Major technical issues in developing emergency plans for research reactors

Common international practices for the development of emergency response plans and preparedness plans for research reactors,especially the methodologies suggested by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC), have been adopted in China. The author reviews the experience gained in China in recent years in this field. The major technical issues discussed include (1) technical basis for defining emergency status levels, (2) determination of emergency zones, (3) quantification of emergency action levels, (4) consideration of severe accidents, and (5) emergency planning and preparedness for multiple reactors on a single site. The activities and experience gained in the emergency management of research reactors operated in Institute of Nuclear Energy Technology of Tsinghua University are also briefly discussed