Detailed accident analysis for the high level waste preparation phase of the commercial nuclear waste vitrification project

The environmental consequences and the probability of conceivable accidents occurring during the high level waste preparation (HLWP) phase of the Commercial Nuclear Waste Vitrification Project (CNWVP) were analyzed. The maximum environmental consequences of postulated accidents were calculated to result in low radiation doses: a 50-year dose commitment of 0.3 rem to the whole body for a maximum individual, and of 20 man-rem to the whole body for the surrounding population. This may be compared to Department of Energy (DOE) values, in Manual Chapter Appendix 0524, of 0.5-rem whole-body annual dose commitment to individuals at points of maximum probable exposure in uncontrolled areas. The calculated whole-body relative dose risk to individuals from accidents is low (1.6 x 10-6 rem/yr) as compared to that received from natural background radiation (approximately 1.5 x 10-1 rem/yr) and as compared to levels specified in Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements for routine releases from nuclear power reactors (5.0 x 10-3 rem/yr). Therefore, the design and operation plans for the HLWP phase are judged not to represent an undue environmental risk from accident conditions