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14C Release in Various Chemical Forms With Gaseous Effluents From the Paks Nuclear Power Plant

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Ede Hertelendi
Affiliation:
Institute of Nuclear Research of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, PO Box 51, H–4001 Debrecen, Hungary
György Uchrin
Affiliation:
Institute of Isotopes of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, PO Box 77, H–1525 Budapest, Hungary
Peter Ormai
Affiliation:
Paks Nuclear Power Plant, PO Box 71, H–7031 Paks, Hungary
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Abstract

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We present results of airborne 14C emission measurements from the Paks PWR nuclear power plant. Long-term release of 14C in the form of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were simultaneously measured. The results of internal gas-proportional and liquid scintillation counting agree well with theoretical assessments of 14C releases from pressurized water reactors. The mean value of the 14C concentration in discharged air is 130Bqm-3 and the normalized release is equal to 740GBq/GWe · yr. > 95% of 14C released is in the form of hydrocarbons, ca 4% is apportioned to CO2, and <1% to CO. Tree-ring measurements were also made and indicated a minute increase of 14C content in the vicinity of the nuclear power plant.

Type
III. Global 14C Variations
Copyright
Copyright © The American Journal of Science 

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