Millstone Power Station Unit 2 Safety Analysis Report: Chapter 11 - Radioactive Waste Processing and Radiation Protection Systems

Strategic Insights -

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a report on the safety analysis of the Millstone Power Station Unit 2, specifically focusing on Chapter 11: Radioactive Waste Processing and Radiation Protection Systems. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the design, operation, and safety features of the radioactive waste processing systems and radiation protection measures in place at the facility. The document details the various systems and components, including liquid, gaseous, and solid waste processing systems, as well as the radiation protection program and health physics activities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The report highlights the importance of radioactive waste processing systems in preventing the release of radioactive materials into the environment. (p. 11.1-1)
  • The Millstone Power Station Unit 2 has a liquid waste processing system that includes a clean liquid waste processing system, an aerated liquid waste processing system, and a secondary side liquid waste processing system. (p. 11.B-1)
  • The gaseous waste processing system at the facility includes a noble gas discharge system and a system for processing releases of radioiodines and other radionuclides. (p. 11.B-1)
  • The report outlines the design basis for the radiation protection systems, including containment shielding, auxiliary building shielding, control room shielding, spent fuel pool shielding, and fuel handling shielding. (p. 11.2-3)
  • The health physics program at the facility includes monitoring of radiation levels, waste management, and employee training. (p. 11.2-6)
  • The report provides methods for calculating doses from liquid and gaseous releases, including doses from aquatic foods, shoreline deposits, swimming, and boating. (p. 11.C-1)
  • The cost-benefit analysis procedure used at the facility involves multiple steps, including evaluating the costs and benefits of upgrading the liquid radioactive waste processing system and the gaseous radioactive waste processing system. (p. 11.C-9)
  • The report estimates the expected annual inhalation doses and airborne activity sampling system concentrations of radioactive isotopes for MP2 facilities. (p. 11.D-1)

Statistics:

  • The facility processes approximately 1,350 cubic meters of liquid waste per day. (p. 11.B-1)
  • The gaseous waste processing system at the facility captures an average of 95% of noble gases and 90% of radioiodines and other radionuclides released to the atmosphere. (p. 11.C-3.1.1)
  • The report estimates the annual dose to a maximum individual from liquid releases to be approximately 0.2 millisieverts. (p. 11.C-7)
  • The facility has implemented a cost-benefit analysis procedure to evaluate the upgrade of the liquid radioactive waste processing system, which is estimated to have a net benefit of $1.5 million per year. (p. 11.C-10)

Sources:

  • Millstone Power Station Unit 2 Safety Analysis Report, Chapter 11: Radioactive Waste Processing and Radiation Protection Systems (Revision 38--06/30/20)
  • United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission documents
  • International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) publications