Occupational dose estimates for a monitored retrievable storage facility

Abstract

Occupational doses were estimated for radiation workers at the monitored retrievable storage (MRS) facility. This study provides an estimate of the occupational dose based on the current MRS facility design, examines the extent that various design parameters and assumptions affect the dose estimates, and identifies the areas and activities where exposures can be reduced most effectively.

Preliminary characterization of risks in the nuclear waste management system based on information in the literature

“…The estimate contained in Schneider et al (1986) only dealt with the handling and packaging operations that would be conducted at the MRSfacility. For the categories that it covered, it was consistent with the study by Harty and Stoetzel (1986) and the environmental assessment. The reference facility in the GEIS was substantially different from the current design of the MRSfacility.…”

“…This study (Harty and Stoetzel 1986) was done in conjunction with the design and evaluations performed by DOEto prepare a report to Congress on 0 4.114 the MRS facility, lt provided estimatesof the radiation doses to workers during normal operationof an MRS facility. The evaluationswere based on the detailed conceptualdesign study done by the DOE architect-engineer contractor (Parsons 1985).…”

“…Because more directly applicable information is available from the other sources, the GElS estimate was not used. The estimate from Harty and Stoetzel (1986) was used as the basis for the MRS facility risk estimates provided in Section 5.3. This was a more detailed study than the one performed for the environmental assessment and provided the most technically defensible estimate.…”

“…Routine occupational radiation doses were estimated for radiation workers at the MRSfacility by Harty and Stoetzel (1986), Schneider et al, (1986), and in the MRSfacility environmental assessment (DOE 1985g). These values were used here because they were directly applicable to the MRSfacility design.…”

“…estimates for the task doses associated with spent fuel receipt, storage, and shipment were given in Table 4.49 (Harty and Stoetzel 1986 Ligon et al (1983), and Orvis (1984). Population dose estimates for three hypothetical accidents were developed in the MRSfacility environmental assessment (DOE 1985g; see Table 4.43 of this report).…”