ML20004F219
| ML20004F219 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/29/1981 |
| From: | Hayes P NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES) |
| To: | Conti E NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8106160630 | |
| Download: ML20004F219 (3) | |
Text
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MEMORANDUM FOR:
Enrico F. Conti, Chief C)
Siting and Environmental Branch Division of Health, Siting, 4
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and Waste Management FROM:
Paul F. Hayes Siting and Environmental Branch Division of Health, Siting, and Waste Management
SUBJECT:
RESEARCH REVIEW GROUP MEETING - ORNL RESEARCH PROGRAM ON THE PRESENCE OF PATHOGENIC ORGANISMS IN CLOSED CYCLE C0OLING SYSTEMS (B0418)
On May 21, 1981, R. Tyndall, S. Gough, and W. Van Winkle, all of ORNL, discussed with members of the research review group the results and direction of the RES supported contract with Dak Ridge National Laboratory entitled, "The Presence of Pathogenic Organisms in Closed Cycle Cooling Systems." to this memorandum lists the attendees at this meeting.
Dr. Tyndall began the meeting by reviewing the results obtained from sampling various power plants with different types of cooling systems. The results show that the presence of the pathogenic amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, is highly site dependent and apparently depends on a complex interplay between the degree of thermal additions and the type and complexity of food sources.
Minimal thermal additions and relatively organically poor food sources may select for pathogenic Naegleria, whereas marked thermal additions or the availability of organically rich and/or bacterial food sources are more likely to select for non-pathogenic, thermophilic Naegleria lovaniensis.
The extent of the problem, therefore, depends on the specific characteristics of each site and the effectiveness of any treatments. The Prairie Island Generating Station, for example, with a mechanical draft /once-through variable option cooling system has significant levels (z200/t) of pathogenic Naegleria in the cooling system. Treatments with 2 ppm chlorine for 6 hours6.944444e-5 days <br />0.00167 hours <br />9.920635e-6 weeks <br />2.283e-6 months <br /> have been very effective in reducing the occurrence to 1.0/t for up to 6 months.
The preliminary results on the occurrence of the Legionaries Disease Bacterium (LDB) indicate that its distribution in power plant cooling systems is as variable as Naegleria among sites and even between towers within a single site, but no correlation between the occurrence of these two types of organisms 8106160 6 3 0
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MAY2919\\ has been identified. Attempts to reduce the presence of LDB in cooling systems using various biocide treatments have met with varied success.
Chlorine has proved to be ineffective, whereas a quaternary amine has produced some positive results. There is also a preliminary indication of an ecological interaction between Naegleria and LDB when the two occur together.
It was also pointed out by Dr. Tyndall that little work is being performed with aerosol testing for LDB emitted from cooling towers. Since this disease is contracted by breathing contaminated air, this is certainly an important 3rea to investigate.
i Steve Gough then discussed the proposed 189 for funding in FY 1982 and 1983 to further investigate LDB in nuclear power plants with closed cycle cooling systems. This work will (1) determine the distribution, quantity,-virulence, and viability of LDB in power plant cooling systems, (2) ascertain the dispersal of pathogens from power plants to surrounding areas via cooling tower plumes, (3) examine biotic and abiotic environmental factors affecting pathogen growth, virulence, etc., and (4) develop options for controlling the density, viability, and/or virulence of the pathogens.
A discussion followed concerning how this work scope complements work on LDB currently being funded by EPRI. More information was requested on the EPRI work scope and direct communication between NRC and EPRI on this subject was discussed as a possible means of co'ordinating the work. Mr. Gough was then asked to arrange the work tasks by priority to facilitate reducing the size of the project in the event funding for the full scope can not be obtained.
In connection with this possibility, a cost breakdown by task was requested and will be sent to NRC when developed. Once this infcrmation is received, the proposed 189 will be circulated for NRC internal review.
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Paul F. Hayes Siting and Environmental Branch Division of Health, Siting, and Waste Management
Enclosure:
List of Attendees
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i List of Attendees Oak Ridge National Laboratory R. Tyndall (also University.of Tenna.isee)
S. Gough W. Van Winkle U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission R.,Geckler, NRR J. Lear, NRR.
J. Foulke,.RES P. Reed, RES' P. Hayes; RES
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