EDN: KIXHMW
Authors & Affiliations
Gonchar N.I.
A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia
Gonchar N.I. – Leading Researcher, Cand. Sci. (Tech.), A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering.
Contacts: 1, pl. Bondarenko, Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia, 249033. Tel.: +7 (484) 399-42-59; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Abstract
Heavy liquid metal coolant (HLMC) containing lead and bismuth form alpha-active isotopes: 210Po, 209Po and 210mBi. 210Po is the most radiotoxic one. Under normal operating conditions with gas-tight primary system, there is no radiation hazard caused by polonium. The hazard appiars in case of the primary circuit integrity loss which is possible in the course of scheduled repair work on the primary components, reactor refueling or in case of accident with radioactive coolant spill to the attended area. This hazard is mainly caused by radioactive polonium aerosols in the air of working area and contamination of surfaces as a result of aerosol precipitation or contact transfer of alpha-activity. To substantiate radiation safety and forecast the aftermath of such accidents is essential to develop a model of polonium activity migration through the first circuit in normal operation and under condition resulting in accidents. The model must be tested by experimental date. Polonium activity release from HLMC into gas is the main element of this model. Russia has almost forty-year experience of operating lead-bismuth cooled reactors of nuclear submarines and on-ground prototypes. The main organizational and technological measures were developed for staff protection against polonium radiation in case scheduled work carrying-out or coolant spill accident. The processes of polonium activity migration through primary circuit of lead-bismuth cooled reactor are described in the paper. A probable danger of polonium activity release in reactor compartment is considered. The developed measures and staff-protection means are presented.
Keywords
lead-bismuth coolant, polonium activity, lead polonide, polonium thermodinamic activity coefficient, effective vapour pressure, release into gaseouse phase, calculated and experimental date comparison, polonium hazard by reactor operation, staff-protection means
Article Text (PDF, in Russian)
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UDC 621.039.534.6:669.774
Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2024, no. 4, 4:12
