Using a methodical approach to the potential biological hazard (radiotoxicity) assessment of radionuclides, computational studies and a comparative analysis of the contributions to the total radiotoxicity of long-lived fission products and actinides accumulated in the nuclear fuel cycle of the Belarusian NPP were carried out. In order to estimate correctly the 237Np isotope mass at the long-term stage of SNF management, the mathematical model of the nuclear fuel cycle of the Belarusian NPP of the code CUB was modified to take into account the transmutation chain of 241Pu, 241Am and 237Np isotopes. The initial concentrations for the main radiation-hazardous radionuclides at the time of fuel unloading from the VVER1200 reactor core are presented in the database “Radiation Characteristics of Spent Nuclear Fuel of the Belarusian NPP” developed by the authors. The database development is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the RB-093-20 “Radiation and thermophysical characteristics of spent nuclear fuel of pressurized water power reactors and high-power channel reactors”. The main characteristics used in the nuclear fuel cycle simulation in the CUB code, such as the total mass of spent nuclear fuel (2492 tons), the number of spent fuel assemblies (5294) and the average burnup, are taken in accordance with the Spent Fuel Management Strategy of the Belarusian NPP data. It is shown that at the stage up to 100 years, the main contributors to the total radiotoxicity are the isotopes of 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 243Am, 241Pu, 241Am, 237Np, where contributions of three last of them are 0.07, 49.0 and 0.007%, respectively. But 5000 years later, the contribution of 241Am will be 0.24%, and the isotope 237Np – up to 0.1% of the total actinides radiotoxicity. The results obtained can be used to substantiate for the recovery degree requirements of 237Np, 241Pu, 241Am during the SNF of the Belarusian NPP reprocessing.
The purpose of the study is calculation research of the radiation characteristics of fission products and actinides at different phases of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) management of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The study is aimed at the scientific support of the government decision as determined by the “On approval of the spent nuclear fuel management Strategy of the Belarusian nuclear power plant”. А probabilistic forecasting model and an effective code CUB for the spent nuclear fuel radioactivity inventory assessment were developed by the authors. Radionuclides activities as function of nuclear fuel burnup for nuclear fuel with the initial enrichment on the 235U equals to 4.81 % on the base of approximation relations of Regulation RB-093-14 (Moskow, 2014) have been calculated. Basic relations between specific activities of the main hazardous fission products and actinide, the SNF burnup and initial degree of fuel enrichment were analyzed. The rates of decrease of individual and total fission products and actinides activities of the Units №1 and 2 of the Belarusian NPP were obtained depending on the specific phase of spent SNF management. The results are of value for decision-making on ecology acceptable SNF management option introduced by Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Strategy of the Belarusian NPP.
In this paper, natural (geological and hydrological) and climatic impact conditions on the influence zone for two different sites of radioactive waste disposals have been studied. Probabilistic approach to assessment of the groundwater vulnerability from radionuclide contamination during disposal of radioactive waste is developed. As to climatic conditions, an effective numerical and analytical methods for annual precipitation rates assessment of rare recurrence have been proposed which allow to take into account uncertainties of rare events as well.
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