Nuclear power generation: alternative for a clean energy in
the future
Evironmental Protection at Nuclear Power Plants
The operational system for environmental protection at Cernavoda NPP
refers to the main factors that ensure the public health and environmental
preservation. These factors are:
The following principles for design and operation have been applied
and are in force now for the environmental protection system:
The environmental monitoring program for Cernavoda NPP was established,
based on the Romanian and international standards, taking into account
the Canadian experience. Derived Emission Limits were approved by CNCAN
,the Romanian Authority in Nuclear Activities. This program fulfills
several objectives, such as:
The annual reports for the first three years (1996, 1997,1998) illustrated
a good operation of the NPP with low quantities of pollutants released
in the environment, well below the approved limits. From the environmental
point of view, the relevant target objectives for NPP’s operation
have started to be reached:
Table 3 CANDU-6 annual average releases of radioactive
material (1988 – 1994)
| Release |
Point Lepreau |
Gentilly
- 2 |
Wolsong
- 1 |
Embalse |
Cernavoda - 1
1997-1998 |
| Airborne releases |
| 3H(TBq) |
341 |
239 |
324 |
87 |
38.2 |
| Noble
gases(TBq) |
23.2 |
60.9 |
23.2 |
58.9 |
39.6 |
| Radioiodine(TBq) |
1.35E-5 |
1.1E-6 |
9.5E-7 |
6.12E-4 |
3.9E-6 |
| Particulates(TBq) |
1.91E-6 |
2.77E-5 |
6.0E-6 |
3.87E-6 |
NA |
| 14C(TBq) |
4.6E-1 |
4.61E-1 |
NA |
4.25E-1 |
2.4E-1 |
| Waterborne
releases |
| 3H(TBq) |
254 |
160 |
79.1 |
238 |
36.7 |
Beta
- Gamma(TBq) |
1.26E-2 |
9.03E-3 |
4.48E-4 |
2.95E-3 |
6.5E-3 |
The results of the first years of operation proved that Cernavoda –
Unit 1 is safe and environment friendly. The results of environmental
monitoring programs demonstrate a safe operation of Cernavoda 1 NPP.
The annual releases of radioactive materials can already be compared
with other CANDU – 6 plants in operation as presented in Table
3.
The content of selected radionuclides in liquid and gaseous effluents
is well below admissible limits set by the national authorities. The
negligible impact of Cernavoda NPP operation could now really contribute
to public confidence.
In the area of the nuclear power plant the impact was estimated at
a value of dose equivalent of 50 mSv per year that is less than 3% of
the natural background radiation. Table 4 presents the values computed
by using measured concentrations in effluents. There is no doubt that
this value is about 20 times smaller than the authorized limit (1000
. mSv).
Table 4 Annual average doses to a member of a public
critical group (mSv) (1988 – 1994)
| Release |
Point Lepreau |
Gentilly
– 2 |
Wolsong
– 1 |
Embalse |
Cernavoda – 1
1997-1998 |
Airborne
releases |
1.4 |
6.2 |
5.6 |
1.1 |
4.7 |
Waterborne
releases |
0.6 |
1.6 |
2.4 |
43.0 |
0.9 |
| Total |
2.0 |
7.8 |
9.0 |
44.1 |
5.6 |
GROUP OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS Ltd.
