Estimation of the Specific Activity of Iodine Release to Comply with the Base Principle of INPRO Methodology for PWR, BWR NPP

• Published in: Atomic energy (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2022-03, Vol.131 (5), p.291-297
• Main Authors: Ekidin, A. A., Antonov, K. L., Nazarovich, A. V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Best practice; Design; Electricity; Energy industry; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Industrial plant emissions; Iodine; Iodine isotopes; Isotopes; Methods; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Energy; Nuclear Physics; Nuclear power plants; Nuclear reactors; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Pressurized water reactors; Principles; Radiation; Radioisotopes; Rankings; Regulation
• ISSN: 1063-4258; 1573-8205
• DOI: 10.1007/s10512-022-00881-5

The results of an analysis of the yearly specific release of iodine isotopes from US NPPs in 2005–2018 are reported. The median yearly specific release of 131 I, 132 I, 133 I, and 135 I was equal to 1.14, 5.57, 1.64, and 2.3, respectively, in terms of 10 –7 GBq/(GW·h) for NPPs with PWR and 0.29, 2.6, 1.65, and 2.09, respectively, in terms of 10 –5 GBq/(GW·h) for NPPs with BWR. US nuclear power plants are ranked as “best,” “worst,” and “sustainable” release of iodine isotopes into the atmosphere. The choice of the median of the specific indicator from the “best practice” category as the main guidelines in the new NPP reactor designs is consistent with the basic principle of the INPRO methodology, since compared to operating facilities the radiative impact of iodine release is not exceeded.