Validation of the RIMPUFF Module (ARGOS) and Simulation of Radiation Dispersion from the Hypothetic Floating Nuclear Power Plant in the East Sea

In this study, the RIMPUFF module (ARGOS) was validated through the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant accident (FNPPA). The FNPPA simulation results showed a trend and intensity agreement with the environmental monitoring data and other simulation models. On that basis, our research team used RIMPUFF to simulate the atmospheric dispersion from the hypothetical accident of a floating nuclear power plant operating in the East Sea (Phu Lam island, Hoang Sa, Vietnam), through which analysis the accident's impacts to the Vietnamese mainland territory. Depending on weather conditions and specific locations, the impact area of the accident is different. In the conservative conditions, with strong (7.5 m/s) and west wind, the radioactive cloud will affect the mainland territory (Quang Tri province) after 15 hours from the time of accident. After that, the accident created an area of hundreds of square kilometers, with dose rate greater than 1 μSv/h; I-131 and Cs-137 deposition on the ground greater than 10 kBq/m² and 2 kBq/m², respectively. According to the regulation on preparedness and responses to nuclear and radiological emergencies, have to immediately stop consumption of food and milk in the area until the result of sample examination is available. The study results demonstrate the ARGOS usability and the support of decision-making in the nuclear accident emergencies. (author)