United Nuclear Industries, Inc. practical application of ALARA (ALAP) philosophy

Author: Hall, T. M.
Published: United States : [publisher not identified], 1976.
[Oak Ridge, Tennessee] : [U.S. Atomic Energy Commission], 1976.
Physical Description: microfiche : negative ; 11 x 15 cm

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Summary

The N Reactor is the only dual-purpose reactor in the USA. It is owned by ERDA and is currently operated by United Nuclear Industries, Inc. The plant began operation in 1964. Monitoring of the primary coolant piping radiation levels indicated a build-up that was not linear with time. It was forming at an accelerating rate, and it was apparent that radiation exposure was going to be a significant factor in N Plant operation. By 1967, connector piping radiation level was 1 rem/hr. A radiation exposure reduction task force was chartered in 1967 to develop and carry out an exposure reduction plan. A decontamination task force was also chartered to determine how to chemically clean out the primary piping to reduce radiation levels. In October 1967, the first reactor piping decontamination was performed, and connector radiation levels were reduced from 1 rem/hr to 20 mrem/hr. The task forces also attacked other radiation exposure problems with success. In 1974, an exposure reduction program manager position was created to carry on the work of the task force efforts. Out of this came the current effort for ALARA. By necessity, N Plant operation has been applying the principles of ALARA (ALAP) since 1967. The methods have improved with time, new techniques have been put to use, and others discarded. The purpose of this paper is to describe how UNI has made practical the application of the ALARA (ALAP) principles.

Report Numbers

UNI-SA-26; CONF-761101-1

Other Subject(s)

Collection

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission depository collection.

Note

DOE contract number: AT(45-1)-1857
OSTI Identifier 7274439
Research organization: United Nuclear Industries, Inc., Richland, Wash. (USA).

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