Methodology and tools for source term assessment in case of emergency

• Published in: Radiation protection dosimetry 2004-01, Vol.109 (1-2), p.53-57
• Main Authors: Herviou, Karine, Calmtorp, Christer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer Simulation; Decision Support Systems, Management; Disaster Planning - methods; Emergencies; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Europe; Models, Statistical; Nuclear Reactors; Radiation Dosage; Radiation Protection - methods; Radioactive Hazard Release; Radiometry - methods; Risk Assessment - methods; Risk Factors; Safety Management - methods; Software; User-Computer Interface
• ISSN: 0144-8420; 1742-3406
• DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nch244

By looking at the power plant state of fission product barriers and critical safety systems, the magnitude of a potential radioactive release could be predicted in a timely manner to allow emergency response to be executed even before the occurrence of a release. This is the perspective in which the development of ASTRID methodology and tool is performed. The methodology maps out, for several reactor types as well as reactor containments, relevant process parameters and indicators, what and how to calculate and a structured way to summarise and conclude on potential source term and likely time projections. A computer tool is proposed to support the methodology, to suite different user situations, both on-site and off-site as well as size of staff, priority and work order. The output from such an assessment is intended to, first, give bases for decisions on necessary urgent protective actions pre-release, and, second, an input for the sophisticated dispersion calculation codes.