Risk Analysis of Radiological Release from Pu-238 Production Targets During Manual Handling

Pu-238 Isotope Production Targets are routinely installed
in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) core, transferred,
and stored in the spent fuel canal. These evolutions
involve manual handling and manipulation of the targets
underwater using long handled tools. The ATR Safety
Analysis Report (SAR) postulates a design basis accident
which results in damage from manual manipulation of
targets, and radiological consequences must be
determined for receptors inside the reactor facility, as
well as public receptors. This paper presents the analysis
used to determine the radiological consequences due to
potential target damage in the ATR canal. The analysis
considered radionuclide release fractions, damage ratios
for handling evolutions, and entrainment of radionuclides
in the canal water.