ML19211A149
| ML19211A149 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/09/1979 |
| From: | Carbon M Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | Gilinsky V NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| ACRS-R-0843, ACRS-R-843, NUDOCS 7912170097 | |
| Download: ML19211A149 (2) | |
Text
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS M
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October 9, 1979 The Honorable Victor Gilinsky Commissioner U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C. 20555
Dear Dr. Gilinsky:
In response to your letter of September 12, 1979, we offer the following to the emission of xenon frcxn the MI-2 nuclear plant comments relative and the possibility of reducing such releases in similar accidents which may occur in the future.
far as we know, the comments on the various approaches for estimating Sothe total quantity of xenon released following the accident appear reason-In terms of controlling xenon releases in accidents which may occur able.
in the future, we believe that chilled or cryogenic charcoal adsorption beds of adequate capacity would be helpful.
Adsorptien systems using this principle are commercially available and are in successful operation for handling routine releases at several nuclear power plants.
The major decreases in the effectiveness of such beds problems would be possible under conditions which involve the larger volume and moirture content of releases accompanying an cccident, and the difficulties in assuring that all the xenon emissions are collected so they can be effectively Other methods, such as directed to and treated by the adsorption system.
low temperature liquefication and fractional distillation may also be usable for removal of radioactive noble gases.
As noted above, the technology exists and has been applied in BWRs and PWRs to remove and retain for decay purposes certain radioactive noble gases before discharge as gaseous effluent.
The systems have not, however, releases may been applied under accident conditions where multimegacurie occur essentially in bursts or over relatively short time intervals, such The Committee believes that as was experienced during the mI-2 accident.
a study should be undertaken to determine the applicability and desirability of available technology to minimize the release of radioactive noble gases accident scenarios.
The study should include during various postulated assessment of the various potential pathways for radioactive gaseous re-leases as well as considerations of accelerated rates of treatment of large gas volumes such as those existing in large contairrnents.
1594 j54 7912170
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e The Honorable Victor Gilinsky October 9, 1979 Anticipating the need for answers to the types of questions raised in your letter, the Committee requested about a year ago that an ACRS Fellow develop a report sunrnarizing experimental data on the performance of charcoal beds under a variety of parameters. It is anticipated that this report will be completed within the next two to three months, and we will plan to provide a copy to you at that time.
Sincerely, x W. Ca bon Chairnen ec: Joseph M. Hendrie, OCM Richard T. Kennedy, OCM Peter A. Bradford, OCM John F. Ahearne, OCM Samuel Chilk, SECY Iae V. Gossick, EDO 1594
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