ML20197H109
| ML20197H109 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/30/1988 |
| From: | Harold Denton NRC OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL & PUBLIC AFFAIRS (GPA) |
| To: | Bernthal, Roberts, Zech NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20197H036 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-88-220 NUDOCS 8807180215 | |
| Download: ML20197H109 (3) | |
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March 30, 1988 MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman Zech Connissioner Rot >ert; Comissioner Bernthal Commissioner Carr Commissioner Rogers FROM: Harold R. Denton, Director jg "
Office of Governmental and Public Affairs
SUBJECT:
lAEA SYMPOS!UM ON SEVERE ACC10ENTS IN NUCLEAR PLANTS Last week's IAEA syinposium on severe accidents in nuclear power plants held in Sorrento, Italy provided updated infonnation about national practices and views but little new experimental or analytical results.
It was well attended with almost 350 representatives from over 40 countries. The NRC delegation included Vic Stello ano Denny Ross along with technical contractors. We were able to :neet separately with representatives from a number of countries, including tne USSR, to discuss current issues. From my perspective the policy highlights were as follows:
- 1. Olfferences in Emphasis between U.S. and European Severe Accident Approaches, in light of Chernobyl, many European countries are now implementing some of our TMI-2 severe accident fixes (e.g., hydrogen control systems). However, a number of countries, including Germany, i France. Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland are also now making other plant and procedural modifications aimed at further decreasing the risks of "beyond design basis" accidents. Most national presentations reflected the use, to varying degrees, of plant-specific probabilistic safety analyses, accident management procedures, and measures for filtered venting of the conteinment following an uncontrolled severe accident. Detailed investigations and results were presented by the Germans, but many other countries presented little supporting rationale for their actions. Many of the measures were said to be the direct result of increased public concern following Chernobyl. Additionally, the Europeans and Jaynese are either planning or have initiated more research in the area of severe accidents.
The U.S. prv.entations, in contrast, focused more on research studies to conclude NUREG-1150 tre effectiveness of potential safety improvements, the forthcoming Individual Plant Examination; (IPE),
and comparisons with safety goals. They reflected, in general, a i
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1 view that further research and studies are needed before rating changes to existing plants.
- 2. INSAG Report on Safety Principles A panel of the authors of the INSAG report "Basic Safety Principles for Nuclear Pcwee Plants," described the content and structure of their newly published report. This was the first public release of i
the report and it received wide support at the symposie,Although reflecting the a considerable censensus among the participants.
reports is not intented as regulatory requirements, the USSR stated their intent to incorporate the report's safety principles into their regulations. A briefing for the Comission on this report is planned for April 6.
- 3. Discussions with the Soviets.
the Soviet Representatives indicated an intent to In our meeting, d memorandum for reactor safety cooperation during sign the propose their forthcoming visit in late April. We also discussed their preferences regarding sites to visit, the scheduled Soviet OSART Theirand their plans to perform the first probabilistic risk analyses.
FRA plans are not yet final and reflect uncertainty as to how best to structure their effort and include U.S. participation.
One interesting surprise was the Soviet presentation discussed efforts to design a new, safer version of the RBMK, to be called "ACR."
This channel tube design would, because of a smaller lattice pitch spacing and a modified graphite geometry, have negative void and pewer coefficients, it would also include diverse and Theyfast also acting shutdowr. systems and other safety frprovements. indicated provisions for prolonging retention of a molten core within the foundation and a system for controlled, filtered venting of the containment.
Overall, the sympostur indicated a changed attitude worldwide toward -
severe accident considerations since Chernobyl, but may have been screwhat premature for a detailed scientific exchange on pure technical grounds. It demonstrated the existing philosophical differences in approaches to severe accidents between the U.S. and many of the European countries.
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