Calculation of Near-Field Radioactivity Release Rates from Neutron-Activated Reactor Parts in a Shallow-Land Burial site at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this work was to estimate the near-field radioactivity release rates associated with the high-activity, low-level radioactive wastes currently emplaced in Solid Waste Storage Area 6 (SWSA-6) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Examination of the existing records [1] showed that about 84% of the radioactivity emplaced in SWSA-6 could apparently be accounted for by neutron-activated metal parts discharged from the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR); therefore, this analysis was limited to consideration of those HFIR wastes. The radio- nuclide inventory contained in the HFIR wastes was first calculated, and then realistic or conservative assumptions as well as existing data were employed to calculate near-field radionuclide release rates. The dominant uncertainties in the calculations were summarized, and the research which would be needed to reduce these uncertainties was described. A more complete description of this work can be found in reference [2].