Estimation of Radiological Consequences at a Proposed Nuclear Power Plant Site Using Atmospheric Dispersion Code

Abstract

Atmospheric dispersion modeling and radiation dose calculation have been performed for a generic 1000 MW water-water energy reactor (VVER-1000) assuming a hypothetical loss of coolant accident (LOCA). Atmospheric dispersion code, International Radiological Assessment System (InterRAS), was employed to estimate the radiological consequences of a severe accident at a proposed nuclear power plant (NPP) site. The total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) and the ground deposition were calculated for various atmospheric stability classes, A to F, with the site-specific averaged meteorological conditions. From the analysis, 3.7×10−1 Sv was estimated as the maximum TEDE corresponding to a downwind distance of 0.1 km within the dominating atmospheric stability class (class A) of the proposed site. The intervention distance for evacuation (50 mSv) and sheltering (10 mSv) were estimated for different stability classes at different distances. The intervention area for evacuation ended at 0.5 km and that for sheltering at 1.5 km. The results from the study show that designated area for public occupancy will not be affected since the estimated doses were below the annual regulatory limits of 1 mSv.