WWER-1000/320 steam generator collector rupture. Radiological consequences

A model describing a hypothetical accident with direct release of primary coolant to the atmosphere is proposed. Cover lifting of the primary collector due to a rupture of the fixing bolts leads to a coolant release. The initial and boundary conditions of the accident scenario have been selected to provide for the most unfavorable conditions. The total release of primary coolant during the first 15 min of transient are estimated to 50.8 tons, of these 48.5 t with the initial activity in the primary coolant circuit. Without evacuation or sheltering, after 7 days of exposure, the expected dose at the boundary of the restricted zone is 0.0182 Sv for the whole body and 0.184 Sv for the thyroid gland. The effective equivalent dose on the site would be 0.0521 Sv. As a result of the analysis it is concluded that the steam generator collector rupture is not jeopardizing the core heat removal even with a minimum configuration of ECCS as the cooling is accomplished through the steam generators. The radiological consequences of the accident would be relatively small if an emergency procedure is applied at the 15-th minute of the transient. 1 ref