Initial Integration of Accident Safety, Waste Management, Recycling, Effluent, and Maintenance Considerations for Low-Activation Materials

Abstract

A true “low-activation” material should ideally achieve all of the following objectives: The possible prompt dose at the site boundary from 100% release of the inventory should be <2 Sv (200 rem); hence, the design would be “inherently safe” in that no possible accident could result in prompt radiation fatalities.The possible cancers from realistic releases should be limited such that the accident risk is <0.1 %/yr of the existing background cancer risk to local residents. This includes consideration of elemental volatility.The decay heat should be limited so that active mitigative measures are not needed to protect the investment from cooling transients; hence, the design would be passively safe with respect to decay heat.Used materials could be either recycled or disposed of as near-surface waste.Hands-on maintenance should be possible around coolant system piping and components such as the heat exchanger.Effluents of activation products should be minor compared to the major challenge of limitin...