Analysis of Carbon-14 Behavior for PWR Stations

Carbon-14 is a long-lived(TH = 5730 yr) low-energy pure beta(EAVG = 50 keV) emitter. A large amount of carbon-14 is released annually from nuclear power plants, and due to its long half-life and environmental mobility carbon-14 has long term radiological influence on environment. So far, carbon-14 has been monitored and studied primarily at CANDU stations which discharge much more carbon-14 than BWR or PWR stations. However recently, annual individual doses to the general public from PWR normal operation are approaching the design objective values in reference especially at multi-unit sites in Korea and carbon-14 is the main contributor to the normal operation doses. Therefore, we are in urgent need of the carbon-14 monitoring and analysis programs for PWR stations in Korea. From last year, we have been studying this PWR carbon-14 issue and performing the analysis for PWR stations