Accident Source Terms for Light-Water Nuclear Power Plants (NUREG-1465)

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Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: February 1995
Date Published: February 1995

Prepared by:
L. Soffer, S.B. Burson, C.M. Ferrell,
R.Y. Lee, J.N. Ridgely

Division of Systems Technology
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001

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Abstract

In 1962 the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission published TID-14844, "Calculation of Distance Factors for Power and Test Reactors" which specified a release of fission products from the core to the reactor containment in the event of a postulated accident involving a "substantial meltdown of the core." This "source term," the basis for the NRC's Regulatory Guides 1.3 and 1.4, has been used to determine compliance with the NRC's reactor site criteria, 10 CFR Part 100, and to evaluate other important plant performance requirements. During the past 30 years substantial additional information on fission product releases has been developed based on significant severe accident research. This document utilizes this research by providing more realistic estimates of the "source term" release into containment, in terms of timing, nuclide types, quantities, and chemical form, given a severe core-melt accident. This revised "source term" is to be applied to the design of future Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Current LWR licensees may voluntarily propose applications based upon it. These will be reviewed by the NRC staff.