Optimisation of Radiological Protection and the Design of Nuclear Facilities

Abstract

The optimisation of protection principle, also called the ALARA principle, is now recognised as the cornerstone of radiological protection programmes implemented by companies and utilities involved in the nuclear industry. The broad aim of optimisation is to find the best use of resources in reducing exposures to individuals and the population. This should take into account both economic and social factors, such as the efficiency of protection, investments and equity in dose distributions. Because the optimisation process is source-related and of predictable nature, it is basically applicable at the design stage of projects where a wide spectrum of protection options are still possible. however, even at a preliminary stage of a project, applying ALARA implies having a fairly good knowledge about the way the equipment and the plant will be operated in the future. This is far from a straightforward task. After a brief review of the basic objectives of the ALARA principle, this paper presents a generic approach for its application at the equipment and installation design stage. The key role of past experience analysis and the use of constraints are outlined and discussed.