EPR: doses and radiation protection: a clear step forward in comparison with former generation of PWRs in France and Germany

For the European Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR)a large effort was made to improve the plant design with respect to radiation protection using the experience gained during the design former, generations of PWR in France and Germany, and their current operation. Keeping the radiation exposure of personnel to an acceptable level is one of the main objectives of the EPR design. Both the individual and the collective doses are considered. Internationally comparable limits based on ICRP Recommendations have been established for individual doses. These limits describe the framework within which the individual dose shall be kept as low as possible, applying the principles: - Justification No practice involving exposures to radiation should be adopted unless it produces sufficient benefit to the exposed individuals or to society to offset the radiation detriment it causes. Optimization In relation to any particular source within a practice, the magnitude of individual doses, the number of people exposed, and the likelihood of incurring exposures where these are not certain to be received should all be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), economic and social factors being taken into account. Limitation the exposure of individuals resulting from the combination of all the relevant practices is be subject to dose limits. The paper describes the design provision and measures introduced in the plant design to reach the above describe described goals. They are in essence: - Measures to avoid or to reduce sources of radiation, - Layout aspects, - Provisions made in the component design with respect to ease of operation and maintenance management, - Improved possibilities of decontamination, - Use of operating experience for design improvements. The radiation protection layout principles compiled on the basis of safe operating experience gained from the existing PWRs in France and Germany are used to develop an improved plant design with respect to radiation protection aspects and dose optimization. (authors)