
only due to iodine is increased by 10% but its contribution to the total dose is
negligible.
It is to be noted that the estimated dose for a hypothetical nuclear accident for a
100 MW research reactor at various downwind distances for different scenarios is
much less than the dose limit specified by AERB for accident conditions.
2.10 References
1. Barratt, R. Atmospheric dispersion modeling: An introduction to practical
applications. (London: Earthscan Publishing Ltd.) (2001).
2. International Commission on Radiological Protection.Compendium of Dose
Coefficients based on ICRP Publication 60.ICRP 119.
3. Martin, J. E. Physics for radiation protection. (2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH
& Co. KGaA, WeinheimISBN: 3-527-40611-5).

4. Cember, H. , Johnson, T. E. Introduction to Health Physics.

25