Impact of Ag and NOx compounds on the transport of ruthenium in the primary circuit of nuclear power plant in a severe accident

Abstract

Ruthenium is a semi-volatile element originating as a fission product in nuclear reactors that can be released in case of a severe nuclear accident. In this work, the impact of atmosphere composition on the transport of ruthenium through the primary circuit was examined. The effects of silver nanoparticles representing aerosols and NO2 gas as a product of air radiolysis were studied. Quantification of ruthenium transported both as gas and aerosol was performed. Chemical composition of ruthenium species was evaluated. The transport of gaseous ruthenium through the facility increased significantly when NO2 gas was fed into the atmosphere. When both silver aerosols and NO2 were fed into the atmosphere, the transport of ruthenium in gaseous and aerosol forms was promoted. It was concluded that the composition of atmosphere in the primary circuit will have a notable effect on the speciation of ruthenium transported into the containment building during a severe accident and thus on the potential radioactive release to the environment.