Draft Source Term Information
Radiological Source Term Information
- A key reference on radiological source terms is DOE Handbook -- Airborne Release Fractions/Rates and Respirable Fractions for Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities (DOE-HDBK-3010-94). The handbook is available online at: http://www.hss.energy.gov/NuclearSafety/techstds/standard/hdbk3010/
h3010v1.pdf
The handbook provides a compendium and analysis of experimental data from which airborne release fractions (ARFs) and respirable fractions (RFs) may be derived. These values are used to estimate quantities of radioactive material that may become airborne in a release event. This information is used to estimate the scope of the potential release spectrum and potential downwind consequences from a given facility or activity. The information provided in this handbook aids in making such estimates. The data in the handbook can be used in a variety of applications, such as safety and environmental analyses, and to provide information relevant to system and experiment design. The handbook cautions that the data and analyses it provides need to be critically evaluated for applicability in each situation in which they are used.
- In May 2006, the Chairman (A.J. Eggenberger) of the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board, reported (see http://www.dnfsb.gov/pub_docs/dnfsb/cor_20060501_multi.pdf) that the methodology derived from DOE-HDBK-3010 “contrasts with the technical simplicity and regulatory precedence” of the more conservative methodology used to calculate the “A2 values specified in 49 CFR 173.435, Shippers―General Requirements for Shipments and Packagings”(see http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/12feb20041500/
edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/octqtr/pdf/49cfr173.435.pdf
The letter further reports that the “A2 values have long been accepted as adequately conservative by numerous regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The A2 methodology, as applied in the manual, offers a simple, defensible way to determine material thresholds for facility workers by adjusting dose consequences to account for the receptor differences between a nuclear facility worker and a member of the public.”
- Information on radiological source terms for events at nuclear power plants are provided by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in a series of documents including:
- NUREG-1465 Accident Source Terms for Light-Water Nuclear Power Plants – Final Report provides source term information for light-water nuclear power plants (see: http://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/idmws/doccontent.dll?library=
PU_ADAMS^PBNTAD01&ID=041040199 - Regulatory Guide 1.183 - Alternative Radiological Source Terms for Evaluating Design Basis Accidents at Nuclear Power Reactors (see http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/reg-guides/power-reactors/active/01-183/#_1_2)
- NUREG-1465 Accident Source Terms for Light-Water Nuclear Power Plants – Final Report provides source term information for light-water nuclear power plants (see: http://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/idmws/doccontent.dll?library=
Chemical Source Term Information
There are a number of places to access useful information on chemical source terms. These include:
- the Handbook for Chemical Hazard Analysis Procedures. This handbook is provided at http://hazmat.dot.gov/riskmgmt/tools/archie.pdf