Effective Dose Reduction Through Ventilation Scheme: Design Philosophy in Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor - A Case Study

Vidhya Sivasailanathan¹, Prabhat Kumar¹ and N. Manoharan²

¹Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, Kalpakkam - 603 102, India. ²Research and Development Division AMET University, Kanathur - 603 112. Chennai.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1396

ABSTRACT: Radiation has become inseparable part of the living environment contributing as cosmic rays, terrestrial radiation, fall-out from earlier nuclear accidents and testing, the increased use of diagnostic radiology etc., Since early ages of time, the homosapiens have lived with natural radiation and his system has been adapted for the surrounding radiation and its effects. But still, radiation and its effects gain attraction in the minds of the general public because of the baseless panic registered through passage of time regarding the uncertainties associated with the consequences of radiation and the knowledge inadequacy on handling of the same. Operating nuclear power plants are preferably considered as the elemental portal to elucidate the effects of radiationas a fairly large quantity of radioactive materials are being used as fuel in the reactors. The main reason of the so called menace is because of the strong reason that radiation is nonsensory. Only instruments can detect the presence of radioactivity and measure the level of the radiation field. The dose reduction techniques in the occupational environment involve three major concepts: 1. Time 2. Distance and 3. Shielding. Apart from these control measures and though there are various other protective measures to protect from contamination by using protective clothing, respirators, etc., the dose reduction scheme has to be built in the design of the nuclear power reactor. The intensive practice and strict compliance to the radiation protection aims at bringing the exposure level As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). The paper brings out the features of ventilation methodology adopted in the prototype fast breeder reactor and the effective identification of radiological zoning to contain the contamination. The paper also tries to justify that the appropriate design strategyhelps in effective dose reduction in operating nuclear power plants.

KEYWORDS: ALARA; non-sensory; shielding; ventilation methodology; radiological zoning; contamination

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