DOE-HDBK-1224-2018, Hazard and Accident Analysis Handbook
The principal purpose of this Handbook is to guide development of the DSA safety analysis for nuclear facilities in order to satisfy the requirements of a safe harbor method set out in 10 CFR Part 830, Subpart B.
Related To:
Version history and related documents
Superseded by
A newer version replaces this document.
- DOE-HDBK-1224-2024Hazard and Accident Analysis Handbook (Feb 28, 2024)
Related documents
- DOE-STD-5506-2021Preparation of Safety Basis Documents for Transuranic (TRU) Waste Facilities
- DOE-HDBK-1163-2020Integration of Hazard Analyses
- DOE-STD-1228-2019Preparation of Documented Safety Analysis for Hazard Category 3 DOE Nuclear Facilities
- DOE-HDBK-1163-2020Integration of Hazard Analyses
- DOE-STD-1228-2019Preparation of Documented Safety Analysis for Hazard Category 3 DOE Nuclear Facilities
- DOE-STD-5506-2021Preparation of Safety Basis Documents for Transuranic (TRU) Waste Facilities
Document text
Text extracted from the attached file. Refer to the original document for the authoritative version.
Section 1
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
August 2018
DOE HANDBOOK
HAZARD AND ACCIDENT ANALYSIS HANDBOOK
Interim Use
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, D.C. 20585
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
ii
FOREWORD
This U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Handbook is approved for use by all DOE elements and their
contractors. It may be applied to upgrading existing Documented Safety Analyses (DSAs) to the
requirements of DOE-STD-3009-2014, Preparation of Nonreactor Nuclear Facility Documented Safety
Analysis, or to revising DSAs for existing facilities based on their current safe harbor methodology. The
Handbook may also be used to prepare and document hazard and accident analyses during facility design.
This Handbook is intended to assist DOE and its contractors in preparing and reviewing DSAs that are
cost-effective and consistent in quality and content. To this end, the Handbook provides information on
applicable scientific theories, analysis techniques, practical examples, and lessons learned from DOE
applications and experience.
The Handbook addresses these subjects:
• Process for preparing a safety analysis, specifically the Chapter 3 portion of the DSA,
• Major accident types, such as fires, explosions, loss of confinement, chemical reactions, and
natural phenomena events,
• Criticality accident analysis,
• Source term analysis,
• Radiological dispersion and consequence analysis, and
• Chemical dispersion and consequence analysis.
DOE Order 252.1A, Admin. Chg. 1, Technical Standards Program, states that DOE handbooks provide
“a compilation of good practices, lessons-learned, or reference information that serve as resources on
specific topics.” The guidance provided in this Handbook is not mandatory and may be used at the
discretion of DOE contractors and field offices.
This Handbook is being issued for “Interim Use” because it is the first publication of a very large and
technically complex document. While great efforts have been made to achieve completeness and
accuracy, comments and feedback are welcome from users during the initial two-year period of
availability. Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, and deletions), as well as any pertinent
data that may be of use in improving this document, should be emailed to nuclearsafety@hq.doe.gov or
addressed to:
Office of Nuclear Safety (AU-30)
Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security
U.S. Department of Energy
19901 Germantown Road
Germantown, MD 20874
mailto:NuclearSafety@hq.doe.gov
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This technical handbook represents a multidisciplinary product of multiple authors and contributors who
have worked in some capacity in the DOE nuclear weapons complex. In the table below, DOE
acknowledges the contributions of the many professionals who authored or reviewed various sections of
this document.
Section 2
Contributor DOE or Contractor Affiliation DOE Nuclear Sites
Sam Rosenbloom DOE AU-30 Office of Nuclear Safety DOE AU-31 Program Manager
Ron Beaulieu National Security Technologies Nevada National Security Site
Sandra Brereton Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Lawrence Livermore
R.T. Brock DOE Amarillo Area Office Pantex
Kevin Carroll Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Lawrence Livermore
Roger Casteel DOE Office of Science Oak Ridge
Chris Chaves DOE AU-30 Office of Nuclear Safety DOE HQ
Doug Clark Consolidated Nuclear Security Y-12
Allan Coutts AECOM Savannah River
Doug Craig Advanced Technologies & Laboratories Savannah River
Dick Englehart DOE AU-30 Office of Nuclear Safety/PEC DOE HQ
Brad Evans Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Hanford
Terry Foppe Link Technologies/Foppe & Associates Rocky Flats, multiple DOE sites
Caroline Garzon DOE EM Chief of Nuclear Safety staff DOE HQ
Chuck Grigsby Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos
Brent Gutierrez DOE Savannah River Site Savannah River
Mukesh Gupta AECOM Savannah River, other DOE sites
David Hesse Battelle Columbus Laboratories Multiple DOE sites
Jerry Hicks DOE Criticality Safety Support Group NNSA Albuquerque Service Center
Quazi Hossain Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Lawrence Livermore
Roy Hunt Consolidated Nuclear Security Y-12
Lee Hyder Savannah River Nuclear Solutions Savannah River
Kamiar Jamali DOE AU-30 Office of Nuclear Safety DOE HQ
Sharon Jasim-Hanif DOE AU-30 Office of Nuclear Safety DOE HQ
Adam Jivelekas Washington River Protection Solutions Hanford
Hans Jordan Innovative Technology Solutions Rocky Flats
Kevin Kimball Consolidated Nuclear Security Y-12 and Pantex
Craig Kullberg NNSA Los Alamos Site Office Los Alamos
Roger Lanning Bechtel National Hanford
Bob Marusich Fluor Daniel Hanford
Carl Mazzola Project Enhancement Corporation Multiple DOE sites
John McAllister AECOM Hanford and Savannah River
Patrick McClure Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Contributor DOE or Contractor Affiliation DOE Nuclear Sites
Steven McDuffie DOE EM Chief of Nuclear Safety staff DOE HQ
Tom McLaughlin DOE Criticality Safety Support Group Supporting NNSA HQ
Jofu Mishima SAIC Multiple DOE sites
Rich Miller Sonalysts Los Alamos and other DOE sites
Jim Morman DOE Criticality Safety Support Group Argonne National Laboratory
James O’Brien DOE DOE HQ
Kevin O’Kula AECOM Savannah River
Shirley Olinger DOE Rocky Flats Project Office Rocky Flats
Ingle Paik Westinghouse Safety Management Solutions Savannah River
Jane Peel Westinghouse Safety Management Solutions Savannah River
Vern Peterson Link Technologies/AB Consulting Rocky Flats, other DOE sites
David Pinkston Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Lawrence Livermore
Marty Plys Fauske & Associates Oak Ridge and other DOE sites
Louis Restrepo Project Enhancement Corporation Multiple DOE sites
Rama Sastry DOE AU-30 Office of Nuclear Safety DOE HQ
Daniel Schmitt Hukari Technical Services Los Alamos
Jim Schornhorst Westinghouse Safety Management Solutions Savannah River
Garrett Smith DOE AU-30 Office of Nuclear Safety Director DOE HQ
Chris Steele DOE Los Alamos Site Office Los Alamos
Don Swanson Triad Safety Engineering Rocky Flats
Dave Thoman AECOM/Westinghouse Safety Management Sols. Savannah River
Ivan Trujillo NNSA Albuquerque Service Center NNSA HQ
Joe Vera Bechtel National Hanford
Doug Wenzel Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Idaho National Laboratory
Bob Wilson DOE Environmental Management DOE HQ
Jeff Woody Link Technologies Oak Ridge, other DOE sites
Al Wooten AECOM Savannah River
Ray Yeung AECOM Savannah River
Bruce Zimmerman Washington River Protection Solutions Hanford
Section 3
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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CONTENTS
ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................................ XII
1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 PURPOSE ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 OUTLINE ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
2 HAZARD ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 ELEMENTS OF HAZARD ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................ 3
2.2 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION .................................................................................... 3
2.2.1 Hazard Data Gathering ............................................................................................................................. 4
2.2.2 Hazard Data Recording ............................................................................................................................. 4
2.2.3 Hazard Summary Development ................................................................................................................. 9
2.2.4 Exclusion of Standard Industrial Hazards and Other Hazardous Materials ........................................... 11
2.3 INITIAL HAZARD EVALUATION DEVELOPMENT .......................................................................................... 14
2.3.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 14
2.3.2 Nuclear Criticality Hazard Evaluation .................................................................................................... 16
2.3.3 Chemical Hazard Evaluation ................................................................................................................... 16
2.4 HAZARD EVALUATION METHODS ................................................................................................................ 17
2.4.1 Commercial Industry Methods and DSA Hazard Evaluations ................................................................. 17
2.4.2 Method #1: What-If? ................................................................................................................................ 17
2.4.3 Method #2: Hazard and Operational Analysis ....................................................................................... 19
2.4.4 Method #3: Failure Modes and Effects Analysis .................................................................................... 23
2.4.5 Method #4: Event Trees and Fault Trees ................................................................................................ 24
2.5 INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A DSA HAZARD EVALUATION TABLE .............................................................. 25
2.6 LIKELIHOOD, CONSEQUENCE, AND RISK METHODS .................................................................................... 26
Section 4
2.6.1 Qualitative Consequences ........................................................................................................................ 26
2.6.1.1 Receptor Consequence Levels............................................................................................................................. 26
2.6.1.2 Facility Worker Consequences ............................................................................................................................ 28
2.6.1.3 Standard Industrial Hazard Consequences to Facility Worker ............................................................................. 32
2.6.2 Qualitative Likelihood ............................................................................................................................. 33
2.6.3 Qualitative Risk ........................................................................................................................................ 35
2.7 UNMITIGATED AND MITIGATED HAZARD EVALUATIONS ............................................................................ 35
2.8 HAZARD EVALUATION PRESENTATION IN DSA .......................................................................................... 36
3 ACCIDENT ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................................ 39
3.1 ACCIDENT TYPE SELECTION ....................................................................................................................... 39
3.2 ACCIDENT ANALYSIS PROCESS ................................................................................................................... 40
3.3 ANALYSIS INPUTS AND ASSUMPTIONS ........................................................................................................ 41
3.4 BEYOND DESIGN/EVALUATION BASIS ACCIDENTS ..................................................................................... 43
3.5 SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE .............................................................................................................. 46
4 EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF MAJOR ACCIDENT TYPES ........................................................ 49
4.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 49
4.1.1 Information from Accident Analysis to Include in the DSA ..................................................................... 50
4.2 FIRE SCENARIO ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................... 50
4.2.2 Fire Analysis ............................................................................................................................................ 52
4.2.2.1 Example Analytical Methods .............................................................................................................................. 54
4.2.2.1.1 Heat Release Rate ........................................................................................................................................ 54
4.2.2.1.2 Pool Fire Heat Release Rate ........................................................................................................................ 54
4.2.2.1.4 Flame Height ............................................................................................................................................... 56
4.2.2.1.5 Enclosure Fire Dynamics ............................................................................................................................. 57
Section 5
4.2.2.1.5.1 Pre-flashover ........................................................................................................................................ 57
4.2.2.1.5.2 Flashover.............................................................................................................................................. 58
4.2.2.1.6 Solid Fuel Ignition and Radiant Heating ...................................................................................................... 59
4.2.3 Source Term Calculation for Fire Scenarios ........................................................................................... 62
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4.2.3.1 Effect on Hazardous Material.............................................................................................................................. 62
4.2.3.1.1 Determining MAR for the FIRE Event ........................................................................................................ 62
4.2.3.1.2 Determining DR and ARF/RF for the Fire Event ........................................................................................ 63
4.2.3.2 Thermal Effects ................................................................................................................................................... 64
4.2.3.3 Smoke Damage ................................................................................................................................................... 65
4.3 EXPLOSION SCENARIO ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................... 66
4.3.1 Explosion Event Types and Scenarios ...................................................................................................... 66
4.3.2 Explosions Analysis ................................................................................................................................. 71
4.3.2.1 Pressure Vessel Burst .......................................................................................................................................... 71
4.3.2.1.1 Blast Effect from Pressure Vessel Burst ...................................................................................................... 72
4.3.2.1.2 Fragmentation from Pressure Vessel Burst .................................................................................................. 80
4.3.2.1.3 Thermal Effects from Pressure Vessel Burst ............................................................................................... 87
4.3.2.2 BLEVE ............................................................................................................................................................... 87
4.3.2.2.1 Blast Effect from BLEVE ........................................................................................................................ 88
4.3.2.2.2 Fragmentation from BLEVE .................................................................................................................... 88
4.3.2.2.3 Thermal Effects from BLEVE ................................................................................................................. 88
Section 6
4.3.2.3 Vapor Cloud Explosion ..................................................................................................................................... 89
4.3.2.3.1 Vapor Cloud Deflagration ........................................................................................................................... 90
4.3.2.3.2 Vapor Cloud Detonation .............................................................................................................................. 90
4.3.2.3.3 VAPOR CLOUD Deflagration AND Detonation PRACTICAL DIFFERENCES ..................................... 90
4.3.2.3.4 Blast Effect from Vapor Cloud Explosion ................................................................................................... 91
4.3.2.3.5 Fragmentation from Vapor Cloud Explosion ............................................................................................... 99
4.3.2.3.6 Thermal Effect from Vapor Cloud Explosion .............................................................................................. 99
4.3.2.4 Flash Fire .......................................................................................................................................................... 99
4.3.3 Consequences of Explosions BEYOND RELEASES OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ............................ 99
4.3.3.1 Damage Caused by Overpressure (Detonations and Deflagrations) .................................................................... 99
4.3.3.2 Damage Caused by Fragmentation .................................................................................................................... 101
4.3.3.3 Damage Caused by Thermal Effects to Facility workers ................................................................................... 101
4.3.3.4 Damage Caused by Thermal Effects to SSCs .................................................................................................... 104
4.3.4 Source Term Calculation for Explosion Scenarios ................................................................................ 105
4.3.4.1 Explosion MAR ................................................................................................................................................ 105
4.3.4.2 Explosion Damage Ratio (DR).......................................................................................................................... 105
4.3.4.3 Explosion ARF/RF ............................................................................................................................................ 106
4.3.4.4 Explosion Release Duration .............................................................................................................................. 106
4.3.5 Case: Source Term Calculation for Hydrogen Explosion ..................................................................... 107
4.3.5.1 GAS Explosion source term (ST) .................................................................................................................... 109
4.3.5.2 Gas deflagration Source Term (ST) ................................................................................................................ 110
4.4 SPILLS ....................................................................................................................................................... 112
4.4.1 Types of Loss of Confinement/Spills and Scenarios ............................................................................... 112
4.4.2 Analysis of Spills .................................................................................................................................... 113
Section 7
4.4.2.1 Glovebox Spills ............................................................................................................................................... 114
4.4.2.2 Material Handling and Waste Container Accidents ........................................................................................ 114
4.4.2.3 Over-pressurizations ....................................................................................................................................... 115
4.4.2.3.1 Pressurized Powder Releases ..................................................................................................................... 115
4.4.2.3.2 Pressurized Liquid Releases ...................................................................................................................... 115
4.4.2.4 Aerodynamic Entrainment .............................................................................................................................. 115
4.5 ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS ....................................................................................................... 116
4.5.1 Organic-based Ion Exchange Resin Reaction ........................................................................................ 116
4.5.1.1 Reactions of Nitric Acid with Organic Materials ............................................................................................ 117
4.5.1.2 Composition and Reactions of Ion Exchange Resins ...................................................................................... 118
4.5.1.3 Chemical Degradation of Ion Exchange Resins .............................................................................................. 118
4.5.1.4 Radiation Effects on Ion Exchange Resins ...................................................................................................... 119
4.5.1.5 Incidents Involving Chemical Reactions of Resins ......................................................................................... 119
4.5.1.6 Discussion of Accident Conditions .................................................................................................................. 120
4.5.2 “Red Oil” Reaction................................................................................................................................ 120
4.5.2.1 Background and Prior Red Oil Incidents ......................................................................................................... 120
4.5.2.2 Discussion of Red Oil Accident Conditions .................................................................................................... 123
4.5.2.3 Approach to Preventing Red Oil Accidents ..................................................................................................... 124
4.5.2.4 Preventive Controls ......................................................................................................................................... 125
4.5.3 Organic Reaction Event ......................................................................................................................... 125
4.5.3.1 Background and Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 125
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Section 8
4.5.3.2 Analytical and Test Methods ........................................................................................................................... 127
4.5.3.3 Prevention and Mitigation ............................................................................................................................... 127
4.5.4 Hydroxylamine Nitrate Reaction............................................................................................................ 127
4.5.4.1 Prevention and Mitigation ............................................................................................................................... 128
4.5.5 Chemical Reactions Accident Analysis .................................................................................................. 128
4.6 NATURAL PHENOMENA HAZARD EVENTS................................................................................................. 129
4.6.1 NPH Event Types ................................................................................................................................... 129
4.6.2 NPH Event Analysis Overview ............................................................................................................... 129
4.6.2.1 Accident Analysis for A New Nuclear Facility or Major Modification of an existing nuclear facility............. 129
4.6.2.2 Accident Analysis for Existing Nuclear Facility DSA ...................................................................................... 130
4.6.2.3 General Methodology ........................................................................................................................................ 132
4.6.3 Seismic Events ........................................................................................................................................ 133
4.6.4 Extreme Wind Events ............................................................................................................................. 134
4.6.5 Flood and Precipitation Events ............................................................................................................. 134
4.6.6 Lightning Events .................................................................................................................................... 135
4.6.7 Volcanic Eruption and Ashfall Events ................................................................................................... 138
4.6.8 Wildland Fires ....................................................................................................................................... 139
4.6.8.1 Wildland Fire Event Description and Analysis ................................................................................................. 140
4.6.8.2 Example: Wildland Fire Facility/Structure Hazard ASSESSMENT ................................................................. 142
4.7 MAN-MADE EXTERNAL EVENTS .............................................................................................................. 147
4.7.1 Aircraft Crashes ..................................................................................................................................... 148
4.7.1.1 Screening Analysis ............................................................................................................................................ 148
4.7.1.2 Aircraft Crash Damage Assessment ................................................................................................................ 151
Section 9
4.7.2 Vehicle Crashes ..................................................................................................................................... 151
4.7.2.1 Vehicle Crash into Facility ............................................................................................................................... 151
4.7.2.2 Onsite Transportation Accident ........................................................................................................................ 151
4.7.3 Loss of Power to Safety-related SSCs .................................................................................................... 153
5 SOURCE TERM ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................. 154
5.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 154
5.2 RADIOLOGICAL SOURCE TERM COMPONENTS .......................................................................................... 154
5.2.1 Material at Risk ..................................................................................................................................... 157
5.2.1.1 Overview of Requirements, Guidance, and Practices for .................................................................................. 157
Identifying MAR ............................................................................................................................................................ 157
5.2.1.2 Examples for Identifying MAR ......................................................................................................................... 158
5.2.2 Determining the Damage Ratio (DR) .................................................................................................... 162
5.2.2.1 Overview of Requirements, Guidance, and Practices........................................................................................ 162
5.2.2.2 Examples .......................................................................................................................................................... 163
5.2.3 Airborne Release Fraction and Respirable Fraction ............................................................................. 168
5.2.3.1 Overview of Requirements, Guidance, and Practices for Determining ARF/RF ............................................... 168
5.2.3.2 Examples for Determining ARF/RF .................................................................................................................. 181
5.2.4 Airborne Release Rate ........................................................................................................................... 183
5.2.5 Leakpath Factor ..................................................................................................................................... 184
5.2.5.1 Filtration LPF .................................................................................................................................................... 185
5.2.5.2 LPF Modeling ................................................................................................................................................... 186
5.3 CHEMICAL RELEASE SOURCE TERMS........................................................................................................ 187
5.4 APPROPRIATENESS OF SOURCE TERMS ..................................................................................................... 190
Section 10
5.4.1 Adequate Technical Basis to Depart from Default or Bounding Values ................................................ 190
6 ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION ............................................................................................................. 193
6.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 193
6.2 KEY RECEPTORS ....................................................................................................................................... 194
6.3 METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS AFFECTING DISPERSION ....................................................................... 195
6.3.1 Wind Speed, Wind Direction, and Wind Direction Standard Deviations ............................................... 196
6.3.1.1 Wind Speed ....................................................................................................................................................... 196
6.3.1.2 Wind Direction .................................................................................................................................................. 197
6.3.1.3 Wind Direction Standard Deviations................................................................................................................. 197
6.3.2 Wind Speed Profile with Height ............................................................................................................. 197
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6.3.3 Mixing Layer Height .............................................................................................................................. 198
6.3.4 Vertical Temperature Profiles ............................................................................................................... 199
6.3.5 Precipitation .......................................................................................................................................... 200
6.3.6 Temperature and Relative Humidity ...................................................................................................... 200
6.4 GAUSSIAN PLUME MODEL FOR NEUTRALLY BUOYANT PLUMES .............................................................. 200
6.4.1 Basic Gaussian Equations ..................................................................................................................... 200
6.4.2 Gaussian Plume Widths and Depths ...................................................................................................... 203
6.4.2.1 Atmospheric Stability Classes ........................................................................................................................... 204
6.4.2.2 Methods of Calculating Stability Classes .......................................................................................................... 205
6.4.2.3 Additional Stability Classification Techniques ................................................................................................ 208
6.4.2.4 Methods of Calculating Plume Width and Plume Thickness ............................................................................ 210
Section 11
6.5 CHARACTERIZATION OF METEOROLOGICAL AND SITE DATA ................................................................... 216
6.5.1 Persistence ............................................................................................................................................. 218
6.5.2 Joint Frequency Distribution (JFD) ...................................................................................................... 218
6.5.3 Full Data Set Sampling .......................................................................................................................... 219
6.5.4 Treatment of Calm and Variable Winds ................................................................................................. 219
6.6 METEOROLOGICAL DATA ADEQUACY FOR SAFETY ANALYSIS ................................................................. 221
6.7 TYPICAL AND UNFAVORABLE DISPERSION CONDITIONS .......................................................................... 222
6.8 SPECIAL GAUSSIAN MODELING CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................... 224
6.8.1 Averaging-Time and Large Eddy Plume Meander ................................................................................ 224
6.8.2 Mechanical Turbulence Due to Surface Roughness............................................................................... 226
6.8.3 Aerodynamic Effects of Buildings .......................................................................................................... 229
6.8.4 Plume Modifications Through Decay, Daughter In-Growth, and Deposition Processes ...................... 232
6.8.5 Principles Governing Plume Rise and Downwash ................................................................................ 236
6.8.5.1 Momentum Plume Rise ..................................................................................................................................... 237
6.8.5.2 Buoyancy Plume Rise ....................................................................................................................................... 238
6.8.6 PLUME IMPACTION ............................................................................................................................ 239
6.9 DOE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGICAL DISPERSION AND CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS CODES.......... 240
6.9.1 MACCS2 ................................................................................................................................................ 248
6.9.2 GENII ..................................................................................................................................................... 249
6.9.3 HOTSPOT .............................................................................................................................................. 250
6.10 ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION OPTIONS IN DOE-STD-3009-2014 ............................................................... 250
6.11 ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION MODELING PROTOCOL ............................................................................. 251
6.12 NON-GAUSSIAN DISPERSION MODELING .................................................................................................. 258
6.12.1 Dispersion under Extreme Wind or Tornado Event ............................................................................... 258
6.12.2 Finite Plume External Dose Modeling ................................................................................................... 260
6.12.3 Plumes from Energetic Events ............................................................................................................... 260
Section 12
6.13 CO-LOCATED WORKER DISPERSION FACTOR ............................................................................................ 263
6.13.1 Technical Report for CW χ/Q value ....................................................................................................... 263
6.13.2 Alternate χ/Q Value Justification ........................................................................................................... 263
6.13.2.1 Hand Calculations for a χ/Q Value Where the Default Value is Not Appropriate ........................................... 264
6.13.2.2 Computer Code Modeling for a χ/Q Value Where the Default Value is Not Appropriate ............................... 265
7 AQUATIC DISPERSION AND GROUNDWATER TRANSPORT .................................................... 267
7.1 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................ 267
7.2 NRC REGULATORY GUIDANCE ON AQUATIC DISPERSION AND DOSE CALCULATION ...... 268
7.3 DOCUMENTED SAFETY ANALYSIS APPROACH .......................................................................................... 268
7.4 LIQUID EFFLUENT RELEASE KEY RECEPTORS .......................................................................................... 269
7.5 LIQUID EFFLUENT RELEASE REDISTRIBUTION MECHANISMS AND UPTAKE .............................................. 269
7.5.1 Initial Mixing ......................................................................................................................................... 269
7.5.2 Far-Field Mixing ................................................................................................................................... 269
7.5.3 Deposition And Resuspension In Sediments........................................................................................... 270
7.5.4 Uptake Mechanisms ............................................................................................................................... 271
7.6 AQUATIC DISPERSION MODELS AND COMPARISONS ................................................................................. 271
7.6.1 Classes of Aquatic Dispersion Models ................................................................................................... 271
7.6.2 Aquatic Dispersion Model Attributes and Characteristics .................................................................... 272
7.6.3 Comparison of Aquatic Dispersion Models ........................................................................................... 273
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7.6.3.1 LADTAP2 ......................................................................................................................................................... 273
7.6.3.2 STREAM2 ....................................................................................................................................................... 274
7.6.3.3 GENII 2.10.1 .................................................................................................................................................... 274
7.6.3.4 RIVER-RAD .................................................................................................................................................... 274
7.6.3.5 DISPERS.......................................................................................................................................................... 274
Section 13
7.7 GROUNDWATER TRANSPORT .................................................................................................................... 275
7.7.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................................ 275
7.7.2 Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport ................................................................................... 275
7.7.3 Tritium in Sediments .............................................................................................................................. 276
7.7.4 Groundwater Transport Model Considerations ..................................................................................... 276
8 RADIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCE ASSESSMENT .......................................................................... 278
8.1 FUNDAMENTALS ....................................................................................................................................... 278
8.1.1 Types of Radiation ................................................................................................................................. 279
8.1.2 Nuclear Fission ...................................................................................................................................... 280
8.1.3 Radioactivity .......................................................................................................................................... 281
8.2 EFFECTS OF RADIATION ON THE BODY ..................................................................................................... 282
8.2.1 Dose Evaluations ................................................................................................................................... 282
8.2.2 Inhalation (Plume) Dose ........................................................................................................................ 285
8.2.3 Cloudshine Dose .................................................................................................................................... 288
8.2.4 Groundshine Dose ................................................................................................................................. 288
8.2.5 Prompt (Direct) Dose ............................................................................................................................ 289
8.2.6 Plutonium Equivalent Curies ................................................................................................................. 290
8.3 HEALTH RISKS .......................................................................................................................................... 290
8.3.1 High-LET Radiation............................................................................................................................... 291
8.3.2 Low-LET Radiation ................................................................................................................................ 291
8.3.3 Acute Health Risks ................................................................................................................................. 292
Section 14
9 CHEMICAL DISPERSION AND CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS ....................................................... 293
9.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 293
9.2 CHEMICAL CONSEQUENCE ASSESSMENT FUNDAMENTALS ....................................................................... 294
9.3 CHEMICAL SCREENING CRITERIA ............................................................................................................. 295
9.4 CHEMICAL HEALTH EFFECTS ON THE HUMAN BODY ................................................................................ 297
9.4.1 Chemical Concentrations and Exposure Time ....................................................................................... 297
9.4.1.1 Chemical Exposure Time .................................................................................................................................. 297
9.4.1.2 Protective Action Criteria for Releases of a Single Chemical ........................................................................... 299
9.4.1.3 Protective Action Criteria for Releases of Multiple Chemicals ........................................................................ 300
9.4.2 Modes of Exposure and Routes of Entry of Toxic Chemicals that Result in Health Effects ................... 300
9.4.3 Toxic Chemical Acute Exposure Limits ................................................................................................. 301
9.4.3.1 EPA Acute Exposure Guideline Levels ............................................................................................................ 301
9.4.3.2 AIHA Emergency Response Planning Guidelines ............................................................................................ 302
9.4.3.3 DOE PAC/TEELs ............................................................................................................................................. 302
9.4.4 Chemical Mixture Methodology ............................................................................................................. 306
9.4.5 Chronic Health Effects of Toxic Chemicals on the Human Body: Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, and
Teratogenicity ................................................................................................................................................... 307
9.5 TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE PHENOMENOLOGY AND SUBSEQUENT ATMOSPHERIC TRANSPORT AND
DIFFUSION ............................................................................................................................................................. 308
9.5.1 Pressurized Liquids: Two-Phase Flow Toxic Chemical Release .......................................................... 308
9.5.1.1 FLASHING FRACTION AND AEROSOL FORMATION ............................................................................. 309
9.5.1.2 TWO-PHASE RELEASE OF CHLORINE FROM A PIPE ............................................................................. 312
9.5.2 Pressurized Gases: Choked Flow Toxic Chemical Release ................................................................... 314
9.5.2.2 VAPOR OUTFLOW FROM BREACH OF A PIPELINE................................................................................ 317
9.5.2.3 OUTFLOW FROM A CYLINDRICAL TANK ............................................................................................... 318
9.5.2.4 OUTFLOW FROM A SPHERICAL TANK ..................................................................................................... 320
9.5.2.5 OUTFLOW FROM PROCESS VESSELS OF OTHER VARIOUS SHAPES ................................................. 321
Section 15
9.5.3 Dense Gas Toxic Chemical Release And Dispersion ............................................................................. 321
9.5.4 Non-Pressurized Liquid Release ............................................................................................................ 323
9.5.4.1 Convective Boiling............................................................................................................................................ 324
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9.5.4.2 Conductive Boiling ........................................................................................................................................... 325
9.5.4.3 Nitric Acid and Carbon Tetrachloride Pool Evaporation Rates ......................................................................... 325
9.5.4.3.2 Carbon Tetrachloride Pool Evaporation..................................................................................................... 329
9.5.5 Energetic Events: Fires, Deflagrations, Detonations, Delayed Ignition Explosions, and Bleves ......... 334
9.6 METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS AFFECTING TOXIC CHEMICAL CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS .................... 335
9.6.1 Temperature Effects ............................................................................................................................... 336
9.6.2 Relative Humidity Effects ....................................................................................................................... 336
9.7 TOXIC CHEMICAL ATMOSPHERIC TRANSPORT AND DIFFUSION MODELS .................................................. 336
9.7.1 Neutrally-Buoyant Gaussian Models ..................................................................................................... 337
9.7.1.1 ALOHA............................................................................................................................................................. 337
9.7.1.2 EPIcode ............................................................................................................................................................. 339
9.7.1.3 Chemical Dispersion Analysis with ALOHA and EPIcode .............................................................................. 340
9.7.2 Dense Gas Dispersion Models ............................................................................................................... 342
9.7.2.1 ALOHA............................................................................................................................................................. 343
9.7.2.2 DEGADIS ......................................................................................................................................................... 343
9.7.2.3 HGSYSTEM .................................................................................................................................................... 344
9.7.2.4 SLAB ................................................................................................................................................................ 344
9.7.3 Variable Trajectory Dispersion Models ................................................................................................. 345
9.7.4 Research-Grade Dispersion Models ...................................................................................................... 345
Section 16
9.8 TOXIC CHEMICAL CONSEQUENCE SCOPING METHODOLOGY TO EXCEED PAC/TEEL VALUES ................ 345
9.8.1 Gas, Powder, and Solid Release Model ................................................................................................. 346
9.8.2 Liquid Evaporation Scoping Calculation Model ................................................................................... 347
9.8.3 Screening Method for Maximally-Exposed Offsite Individual (MOI) High Consequence ..................... 349
9.9 EXAMPLE TOXIC CHEMICAL CALCULATIONS ............................................................................................ 350
9.9.1 Example 1: Calculate Ammonia Gas Quantity that Exceeds PAC/TEEL-3 at the CW ......................... 351
9.9.2 Example 2: Calculate Aluminum Oxide Powder Quantity that Exceeds PAC/TEEL-3 at the CW........ 351
9.9.3 Example 3: Calculate Liquid 70% Nitric Acid Quantity that Exceeds PAC/TEEL Values at 1 Km Site
Boundary .......................................................................................................................................................... 351
9.9.4 Example 4: Calculate Liquid 55% Hydrofluoric Acid Quantity that Exceeds PAC/TEEL Values at 1 Km
Site Boundary.................................................................................................................................................... 353
10 HAZARD CONTROL SELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION ......................................................... 354
10.1 HAZARD CONTROL SELECTION ................................................................................................................. 355
10.1.1 Hazard Control Selection Process ......................................................................................................... 355
10.1.1.1 Hazard and Accident Analysis Input to Control Selection .............................................................................. 355
10.1.1.2 Hazard Control Types ..................................................................................................................................... 357
10.1.1.3 Use of Risk Matrices for Control Selection ..................................................................................................... 359
10.1.2 Hazard Control Selection Considerations ............................................................................................. 361
10.2 SAFETY CLASSIFICATIONS OF CONTROLS ................................................................................................. 362
10.2.1 Safety Class Designation ....................................................................................................................... 362
10.2.2 Safety Significant Designation ............................................................................................................... 362
10.2.3 Classification of Other Hazard Controls ............................................................................................... 362
10.3 EVALUATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES WITH MITIGATED OFFSITE CONSEQUENCE ESTIMATES OVER THE
EVALUATION GUIDELINE ....................................................................................................................................... 363
Section 17
APPENDIX A: HAZARD ANALYSIS TABLE DEVELOPMENT .................................................................... 18
A.1 SCENARIO DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................. 18
A.2 INITIATING EVENT FREQUENCY .................................................................................................................. 18
A.3 UNMITIGATED CONSEQUENCE EVALUATION .............................................................................................. 19
A.4 SAFETY FUNCTIONS .................................................................................................................................... 19
A.5 PREVENTIVE FEATURES (DESIGN AND ADMINISTRATIVE) .......................................................................... 20
A.6 METHOD OF DETECTION ............................................................................................................................. 20
A.7 MITIGATIVE FEATURES (DESIGN AND ADMINISTRATIVE) ........................................................................... 20
A.8 SSC SAFETY CONTROL SUITE AND SAFETY FUNCTIONS ............................................................................. 21
A.9 MITIGATED CONSEQUENCES ....................................................................................................................... 21
A.10 PLANNED ANALYSES, ASSUMPTIONS AND RISK/OPPORTUNITY IDENTIFICATION ....................................... 21
A.11 HAZARDS EVALUATION TABLE .................................................................................................................. 22
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APPENDIX B: CRITICALITY ACCIDENTS ........................................................................................................ 2
B.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 2
B.2 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDANCE ......................................................... 3
B.2.1 Unmitigated Analysis ................................................................................................................................. 3
B.3 ACCIDENT FISSION YIELDS ........................................................................................................................... 4
B.3.1 Fission Yields of Solution and Solution-Like Systems ................................................................................ 4
B.3.2 Fission Yields of Non-Solution-Like Systems ............................................................................................. 7
B.3.2.1 Metals/Solids – One or a Few Large Pieces ......................................................................................................... 7
B.3.2.2 Dry, unmoderated Solids – Numerous Small Pieces, and Large Arrays .............................................................. 8
B.3.3 Fission Yields of Autocatalytic Accidents .................................................................................................. 8
B.4 EVALUATION OF DIRECT RADIATION DOSES ................................................................................................ 8
B.5 CRITICALITY ACCIDENT SOURCE TERMS ...................................................................................................... 8
Section 18
B.5.1 Fission Product Inventories ....................................................................................................................... 8
B.5.2 Particulate Release and Health Related Parameters ................................................................................. 9
B.6 CRITICALITY ACCIDENT EXAMPLE ............................................................................................................. 10
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ACRONYMS
AC Administrative Control or Alternating Current
ACGIH American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists
AED Aerodynamic Equivalent Diameter
AEGL Acute Exposure Guideline Level
AICC Adiabatic, Constant-Volume Combustion
AIHA American Industrial Hygienist Association
AMAD Activity Median Aerodynamic Diameter
ANS American Nuclear Society
ANSI American National Standards Institute
APAC Accident Phenomenology and Consequence
ARF Airborne Release Fraction
ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
BC Building Construction
BDBA Beyond Design Basis Accident
BEBA Beyond Evaluation Basis Accident
BEU Beyond Extremely Unlikely
BLEVE Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
BNL Brookhaven National Laboratory
BR Breathing Rate
BST Building Source Term
CCPS Center for Chemical Process Safety
CDC Centers for Disease Control
CFAST Consolidated Model of Fire and Smoke Transport
CFD Computational Fluid Dynamics
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CMM Chemical Mixture Methodology
CR Central Registry
CSE Criticality Safety Evaluation
CTH Cloud Top Height
CW Co-located Worker
DBA Design Basis Accident
DCF Dose Conversion Factor
DDT Deflagration to Detonation Transition
DF Decontamination Factor
DG Dense Gas
DNFSB Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
DOE Department of Energy
DOS Disk Operating System
DOT Department of Transportation
DR Damage Ratio
DSA Documented Safety Analysis
DTA Differential Thermal Analysis
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EBA Evaluation Basis Accident
EDE Effective Dose Equivalent
EEGL Emergency Exposure Guidance Level
EFCOG Energy Facility Contractor Group
EG Evaluation Guideline
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ERPG Emergency Response Planning Guideline
EU Extremely Unlikely
FDC Flood Design Category
FDT Fire Dynamics Tool
FGR Federal Guidance Report
FHA Fire Hazards Analysis
FMEA Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
FTF Filter Test Facility
FW Facility Worker
GEP Good Engineering Practice
GNB Gaussian Neutrally Buoyant
GRF German Research Foundation
HA Hazard Analysis
HAZOP Hazard and Operational Analysis
HC Hazard Category
HCN Health Code Number
HDBK Handbook
HE High Explosive
HEPA High Efficiency Particulate Air
HPR Highly Protected Risk
HRR Heat Release Rate
HSDB Hazardous Substances Data Bank
IACR International Association of Cancer Registries
ICRP International Council on Radiation Protection
IDLH Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
ILA Immediate Landscaped Area
INL Idaho National Laboratory
IST Initial Source Term
JFD Joint Frequency Distribution
LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory
LCF Latent Cancer Fatality
LEL Lower Explosive Limit
LET Linear Energy Transfer
LFL Lower Flammability Limit
LOC Level of Concern
LPF Leak Path Factor
LPG Liquified Petroleum Gas
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MAR Material at Risk
MAK-Wert Maximale Arbeitsplatz-Konzentration
MOI Maximally Exposed Offsite Individual
MW Molecular Weight
Section 19
NAC/AEGL National Advisory Committee for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels
NARAC National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NCRP National Council on Radiation Protection
NDC Natural Phenomena Hazard Design Category
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NFDRS National Fire Rating Danger System
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
NNSA National Nuclear Security Administration
NNSS Nevada Nuclear Security Site
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPH Natural Phenomena Hazard
NQA Nuclear Quality Assurance
NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NTSB National Transportation Safety Board
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PAC Protective Action Criteria
PBL Planetary Boundary Layer
PC Performance Category
PDC Precipitation Design Category
PEL Permissible Exposure Level
PHA Preliminary Hazard Assessment
PISA Potential Inadequacy of the Safety Analysis
PNNL Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
PRA Probabilistic Risk Assessment
PrHA Process Hazard Analysis
PSO Program Secretarial Office
PUREX Plutonium Uranium Redox Extraction
PWHA Probabilistic Wind Hazard Assessment
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
REL Recommended Exposure Level
RF Respirable Fraction
RG Regulatory Guide
RTECS Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances
SAC Specific Administrative Control
SAWG Safety Analysis Working Group
SBAA Safety Basis Approval Authority
SC Safety Class
SCAPA Subcommittee for Consequence Assessment and Protective Actions
SDC Seismic Design Category
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SDS Safety Data Sheet
SFPE Society of Fire Protection Engineers
SIH Standard Industrial Hazard
SIZ Structure Ignition Zone
SME Subject Matter Expert
SMP Safety Management Program
SNL Sandia National Laboratories
SNM Special Nuclear Material
SQA Software Quality Assurance
SRDT Solar Radiation Delta Temperature
SRNL Savannah River National Laboratory
SRS Savannah River Site
SS Safety Significant
SSC Structures, Systems, and Components
ST Source Term
STD Standard
STEL Short-Term Exposure Level
STP Standard Temperature and Pressure
TBP Tri-Butyl Phosphate
TED Total Effective Dose
TEDE Total Effective Dose Equivalent
TEEL Temporary Emergency Exposure Limit
TF Topographical Feature
TLV Threshold Limit Value
TNO The Netherlands Organization
TNT Trinitrotoluene
TRU Transuranic
TSL Technical Support Level
TSR Technical Safety Requirement
TWA Time-Weighted Average
UEL Upper Explosive Limit
UFL Upper Flammability Limit
UL Underwriters Laboratories
USQ Unreviewed Safety Question
V & V Verification & Validation
VDC Volcanic Design Category
VP Vapor Pressure
WDC Wind Design Category
WEEL Workplace Environmental Exposure Limit
WIPP Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
Note: Definitions related to the DOE hazard and accident analysis process can be found in 10 CFR
§830.3, DOE-STD-3009-2014 (or other Part 830 safe harbor), or DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Airborne Release
Fractions/Rates and Respirable Fractions for Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities. Other definitions related to
accident phenomenology for evaluation of potential consequences, such as physical and chemical effects,
are provided in references cited in the text.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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1 INTRODUCTION
Section 20
This Handbook contains methodology, data sources, and subject matter references for performing and
reviewing hazard and accident analysis for Department of Energy (DOE) nonreactor nuclear facilities.
The guidance offered supports development of a Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) required by 10
CFR1 Part 830, Nuclear Safety Management, Subpart B, “Safety Basis Requirements.”
The Handbook uses as a starting point drafts of a report prepared by the Safety Analysis Working Group
of the Energy Facility Contractors Group. This early effort was sponsored by DOE’s Office of Defense
Programs (predecessor of NNSA) in the early 2000s. Although that report was not completed, some of its
technical content has been incorporated into this Handbook.
The Handbook describes best practices gleaned from development of DSAs throughout the DOE complex
and from insights acquired in the development of DOE-STD-3009-2014, Preparation of Nonreactor
Nuclear Facility Documented Safety Analysis. The Handbook provides many application examples that
will be helpful to the analyst.
1.1 PURPOSE
The principal purpose of this Handbook is to guide development of the DSA safety analysis for nuclear
facilities in order to satisfy the requirements of a safe harbor method set out in 10 CFR Part 830, Subpart
B. The safety analysis process consists of three main steps:
• Hazard analysis (including hazard identification and evaluation);
• Accident analysis (including accident scenario definition and consequence analysis); and
• Preventive and mitigative control selection.
DOE-STD-3009-2014 provides criteria and guidance organized in the above manner. Further, it includes
lessons learned from use of DOE-STD-3009-94, Change Notice 3 (CN3), Preparation Guide for U.S.
Department of Energy Nonreactor Nuclear Facility Documented Safety Analysis, and other safe harbor
methods. Therefore, this Handbook uses excerpts from DOE-STD-3009-20142 as the starting point for
the amplifying guidance and good practices, but the scope of the Handbook is not limited to that standard.
The information in this Handbook is also relevant to other safe harbor methods for developing a safety
basis document, such as DOE-STD-3011-2016, Preparation of Documented Safety Analysis for Interim
Operations at DOE Nuclear Facilities, and DOE-STD-1120-2016, Preparation of Documented Safety
Analysis for Decommissioning and Environmental Restoration Activities. The Handbook may also be use
for upgrading existing DSAs to the new requirements of DOE-STD-3009-2014, or for updating DSAs for
existing facilities based on their current safe harbor methodology.
1.2 OUTLINE
This Handbook is organized as follows:
• Chapter 2, Hazard Analysis, addresses hazard identification and evaluation, including hazard
evaluation methods and safety control identification.
1 Code of Federal Regulations.
2 When used without a 2-digit or 4-digit year number after “DOE-STD-3009,” the term refers to both the 1994 and
2014 versions. If a specific version is meant to the exclusion of the other, the year will be stated.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
2
• Chapter 3, Accident Analysis, provides a high level overview of the events that were identified in
the hazard evaluation table to be evaluated for further accident analysis, provides an overview of
the accident analysis process, and discusses two key topics: (1) assumptions and initial
conditions; and (2) conservatism in analysis.
Section 21
• Chapter 4, Evaluation of Effects of Major Accident Types, addresses the analysis of accident
scenarios. The various topics covered provide information for evaluating the magnitude of the
accidents and the resulting accident environments, so that the amount of radioactive or other
hazardous material affected is defined. Toxic chemicals are a subset of hazardous materials that
require additional dispersion and consequence assessment. In addition to evaluation of potential
consequences to facility workers, this information is necessary to determine the source term
available for release from the facility, and to evaluate the capability of safety structures, systems,
and components (SSCs) to survive the accident environments and provide required safety
functions when called upon.
• Chapter 5, Source Term Analysis, addresses development of the amount of radioactive material or
toxic chemical released from a given confinement volume under the stress posed by insults from
a hypothetical accident. Source term estimations include quantifying radioactive or toxic
chemical material at risk, damage ratio, airborne release fractions or release rates, respirable
fractions (for radioactive materials only), and leakpath factor.
• Chapter 6, Atmospheric Dispersion, addresses atmospheric transport and diffusion,
meteorological data, and the models available for consequence assessment of radioactive releases
to the atmosphere.
• Chapter 7, Aquatic Dispersion and Groundwater Transport, addresses surface water and ground
water pathways, and the models available for consequence assessment of radioactive releases to
aquatic water bodies and ground water.
• Chapter 8, Radiological Consequence Assessment, addresses the different types of radiation and
the health effects they can have on the human body, its organs, and its tissues, and how
radiological doses to receptors of interest may be estimated.
• Chapter 9, Chemical Dispersion and Consequence Analysis, addresses toxic chemical releases,
their potential health effects and methods for estimating concentration at various distances.
• Chapter 10, Hazard Control Selection and Classification, addresses selection of safety significant
and safety class controls that are credited in the hazard evaluation or accident analysis.
• Chapter 11 provides a complete list of references cited in the text.
• Appendix A, Hazard Analysis Table Development, provides guidance on constructing this table
which is discussed in Chapter 2.
• Appendix B, Criticality Accidents, addresses this type of accident in greater detail.
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2 HAZARD ANALYSIS
This chapter addresses hazard analysis (HA) techniques for the identification and evaluation of hazards,
and the identification of controls to prevent or mitigate accidents. Hazard control selection is addressed
in Chapter 10.
2.1 ELEMENTS OF HAZARD ANALYSIS
DOE-STD-30093 states that an HA consists of (a) hazard identification, (b) hazard categorization,4 and
(c) hazard evaluation. Hazard evaluation includes identification and safety classification of controls to
prevent or mitigate potential hazard or accident scenarios.5
2.2 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION
Section 22
The objective of hazard identification and characterization is to systematically and comprehensively
identify radioactive and other hazardous materials within the facility, as well as natural phenomena
hazards (NPHs) and external man-made events that may impact the facility and result in the release of
these materials within the facility and to the environment. The hazard identification process includes
characterizing hazardous materials (radiological and non-radiological) and energy sources, in terms of
quantity, form and location. Examples of energy sources are falling objects, NPH-driven missiles, and
other kinetic energy sources. Nuclear Criticality Hazard Evaluations are addressed in Section 2.3.2.
For DSAs prepared in accordance with 10 CFR Part 830, Subpart B, the key to successful hazard
identification is ensuring comprehensive identification of the hazards associated with the full scope of
facility processes, associated operations such as handling of fissionable materials, radioactive or
hazardous wastes, and work activities covered by the DSA. Hazard identification does not yield specific
hazard scenarios to analyze. Rather, it yields initial data from which hazard scenarios are subsequently
developed. The overall quality of hazard scenario definition will be in direct proportion to the accuracy
and completeness of the initial hazard information gathered.
The hazard identification process involves:
• Hazard data gathering;
• Summarizing hazard data in tables or data sheets; and
• Identifying standard industrial hazards (SIHs) needing further evaluation.6
3 As discussed in Section 1.1, when used without a 2-digit or 4-digit year number after “DOE-STD-3009,” it refers
to both the 1994 CN3 and 2014 versions of the DOE Standard. Otherwise, specific versions of DOE-STD-3009 are
referenced throughout this Handbook.
4 This Handbook does not address hazard categorization. Requirements and guidance for performing hazard
categorization are provided in DOE-STD-1027-92, CN1.
5 DOE-STD-3009-2014 defines a “hazard scenario” as “An event or sequence of events associated with a specific
hazard, having the potential to result in undesired consequences identified in the hazard evaluation” and defines an
“accident” as “A specific event or progression of a sequence of events resulting from an initiating event that is
followed by any number of subsequent events that may lead to a release of radioactive or other hazardous material
and/or exposure to a predefined receptor.” The term “hazardous condition” has often been used in previous safety
basis hazard evaluations instead of “hazard scenario.” For the purposes of this Handbook, both terms are used
interchangeably in Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 10 and in Appendix A when referring to the hazard evaluation.
6 Such hazards might include electrical faults that could lead to a fire, or explosions harmful to nearby workers.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
4
Comprehensive identification of hazards is best accomplished by a team comprised of safety analysts,
system/process engineers, operational and support staff, industrial hygienists, and various subject matter
experts (SMEs), as needed.
2.2.1 HAZARD DATA GATHERING
Gathering of hazard data commences with review of existing documentation, which includes the
following:
Section 23
• Facility and process descriptions (including available drawings and flow sheets);
• Historical radioactive and hazardous material inventory records;
• Existing safety documentation;7
• Operating and support procedures;
• Previous occurrence reports for the facility and relevant reports from general industry; and
• Facility design reports setting out the scope of new operations.
Once documented sources of hazards have been reviewed, a physical walkdown of the facility is
undertaken to verify them and their locations. Such walkdowns are conducted with a floor plan noting the
most significant details. Useful details may include information such as gloveboxes or containers,
inventories and energy sources, system interconnections, and piping routes. Other details can be recorded
during the walkdown in checklists and notebooks for completeness. If the facility is being designed, the
floor plan can still be conceptually walked down using process and instrumentation drawings and process
engineering drawings at whatever stage of development they are available. Hazard analysis is performed
early in the project justification phase and during development of the Safety Design Strategy, continues
during development of safety design basis documents as the design progresses, and is updated during
development of the final DSA to authorize operations. If process and instrumentation drawings are based
on evolving design of a new facility, the hazard identification will need to be reverified against the final
design and as-built construction to support authorizing operations. The overall hazard identification and
analysis is an iterative process during the design and construction phase of the project.
2.2.2 HAZARD DATA RECORDING
Checklists are used to ensure the hazard identification process is comprehensive and thorough. Checklists
provide a generic list of hazards to look for in terms of radioactive and hazardous material types, energy
sources, moving components, and the potential for falling objects. Hazard identification preparers use
such checklists to systematically identify the presence or absence of hazards for a given area, from
individual components/operations (e.g., gloveboxes) to entire rooms.
The raw data of a hazard identification can be recorded in a variety of ways. The critical information to
be specifically noted in any recording mechanism is the hazard itself, its type, its magnitude and location,
and sufficient descriptive notes to allow the HA team to place individual hazards in an appropriate
context.
Materials of concern for release (or potential hazards in direct contact with materials of concern) are
identified separately. Bounding inventory values of radioactive or hazardous materials are needed for the
development of scenario-specific material at risk (MAR) for the hazard evaluation and accident analysis,
consistent with the maximum quantities of material that are stored and used in facility processes.
7 Safety data sheets (SDSs); waste data sheets; health and safety plans; procurement and inventory records; and
annual reports, such as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, Tier II Chemical, and EPA
Toxic Release Inventory.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Inventory data may be obtained from flowsheets, vessel sizes, contamination analyses, maximum
historical inventories, and similar sources.
Section 24
An example of a checklist for a DOE nuclear facility is shown in Table 2-1. The “Disposition” column is
optional and is discussed in Sections 2.2.3 and 2.2.4. Other types of checklists that have been developed
in the DOE Complex, and which may reflect site-specific and facility-specific hazards. These can be used
to identify hazards and energy sources. Commercial industry practices for hazard identification, such as
those described in the Center for Chemical Process Safety’s Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation
Procedures (CCPS, 2008), provide guidance for the development of a comprehensive identification of
hazards.
Table 2-1. Hazard Identification Checklist Example.
(Identify facility, location, or process)
No. Item
Hazard
present
(Y/N)
Description
(quantity, form, location)
Disposition
(SIH, accident
initiator/contributor)
1.0 Electrical
1.1 Battery banks
1.2 Cable runs
1.3 Diesel generators
1.4 Electrical equipment
1.5 Heaters
1.6 High voltage (> 600V)
1.7 Locomotive, electrical
1.8 Motors
1.9 Power tools
1.10 Pumps
1.11 Service outlets, fittings
1.12 Switchgear
1.13 Transformers
1.14 Transmission lines
1.15 Wiring/underground wiring
1.16 Other
2.0 Thermal
2.1 Boilers
2.2 Bunsen burners/hot plates
2.3 Electrical equipment
2.4 Electrical wiring
2.5 Engine exhaust
2.6 Furnaces
2.7 Heaters
2.8 Lasers
2.9 Steam lines
2.10 Welding surfaces
2.11 Welding torches
2.12 Other
3.0 Pyrophoric Material
3.1 Pu and U metal
3.2 Other (e.g., Zr)
4.0 Spontaneous Combustion
4.1 Cleaning/decontamination solvents
4.2 Fuels (gasoline, diesel)
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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No. Item
Hazard
present
(Y/N)
Description
(quantity, form, location)
Disposition
(SIH, accident
initiator/contributor)
4.3 Grease
4.4 Nitric acid and organics
4.5 Paint solvents
4.6 Other
5.0 Open Flame
5.1 Bunsen burners
5.2 Welding/cutting torches
5.3 Other
6.0 Flammables
6.1 Cleaning/decontamination solvents
6.2 Flammable gases
6.3 Flammable liquids
6.4 Gasoline
6.5 Natural gas
6.6 Paint/paint solvent
6.7 Propane
6.8 Spray paint
6.9 Other
7.0 Combustibles
7.1 Paper/wood products
7.2 Petroleum-based products
7.3 Plastics
7.4 Other
8.0 Chemical Reactions
8.1 Concentration
8.2 Disassociation
8.3 Exothermic
8.4 Incompatible chemical mixing
8.5 Uncontrolled chemical reactions
8.6 Other
9.0 Explosive Material
9.1 Caps
9.2 Dusts
9.3 Dynamite
9.4 Electric squibs
9.5 Explosive chemicals
9.6 Explosive gases
9.7 Hydrogen
9.8 Hydrogen (batteries)
9.9 Nitrates
9.10 Peroxides
9.11 Primer cord
9.12 Propane
9.13 Other (e.g., NiCd batteries)
10.0 Kinetic (Linear and Rotational)
10.1 Acceleration/deceleration
10.2 Bearings
10.3 Belts
10.4 Carts/dollies
10.5 Centrifuges
10.6 Crane loads (in motion)
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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No. Item
Hazard
present
(Y/N)
Description
(quantity, form, location)
Disposition
(SIH, accident
initiator/contributor)
10.7 Drills
10.8 Fans
10.9 Firearm discharge
10.10 Fork lifts
10.11 Gears
10.12 Grinders
10.13 Motors
10.14 Power tools
10.15 Presses/shears
10.16 Rail cars
10.17 Saws
10.18 Vehicles
10.19 Vibration
10.20 Other
11.0 Potential (Pressure)
11.1 Autoclaves
11.2 Boilers
11.3 Coiled springs
11.4 Furnaces
11.5 Gas bottles
11.6 Gas receivers
11.7 Pressure vessels
11.8 Pressurized system (e.g., air)
11.9 Steam headers and lines
11.10 Stressed members
11.11 Other
12.0 Potential (Height/Mass)
12.1 Cranes/hoists
12.2 Elevated doors
12.3 Elevated work surfaces
12.4 Elevators
12.5 Lifts
12.6 Loading docks
12.7 Mezzanines
12.8 Floor pits
12.9 Scaffolds and ladders
12.10 Stacked material
12.11 Stairs
12.12 Other
13.0 Internal Flooding Sources
13.1 Domestic water piping
13.2 Fire suppression piping
13.3 Process water piping
13.4 Other
14.0 Physical
14.1 Sharp edges or points
14.2 Pinch points
14.3 Confined spaces
14.4 Tripping
14.5 Other
15.0 Radioactive Material
Section 25
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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No. Item
Hazard
present
(Y/N)
Description
(quantity, form, location)
Disposition
(SIH, accident
initiator/contributor)
15.1 Radioactive material
16.0 Hazardous Material
(Toxicological, Chemical,
Biological)
16.1 Asphyxiants
16.2 Bacteria/viruses
16.3 Beryllium and compounds
16.4 Biologicals/Biotoxins
16.5 Carcinogens
16.6 Chlorine and compounds
16.7 Corrosives
16.8 Decontamination solutions
16.9 Dusts and particles
16.10 Fluorides
16.11 Hydrides
16.12 Lead
16.13 Oxidizers
16.14 Poisons (herbicides, insecticides,
fungicides)
16.15 Other
17.0 Direct Radiation Exposures
17.1 Contamination
17.2 Electron beams
17.3 Radioactive material
17.4 Radioactive sources
17.5 Radiography equipment
17.6 X-ray machines
17.7 Other
18.0 Non-ionizing Radiation
18.1 Lasers
18.2 Other
19.0 Criticality
19.1 Fissile material
20.0 External Man-made Events
20.1 Aircraft crash
20.2 Explosion
20.3 Fire
20.4 Power outage
20.5 Transportation accident
20.6 Other
21.0 Vehicles in Motion
21.1 Airplane
21.2 Crane/hoist
21.3 Forklifts
21.4 Heavy construction equipment
21.5 Helicopter
21.6 Train
21.7 Truck/car
21.8 Waterborne Vehicle
21.9 Other
22.0 Natural Phenomena
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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No. Item
Hazard
present
(Y/N)
Description
(quantity, form, location)
Disposition
(SIH, accident
initiator/contributor)
22.1 Earthquake
22.2 Flood
22.3 Lightning
22.4 Rain/hail
22.5 Snow/freezing weather
22.6 Extreme straight-line wind
22.7 Tornado
22.8 Tsunami, seiche
22.9 Volcanic ashfall
22.10 Other
An HA team safety analyst should work one-on-one with an individual SME and operations
representatives to fill out those parts related to the SME’s area of expertise and portions of the facility that
have been segmented into process or area nodes for analysis as discussed later in this chapter. The
multiple checklists from all the process or area nodes can be integrated into a complete draft of a hazard
identification table and presented to the HA team for review, or the checklist for each node can be
presented separately. Past experience has shown that this is a much more efficient way to complete the
exercise than to have the entire HA team meet to discuss every item for every process or area node.
2.2.3 HAZARD SUMMARY DEVELOPMENT
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 4.0, DSA Section [3.3.2.1], states that the hazard identification data sheets
(checklists) may be included in the DSA, or referenced as needed, and that a summary table that identifies
hazards by form, type, location, and total quantity be presented, as well as a summary of major accidents
or hazardous situations (e.g., fires, explosions, loss of confinement) that have occurred in the facility’s
operating history. The integrated checklist for the facility can be included in the DSA hazard
identification results section. The process or area node checklists can also be used to develop a summary
table to be included in the DSA. The range of information captured in the DSA hazard identification
table is designed to ensure that the minimum hazard identification results are established, appropriate
screening of hazards is performed, and information needed to perform an effective and efficient hazards
evaluation is established. Table 2-2 is an example Hazard Summary Table form for a facility.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Table 2-2. Building XXX Hazard Identification Summary Table.
Hazard Type Location Form Quantity Remarks / Screening References
Radioactive
materials
Direct radiation
exposure
Section 26
Criticality
accidents
Hazardous
chemicals
(corrosives,
toxics, reactions)
Flammable/
combustible
materials
Explosive
materials
Electrical energy
Kinetic and
potential energy
Pressure-volume
Thermal energy
NPHs
Other
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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These compilations of information reviews and facility walkdowns constitute initial information.
Iterations between the hazard identification and hazard evaluation phases are likely necessary in order to
ensure completeness.
2.2.4 EXCLUSION OF STANDARD INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS AND OTHER HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS
The comprehensive hazard identification process in Sections 2.2.1 through 2.2.3 addresses all radiological
and non-radiological hazards and energy sources. However, SIHs are not normally analyzed in a DSA
hazard evaluation, unless chemical and industrial hazards result in a release of nuclear material, or an
operator is incapacitated or prevented from taking credited action to prevent or mitigate a hazard scenario.
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.1.1 states:
Although the hazard identification process is comprehensive of all radiological and non-
radiological hazards, DSAs are not intended to analyze and provide controls for standard industrial
hazards such as burns from hot surfaces, electrocution, and falling objects. These hazards are
adequately analyzed and controlled in accordance with 10 C.F.R. Part 851, Worker Safety and
Health Program, and are analyzed in a DSA only if they can be an accident initiator, a contributor
to a significant uncontrolled release of radioactive or other hazardous material (for example, 115-
volt wiring as initiator of a fire), or considered a unique worker hazard such as explosive
energy. The basis for any identified hazards excluded from further evaluation shall be
provided. See Appendix A, Section A.1 of this Standard for further discussion on screening of
standard industrial hazards and Section A.2 for a discussion on screening out certain chemicals
based on low quantities or low hazard.
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.1, provides the following SIH guidance:
The Department of Energy (DOE) recognizes, via Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Part 830, the importance of including worker safety in safety analyses by specifically noting the
worker as a population of concern. Developing a conceptual basis for the methodology used in this
Standard requires answering the fundamental question of how worker safety is most appropriately
addressed in the DSA. DSAs include hazard analyses and hazard controls for worker safety, unless
the hazards and their potential consequences are due to standard industrial hazards.
Standard industrial hazards are hazards that are routinely encountered in general industry and
construction. These workplace hazards are addressed by provisions of 10 CFR Part 851, Worker
Safety and Health Program, which requires identification and assessment of worker hazards and
compliance with safety and health standards that provide specific safe practices and controls. Based
on these provisions, evaluation of standard industrial hazards within DSAs is needed to the extent that
these hazards act as initiators or contributors to accidents, or result from chemical or radiological
hazards (for example, when an explosion is caused by radiolysis inside a tank). When standard
industrial hazards are excluded from further evaluation, Section 3.1.1 of this Standard requires such
conclusions to be included in the hazard identification, along with the basis used for exclusion.
Section 27
Standard industrial hazards that may be considered for exclusion from the DSA hazard evaluation
include those in which a national consensus code and/or standard … defines and regulates appropriate
worker safety practices. Specifically, the codes and standards required by 10 CFR 851.23, Safety and
Health Standards, may be considered. Examples of hazards addressed by these requirements include
confined spaces, electrocution, falling objects, non-ionizing radiation, hot work, and lasers. Toxicity
of hazardous chemicals is addressed in Section A.2 rather than this subsection.
[Unique hazards …]
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Standard industrial hazards that have the potential to be an accident initiator involving chemical or
radioactive material releases are retained as part of the DSA hazard evaluation. For example, the
existence of 440-volt alternating current cabling in a glovebox could be identified as a potential
accident initiator of a fire involving radioactive or other hazardous materials.
The evaluation of hazards associated with “other hazardous materials,” and especially a subset involving
hazardous chemicals, warrants further discussion regarding which hazards can be screened out or
screened in. Some of these non-radiological hazards may be determined to be SIHs, while others may
require further evaluation in the DSA per 10 CFR § 830.204(b)(3) “that might contribute to the generation
or uncontrolled release of radioactive and other hazardous material.” One aspect of the “generation or
uncontrolled release of … other hazardous material” consideration is recognized in DOE-STD-3009-
2014, Section A.1, which states: “Toxicity of hazardous chemicals is addressed in Section A.2 rather than
this subsection” and is therefore not treated as a SIH. In addition to toxicity, other chemical hazards may
require further evaluation.
The introduction of DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.2 clarifies that not all chemical hazards (even those
that can cause serious injury or death) need to be evaluated in the DSA hazard evaluation:
The DSA is not intended to deal extensively with chemicals that can be safely handled by
implementation of a hazardous material protection program. Therefore, a screening process is
established to select for DSA evaluation only those chemicals of concern (i.e., type and quantity that
have the potential for significant health effect on the facility worker, co-located worker, or public) that
are present in the facility or activity and present hazard potentials outside the routine scope of the
hazardous material protection program.
The DSA hazard evaluation scope covers analysis of (a) hazardous chemicals affecting nuclear safety and
(b) in some cases, chemical hazards that are outside the scope of the facility’s hazardous material
protection program. The intent of DOE-STD-3009-2014 is to cover:
• radiation-related hazardous chemical events (examples: chemicals comingled with radiological
waste, chemicals generated through radiological processes, and chemicals generated or released
through processing of radioactive materials);
• nuclear safety-related hazardous chemical events (examples: events that affect a worker relied
upon for a credited action, events that affect safety-related SSCs through corrosion, fire, or
explosion); or
• unique hazardous chemical events, not addressed by 10 CFR Part 851, that could cause harm to
workers, the public or the environment.
Section 28
As an example of an excluded chemical hazard, consider a chemical supply tank in a nuclear facility that
has no interaction with radioactive material until the chemical is discharged into the nuclear process. The
chemical hazards presented by this tank, if they are routine and common in industry, should be screened
out of the DSA hazard evaluation as an SIH because 10 CFR Part 851 requirements will apply.
However, when a chemical is used in or generated by a nuclear process (i.e., interacting with nuclear
material), then such physical consequences from process accidents (e.g., over-pressurization) should be
evaluated in the DSA hazard evaluation. DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.1.3.1 states:
Facility worker consequences, due solely to a standard industrial hazard, do not need to be categorized
in the hazard evaluation if screened out per Section 3.1.1. However, the evaluation of radiological or
chemical hazards that result in a prompt death or serious injury should be assigned a high consequence
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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per Table 1. Examples of such hazards might include the generation of flammable/explosive hydrogen
gas by electrolysis of uranium in water or a spill of sodium hydroxide used in radioactive waste
processing.
Another chemical hazard not screened out is described in the DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.1 that
states: “Significant quantities of cryogenic material or compressed gases/liquids may also warrant
consideration because of asphyxiation hazards that might affect the ability of facility operators to safely
manage the facility. Such unique hazards are not treated as SIHs and are evaluated in the DSA.” Note
that the consideration is related to impacts on safely managing the facility. This situation would include
incapacitation of operators required to perform specific administrative controls affecting critical safety
functions.
In general, a chemical hazard should not be screened out if it affects a facility worker expected to perform
safety-related actions. Control room workers are in this category, as are operators expected to carry out
credited actions for a specific administrative control. DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.2 includes the
following example: “chemicals that may be excluded from the DSA’s hazard evaluation include …
chemical is not listed in OSHA or EPA toxic chemical regulations or is not assigned a PAC 2 or 3
value.”8 Regarding toxicity, impact on a facility worker is defined as being exposed to a chemical
concentration reaching Protective Action Criteria (PAC)-2 or PAC/TEEL-3 levels based on a qualitative
evaluation. Typically, PAC concentrations are evaluated over a 15-minute period. However for a
screening evaluation, a shorter time may be warranted if the worker becomes incapacitated due to the
chemical exposure in a shorter than 15-minute time frame.
Section A.1 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 describes situations that should not be screened out when
considering other unique hazards:
Unique hazards may be present in facilities that are not specifically addressed by the above exclusion
criteria, either because of quantities larger than typically used in general industry or because of unique
DOE applications or operations. Such hazards may represent a potential hazard to an entire work area
affecting multiple workers.
The intended distinction is to ensure analysis of “other hazardous materials” outside the scope of 10 CFR
Part 851 that could affect nuclear safety. If these unique hazards could impair or disable control room
operators or make uninhabitable entire rooms where nuclear operations are conducted, such hazards
should be evaluated in the DSA.
Section 29
DOE-STD-3009-2014 requires that “the basis for any identified hazards excluded from further evaluation
shall be provided.” Excluding a specific hazard or class of hazards should be accompanied by recording
the applicable code or standard and the relevant site safety management program for implementing the
code or standard. This basis may be included on the hazard identification table (see the “References”
column in Table 2-2), or for more complicated justifications, in the DSA hazard identification results
section. Either approach is suitable, as long as there is clear documentation of hazards screened out from
the hazard evaluation.9
8 See Section 9.3 for additional discussion of screening chemicals.
9 Many SIHs are evaluated in the hazard evaluation as an initiator or contributor to a radioactive or other hazardous
material release, which should be acknowledged somewhere in the hazard identification results section.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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2.3 INITIAL HAZARD EVALUATION DEVELOPMENT
2.3.1 OVERVIEW
Hazard evaluation is the starting point for control set selection to prevent or mitigate potential hazardous
conditions (or hazard scenarios as defined in DOE-STD-3009-2014) that could result in undesirable
consequences, and for the subsequent quantitative accident analysis. The definitions section of DOE-
STD-3009 states that the hazard evaluation portion of a hazard analysis includes an examination of “the
complete spectrum of potential accidents that could expose members of the public, onsite workers, facility
workers, and the environment to” radioactive and other hazardous materials. The DSA hazard evaluation
provides: (a) an assessment of the facility hazards associated with the full scope of planned operations
covered by the DSA, and (b) the identification of engineered and administrative controls that can prevent
or mitigate these hazards or hazardous conditions. It analyzes normal operations (startup, facility
activities, shutdown, and testing and maintenance configurations) as well as abnormal and accident
conditions. In addition to the process-related hazards identified during the hazard identification process,
the hazard evaluation also addresses NPHs and man-made external events that can affect the integrity of
an SSC. DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.1.3 provides requirements and guidance on how hazard
evaluations are to be performed for DOE nuclear facilities.
The initial hazard evaluation is accomplished by the following steps:
1. Define the scope of the HA. This scope can vary from a single process in a single room to an
entire facility with multiple processes. Evaluation of the entire facility may be more efficiently
performed by dividing it into smaller process or area nodes. The scope of activities to be
evaluated by the analysis includes any activities that can occur when significant quantities of
hazardous materials are present. These activities include (a) DSA-authorized processes and
experiments in the facility, (b) off-shift activities, and (c) any hazard associated with maintenance
and support activities that can occur when significant quantities of hazardous materials are
present. (Quantities are significant if they can cause injury, for example, as related to
asphyxiation in DOE-STD-3009-2014.) Physical boundaries, process/support system interfaces,
and interfaces with other facilities need to be defined.
2. From the hazard identification results, evaluate hazards associated with authorized activities,
man-made external events, or NPHs. Develop a comprehensive list of postulated hazard
scenarios.
Section 30
3. From the hazard identification results, evaluate radioactive and other hazardous materials and
energy sources to determine possible interactions that could lead to accident conditions.
4. Evaluate circumstances such as equipment failures, process material hazards and failure of
barriers, and mission activities that could affect the initiation and progression of the accident
conditions.
5. Review applicable safety documentation, process history, occurrence reports, and other
information sources to identify postulated or historical hazardous conditions and accidents
associated with the facility.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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All activities within the facility boundaries are considered in the analysis. The HA team defines where
these boundaries, or process or area nodes, start and stop. Considerations include:
• Do activities start at the door of the facility, at the loading dock, or at an outside staging or
storage area?
• If two facilities share common space, at what point does one facility analysis start and the other
stop?
• Do immediately adjacent facilities pose hazards such as toxic materials?
• Are any hazards associated with the process or area nodes or facility boundaries that may warrant
consideration of controls?
Following this initial evaluation, the process continues with the documentation of hazardous conditions
and selection of unmitigated hazard scenarios based on potential interactions between hazardous materials
and energy sources.
Typical hazards commonly associated with DOE nonreactor nuclear facilities are identified in Table 2-3.
The table provides a suggested causal correlation between hazardous energy and material sources and
potential accident types or categories.10 Hazards identified in Table 2-3 do not always result in an
accidental release of radioactive or other hazardous material required to be evaluated by DOE-STD-3009.
Table 2 3. Correlation of Hazardous Energy and Material Sources to Accident Types/Categories.
Accident Category* Hazard Energy and Material Source Groups
FR-1: Fire Electrical Open Flame
Thermal Flammables
Friction Combustibles
Pyrophoric Material Chemical Reaction
Spontaneous Combustion
EX-2: Explosion Potential (Pressure)
Explosive Materials
Chemical Reactions
LC-3: Loss of Confinement/Spills Radioactive Material Toxic Chemical
Other Hazardous Material Chemical Reaction
DE-4: Direct Radiological
Exposure
Ionizing Radiation Sources
CR-5: Nuclear Criticality Fissile Materials
EE-6: Man-made External Events Non-Facility Events (e.g., aircraft crashes)
Vehicles in Motion
Cranes
NPH-7: Natural Phenomena Hazards NPH Events - Seismic, Extreme Wind, Flood, Lightning, Extreme
Precipitation, Volcanic Ashfall
*The number assigned to the accident categories is for ease of data management, and any numbering scheme
could be used if deemed necessary.
10 A similar correlation is provided in DOE-STD-5506-2007, Preparation of Safety Basis Documents for
Transuranic (TRU) Waste Facilities, Table 3.2-1, Hazard Sources and Potential Events.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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A graded approach as defined in 10 CFR §830.3 and DOE-STD-3009 should be applied to the selection
of hazard evaluation techniques and developing the hazard evaluations. The selection of techniques is
based on several factors, including the complexity and size of the operation being analyzed, the type of
operation, and the inherent nature of hazards being evaluated. A discussion of hazard evaluation
techniques and recommendations can be found in Part I of CCPS, 2008, especially Chapters 4 and 5.
Section 31
2.3.2 NUCLEAR CRITICALITY HAZARD EVALUATION
A criticality accident represents a special case for hazard evaluation. The criticality safety program
requirements11 are derived from the HA process established in the American National Standards
Institute/American Nuclear Society (ANSI/ANS)-8 series of national standards (e.g., ANSI/ANS-8.1,
Nuclear Criticality Safety in Operations with Fissionable Material Outside Reactors). These standards
require a documented nuclear criticality safety evaluation demonstrating that operations with fissionable
material remain subcritical under both normal and credible abnormal conditions. Criticality safety
evaluations provide the technical basis for controls to prevent or mitigate criticality accidents. The
ANSI/ANS-8 series requirements do not apply to critical assemblies or similar operations.
Section 3.1.3.2 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 provides requirements on what to include in the DSA hazard
evaluation of criticality accidents, while Section 3.3.4 provides requirements on safety classification of
criticality safety controls. Experience shows that only a few evaluations of criticality accident scenarios
for a facility may need to be included in the qualitative hazard evaluation. Appendix B provides guidance
on the magnitude and consequence analysis of criticality accidents and the estimation of fission product
yield and particulate source terms.
2.3.3 CHEMICAL HAZARD EVALUATION
As discussed in Section 2.2.4, chemical hazards are screened to determine the need for further hazard
evaluation. However, per DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.2, chemicals “that could otherwise be
screened out, but have the potential to be an accident initiator involving radioactive or hazardous material
releases, or could compromise the ability of the facility operators to safely manage the facility, are
retained as part of the DSA hazard evaluation.” Chemical properties such as reactivity, toxicity, and
incompatibility with other chemicals are thus included in the hazard evaluation.
Qualitative evaluation of toxic chemical consequences using any of the hazard evaluation techniques
discussed later in this chapter is generally sufficient to provide a basis for comparison to consequence
thresholds of interest for the selection of safety significant (SS) controls (i.e., serious injuries, fatalities, or
significant chemical exposure).
However, for some situations, further quantitative analysis of consequences is necessary for control
selection. 12 Later chapters of this Handbook will provide guidance on quantifying chemical source
terms (Sections 5.3 and 9.5) and dispersion analyses to estimate concentrations to receptors (Chapters 6, 7
11 Criticality safety program requirements are established in DOE O 420.1C. This Order states that DOE-STD-
3007-2007, Guidelines for Preparing Criticality Safety Evaluations at Department of Energy Nonreactor Nuclear
Facilities, is the required method for performing criticality safety evaluations, unless DOE approves an alternate
method. An update to that Standard has been issued in DOE-STD-3007-2017, Preparing Criticality Safety
Evaluations at Department of Energy Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities, which will be invoked in a revision to DOE O
420.1C.
12 For example, see DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.3.3 and Section A.2 for further information for evaluation of
the toxicity hazard and determination of concentrations for the co-located worker (CW) at 100 m and maximally-
exposed offsite individual (MOI).
Section 32
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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and 9). However, selection and application of appropriate source term and dispersion methods for
evaluation of chemical hazards will need to consider special situations such as chemical reactions,
chemical transformations in the plume, or heavier-than-air plume modeling.
2.4 HAZARD EVALUATION METHODS
2.4.1 COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY METHODS AND DSA HAZARD EVALUATIONS
Chapter 4 of CCPS, 2008 describes twelve methods that can be used in a hazard evaluation. The
discussion is oriented toward the chemical industry, but the basic strengths and weaknesses of each
method are generally applicable for the DSA hazard evaluation. The following sections discuss four of
these methods as applied to several facilities described in DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Airborne Release
Fractions/Rates and Respirable Fractions for Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities, Appendix B.
None of these industry hazard evaluation methods were designed to generate a DSA hazard evaluation
and do not yield hazard scenarios, nor were they designed to identify SS and safety class (SC) SSCs or
specific administrative controls (SACs). Those results are uniquely defined for DOE usage to develop a
DSA. Thus, one does not normally see the raw information generated from the industry hazard evaluation
in a DSA; however, it is a necessary step to developing hazard scenarios. The hazard evaluation is
performed to understand facility vulnerabilities and potential hazard scenarios. Those insights are then
distilled into a DSA hazard evaluation table and are used for safety classification of controls and
derivation of TSRs.
The common methods utilized vary in both complexity and focus. Each method has strengths and
weaknesses, and depending on the scope of the HA, multiple HA methods may be used. For example, the
Hazard and Operational Analysis (HAZOP) methodology is effective for analyzing a chemical process
within a facility, but the “What-If” methodology is better suited for evaluating NPH and man-made
external events with the potential to affect the entire facility.
2.4.2 METHOD #1: WHAT-IF?
The “What-If” method is a loosely-structured, brainstorming technique commonly used in the DOE
complex by itself or in combination with other hazard analysis techniques such as Process Hazard
Analysis (PrHA). As with any other hazard analysis method, the analysis typically is organized by
facility operations, process, or activity location (e.g., a production support laboratory). Analysts utilizing
this method formulate a series of questions, each beginning with the phrase “What if…?” for each process
or activity. An example might be “What if the liquid tank in the support laboratory overflows?”
The hazard evaluation would discuss ways in which the tank might overflow (e.g., initiators and overall
event progression sequences), the potential consequences of overflow, what preventive and mitigative
control responses are available, and what additional measures may be recommended for consideration.
The extent of the discussion is based on increasing potential consequences. If the liquid in question is
simply water with trace contamination or less harmful chemicals, the discussion will reach resolution
much more rapidly than if the liquid is radioactive or a highly volatile, toxic substance.
Section 33
To provide proper structure for comprehensive results, the examination progresses in an organized
manner, from the beginning of the activity/operation to the end. Well-designed checklists can provide
additional structure that limits the potential for important events to be missed. This approach combines
the “What-If” method with the simplest method for hazard evaluation that is a checklist that identifies
already-known or understood hazards such as fires and explosions and can be augmented with specific
design information. Furthermore, while a variety of potential outcomes can be identified, it is important
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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to identify the ultimate consequence that is physically plausible. Analysts should not stop with the
assumption that a given control will function. To do so can result in failure to identify vulnerabilities, and
is also inconsistent with DOE’s stated intent for unmitigated analyses.
The strengths of the “What-If” method include broad applicability, ease of use, and its adherence to
natural thought processes. Weaknesses include a greater potential for neglecting interaction issues and
for missing some events altogether. Another weakness of the What-If analysis is that many scenarios
identified may result in no or insignificant consequences; thus, creating a large number of scenarios of no
interest to the DSA process. A modified What-If analysis has also been used to identify scenarios with
significant consequence potential for further analysis. Further analysis may include the DSA-required
evaluation of the frequency, consequence, and risk for such scenarios of interest, or combining the results
of the What-If analysis with other hazard analysis techniques, such as Process Hazard Analysis (PrHA).
The quality of “What-If” results can vary significantly based on the experience of the individual leading
the team effort. Generally, “What-If” analysis is most suited to simple operations and activities where the
potential end states of each step are discrete and easy to identify. Manual operations/activities are often
ideal for “What-If” analysis.
The H-21 TRU Waste Facility and the H-7 Production Support Lab discussed in DOE-HDBK-3010-94,
Appendix B illustrate examples of facilities amenable to a “What-If” analysis. The common feature of
these facilities is that they do not have complex processes. They consist of discrete, manual operations
with well-defined interaction boundaries.
Consider the liquid sampling glovebox in the Production Support Lab. It is a non-complex operation
where a laboratory operator analyzes 20 ml sample vials. A simple walkdown of the process generates
obvious “What-If” questions as shown on Table 2-4.
Table 2-4. “What-If” Hazard Analysis Example H-7 Production Support Lab.
“What if…?” Possible Consequences
1. …a collection of vials is dropped while being
entered into the glovebox?
1. Broken vials, small Pu airborne release, minor
worker exposure.
2. …the sample recycle bottle is dropped while
coming out of the glovebox?
2. Spill, small Pu airborne release, minor worker
exposure.
3. …liquid is spilled within the glovebox? 3. See #1 and #2 above, without direct worker
exposure potential.
4. …the sample recycle bottle is overfilled (i.e., double
batch of high concentration of fissile solution)?
4.a. Criticality Safety Evaluation shows large margin
= no issue
or
4.b. Criticality Safety Evaluation shows limited
margin = potential criticality event
Section 34
5. …the glovebox inventory of hexone solvent ignites? 5.a. Potential glovebox confinement breach
and/or
5.b. airborne Pu release (larger release potential than
spill)
6. …more samples are brought into the glovebox than
its allowable storage spaces?
6. No specific consequence (potential deviation in
operational practice that should be evaluated).
7. …planchettes are dropped outside of glovebox 7. No significant consequence (quantities of material
are too small)
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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The above list is not exhaustive, but demonstrates the basic concept. This questioning process would be
repeated for each of the specific operations and general activities authorized in the facility. The resulting
complete set of questions and answers would then be combined and amplified as necessary to generate
specific hazard scenarios in the DSA hazard evaluation table. For example, if the potential exposure
consequences are sufficiently limited, all liquid spills might be combined into one representative hazard
scenario. Or, if only one or two of the liquid spill scenarios could pose significant exposure potential,
those would be documented as individual events.
Care should be exercised when combining scenarios. There should be no attempt to combine scenarios
until potential controls are identified. The considerations to determine if scenarios should be combined
include identifying that proposed controls are either bounded or are the same for all bundled scenarios. In
the hypothetical case presented in the previous paragraph, suppose one distinct spill with significant
consequences is combined with all other spills. The hazard evaluation would then identify any credited
controls for one scenario as applying to all glovebox liquid handling operations.
Dissimilar scenarios cannot be combined. For example, fires and spills should not be artificially
combined into one event because they have differing consequences, separate initiators, and unlike
controls. The required clarity of the analysis of the most important preventive and mitigative controls
will be lost if these dissimilar scenarios are combined. Bounding scenarios is primarily a function of their
controls. The example above only illustrates the identification of “what if” questions (which may help
define initiating events or scenarios) for a single operation, and the associated possible consequences. It
may not define a complete set of initiated events or define completely an accident scenario, nor include
the controls to prevent or mitigate such scenarios.
2.4.3 METHOD #2: HAZARD AND OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS
This method, abbreviated “HAZOP,” is designed to investigate chemical process and complex system
performance requiring a more methodical approach to ensure completeness, which cannot be effectively
accomplished with the “What-If” technique. It requires a significantly greater investment of time and
resources than a “What-If?” analysis because team members are required to identify and assess the
significance of system malfunctions or improper operations at each step of a process using a highly
formal, systematic approach.
The HAZOP method first divides a process or system into discrete sections (defined as process or system
nodes), with the intent or function of each section being well-defined. Figure 2-1 illustrates the complete
HAZOP method, after defining the process or system nodes.
Figure 2-1. HAZOP Method Overview
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Section 35
The method then examines deviations in hardware and those caused by human interactions (such as those
that occur during maintenance and operations) from design conditions by systematically combining each
parameter of interest for the process or system with guide words. Examples of parameters include flow,
pressure, temperature, composition, and even more conceptual items such as containment. Examples of
guide words include “no, more, less, high, low, as well as, partial, reverse, wrong type, sooner than, later
than, breach.” A HAZOP deviation matrix can be built to describe the evaluation criteria corresponding
to a guide word for a given process or system parameter as illustrated in Figure 2-2.
Figure 2-2. HAZOP Deviation Matrix
For example, the HAZOP team might start examining a process or system section by first identifying a
parameter such as flow and the guide word “None”, and postulating a deviation of “no flow.” They
would then identify the causes of no flow, qualitatively define the consequences of no flow, and what
safeguards or controls are available or may be recommended for consideration, or other action items that
may require further investigation. When significant consequence potential is identified, it is important to
trace causality back to previous sections examined if the deviation of interest originates there. For
additional perspective, consequence, likelihood, and risk rankings may be assigned to each of these
significant deviations/cause conditions, or that may be accomplished in a subsequent DSA hazard
evaluation. The team subsequently proceeds to other guide words for the selected parameter, such as
“low flow,” followed by “high flow” and so on. This procedure yields an understanding of the integrated
process or system behavior, as opposed to simply focusing on the discrete behavior of isolated
components.
The HAZOP method brings to bear considerable structural rigor. It breaks down the entire process or
system into a large number of discrete sections (pipe runs from Point A to Point B and individual vessels)
and goes through a repetitive exercise to examine deviations in significant detail. Most deviations will
not, in fact, involve any significant vulnerabilities, one reason that HAZOPs for large processes or
systems are conducted over multiple days. The exercise simply takes time. Attempting to move swiftly
through it tends to create an overload effect that defeats the purpose of this method.
The strengths of the HAZOP method are thoroughness enforced by structural rigor, focus on small details,
adaptability to almost any process or activity, and generation of an organized evaluation record as an
intrinsic part of the method. HAZOP also forces participants to properly define the process or activity at
a detail level prior to beginning. Weaknesses include the fact that HAZOP is much more time and
resource intensive than other methods. It is also vulnerable to poor initial organization. HAZOPs
generally represent overkill for simple processes and predominantly manual activities, but are ideal for
more complex processes, where the sheer magnitude of the potential deviations can overwhelm a “What-
If” examination. Another weakness of the HAZOP method is that since it is focused on processes or
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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systems, and their deviations, it often can miss more generic hazard scenarios such as external and natural
phenomena events, or those not associated with process or facility systems.
Section 36
Table 2-5 presents a HAZOP example for the Metal Dissolution Process described in DOE-HDBK-3010-
94, Appendix B for the Plutonium Recovery Facility. This portion of the HAZOP evaluates a node
defined by piping from the heat exchanger to the spray chamber as shown in Figure B.8 of DOE-HDBK-
3010-94. The parameter examined is “Flow.” Compared to the previous “What-If” examples, the
rigorous and repetitive nature of the method is clear. “What-If” relies on the ability and experience of the
analysts to ensure completeness; HAZOP relies more on the method’s formal structure.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Table 2-5. HAZOP Example.
Note: Piping from Heat Exchanger to Spray Chamber (as shown in DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Figure B.6).
Parameter Deviation
(guide
word)
Cause Consequence Safeguards or Controls Likelihood Consequence Risk Comments/Actions
Flow No 1. Pump not working
2. Heat exchanger
outlet valve
incorrectly positioned
3. In-line filter
clogged
Operational Return line flow meter,
Temperature sensors
Safe Condition:
Dissolution reaction
ceases without fresh acid
flow
Unsafe Condition:
Potential to pressurize
heat exchanger
Flow No 1. Piping rupture Plutonium
solution spill
Glovebox, Glovebox
ventilation, Critically safe
drainage basin, Room air
monitor, Room ventilation
Flow Low 1. Piping leak Plutonium
solution spill
Glovebox, Glovebox
ventilation, Critically safe
drainage basin, Room air
monitor, Room ventilation
Flow High 1. Pump output
excessive
2. Heat exchanger
outlet valve
incorrectly positioned
Temperature
transient (more
flow is heated
less)
Temperature sensor on slab
tank, Steam inlet control,
Return line flow meter,
Hydrogen detector, Shutdown
interlocks, Air sparge
Unsafe Condition: More
flow maximizes reaction.
Unsafe Condition: Low
acid temperature can
yield undesired hydride
sludge.
Flow Wrong 1. Steam inlet off
with heat exchanger
leak
Plutonium
solution enters
heat exchanger
condensate
Condensate collected in
Raschig ring tank, Condensate
samples
Action: Verify sampling
frequency
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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As noted previously, the traditional HAZOP table is not an example of the hazard evaluation table
expected in an actual DSA, but with modifications as suggested in Table 2-5, it may be suitable. The
HAZOP identifies process vulnerabilities and interactions from which a set of hazard scenarios are
usually derived for the DSA hazard evaluation table. For example, a runaway exothermic reaction
generating hydrogen is an event that would be expected in the DSA hazard evaluation table.
Depending on the HAZOP results, there could be multiple entries for the same event to identify different
progression paths, some of which would be of concern, while others may not. Alternatively, one entry
could cover all potential progression paths; however, all paths should still be assessed to determine which,
if any, warrant specific control. Example outcomes include:
1. The hydrogen detector and shutdown interlock is adequate to credit for all scenarios; or,
2. An individual control in a specific progression path may require crediting as well, either due to
the high likelihood of that progression path or its ability to minimize the effect of the hydrogen
detector and associated interlocks.
These methods were not developed to credit SSCs. They are intended to address problems that may arise
when deviations from design conditions occur. The method (or any HA method) may uncover safety
issues to be further evaluated.
Section 37
2.4.4 METHOD #3: FAILURE MODES AND EFFECTS ANALYSIS
The failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is a flexible tool for examining equipment, a process, or
system failures (in this section, “system” also includes equipment or a process). It is particularly suitable
for characterizing the performance spectrum associated with individual component failures within the
system. Thus, it is ideal for identifying all potential failure modes for systems of interest typically of
moderate complexity. In some cases, the impact may not just be the failure of the system to perform its
intended function, but could result in an accident condition of interest, such as an explosion in a process
line.
The analysis proceeds as follows:
• Identify the major components (example: detectors);
• Identify the systems using these components (example: ventilation);
• Identify all failure modes for each component (high, low, loss of signal);
• Identify the effects of component failures on the systems.
Finally, for system consequences of interest, such as failure of the system to perform its function or an
accident of concern, the controls or safeguards to prevent such failures are identified.
FMEA equipment failures. As indicated, FMEAs are ideal for evaluating system failure modes, but are
not well-suited to supporting the identification of process hazard scenarios. FMEAs also lack the structure
to examine process upsets (e.g., reverse flow, process chemistry deviations) as initiators. Inexperience
with using the method can also lead to an excessively narrow focus on individual failures as opposed to
integrated process behavior. Therefore, because the FMEA is narrowly focused, it is usually applied in
combination with other techniques such as fault tree analysis to provide a more detailed understanding on
how a system could fail.
Table 2-6 shows an application of the FMEA method to the Metal Dissolution Process evaluated in Table
2-5 for flow from the heat exchanger to the spray chamber through a pipe. The component and the failure
modes of interest within this process is those associated with the hydrogen detector.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Table 2-6. FMEA Example.
Process: Metal Dissolution Line Component: Hydrogen Detector
Failure
Mode Effect Safeguards Comments/Actions
Fails
high
Generates premature
process shutdown for low
H2 concentration. Fails
safe
Indication on operational
console, Shutdown
interlock.
Fail safe: None
Fails low Failure to generate process
shutdown, when required,
leading to unsafe
conditions (e.g., a
potential for exothermic
reaction and hydrogen
explosion)
Indication on operational
console, Spray chamber
temperature sensor (also
feeds shutdown
interlock), Temperature
indications on
operational console
Potential accident of concern
Increased hydrogen concentrations are
generally accompanied by higher
temperatures. A runaway exothermic
reaction would still yield a shutdown.
However, conditions short of that could
yield H2 concentrations in excess of the
shutdown limit.
Fail as is Failure to generate process
shutdown when required
See “Low Failure Mode”
See “Low Failure Mode” Potential accident of concern
See “Low Failure Mode”
comments/actions
Loss of
Power
Triggers shutdown
interlock
Indication on operational
console, Shutdown
interlock.
Fail safe: None
Signal to
Interlock,
Mode A
Triggers shutdown
interlock
Indication on operational
console, Shutdown
interlock.
Fail safe: None
Signal to
interlock,
Mode B
Section 38
Failure to generate process
shutdown when required
See “Low Failure Mode”
Effects
See “Low Failure Mode”
safeguards
Potential accident of concern
See “Low Failure Mode”
comments/actions
2.4.5 METHOD #4: EVENT TREES AND FAULT TREES
Event trees and fault trees are formal logic constructs designed to document progression paths for an
event. Event trees utilize inductive reasoning while fault trees utilize deductive reasoning. These two
tools can be combined in a formal quantitative or probabilistic risk assessment, but such an assessment for
an entire facility or process is not typical when evaluating DOE nonreactor nuclear facilities. Event trees
and fault trees are normally used in DSAs as support tools to illuminate a specific issue of interest.
Inductive reasoning is often characterized as a “bottom-up” analysis since it starts with a specific premise
and moves toward a general conclusion. An event tree correspondingly starts with a specific initiating
event and moves toward a broad collection of potential outcomes. Regarding DSA hazard analysis, this
approach results in event sequences with varying consequences in terms of radiological release potentials,
based on the success and failure of any preventive controls that may terminate the event or mitigative
controls that may reduce the consequences. A simple example of an initiating event might be “loss of
cooling water to a furnace.” Every action that can result from that event then forms a decision point from
which multiple possible outcomes branch. For example, suppose Alarm A is supposed to sound to
generate an operator response if cooling flow is lost. The first decision point is therefore “Alarm A
functions.” Two branches stem from that point: (a) if alarm A functions, the progression moves to a
decision point labeled “Operator responds;” (b) if Alarm A does not function, operator response is
initially bypassed and the resulting branch moves to a different decision point. The end result is a
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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complete spectrum of outcomes, from successful to unsuccessful to catastrophic, which are characterized
in terms of actions and controls associated with their progression. Each individual path through this event
tree represents a separate event sequence. Thus, the minimum cut sets that yield failure of the system or
its safety function can be defined. Event trees graphically depict the relationship between an initiating
event and controls; thus, defining ranges of potential scenarios, their frequencies, and potential
consequences based on the response of credited controls. Event trees, as well as fault trees, are typically
used to support accident analyses and are not necessarily elevated to the DSA.
Deductive reasoning is often characterized as a “top-down” analysis since it uses general premises to
arrive at a specific conclusion. A fault tree thus begins with the undesired end state as the top event such
as a specified consequence of a potential accident and analyzes equipment failures and human errors that
cause the top event. Such end states have often been identified by application of other hazard evaluation
methods. For demonstration purposes, a simple example of an undesired end state is “the car does not
start.” The next step down in the fault tree lists the immediate causes such as starter motor failure, spark
plug failure, and lack of gas in the cylinder. The next step down lists all the potential causes for each
immediate cause: no gas in supply tank, failure of the fuel pump, fuel line leak. These potential failure
mechanisms are joined by “AND” or “OR” gates depending on whether multiple mechanisms (A “AND”
B) are needed to cause the failure above or if a single mechanism (A “OR” B) suffices. This process ends
either in basic occurrences that cannot be subdivided further or at a predetermined evaluation boundary.
Again, the minimum cut sets that yield failure of the system or its safety function can be defined.
Section 39
The strengths of this approach includes logical rigor, recording of results in a branch structure as the
evaluation occurs, and direct support of numerical estimation of likelihood of the postulated significant
consequences. Weaknesses include a tendency toward tunnel vision if the failure mode or safety function
of interest is not precisely defined, as well as a significant resource and time investment to generate
integrated results.
2.5 INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A DSA HAZARD EVALUATION TABLE
The commercial industry hazard evaluation methods previously discussed evaluated process upsets,
equipment failures, human errors, and potential safety features. Table 2-7 shows how similar hazard
studies can be used to start development of a hazard evaluation table for the DSA, based on an example of
a vehicle collision plus fire involving TRU waste containers which has often been evaluated using the
“What-If” method.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Table 2-7. Initial Development of Hazard Evaluation Table.
Event
No. Event Description Initiators Preventive Features Mitigative Features
FR-1 Fuel powered vehicle suffers a
fuel leak due to an impact with
TRU waste drums in the
Shipping/Receiving Area and is
ignited. A forklift carrying a
single pallet with four drums
impacts a stack (two high) of
palletized drums with moderate
to severe stress causing breach
with material spill of 12 drums
and ensuing pool fire that
involves 88 additional drums in
the Shipping/ Receiving Area.
MAR: xx alpha curies in 100
drums
(DOE-STD-5506-2007 statistical
MAR distribution for Waste
Isolation Pilot Plant complaint
containers applied, see Table
yy)
INITIAL CONDITIONS:
Staging area inventory limit;
TRU waste in metal containers;
Metal pallets.
• Operator error
• Equipment
malfunction
• Vehicle impact
with fuel spill
• Ignition of
combustible
and/or flammable
materials
• Lightning
• Wildland fire
SSCs:
Concrete vehicle barriers.
Waste staging building
foundation.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Procedures and Training
Program (Forklift
Operator training);
Vehicle maintenance
program;
Fire Protection Program:
• Combustible controls
Waste handling
operations curtailed
outdoors during
inclement weather;
Movement of waste is to
be accomplished using
electric or manual
powered equipment;
Fuel exclusion zone in
the Shipping/Receiving
Area.
SSCs:
None
ADMINISTRATIVE
Procedures and
Training Program
(workers trained to
evacuate);
Emergency
Preparedness
Program
(emergency
response
activities).
Control identification occurs as part of the initial hazard evaluation development and is recorded in the
hazard evaluation table as shown in Table 2-7. At this stage of developing the hazard evaluation table, all
preventive and mitigative controls are listed that are available, or can be readily implemented, to
demonstrate defense in depth as described in DOE-STD-3009.
2.6 LIKELIHOOD, CONSEQUENCE, AND RISK METHODS
The next step of the DSA hazard evaluation is to perform a qualitative estimate of the unmitigated
consequences, likelihood, and optionally, risk ranking of the hazard scenarios. The following subsections
present methods for these evaluations.
2.6.1 QUALITATIVE CONSEQUENCES
2.6.1.1 RECEPTOR CONSEQUENCE LEVELS
Table 2-8, reproduced from DOE-STD-3009-2014, Table 1, provides three qualitative consequence
thresholds (bins) to estimate potential effects on facility workers, CWs, and the public (i.e., MOI).13
High, moderate, and low consequence levels are quantitatively defined for the offsite public and CWs.
High consequence levels are qualitatively established for facility workers consistent with DOE-STD-3009
Section 40
13 These bins are similar to consequence level thresholds defined in DOE-STD-3009-94, CN3.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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guidelines for a significant worker consequence. Moderate and low consequence levels are not defined
for facility workers, because qualitative analysis would not yield results that provide a meaningful
comparison to a distinguishable threshold.14
Table 2-8. Consequence Thresholds.
Consequence Level Public1,4 Co-located Worker2,4 Facility Worker3
High
≥25 rem TED5
or
≥PAC6-2
≥100 rem TED
or
≥PAC/TEEL-3
Prompt death, serious
injury, or significant
radiological and chemical
exposure.
Moderate
≥5 rem TED
or
≥PAC/TEEL-1
≥25 rem TED
or
≥PAC/TEEL-2
No distinguishable
threshold
Low
<5 rem TED
or
<PAC/TEEL-1
<25 rem TED
or
<PAC/TEEL-2
No distinguishable
threshold
1 MOI - A hypothetical individual defined to allow dose or dosage comparison with numerical criteria for the public. This
individual is located at the point of maximum exposure on the DOE site boundary nearest to the facility in question (ground
level release), or may be located at some farther distance where an elevated or buoyant radioactive plume is expected to cause
the highest exposure (airborne release).
2 A CW at a distance of 100 m from a facility (building perimeter) or estimated release point.
3 A worker within the facility boundary and located less than 100 m from the release point.
4 Although quantitative thresholds are provided for the MOI and CW consequences, the consequences may be estimated using
qualitative and/or semi-quantitative techniques.
5 Total Effective Dose (TED), 50-yr commitment.
6 DOE’s PAC - see Chapter 9.
High consequence thresholds identified in Table 2-7 do not represent acceptable exposure levels to the
public or workers; they are merely criteria used to identify safety class and safety significant controls.
Qualitative judgment is inevitable in hazard evaluation. It is routinely utilized in industries outside DOE.
Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures (CCPS, 2008, Pg. 22), notes the following:
The subjective nature of these deliberations may trouble some people who use the results of these
studies because this subjectivity creates a lack of confidence in the results. Some people incorrectly
believe that if the analyst uses quantitative methods to express the significance of a problem, then the
limitation of subjectivity will simply fade away. However, this is not the case. The apparent
numerical precision of a QRA [“quantitative risk analysis” or “quantitative risk assessment”] can mask
(1) a great deal of the judgment that influenced the selection of accident models and (2) large
uncertainties associated with the data used to estimate risk.
Estimating consequences qualitatively requires consistent assignments of the high, moderate, and low
consequence levels for similar scenarios. This may require “normalizing” hazard scenarios by comparing
against one another for consistent assignment of a severity level and to verify no outliers exist absent a
sound explanation. In addition, for those hazard scenarios that were selected as representative or unique
design basis accidents/evaluation basis accidents (DBA/EBAs) for further quantitative accident analysis,
insights from that quantitative analysis should be used to verify the qualitative consequence assignments
for the hazard evaluation (i.e., an iterative process between the hazard evaluation and the accident
Section 41
14 Mitigated analysis that credits controls to reduce unmitigated high consequences to the facility worker generally
show mitigated low consequences on the DSA hazard evaluation table.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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analysis).
Assigning qualitative consequence levels may be informed by use of quantitative scoping estimates of
effects on facility workers, CWs, and the MOI. Consequence estimation is performed differently for
facility workers that may be near the source of the event or other areas within the facility where exposure
may occur, as opposed to CWs or the public located at a distance from the facility. The latter often has a
simplified quantitative basis. That is, it is a straightforward exercise to identify radioactive materials of
greatest concern downwind using specific activity and dose equivalents that also incorporate the
dispersion analysis. Likewise, chemicals that combine significant volatility and toxicity are easily
identified. The safety analyst therefore starts with a short list of materials and release scenarios that are
bounding. Bounding is intended to refer to the accident with the highest consequences among a group of
similar accidents.
It is a simple matter to calculate “unit release” consequences at any distance of concern (within the
capabilities of atmospheric dispersion tools being used) to yield “rules of thumb” for screening
calculations such as rem/Curie released or concentration/mass released. These in turn are used to
qualitatively scale given events into qualitative consequence bins or levels of severity (high, moderate,
low) for the CW and MOI.
The CW scoping calculations may also provide the technical basis to meet the following requirement
from DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.1.3.1:
Consequence determinations used for co-located workers in the hazard evaluation shall be supported
by an adequate technical basis such as scoping calculations consistent with Section 3.2.4. Alternately,
the quantitative evaluation of co-located worker consequences used to compare to Table 1 thresholds
may be performed in the accident analysis and reported in the DSA Section [3.4].
2.6.1.2 FACILITY WORKER CONSEQUENCES
Given the qualitative nature of the consequence thresholds for facility workers in Table 2-8; the
designation of facility worker consequences is based on first understanding how these type of
consequence thresholds can be triggered by common hazards found in the DOE complex, or what these
consequence thresholds mean in relation to radiological or hazardous chemical worker exposures. That
is, facility worker consequences in many cases are based on accepted past-experience or consensus
judgments from previous hazard evaluations throughout the DOE Complex, and not on quantitative
calculations with their associated hard-to-defend assumptions and uncertainties. Thus, the following are
recommendations and best practices to determine facility worker consequences.
Past experience and consensus judgments indicate that prompt death can only occur by a limited set of
hazards and scenarios such as:
• nuclear criticalities,
• exposures at levels over 400 rads to penetrating radiation such as gamma or X-rays, and
• energetic releases of extremely hazardous chemicals.
Exposure to airborne (non-penetrating) radioactive material such as plutonium and uranium due to a wide
range of accident scenarios such as fires or spills are unlikely to result in prompt death. However, these
could result in significant radiological exposures depending on several factors associated with the hazard
(e.g., inventory, form of material) and the scenario themselves; as discussed in more detail below.
Section 42
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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DOE has no simple numerical consequence metric to assess threshold consequences for facility workers.
Because of the location of the postulated facility workers inside a facility or very near the source of a
release, downwind considerations such as Χ/Q are not applicable. Therefore, the determination of facility
worker consequences is usually based on judgment, and not quantitative calculations.
In order to use a quantitative metric, one would have to equate a “serious injury or significant exposure”
to a mutually-accepted quantitative exposure level (either radiation dose or toxic concentration) to define
a threshold numerical value that is equivalent to a high consequence as defined on Table 2-8. This has
been accomplished in DOE-STD-3009-2014 for the co-located worker and public, but not for the facility
worker. Some previous DSAs have been based on a metric that radiation exposures due to accident
conditions that could lead to exceeding emergency planning threshold or process safety management
levels may be considered significant, since the selected level implies the onset for potential long-term
health effects. Nevertheless, if a quantitative approach is desired, agreement on what constitutes a
significant exposure should be reached with the DOE Approval Authority before any quantification is
performed in support of determining the facility worker consequences.
A quantitative analysis may not be necessary where insights from past industrial accidents are available,
as may be the case for large-scale releases of toxic substances such as hydrogen fluoride. Local facility
worker consequences should be evaluated with some sense of perspective and historical experience, as it
is possible to conceive extreme events immune to any possible set of controls.
The analyst should focus on the work areas in which accidents may result in a release of radioactive or
hazardous material. If quantitative analyses are to be performed to support facility worker consequences,
the associated concentrations of such releases are typically evaluated without reliance on specific
assumptions about worker placement and hypothetical work area volumes for mixing of the release.
However, a conservative but reasonable period of exposure could be assumed. Further guidance on these
issues is provided later in this section.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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The unmitigated consequence potential should not be underestimated, nor should unmitigated
consequences be exaggerated (relative to historical experience) to a point where every exposure to the
local facility worker is a high consequence event. DOE-STD-3009-2014 states:
To ensure an informed and defensible qualitative evaluation, the determination of facility worker
consequences should be based on a combination of the following:
• Magnitude, type, and form of radioactive and hazardous materials involved in a hazard scenario;
• Type and magnitude of energy sources involved in a hazard scenario;
• Characteristics of the hazard scenario such as duration and the location where it may occur (e.g.,
in unmanned areas such as tank vaults); and
• Potential for a hazard to impact workers’ mobility or ability to react to hazardous conditions.
Section 43
Some additional discussion of the fourth bullet is warranted. DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.1.3.1
states that “the facility worker’s mobility or ability to react to hazardous conditions should not be used as
the sole or primary basis for determining facility worker impacts.” This means that all four of the factors
listed above ought to be considered collectively, not individually. A “see and flee” approach that results
in unmitigated low consequences should not be used without due consideration of the accident
characteristics. The last bullet, therefore, injects some realism into the event scenario for a “reasonable”
unmitigated estimate of potential consequences to the facility worker. As an example, an assumption that
a worker within a building is unaffected by a release from a building fire (based on hazard recognition
and timely evacuation) would have to be justified by considering the location and characteristics of the
fire relative to radioactive or hazardous material.
Although unmitigated analysis may not take credit for administrative controls or active engineered
features, it is reasonable to assume that facility workers have some knowledge of the facility hazards and
adequate training to react to hazardous situations. This assumption, however, is valid only when the
accident is not disabling, provides obvious warning signs, and is slow-developing. However, care should
be taken not to rely excessively on crediting this type of condition as defaults for unmitigated analysis.
Any credit of this nature needs to be justified in the evaluation of the unmitigated consequences for
facility workers, based on the contributing elements discussed in this section.
In evaluating the unmitigated consequences associated with a postulated hazard scenario, the following
considerations may be important in assigning facility worker consequences:
1. Timing of radiological release: Hazard scenarios involving fires can develop quickly, but not so
rapidly as to preclude evacuation in a reasonable period of time. Other scenarios, like criticality
accident, explosion, and instantaneous release from confinement enclosures or containers can
entail significantly more rapid radiological exposure. Another example is a long duration release
such as during a spill of a radioactive or hazardous chemical liquid where a worker in the vicinity
of the spill would not be expected to stand in the spilled liquid for an extended period of time.
Therefore, though some exposure might occur, a conservative but reasonable time of exposure
should be assumed.
2. Hazard warning: The availability of an obvious hazard warning and its timing relative to
significant radiological or toxic chemical exposure may impact facility worker consequences.
Warning may be provided by the event itself, as in smoke from a fire. However, engineered
detection and notification systems such as air monitors are not credited for the unmitigated
analysis. It is not reasonable to assume that a worker would remain in a room subject to flashover
or toxic concentrations from a major fire in order to receive a significant radiological or toxic
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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chemical exposure. A conservative but reasonable period of exposure should be assumed,
including whether the workers may choose to respond to the event.15
These points should also be considered:
Section 44
• If the facility worker would reasonably be aware of the event’s occurrence, and could
take self-protective actions after the event occurs to protect themselves from a fatality or
serious injuries from the non-radiological or non-hazardous material consequences,
assume that the facility worker will be exposed for a conservative, but reasonable period
of time even when warning is provided by the event itself.
• In cases where the facility worker would not be reasonably aware of the event’s
occurrence (e.g., characteristics of the release such as no odors, no visibility of plumes or
smoke, occurrence in areas that could mask the release), there is no specified period of
exposure, such as two hours. Consider reasonable lengths of time the facility worker
would normally be present based on the nature of planned activities.
3. Scenario effect on protective action capability: Hazard scenarios involving explosions and NPH-
initiated failure of buildings or equipment can cause damage to structures or injury to personnel
impeding egress, thus increasing potential radiological or toxic chemical consequences. The
potential for human errors or equipment malfunctions, in response to mitigating or evacuation
actions following the accident, should be considered. Such an error might be putting the
ventilation system in an operational mode that will worsen the consequences due to smoke
generation. Also of importance is the impact of a toxic chemical release on potential worker
ability to take protective actions.
4. Potential exposure magnitude: Severity of radiological uptakes or chemical exposures is a
function of the magnitude of the energy associated with the accident scenario, the quantity and
specific activity or toxicity of the material estimated to be released, and the pathways for
transport to and absorption by workers. Inhalation is most often the dominant exposure pathway
for airborne radioactive material releases, though skin exposures to small quantities of some
chemicals such as aqueous hydrofluoric acid can be fatal.
5. Location: The impact to facility workers could be affected by the location of the worker with
respect to the location of the postulated scenario; or whether the accident being evaluated occurs
inside or outside of structures. For releases outside of structures, consider the qualitative impacts
on dose of the plume moving past the facility worker. For releases inside a nuclear facility,
consider whether the release is being mixed within a relatively small work area volume, such as
with glovebox operations or into a large open area such as waste container staging buildings.
Also, for releases within the facility, consider facility layout and unique non-ideal conditions such
as mining operations or areas of limited visibility that can make evacuation difficult to achieve
quickly.
As a general rule-of-thumb application of the above considerations, examples of high unmitigated
radiological or toxic chemical consequences to the facility worker are: (1) explosions, pressurized
powders or high-concentration liquid sprays, and other energetic events that impact large quantities of
radioactive material are considered to cause significant radiological exposure to the facility worker due to
the rapid nature of the event, the resulting source term, and the inability of the worker to take protective
action prior to receiving a substantial dose16; and (2) the prompt dose received from a criticality accident.
Other types of events such as fires, spills, or dropping of a container require more careful evaluation of
Section 45
15 Workers may respond to incipient stage fires only with portable fire extinguishers, if they have been trained to use
the extinguishers and feel safe in doing so.
16 This also apples to the consequences of exposure to hazardous chemicals.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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the characteristics of the actual accident event (e.g., time to develop) before credit can be given for the
elements identified in this section. Any credit taken in the potential unmitigated consequences for facility
workers needs to be justified.
2.6.1.3 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL HAZARD CONSEQUENCES TO FACILITY WORKER
Consequences to facility workers due to SIHs are included in the DSA when radiological or hazardous
materials are involved and the SIHs are not screened out. These consequences are addressed in DOE-
STD-3009-2014, Section 3.1.3.1 as follows:
Facility worker consequences, due solely to a standard industrial hazard, do not need to be categorized
in the hazard evaluation if screened out per Section 3.1.1. However, the evaluation of radiological or
chemical hazards that result in a prompt death or serious injury should be assigned a high consequence
per Table 1. Examples of such hazards might include the generation of flammable/explosive hydrogen
gas by electrolysis of uranium in water or a spill of sodium hydroxide used in radioactive waste
processing.17
For potentially serious injuries or fatalities, the event is assessed to determine whether the physical hazard
associated with initiating or worsening a radiological or other hazardous material accident is a SIH or if it
should be assigned a high consequence level. The primary consideration in determining whether the
physical hazard is a SIH is if the regulated material (i.e., radioactive or other hazardous material) is not a
primary cause or major contributor to the hazardous event, and that it is adequately addressed by 10 CFR
Part 851 (and its adoption of OSHA and industry standards), 10 CFR Part 835, Occupational Radiation
Protection, and Integrated Safety Management System HA requirements. These regulations and safety
management programs are committed to in the DSA/TSRs. Examples of SIH accident initiators of a
radioactive or other hazardous material release that may also cause physical injuries/fatalities are
provided below to clarify that the unmitigated consequences do not include those SIH physical
considerations. They illustrate that the unmitigated consequences do not include those SIH physical
considerations, unless these could potentially affect their ability to safely manage the facility or respond
to an accident condition. In that situation, the SIH should be considered for further analysis:
• Thermal hazards to the worker are due to welding equipment and combustible or flammable
material fires ignited by typical ignition sources (e.g., electrical or thermal). The welding torch is
a common SIH throughout various industries. The fires with typical ignition sources are also
SIHs because the hazard and potential physical consequences are due to common types of
equipment found throughout various industries. Both of these events are adequately regulated by
10 CFR Part 851, OSHA, NFPA, and national consensus standards.
• Explosions may involve ignition of flammable gases used with welding equipment; battery and
fuel vapors; or offgasing from waste containers. The welding and equipment explosion and
potential physical consequences are considered a SIH because these events commonly occur in
general industry and are adequately regulated by 10 CFR Part 851, OSHA, and national
consensus standards.
Section 46
• Missiles are caused by an equipment explosion, failure of pressurized or mechanical system (e.g.,
air compressor or gas bottle), compressed gas cylinder failures, over-pressurization or
deflagration of a hazardous (i.e., non-TRU) waste container, or from extreme straight-line winds,
hurricanes and tornadoes. Missiles are considered an SIH because these events commonly occur
in general industry and are adequately regulated by 10 CFR Part 851, OSHA, and national
17 The above reference to Section 3.1.1 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 is located in Section 2.2.4 of this Handbook. Table
1 of the Standard is reproduced as Table 2-8 in this Handbook.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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consensus standards, or by the DOE NPH directives. However, if the missile physical
consequence to the worker is due to the primary hazard being the regulated material, then those
physical hazards are considered along with the radiological or other hazardous material
consequences in assigning unmitigated consequences.
• Equipment-related events including vehicle/equipment load drops are SIHs because the hazards
are presented by the equipment used in the work process, and the events are not caused by the
regulated material. These events are adequately regulated by 10 CFR Part 851, OSHA, and
national consensus standards.
• Material and equipment movement is a hazard presented by moving, lifting, dropping, vehicle-
impact-induced movement, collapse due to corrosion/degradation, or movement due to a seismic
event. The hazard is due to the size and mass of the object being moved and is not a hazard
presented by the regulated material. The same hazard exists in various industries, such as
construction. These events are adequately regulated by 10 CFR Part 851, OSHA, and national
consensus standards.
• Asphyxiant hazards are presented by the use of small quantities of nitrogen and P-10 gas
associated with loading or unloading shipping casks; acetylene or other compressed gases for
maintenance activities and liquid nitrogen dewers for assaying waste containers; and exhaust
buildup from material handling vehicles inside a facility. These hazards are common in various
industries, and are adequately regulated by 10 CFR Part 851, OSHA, and national consensus
standards. Smaller amounts of gases (i.e., nitrogen or argon) present for equipment calibration
are in quantities that do not present an asphyxiation hazard. However, a large, rapid release of a
nitrogen or argon from glovebox inerting systems for a nuclear process into a small confined
occupied area that has an asphyxiation potential should be considered in assigning unmitigated
consequences if the system has unique hazards requiring special design and controls that are not
addressed by industry codes and standards.
• Other impacts encompass collisions from vehicles such as trucks traveling on the site, vehicles
external to the site, and potential site aircraft crashes. These hazards exist in everyday life and
are accepted by the public. Although no specific controls may be identified for these SIHs, the
safety management programs, as committed to by the DSA/TSRs, which govern the conduct of
activities involving various industrial hazards, will provide protection to the worker for these
occupational hazards.
Section 47
The qualitative evaluation for the facility worker may be supported by conservative quantitative scoping
calculations, engineering judgment, and acquired knowledge. This qualitative approach is used because
quantitative estimates are sensitive to a variety of possible assumptions such as facility worker position,
circumstance, and close proximity to the point of release. Consequence estimates can rely on historical
accident data or can be determined from: (1) simple bounding source term calculations, (2) existing safety
documentation, and/or (3) qualitative assessment supported by calculations.
2.6.2 QUALITATIVE LIKELIHOOD
Likelihood of a hazard or accident scenario is assigned to qualitative bins defined by guidelines, which
offer numerical ranges of two orders of magnitude or more. Table 2-9, reproduced from DOE-STD-
3009-2014, Table 2, defines the qualitative likelihood bins.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Table 2-9. Qualitative Likelihood Classification.
Description Likelihood Range (/year) Definition
Anticipated Likelihood >10-2
Events that may occur several times during the
lifetime of the facility (incidents that
commonly occur).
Unlikely 10-2>likelihood >10-4
Events that are not anticipated to occur during
the lifetime of the facility. Natural phenomena
of this likelihood class include: International
Building Code-level earthquake, 100-year
flood, maximum wind gust.
Extremely Unlikely 10-4>likelihood >10-6 Events that will probably not occur during the
lifetime of the facility.
Beyond Extremely Unlikely Likelihood <10-6 All other accidents.
Although the exercise of determining accident likelihood is qualitative, safety analysts often develop a
numerical basis for judgments to provide consistency. An example is provided in DOE-STD-3009 that a
simple methodology for unmitigated likelihood assignment could be to assign a probability of “1” to non-
independent events, “0.1” to human errors, and “0.01” to genuinely independent SSC failures that would
be used to establish the initiating event likelihood8 as described on Table 2-9. For the unmitigated
analysis, these human errors and equipment failures cannot represent the failure probability of a
preventive control that would otherwise provide a SC or SS safety function. To determine the likelihood
of an accident scenario, only initiating events are expressed as rate of occurrence with the units of inverse
time (i.e., per year), and other enabling events are expressed in terms of dimensionless failure
probabilities.
Another methodology for unmitigated initiating event likelihood classification would be to use a
summary of historical data. Historical accident data may be used as long as this data represents the
frequency of initiating events for such type of scenarios, and not the frequency of the entire scenario.
Thus, caution is necessary in using historical data to support unmitigated frequency estimates for hazard
scenarios, since it may not result in conservative frequency estimates for such scenarios.
Section 48
Conservative values are chosen to accommodate uncertainties in frequency levels used in Table 2-9. A
conservative choice is particularly important when an event frequency is at the borderline, just below the
next highest frequency level. For example, 9.7E-3/year is at the upper limit of the unlikely frequency
level. Thus, considering the sources, methods, and uncertainty associated with this value, this event may
be better assigned to a frequency level of anticipated. For initiating events at the borderline of frequency
ranges, for the general rule is to assign to the next bin unless it can be justified based on the conservatism
of the analysis. For example, an event just below a frequency of 10-2/year may be conservatively
considered assigned to the anticipated frequency level. The same applies for scenarios with frequencies
slightly less than 10-4/yr and 10-6/year, i.e., may be assigned to the next higher frequency level of Unlikely
and Extremely Unlikely, respectively. The exception for this is for Beyond Extremely Unlikely scenarios
for external events only, which by default have always being defined as scenarios with a likelihood below
10-6/yr.
The mitigated frequency of occurrence when crediting preventive controls could also apply simple
numerical estimates to assign a lower frequency bin. For example, a 0.01 failure probability could be
assigned to a preventive engineered control or a SAC based on the technical justification in DSA Chapter
4.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Estimating likelihoods qualitatively requires consistent assignments of the likelihood bins for similar
scenarios. To achieve consistency, hazard scenarios should be “normalized” by comparison to one
another.
2.6.3 QUALITATIVE RISK
The primary purpose of risk ranking is to support the selection of bounding DBA/EBAs for further
quantitative accident analysis and determination of SC controls that are based on consequences, not risk
rankings. However, risk rankings may also be used to support the hazard evaluation and SS control
selection. Combining a likelihood and a consequence level leads to defining a qualitative risk level,
sometimes called Risk Category or Risk Class. Table 2-10, reproduced from DOE-STD-3009-2014 Table
A-1, provides an example of a risk ranking table that combines likelihood and consequence, which is
based on using the consequence and likelihood thresholds in Table 2-8 and Table 2-9, respectively.
Table 2-10. Qualitative Risk Ranking Bins.
Consequence Level
Beyond18 Extremely
Unlikely
Below 10-6/yr
Extremely Unlikely
10-4 to 10-6/yr
Unlikely
10-2 to 10-4/yr
Anticipated
Above 10-2/yr
High Consequence III II I I
Moderate Consequence IV III II II
Low Consequence IV IV III III
Risk Category I = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of major concern
Risk Category II = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of concern
Risk Category III = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of minor concern
Risk Category IV = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of minimal concern
Beyond the qualitative application of consequences and likelihoods (or supplemented with quantitative
perspectives) for the hazard evaluation, risk ranking serves the broader purpose of confirming for the
DOE approval authority that the overall mitigated risk of facility operation is low. Risk ranking can also
highlight a given scenario whose mitigated risk remains significant. Additional guidance on use of
unmitigated risk estimates for control selection is provided in Chapter 10.
Section 49
2.7 UNMITIGATED AND MITIGATED HAZARD EVALUATIONS
The DSA hazard evaluation is based on unmitigated and mitigated analyses that derive the selection of
hazard controls. The guidance from Section 2.6 is applied to assign qualitative estimates of the
unmitigated and mitigated consequences, likelihood, and optionally, risk rankings of the hazard scenarios.
An unmitigated hazard scenario is evaluated for each initiating event by assuming the absence of
preventive and mitigative controls. Unmitigated likelihood and consequence estimates assume that active
engineered and administrative controls are not available to reduce either the consequence or likelihood of
the hazard scenario. However, the unmitigated analysis does assume that passive design features exist
and provide their safety function if these features are not affected by the accident scenario, or these
features are affected by the accident scenario and a separate assessment determines that they will survive
accident conditions.
18 For external events, likelihood below 10-6/yr conservatively calculated is “beyond extremely unlikely.”
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Passive features assumed to perform their safety functions are evaluated per DOE-STD-3009 for potential
designation as SC or SS SSCs and protection as TSR Design Features. In addition, the unmitigated
analysis considers facility geometry and physical plausibility, and evaluates the unmitigated likelihood
and consequence accordingly. For example, in an explosion scenario, the unmitigated likelihood would
not be reduced by an engineered control, such as a vessel purge. However, the unmitigated likelihood of
the explosion could be reduced based on physical realities of the facility, activity, or operation that will
cause the explosion-initiating condition to occur (accumulation of minimum explosive concentration); no
credit is allowed in the reduction of the likelihood for subsequent enabling conditions that will result in
the explosion itself (e.g., presence of an ignition and/or oxygen). Thus, the likelihood of the scenarios
should be based only the likelihood of the conditions leading to a physically meaningful initiating event,
and not on the subsequence engineering or administrative controls that maybe available to prevent the
explosion. Additional requirements and guidance on unmitigated analysis are provided in DOE-STD-
3009-2014, Section 3.2.2.
Initial conditions may be necessary to define the unmitigated evaluation and are identified as shown on
Table 2-7 and another example is provided later in Table 2-11. Credit for the initial condition is factored
into the unmitigated likelihood or consequence assignments, and that initial condition is evaluated per
DOE-STD-3009 for potential designation as a TSR control (e.g., MAR inventory-specific administrative
control). Additional guidance is provided in DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.3, and is further discussed
in Section 3.3 of this Handbook.
A mitigated analysis is performed to determine the effectiveness of SS and SC controls to protect CWs
and the public. This analysis should be the same as the unmitigated analysis except that event likelihood
is estimated with preventive controls available, and consequences are estimated with mitigative controls
available. The selection of preventive and mitigative controls is a judgment-based iterative process to
credit sufficient controls that provide confidence that the accident or release is prevented, or if not
prevented, the consequences will be reduced to below thresholds of concern. Additional requirements
and guidance on mitigated analysis are provided in DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.3. The selection
and classification of the hazard controls for the mitigated analysis are discussed in Chapter 10 of this
Handbook.
Section 50
2.8 HAZARD EVALUATION PRESENTATION IN DSA
Results for the unmitigated and mitigated hazard analyses are presented in the DSA hazard evaluation
section as discussed in a DSA Section [3.3.2.3], Hazard Evaluation Results (see DOE-STD-3009-2014,
Section 4.0). The DSA hazard evaluation table, or alternate hazard evaluation data sheet as described in
DOE-STD-3009-2014, has certain essential characteristics:
• If multiple types of operations are being analyzed, the table is broken into separate sections where
each section presents results for one specific type of operation.
• Specific hazard scenarios are described in terms of well-defined events. For example, a HAZOP
may have dozens of entries for parameter-guide word combinations. These need to be turned into
discrete events. A HAZOP may note that low flow caused by incorrect positioning of valves
upstream has no major effect on a process other than operational disruption, while low flow due
to a large leak represents a significant operator hazard. Those are two entirely different events.
• Initial conditions and assumptions are identified.
• Potential preventive or mitigative controls are identified.
• Unmitigated and mitigated consequences and likelihoods, and optionally, risk estimates, are
identified to support control selection and classification. Source term parameters such as MAR,
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Damage Ratio (DR), Airborne Release Fraction (ARF), and Respirable Fraction (RF) may
optionally be listed.
Table 2-11 presents an example hazard evaluation table for presentation in the DSA, which builds upon
the example provided in Table 2-7. This table includes both the unmitigated and mitigated analysis.
There are many different formats that can be used to present this data, bearing in mind that the purpose is
to achieve a comprehensive hazard evaluation and an unmitigated analysis of hazard scenarios in terms of
potential consequences, their likelihoods, and identification of preventive and mitigative controls. The
hazard evaluation table, in whatever format is chosen, should also present the mitigated analysis that
credits safety controls, or this could be described in the DSA hazard evaluation results section. The
mitigated hazard evaluation can be included as additional columns as shown on Table 2-11, or another
convention is to use separate rows for the unmitigated and mitigated evaluations.
Appendix A provides another example of a hazard evaluation table for safety design basis documents, as
part of the process to perform a Preliminary Hazard Analysis required by DOE-STD-1189-2016,
Integration of Safety into the Design Process. Some additional data are included such as methods of
detection and more emphasis on further planned improvements and investigations as the design matures.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Table 2-11. DSA Hazard Evaluation Table Example.
Unmitigated Analysis Mitigated Analysis
E
ve
nt
Event Description Event Causes
Fr
eq
.
L
ev
el
Consequence Level R
is
k
C
at
eg
or
y
Preventive Features Mitigative
Features Fr
eq
.
L
ev
el
Consequence
Level R
is
k
C
at
eg
or
y
x Fuel-powered vehicle suffers a
fuel leak due to an impact with
TRU waste drums in the
Shipping/Receiving Area and is
ignited. A forklift carrying a
single pallet with four drums
impacts a stack (two high) of
palletized drums with moderate to
severe stress causing breach with
material spill of 12 drums and
ensuing pool fire that involves 88
additional drums in the Shipping/
Receiving Area.
Section 51
MAR: xx alpha curies in 100
drums
(DOE-STD-5506-2007 statistical
MAR distribution for Waste
Isolation Pilot Plant compliant
containers applied, see Table yy)
INITIAL CONDITIONS:
Staging area inventory limit;
TRU waste in metal containers;
Metal pallets.
• Operator
error
• Equipmen
t
malfuncti
on
• Vehicle
impact
with fuel
spill
• Ignition of
combustib
le and/or
flammable
materials
• Lightning
• Wildland
fire
U Radiological
FW – High
CW – Moderate
MOI – Low
Hazardous Chemical
FW – Low
CW – Low
MOI – Low
RELEASE MECHANISM:
Impact + fire – 12 drums, 10% DR, 1E-
3/0.1 spill ARF/RF plus unconfined
burning 1E-2 ARF/RF and 90%
confined burning 5E-4 ARF/RF.
Pool fire – Conservatively modeled in a
single layer of drums with no stacking.
Unconfined burning 1E-2/0.1 ARF/RF
of 25% of drums that experience lid loss
(22 drums) that eject 33% contents and
have confined burning 5E-4 ARF/RF of
remaining contents in those drums, plus
confined burning of 66 drums that
experience seal failures (0.5 DR).
I
II
III
III
III
III
SSCs:
Concrete vehicle barriers.
Waste staging building
foundation.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Procedures and Training
Program (Forklift
Operator training);
Vehicle maintenance
program;
Fire Protection Program:
• Combustible controls
Waste handling operations
curtailed outdoors during
inclement weather;
Movement of waste is to be
accomplished using
electric or manual
powered equipment
(SAC);
Fuel exclusion zone in the
Shipping/Receiving Area
(SAC).
SSCs:
None
ADMINISTR
ATIVE:
Procedures
and
Training
Program
(workers
trained to
evacuate);
Emergency
Preparedne
ss Program
(emergency
response
activities).
BE
U
Radiological
FW – High
CW – Moderate
MOI – Low
Chemical
FW – Low
CW – Low
MOI – Low
III
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
Notes:
1. Likelihood: A = Anticipated U = Unlikely EU = Extremely Unlikely BEU = Beyond Extremely Unlikely
2. Consequences: H = High M = Moderate L = Low
3. FW = Facility Worker CW= Co-located Worker at 100 m MOI = Maximally-exposed Offsite Individual at 2.9 km
4. Risk Classes: I = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of major concern
II = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of concern
III = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of minor concern
IV = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of minimal concern
Bold/Underlined controls are credited in the mitigated analysis to reduce frequency, consequences, and Risk Class, or as Initial Condition
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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3 ACCIDENT ANALYSIS
This chapter provides an introduction to the accident analysis process. The starting point is a review of
the hazard scenarios that were identified in the hazard evaluation table as discussed in Chapter 2 of this
Handbook. Specific events are selected for further quantitative accident analysis. This particular chapter
also addresses assumption and initial conditions, beyond DBAs/EBAs, and software quality assurance
(SQA).
In general, formal accident analysis is performed for HC-2 facilities, and may or may not be necessary for
HC-3 facilities. Accident analysis is the formal quantification of a subset of accidents, termed DBAs or
EBAs by DOE-STD-3009. These accidents represent a complete set of bounding conditions. The basic
components of accident analysis are accident type selection, accident scenario development, source term
analysis, consequence analysis and control selection. This process is highly iterative to ensure accident
scenarios are adequately developed, source term and consequence analysis is bounding, the suite of
controls are comprehensive and tailored to reflect accident conditions, and all identified facility hazards
are understood and properly controlled.
Section 52
3.1 ACCIDENT TYPE SELECTION
It is expected that only a subsect of the total hazard scenarios identified in the hazard analysis will be
evaluated as potential DBAs or EBAs in the accident analysis. The predominant purpose of accident
analysis is to evaluate the need for SC controls to protect the public from radiological accidents.
However, it may also be used to evaluate the need for defense in depth SS controls for protection of the
public from radiological or toxic chemical accidents, or for protection of the CWs. The facility worker is
not included in the scope of the DSA accident analysis and instead is addressed by the qualitative hazard
evaluation discussed in Chapter 2 of this Handbook.
DBAs are accidents to be analyzed in a DSA for the design of a new nuclear facility and major
modifications to an existing facility. The DSA will also include accident scenarios established during the
design of an existing facility. DOE-STD-1189-2008 provides guidance for selecting and analyzing
facility-level radiological and/or toxic chemical release events in the DBAs.
EBAs are postulated for existing facilities where DBAs were not identified as part of the design. The
term EBA recognizes that an existing facility was not designed to DBAs to prevent or mitigate the
accident, but rather is evaluated to ensure that it could do so with existing systems or added
systems/controls. When an adequate set of DBAs does not exist, EBAs are selected from the following
types of events:
• Operational accidents — process deviations (such as high temperatures and high pressures) and
initiating events internal to the facility (such as fires, explosions, and loss of power resulting in
release of radioactive or hazardous materials);
• NPH events such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and wildland fires; and,
• Man-made external events such as an aircraft crash, external vehicular accident, or gas pipeline
break.
Two types of EBAs, representative and unique, are defined in DOE-STD-3009-2014 for further
quantitative accident analysis.
DBAs/EBAs are derived from the spectrum of hazard evaluation scenarios. Three screening steps convert
the spectrum of hazard evaluation scenarios into the selected DBAs/EBAs:
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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• The first screening identifies potential consequences by population in relative bins of increasing
severity. This step will discard scenarios whose higher consequence potential relates only to in-
facility workers, because accident analysis focuses on consequences at a distance from the
facility.
• The second screening looks at accident types. It is necessary for DSA documentation purposes to
include at least one hazard and its consequence of each major accident type (e.g., fire, explosion,
spill, NPH), unless the scoping calculations for the hazard evaluation demonstrate low
consequences that do not have the potential to challenge the offsite Evaluation Guideline (EG)
(DOE-STD-3009). These are called representative scenarios with similar preventive and
mitigative control sets that bound the collective scenarios for that type.
• The final screening consists of looking at the remaining scenarios within a selected accident type
to see if any would warrant safety SSC designation to protect the public (and CW if included in
the DSA accident analysis, as mentioned above), but involve a different control set than the
representative accident already chosen for that type. These are called unique accidents.
Section 53
As an aid in screening the many hazard scenarios identified in the hazard evaluation, representative or
unique EBAs may be selected based on organization by accident category (operational, NPH, man-made
external event), accident type, and magnitude. Other means of grouping accidents may also be used,
especially for complex facilities that may require a broad suite of hazard controls. The selected
representative and unique scenarios are designed to bound all other postulated hazard scenarios, including
high risk scenarios that still may challenge the EG (as determined during the hazard analysis process
using the qualitative risk matrix in Section 2.6.3), or that may have high risk to the co-located worker if
that is being evaluated in the accident analysis.
An example of an aid to screen hazard scenarios is provided in DOE-STD-5506-2007, Table 3.3-1,
Minimum TRU Waste Activity/Hazard Evaluation Event Matrix. This table correlates 25 hazard
scenarios or accidents by TRU waste processing activities for use in the hazard evaluation, or as EBAs.
The minimum set of events addresses those with the potential for consequences that could be significant
enough to warrant crediting preventive or mitigative controls, safety classifications of those controls, and
explicit TSRs. Another example aid in screening hazard scenarios for EBA selection is NUREG/CR-
6410, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facility Accident Analysis Handbook, Table 2-2, Methods of Release of
Radioactive Materials Anticipated for Nuclear Process Facilities.
3.2 ACCIDENT ANALYSIS PROCESS
The accident analysis process consists of the following sequence of steps intended to document numerical
estimates of radiological and toxic chemical consequences to the public (or CW as needed for the DSA
hazard evaluation):
1. Define the postulated accident scenario that releases radioactive material or toxic chemicals from
the facility.
2. Estimate the damage to the facility to the extent it affects the potential MAR and source term
released from the facility, e.g., loss of confinement areas.
3. Identify types and quantities of material involved in the accident MAR.
4. Determine the accident source term.
5. Conduct a dispersion analysis to determine the potential radiological dose or toxic chemical
consequences.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Chapter 4 addresses steps 1-3 for potential accidents at DOE nuclear facilities. Chapter 5 addresses step
4. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 address step 5 for radiological releases, while Chapter 9 addresses step 5 for toxic
chemical releases.
The potential controls identified in the hazard evaluation are further evaluated in the mitigated accident
analysis, using the control selection and classification process described in Chapter 10.
3.3 ANALYSIS INPUTS AND ASSUMPTIONS
For most DOE accident analyses, the phenomena being examined have aleatory and systemic
uncertainties. Most often it is not possible to derive precise and absolute conclusions from first
engineering principles. Therefore, it is important to document the inputs, frame of reference, initial
conditions, and assumptions of the accident analysis to ensure that these are not only defensible but
conservative. This applies to all elements of the accident analysis process from accident selection, to
frequency estimates, and source term and consequence analyses. The focus in this section is on the
analysis of inputs and assumptions related to defining scenarios and their frequencies. Section 5.4.1
addresses the use of technically justified input and assumptions related to source term and consequence
calculations.
Section 54
Both hazard and accident analyses make use of initial conditions (ICs) to define hazard or accident
scenarios to be evaluated. Initial conditions are specific assumptions regarding a facility and its
operations that are used to define these scenarios. When not referring to physical facility features, these
are sometimes called “initial assumptions,” which creates confusion regarding the need for TSR controls
to protect these assumptions. The use of “IC” in this Handbook refers to initial conditions.
As discussed in DOE-STD-3009-2014, Sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3, facilities are analyzed as they exist, or
are designed, when quantifying meaningful release mechanisms. For design of new facilities, the
unmitigated analysis may need to assume failure of the SSC to determine the potential consequences for
safety classifications of SSCs and their appropriate design requirements, for example, design criteria for
the selected NPH Design Category.
Accident scenario description includes, as appropriate, the operating mode of the system, all pertinent
aspects of the physical configuration of the system and its environment, and relevant operating
parameters, such as temperature, pressure, material inventories, and confinement, at the time the accident
is postulated to begin. Not all of these assumptions are ICs. Where a range of possible ICs, physical
properties, or environmental conditions exists, the range is specified, and the most conservative physically
credible combination of normal operating conditions is chosen, and an explanation of why the choices are
considered conservative should be provided.
As stated in Chapter 2, significant assumptions in hazard scenarios should be identified and justified, and
this also applies to the accident analysis. Specific examples of ICs include:
• A vault or building can withstand NPH events according to its NPH Design Category.
• Facility geometry or layout limits accident progression or release with respect to in-facility
transport.
• Solid TRU waste is contained in a certified Department of Transportation (DOT) Type-A drum
(i.e., an additional barrier).
• A certain material is present only within a certified DOT Type B shipping container.
• Facility and process inventories are limited to those identified.
• A passive engineered SSC prevents significant consequences.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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ICs should not include administrative controls, except those necessary to limit the inventory of
radioactive or toxic chemical materials, or as specified by the analyst and/or regulator. Controls should
be selected to protect assumptions such as MAR critical to the consequence analysis. ICs, and in some
cases the associated administrative control associated with the ICs, should warrant some level of Safety
SSC designation or SAC to ensure that the assumptions remain valid throughout the operating life of the
facility. Defining and documenting ICs and associated administrative controls ensures that they are
appropriately controlled, classified as SC or SS, and preserved via TSR operating limits, design features,
or SACs.
Section 55
Initial conditions that clearly prevent an accident and are part of the facility design basis (e.g., the
structure is designed to withstand vehicle impact) are encouraged. Other safety controls are discouraged
from being used since they may skew the unmitigated risk levels and result in unanalyzed or inadequately
controlled hazards. For example, a fire door may be improperly credited as an IC for preventing fire
propagation. This control may fail (blocked open door) so it does not completely prevent the event, but
only reduces the likelihood. If the likelihood reduction “moves” the event risk to a level that does not
require further analysis, then the adequacy of the control is not evaluated and the safety functions of the
door may not be properly determined. Additionally, this may lead to a larger control set since controls
identified for other fire events (e.g., combustible loading limits) may be adequate to protect against this
event.
Spreadsheet calculation and computer modeling of accident sequences can provide valuable insights on
the sensitivity of parameters, as well as indicating what reasonably lower and upper limits of response
might be expected so that an overall conservative consequence is estimated (see Section 5.4,
Appropriateness of Source Terms). The foundation of any accident analysis can be reduced to a set of
inputs and assumptions. An input can be defined as a value feeding into the analyses that can be
measured confidently and is readily obtainable. It could, for instance, be the internal freeboard volume of
a tank, the specific gravity of a solution, or the metal skin thickness of a 55-gallon drum. An input value
would not be expected to change as more information relative to it is obtained. An assumption, on the
other hand, is a value feeding into the analyses that is not known with reliability and accuracy.
Significant judgment therefore enters into the process of selecting the value or parameter of interest.
To address the uncertainty associated with the impact of assumptions and input variables, the default
values in DOE-STD-3009 and DOE-HDBK-3010 are to be used to ensure an overall conservative
analysis, and an analysis that is conservative to the extent envisioned when the Evaluation Guideline was
established. Section 5.4.1 provides additional guidance on the use of non-default values or values that
depart from the default values in the above-mentioned standard or handbook.
Examples of assumptions would be the rate of in-facility dispersion of a flammable gas leaked into a
ventilated volume, the degree to which two spilled chemicals that react together might intermingle
(synergism), or the nature of the physical interactions occurring in a structural collapse. The flammable
gas leak example can be calculated, but the means of calculation itself introduces an implicit set of
theoretical assumptions and uncertainties. The other two examples intrinsically involve making
judgments about what is likely to occur. Analysts should strive to use as few assumptions in the accident
analysis as possible, but their presence to some degree is inevitable. This point is specifically emphasized
in Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures (CCPS, 2008):
Because many of the events considered by the team may never have happened before, the team
must use their creativity and judgment to decide whether the potential causes and effects of the
accident pose a significant risk. The subjective nature of these deliberations may trouble some
people who use the results of these studies because this subjectivity creates a lack of confidence
Section 56
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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in the results. Some people incorrectly believe that if an analyst uses quantitative measures to
express the significance of a problem, then the limitation of subjectivity will simply fade away.
However, this is not the case.
Another consideration is that there may be a difference between the level of conservatism of methods
used to derive input parameters used for unmitigated dose consequence calculations and input parameters
used to show that the design withstands physical stresses from the accident scenario. For example, dose
consequence calculations may use an extremely conservative value or method to calculate aerosol
generation for the purpose of determining the source terms and ultimately supporting classifying controls.
However, these conservative values or methods may not be appropriate for design basis calculations.
3.4 BEYOND DESIGN/EVALUATION BASIS ACCIDENTS
The DSA [Section 3.4] Accident Analysis (see DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 4.0) evaluates
DBAs/EBAs for control selection and classification purposes. Section 3.5 of DOE-STD-3009-2014
provides guidance on the consideration of the need for analysis of accidents, which may be beyond the
design basis of the facility. This section addresses accident analysis of these extreme events.
The purpose of an analysis of accidents beyond the design or evaluation basis of the facility is to provide
(1) a perspective of the residual risk associated with the operation of the facility, and (2) additional
perspectives for accident mitigation. That standard describes that Beyond Design Basis
Accidents/Beyond Evaluation Basis Accidents (BDBAs/BEBAs) need not be analyzed to the same degree
of detail as DBAs/EBAs. The analysis is intended to provide insight into the magnitude of consequences
of such events and to identify potential facility vulnerabilities. The analysis has the potential, therefore,
for identifying additional facility features that could prevent or reduce severe accident consequences.
Unlike the unmitigated conservative analysis for DBAs/EBAs, a realistic analysis of potential
BDBA/BEBA consequences may be performed to determine whether accidents have a much larger
consequence (a “cliff edge effect”) than the largest DBA/EBA.
After the March 11, 2011 Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant accident in Japan, DOE embarked upon
several initiatives to investigate the safety posture of its nuclear facilities relative to Beyond Design Basis
Events (BDBEs). These initiatives included issuing Health, Safety and Security (HSS) Safety Bulletin
2011-01, “Events Beyond Design Safety Basis Analysis,” conducting pilot evaluations to refine possible
process improvements, and conducting two DOE nuclear safety workshops. DOE issued two reports
documenting the results of these initiatives: Review of Requirements and Capabilities for Analyzing and
Responding to BDBEs (DOE, 2011); and A Report to the Secretary of Energy: Beyond Design Basis
Event Pilot Evaluations, Results and Recommendations for Improvements to Enhance Nuclear Safety at
DOE Nuclear Facilities (DOE, 2013). A summary description of the pilot evaluation process and results
is provided in the HSS Operating Experience Level 1 notice (DOE HSS OE-1, 2013), “Improving
Department of Energy Capabilities for Mitigating Beyond Design Basis Events.” Additional details of
the pilot activities are provided in a companion technical report, Technical Details on Beyond Design
Basis Event Pilot Evaluations (DOE Technical Report, 2013).
Section 57
The focus of the pilot evaluations was the review of BDBEs and response capabilities at four DOE
nuclear facilities representing a range of DOE sites, nuclear facility types and activities, and responsible
program offices. The pilot evaluations looked at (1) how BDBEs were evaluated and documented in
each facility’s DSA, (2) potential BDBE vulnerabilities and margins to failure of facility safety features
as obtained from general area and specific system walkdowns and design documents reviews, and (3)
preparations made in facility and site emergency management programs to respond to severe accidents.
It also evaluated whether draft BDBE guidance on safety analysis and emergency management could be
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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used to improve the analysis of and preparations for mitigating severe accidents (including BDBEs),
which were updated and provided as Attachments 1 and 2, respectively, to the DOE HSS OE-1 (2013).
The Attachment 2 safety analysis guidance may be used in annual updates to DSAs, and is reproduced
here:
Attachment 2 - Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) Guidance
The purpose of this guide is to provide expectations for performing an enhanced evaluation of
beyond design basis events (BDBEs) as a part of the annual DSA updates. It is generally expected
that existing DSAs subject to the criteria of Action 2 already include an evaluation of BDBEs as
required by DOE-STD-3009. The enhanced evaluation incorporates an analytical approach that was
developed during the BDBE pilots, but documents the results of the analysis in the same manner as
described in STD-3009. The enhanced evaluation process should incorporate lessons learned as
described in “A Report to the Secretary of Energy: Beyond Design Basis Event Pilot Evaluations,
Results and Recommendations for Improvements to Enhance Nuclear Safety at Department of
Energy Nuclear Facilities,” January 2013.
As with any DSA preparation and update activity, the BDBE evaluation should be conducted by a
qualified team leader and a multidisciplinary team consisting of experts in the areas of facility
operations, facility safety analysis, structural/mechanical engineering, NPH, and emergency
management, the last of which is particularly relevant to the objective of this evaluation. The intent
is to perform an expert-based and qualitative evaluation.
The facility’s DSA should serve as a starting point for the evaluation of BDBEs. The DSA is
expected to include a discussion of the BDBEs considered, and may include a discussion of analyses
or enhancements made to the facility to meet DOE Order O 420.1 C, Facility Safety, requirement to
evaluate the impact of changes in NPH data and/or analysis methodologies every ten years. The new
analyses and enhancements should identify how the design has “evolved” to provide assurance of
safety under events that are beyond the original design basis. As described in the HSS report to the
Secretary referenced above, it is prudent for the team to perform a walkdown of the facility to
support a qualitative evaluation of how a BDBE may impact the facility (the qualitative evaluation is
discussed in the next section of this attachment) and to look for potentially unknown vulnerabilities
to BDBEs (e.g., unsealed penetrations or low-lying electrical equipment in the case of flooding
accidents).19 This walkdown also ensures the reviewers are familiar with facility’s size, key features
and distances to other structures, and potential temporary service connections (like fire hydrants or
well water sources).
Section 58
This enhanced BDBE evaluation is intended to identify BDBEs that may cause a release of
radioactive material beyond that analyzed in the unmitigated accident analysis in the DSA and/or to
disable important controls relied on to mitigate the release of radioactive material. The types of
BDBEs that should be evaluated include:
• Seismic events
• Floods
• Fires
• Lightning
• Wind and tornadoes
• Snow and ice
19 An example might be unsealed penetrations or low-lying electrical equipment in flooding events.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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• Ash fall
• Accidental aircraft crash
• Station blackout, as an initiating event or as a consequence from any of the above events
• Cascading effects of design basis events analyzed in the DSA that were previously ruled out
because of the low likelihood of associated multiple failures.
If BDBE’s from the above list are excluded, the rationale for exclusion should be documented. The
general categories of failures to be considered for each BDBE listed above include:
• Collapse of building structure and interior walls
• Breach of water storage pools or collapse of storage racks
• Loss of electrical power and emergency power equipment (e.g., transformers, switchgear, or
motor control centers)
• Loss of electrical distribution systems (e.g., conduit or cable trays)
• Operational failure of active mechanical equipment (e.g., pumps, compressors, or fans)
• Loss of pressure boundary of static equipment (e.g., tanks, vessels, or gloveboxes)
• Failure of distribution systems (e.g., piping, tubing, or ducts)
• Failure of alarms
• Loss of an emergency response center.
• Adverse spatial seismic interaction (e.g., failure of adjacent buildings or failure of adjacent
stacks)
• Adverse flood-inducing interaction (e.g., failure of an adjacent water tank)
The enhanced BDBE evaluation should provide a gross estimate of the bounding impacts associated
with BDBEs. It is qualitative in that it relies on a simple “what if?” type of hazard evaluation
technique where a multidiscipline team participates in a brainstorming session to methodically
evaluate the potential failures in facility systems, structures, and components (SSCs) that could be
caused by each type of BDBE. The evaluation should estimate the consequences associated with
failures of SSCs that provide safety functions such as confinement, energy removal (e.g., decay heat
removal or fire suppression), or prevention of energetic reaction (e.g., explosion). The evaluation
may draw upon existing unmitigated accident analysis performed in the DSA.
This qualitative evaluation process is applied to each type of BDBE so different failure modes and
associated effects can be understood. Although a seismic event will typically present the worst-case
consequences, it is important to step through all applicable BDBEs using the same structured “what
if?” brainstorming technique. This information can be important when considering potential
mitigation strategies.
SSCs identified as mitigating BDBE consequences should be subjected to a margins assessment
(MA) to provide insights into their margin-to-failure. This should be a qualitative assessment based
upon expert judgment. Civil/structural engineers should perform the MA by reviewing existing
design basis analyses and supporting calculations for SSCs. This information should then be used as
a baseline to compare against a SSC’s expected response to higher level stresses. A MA can be
difficult to accomplish if facility design information is not available, i.e., for older DOE facilities. In
this case, the MA may have to rely on bounding, simplified assumptions, and judgments by subject
matter experts, supported by the results of structured walkdowns. For NPH events, the margins
assessment should be accomplished by analyzing the facility for higher stress levels than the
systems’ design (for example, the next higher seismic performance or design category) based on
qualitative expert judgment.
Section 59
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Descriptions of performance capabilities of the existing SSCs should also be added to or referenced
in the DSA, as new and relevant information is learned from above BDBE evaluation. SSCs that
provide protection against BDBEs are typically SC controls, or a subset of these controls, credited in
the DSA for design basis events. If the BDBE evaluation identifies non-credited SSCs, it is not
expected that these SSCs would be classified as SC or SS based solely on BDBE consequences, and,
therefore, additional TSRs for these SSCs would not be created. These may include facility features
such as temporary utility connections (power or water) and critical parameter instrumentation
readings that permit monitoring after a BDBE occurs. The DSA should identify these SSCs as
important for providing additional mitigation of BDBEs, and these SSCs should be maintained
within the facility configuration management and maintenance programs in the same manner that
other non-SC and SS DSA controls are treated to preserve their safety function. PSOs should
establish for their facilities whether the Unreviewed Safety Question program should be used to
determine the approval authority for changes to BDBE controls, or whether more general provisions
of maintenance and configuration control should be relied upon.
Based on the results of the enhanced BDBE evaluation, existing DSA descriptions of BDBE accident
scenarios should be updated as necessary to clarify important assumptions needed to develop
abnormal or emergency operating procedures. This may include details such as potential accident
conditions associated with the range of BDBEs, cascading effects of certain scenarios, time-frames
associated with scenario development, and time-critical mitigative actions. Additionally, emergency
management plans for responding to BDBEs (updated using the guidance in Attachment I) could
also identify potential facility design changes for consideration. An example would be the addition
of standardized connections, outside the facility, that could be used to supply cooling water, deliver
fire suppression water, or provide electrical power using resources obtained through emergency
management mutual aid agreements. These improvements should also be conveyed as part of the
DSA annual update.
Note that this guidance includes a BDBA/BEBA evaluation of accidental aircraft crashes. This is not
specifically required by DOE-STD-3009-2014, or DOE-STD-3009-94, CN3, if less than a likelihood
screening threshold. The most recent guidance on BDBA/BEBA evaluations provided in DOE-STD-
3009-2014 states:
Operational BDBAs/BEBAs are operational accidents with more severe conditions or equipment
failures than are estimated for the corresponding DBA/EBA identified in the unmitigated analysis, or
with likelihood of beyond extremely unlikely based on PRA results as described in Section 3.2.1.
NPH BDBAs/BEBAs are defined by the initiating likelihood of the natural event itself (i.e., return
period greater than the DBA/EBA return period for the next higher level as defined in DOE-STD-
1020-2012). Man-made external events determined to be less than 10-6/yr, conservatively calculated,
do not require further evaluation in the DSA.
3.5 SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE
Section 60
Software used in support of (a) DSA hazard and accident analysis calculations and (b) TSR
implementation of SC and SS safety functions or SAC inventory control, is subject to the quality
assurance requirements of 10 CFR Part 830 Subpart A, such as the DOE software quality assurance
(SQA) guidance and applicable national consensus standards. SQA criteria for safety software are
discussed in DOE O 414.1D, Chg. 1, Quality Assurance, and DOE G 414.1-4, Safety Software Guide for
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A, Quality Assurance Requirement.20 The analyst is encouraged to become
familiar with these documents and the processes contained therein.
There are three subcategories of “safety software”: (1) Safety System Software, (2) Safety and Hazard
Analysis Software and Design Software, and (3) Safety Management and Administrative Controls
Software. The Safety and Hazard Analysis Software is of primary concern to the DSA analyst. Software
developers have the responsibility for ensuring that their software code has undergone appropriate SQA
evaluation before it is distributed to the end users. Moreover, the software user has the responsibility of
ensuring that the safety software to be used has successfully met all SQA processes prior to adopting it for
any DSA analysis. As part of the SQA process, software developers should also provide technical
manuals and user guides to assist the analyst in assessing appropriate application domains for the software
to ensure its proper implementation. This documentation should address system requirements and their
technical bases and describe default parameter values and default computational modes. The
methodology for modifying these default values and modes should also be documented.
There are ten SQA requirements that need to be satisfied, but the heart of the SQA process is the
verification and validation requirement. A comprehensive definition of verification and validation is
provided in draft DOE G 414.1-4A, Safety Software Guide for Use with DOE O 414.1D, Quality
Assurance. A simplified distinction between verification and validation is:
• Verification: The detailed examination of the code to ensure that the coding precisely and
accurately reproduces the mathematical model approximations in its algorithms.
• Validation: Entails a comparison of the software model results to actual test or physical data
through scientific assessment and benchmarking against other models.
Scientific assessment involves examination of encoded algorithms against theoretical principles and
ground-truth data, where available, to assess the ability of those algorithms to accurately model the
phenomena of interest. Benchmarking involves comparing the output of one software code with the
output of similar code, or the results of a hand calculation or spreadsheet that serves as a baseline. This
type of comparison does not necessarily constitute validation, but has merit as part of a validation
procedure to the extent the baseline model is generally accepted as a reasonably accurate predictor for the
phenomena of interest. Benchmarking can also provide insight into model limits of applicability,
computing expense, input requirements, and important sensitivities or uncertainties. Ideally, computer
code results should be compared against experimental results that were obtained in environments that
mimic those to which the model will be applied. However, due to the expense associated with large-scale
field tests or experiments, this type of data is generally very limited.
Section 61
Parametric studies can uncover the sensitivity of a model to its various inputs. This can be extremely
useful if it can be determined that the model is insensitive to certain parameters, such that validation does
not need to overly concern itself with those parameters. Parametric studies can also be useful in situations
in which there is a large variability or uncertainty associated with a particular input parameter. The
results can be used in these cases to define parametric specifications that can establish conservative model
predictions. The results of any sensitivity analyses should always be fully documented, as they are part of
the framework that puts specific model results in proper perspective.
The capabilities of the techniques selected to perform the analysis should also be commensurate with the
levels of detail required. This capability should be consistent with the “graded approach,” which directs
(among other criteria) that effort should be proportional to the complexity of the facility and the safety
20 DOE G 414.1-4 was written for DOE O 414.1C and is currently being revised as DOE G 414.1-4A to conform to
DOE O 414.1D.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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systems relied upon to maintain an acceptable level of risk. For a more comprehensive discussion of
graded approach, see DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 2.2. Accordingly, assessment of the possible
consequences of an accidental release of radiological or toxic chemical substances into the atmosphere
requires computations that could range from developing estimates on a spreadsheet to applying advanced
computer codes that address source term phenomenology and atmospheric transport and diffusion. These
are listed below:
Several national consensus standards provide guidelines on verification and validation activities for
scientific and engineering computer programs for use in the nuclear industry:
• ANSI/ANS-10.7-2013, Non-Real Time, High Integrity Software for the Nuclear Industry –
Developer Requirements;
• ANSI/ANS-10.4-2008 (R2016), Verification and Validation of Non-Safety Related Scientific and
Engineering Computer Programs for the Nuclear Industry
• ASME/NQA-1-2008, Quality Assurance Requirements for Nuclear Facility Applications,
Subpart 2.7; and
• IEEE 1012-2004, IEEE Standard for Software Verification and Validation.
Safety analysis calculations in many cases are completed without the need to resort to DOE software
toolbox codes, such as Hotspot, ALOHA, and MACCS2. Calculations that may fall into this category
include:
• Hand calculations;
• Commercial software package, such as Excel and Mathcad, where the primary use of the software
is ease of implementation in automating arithmetic operations;21 and
• Non-DOE toolbox codes, such as MCNP, KENO VI, and other government or industrial codes
that are widely accepted and meet the requirements of DOE O 414.1D or ASME NQA-1.
21 These calculations (e.g., spreadsheets) also are subject to 10 CFR Part 830 Subpart A quality assurance
requirements if the DSA relies on them. One of these requirements is that the technical reviewer have no active
involvement in the development of the calculation.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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4 EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF MAJOR ACCIDENT TYPES
4.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes methods for developing information on accident progression and the effect of the
accident on radioactive and hazardous material and SSCs. The following types of accidents will be
considered in separate subsections:
Section 62
• Fires (Section 4.2);
• Explosions (Section 4.3);
• Loss of confinement/spills (Section 4.4);
• Chemical reactions (Section 4.5);
• NPH events (Section 4.6); and
• Man-made external events (Section 4.7).
The information developed in these analyses, in conjunction with data and information in
DOE-HDBK-3010-94, is used to determine the source term, which will be addressed in Chapter 5 of this
Handbook. This information will provide the basis for:
• Identifying physical insults and stresses associated with the scenario that can impact SSCs and
hazardous material;
• Establishing the MAR and DR for the scenario;
• Establishing the ARFs and RFs for the scenario;22
• Providing insights to establish an LPF for a mitigated analysis; and
• Determining release effects on the atmospheric dispersion analysis (such as buoyancy from
energy of the release).
This information also assists in evaluating the effectiveness of the control set chosen to prevent or
mitigate the accident as described in Chapter 2, Hazard Analysis, to determine whether the control can be
credited to provide the safety function under the accident conditions. Regarding the methods, models, and
input data presented in this chapter:
• There may be additional models available other than those presented;
• Other models may be more appropriate to use for certain conditions;
• Viability and applicability of a model should be evaluated by the analyst before using; and
• Use of the model needs to be justified in the accident analysis write-up.
22 The convention “ARF/RF” is used throughout this Handbook. This term is adopted from DOE-HDBK-3010-94.
The term represents the pair of recommended bounding values that are multiplied together to determine the airborne
source term, and does not represent dividing the ARF by the RF.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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4.1.1 INFORMATION FROM ACCIDENT ANALYSIS TO INCLUDE IN THE DSA
DOE-STD-3009 specifies the format and content of the accident analysis information to be presented in
the DSA. Regarding the effects of accidents, Section 3.4.2 of the DSA should contain:
• For each operational DBA or EBA, a description of the unmitigated and mitigated scenarios,
sufficiently documented to reveal the thought process used for the analysis. This description
should include: (a) the initiating event and progression of the accident; (b) the amount of material
release and magnitude of the energy release; (c) the physical conditions (such as temperature or
pressure) relevant to accident progression; and (d) effects on SSCs and MAR.
• For each DBA or EBA caused by an NPH, a description of: (a) the unmitigated consequence
assessment utilized to determine the NDC; (b) the return period of the resulting design basis
NPH event; and (c) the magnitude of the design basis event.
• For each external-event DBA or EBA, a description of the external event likelihood along with its
technical basis.
Taking fire events as an example, the DSA should qualitatively summarize the fire initiator, describe the
event progression from fire initiation, to fire growth (including flashover if possible) through
extinguishment without external intervention (such as fire suppression system or fire department
response) for the unmitigated analysis, describe expected damages to SSCs, and ultimately define the
impacts on the radiological or hazardous chemical MAR, including estimates of ARF, RF, and DRs. All
important assumptions should be identified. Reference should be made to the engineering calculations
that include the details of the analysis.
Section 63
For all events (operational, NPH, and external man-made), the impact of the events on SSCs and their
ability to function should be included. In such cases, this subsection should reference the analysis or
facility documentation, summarize relevant assumptions, and discuss the degree of conservatism in the
evaluation. For example, the fire accident summary in the DSA should provide the key inputs and
assumptions used in the analysis, such as combustible loading assumptions, facility fire hazard analysis
conclusions on adequacy of fire barriers, and physical design features such as rated barriers. Of particular
importance are those assumptions that, if not protected by a TSR, would potentially increase the severity
or impact of scenarios.
4.2 FIRE SCENARIO ANALYSIS
Quantitative analysis of fires may range from relatively simple to very complex calculations, depending
on the fire hazards, facility design and features, and a variety of other considerations. The simple
evaluations apply the five-factor source term formula from Chapter 5 along with dispersion and
consequence analysis described in Chapters 6, 7, 8, or 9. More complex fire analyses include application
of fire models, such as computer codes or hand calculations as presented in this section to determine the
magnitude of the fire and its damage potential, to provide input to in-facility transport modeling, and/or
buoyant plume modeling.
The majority of fires analyzed for the DSA are referred to as compartment fires (i.e., fires in enclosed
spaces such as gloveboxes or process rooms). However, fires may also occur outside the facility’s
confinement features.23 Knowledge of the effect of the fire on radioactive material or hazardous
chemicals and SSCs response to fires will be useful in determining the source term (MAR, DR, ARF/RF,
23 Examples: loading dock with doors open, outside staged waste containers, or wildfire.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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LPF) and whether the release may be a lofted plume due to buoyancy from the sensible heat of the fire.
Maximizing heat rates is not always conservative when plume rise is taken into account due to increased
lofting associated with higher heat plumes.
The fire phenomena also affects evaluation of the effectiveness of the control set and evaluation of fire
effects on safety SSCs, for example, heat, smoke, and water impingement.
This section presents summary information needed to understand and evaluate the progression and
severity of fire events. The following subsections describe the phenomenology of fire initiation, growth,
and propagation. Analytical solutions are based on empirical correlations that have been shown to
provide reasonable engineering predictions. References to publicly available methodology guides,
manuals, standards, or codes are provided where applicable.
4.2.1 FIRE SCENARIOS
The DSA fire assessment should be performed in coordination with a designated fire protection engineer.
Credible fire scenarios evaluated in the DSA hazard evaluation and the accident analysis should be
consistent with the Fire Hazard Analysis (FHA) (See Section 4.2.2).
For all DBA/EBA scenarios, it is a best practice to include all details that have an effect on the analysis.
These details may include room dimensions, contents, and materials of construction; combustible loading;
arrangement of rooms in the building; sources of combustion air; position of doors and airlocks; and
numbers, locations, and characteristics of occupants. All assumptions that may have a significant effect
on the analysis should be listed. Details of the analysis are either presented in the DSA, or are
documented in the FHA or in a supporting calculation that is then summarized and referenced in the DSA.
Section 64
Typically, fire scenarios selected for analysis will include those which can result in significant release of
radioactive material affecting workers or the public. Scenarios that result in similar consequences and
controls (preventive and mitigative) may be analyzed as a group using the most limiting/severe conditions
for that group. Fires can be further categorized as to the location and/or MAR involved in order to
develop representative events to address the nature of fire hazards within a glovebox, within the facility
areas serviced by the confinement ventilation, and external to facilities serviced by the confinement
ventilation system.
The selected fire scenarios should consider:
• Configuration of the fire area and characteristics of the associated fire barriers;
• MAR quantities that could be involved in an accident;
• Presence, location and type of ignition sources;
• Combustible loading; and
• Specific hazards that necessitate unique controls to prevent or mitigate a fire accident.24
Application of these considerations should be documented and evaluated for the need to protect any
assumptions as applicable. For example, an ignition source is generally assumed to exist; deviation from
this accepted approach would require sufficient justification. Combustible loading is another area that
requires significant attention to the assumptions made. Combustible loading assumptions should remain
physically meaningful with respect to the facility operations while also being significantly conservative. It
24 Materials of construction that are radioactive (considered as MAR) and are involved in the fire, and the chemical
form of the radioactive material as different materials with separate chemical forms, may have a different ARF and
RF.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
52
may not be appropriate, for example, to assume a large fuel spill near a glovebox line where vehicles
cannot access but considerable ordinary combustible inventory may be possible in off-normal conditions
such as recovery from a contamination event or construction activities. Where a fire scenario is
particularly sensitive to the assumed combustible loading, a credited control is typically appropriate.
Scenarios that are analyzed as a group should be evaluated to ensure that the control set is effective for all
scenarios in that group. For example, if a fire suppression system is a control for a group of scenarios, the
fire suppression system needs to be evaluated to ensure that the system will actuate under all the
scenarios.
4.2.2 FIRE ANALYSIS
Fires have four stages or distinct regimes: (1) ignition, (2) growth, (3) fully developed, and (4) decay.
Ignition can occur when flammable vapors are present in sufficient quantity to be ignited. Vapors may
result from release of a flammable gas, spillage of a flammable liquid, or the heating of a combustible
liquid or solid material (i.e., pyrolysis). Following ignition of the initial fuel source, neighboring
materials can be heated through direct flame impingement and/or heat transfer, causing propagation and
overall growth of the fire.
Section 65
A fire can become fully developed when it reaches either a fuel-limited or a ventilation-limited state.
Scenarios, such as an outdoor pool fire, reach a fuel-limited state when the entire surface area becomes
involved and sufficient oxidant, usually air, is available for combustion. Ventilation-limited fires occur in
enclosures where sufficient openings and/or supply air are not available to provide enough air for
combustion. A fire can remain in a fully-developed state until all available combustibles are burned or
intervention takes place (e.g., fire-fighting response). Intervention of the fire can result in extinguishment
or control. Figure 4-1 shows a conceptual model of the four fire regimes of fire growth without
intervention as a function of Heat Release Rate (HRR) and time as presented in the fire science literature.
That figure also conceptually shows the effects of intervention to extinguish or control the fire.
Figure 4-1. Fire Growth Model.
H
ea
t R
el
ea
se
R
at
e
Time
Fully Developed
Control
Intervention:
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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The facility FHA should serve as the basic input to the DSA fire scenario development and any fire
analysis performed to support the DSA. As directed by DOE O 420.1C, Chg. 1, Facility Safety, the FHA
“… must be integrated into safety basis documentation.” Integration of the FHA and DSA can be
achieved through various approaches with the primary objective being the consistency of similar fire
analyses, credited controls, and conclusions.
In general, the FHA will describe and assess various postulated fires with primary quantitative focus
placed on the maximum possible fire loss, the maximum credible fire loss, and the fires selected as
DBA/EBAs for the DSA.25 Additional analysis beyond that performed in the FHA may be necessary to
serve the purpose of evaluating the effect on MAR, equipment, structures, and safety SSCs. Input to
DBA/EBAs taken from the FHA should be reviewed closely to ensure consistency with DSA principles
(e.g., use of unmitigated scenarios) and for assumptions requiring protection.
It is beneficial to have the assumptions, analytical methods, and conclusions be closely related when these
fires are described and analyzed in both the FHA and the fire analysis document supporting the DSA.
Execution of the integration between the FHA and DSA has been continually improving in the DOE
complex for many years. Detailed discussion of important concepts, approaches, and recommendations
has been developed by the EFCOG/SAWG, Fire Analysis for DOE Nuclear Facilities (2008), which
further evolved and updated the guidance in Appendix B, White Paper on Fire Hazards Analysis, in DOE-
HDBK-1163-2003, Integration of Multiple Hazard Analysis Requirements and Activities.
Correlations based on experiments and testing for numerous phenomena related to fire have been
developed and have been proven to be reasonable estimates for modeling and analysis. Much of these can
be applied as hand calculations. The following introduces some basic calculation methods commonly
used for accident analysis. In addition to governmental resources such as the U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) and the NRC, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also provide numerous publications detailing quantitative
fire analysis methodologies.
Section 66
Extensive analysis techniques are documented and available in various NFPA standards, in the NFPA’s
Fire Protection Handbook (NFPA, 2008), in the SFPE’s Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering
(SPFE, 2008), and in other fire protection engineering references. Another useful reference document is
NRC’s NUREG-1805, Fire Dynamics Tools (FDTs): Quantitative Fire Hazard Analysis Methods for the
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fire Protection Inspection Program. FDTs was developed using
state-of-the-art fire dynamics equations and correlations, many of which were derived from the principles
presented in the SFPE and NFPA handbooks and other fire science literature. The hand calculations that
follow are primarily from NUREG-1805. In addition, there are spreadsheets associated with NUREG-
1805, available for download from the NRC (http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/
nuregs/staff/sr1805/ ), that allow the user to input heat, diameter and fuel type, and the spreadsheet
performs the calculation and provides a text listing of the equation being solved.26
The level of detail in the fire analyses should be performed using a graded approach, depending on the
potential consequences of the DBA/EBA fire event. DBA/EBAs that do not challenge established
thresholds generally do not require exhaustive analysis for a scoping assessment, and the level of detail
for DBA/EBAs that greatly exceed the consequence thresholds of concern would have much greater
25 The maximum possible fire loss and maximum credible fire loss scenarios are evaluated to meet fire protection
program requirements based on other considerations such as property damage and economic loss, and may not be
the bounding scenarios for release of radioactive or hazardous materials for the DSA evaluations.
26 Applications of these spreadsheets and any other fire codes are subject to the DOE SQA requirements as
discussed in Section 3.5 of this Handbook.
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1805/
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1805/
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expectations.
4.2.2.1 EXAMPLE ANALYTICAL METHODS
The following presents information to assist in understanding and evaluating the progression and severity
of fire events. The analytical methods presented focus on simple fire phenomena that can be analyzed
with a hand calculation. Multiple methods of calculation for fire dynamics phenomena may be available,
each with varying applicability for specific scenarios. Understanding the limitations, uncertainties, and
background of the chosen analytical method is essential to ensure proper application. The analyst should
refer to NUREG-1805, the SFPE and NFPA handbooks, or other applicable fire science references for
specific applications.
Complex models involving multiple rooms and openings or the need to understand detailed heat transfer
characteristics can be more effectively modeled using computer-based analysis. The Consolidated Model
of Fire and Smoke Transport (CFAST) Versions 3.1.7 and 5.1.1 is a Central Registry Toolbox Code
approved by DOE for use in safety basis and FHA development. Further guidance on CFAST can be
found in DOE-EH-4.2.1.4, CFAST Computer Code Application Guidance for Documented Safety
Analysis. Another available code is Fire Dynamics Simulator, a computational fluid dynamics model of
fire-driven fluid flow managed by NIST.
4.2.2.1.1 HEAT RELEASE RATE
Section 67
In order to evaluate a fire scenario, the combustible loading and configuration need to be established (see
Section 4.2.1 for additional guidance on initial conditions). It is usually necessary to first understand the
unmitigated fire potential in terms of HRR. The two examples that follow detail common methods for
determining the potential HRR for a fire involving liquids and solids. To determine the maximum
potential HRR, the fires are assumed to be fuel-limited with adequate oxygen to support full involvement
of the fuel. Note that this assumption will produce higher mass-loss rates, and thus shorter durations, than
a ventilation-limited fire.
4.2.2.1.2 POOL FIRE HEAT RELEASE RATE
Liquid pool fires can occur following a spill or leak of flammable or combustible liquid. Common
scenarios include:
• A confined spill into a diked area or sump followed by ignition;
• An unconfined spill onto a hard surface followed by ignition;
• An unconfined spill onto a permeable surface such as loose soil followed by ignition; and
• A flowing spill that is ignited.
Methods to establish the HRR for these scenarios are described in the SFPE Handbook. Contained spills
are covered in the SPFE Handbook Section 3, Chapter 1, Heat Release Rates, and in NUREG-1805
Chapter 3, Estimating Burning Characteristics of Liquid Pool Fire, Heat Release Rate, Burning Duration,
and Flame Height. Both of these references were used for the example provided below. The other three
scenarios listed above are described in the SFPE Handbook Section 2, Chapter 15, “Liquid Fuel Fires.”
Typically, pool fires are assumed to be circular. It is common practice to estimate arbitrarily shaped fires
using an equivalent area circle (see NUREG-1805, Section 5.3.1). Highly elongated shapes are not
applicable to the methods described below (SFPE, 2008).
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Example: A 100 gal (0.38 m3) kerosene spill, which is contained by a 3 m by 5 m diked area, is ignited.
The objective is to estimate the HRR from the burning pool. Because the diked area is rectangular, an
effective pool diameter needs to be estimated.
𝐷𝐷𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = �4𝐴𝐴
𝜋𝜋
= �4(3𝑚𝑚)(5𝑚𝑚)
𝜋𝜋
= 4.4𝑚𝑚 Equation 4-1
Where:
Deff effective pool diameter (m)
A pool fire area (m2)
The HRR for a pool fire burning in still open air, is estimated using (from SFPE 2008):
𝑄̇𝑄 = ∆ℎ𝑐𝑐𝑚̇𝑚∞
′′ �1 − 𝑒𝑒−𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷� × 𝐴𝐴 Equation 4-2
Where:
𝑄̇𝑄 HRR (MW)
∆ℎ𝑐𝑐 net heat of combustion (MJ/kg)
𝑚̇𝑚∞
′′ mass loss rate per unit area (kg m-2 s-1)
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 extinction absorption coefficient and beam length correction (m-1)
For kerosene, Equation 4-2 becomes:
𝑄̇𝑄 = �43.7𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
� �0.039𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑚𝑚2𝑠𝑠
� �1 − 𝑒𝑒−(3.5𝑚𝑚−1)(4.4𝑚𝑚)�[(3𝑚𝑚)(5𝑚𝑚)] = 25.6𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 Equation 4-3
For a uniform pool depth, the approximate burn duration for the fire is (SFPE, 2008)27:
𝑡𝑡 = 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌
𝑚̇𝑚∞
′′ (1−𝑒𝑒−𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘)×𝐴𝐴
Equation 4-4
Where:
t fire duration (s)
ρ liquid density (kg/m3)
V spill volume (m3)
27 NUREG-1805, Section 3.3.1 provides another equation for the burning duration as {V / [A * regression rate]} or {(ρV) / [A *
Q̇ per unit area]}.
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For the postulated 100 gal spill, the fire duration from Equation 4-4 is:
𝒕𝒕 =
�𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌
𝒎𝒎𝟑𝟑
�(𝟎𝟎.𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝒎𝒎𝟑𝟑)
�𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌
𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐𝒔𝒔
��𝟏𝟏−𝒆𝒆−�𝟑𝟑.𝟓𝟓 𝟏𝟏𝒎𝒎�(𝟒𝟒.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒)�[(𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑)(𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓)]
= 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 = 𝟖𝟖.𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 Equation 4-5
Note that this analytical method is limited to pool fires with diameters between 0.2 m and 50 m (SFPE,
2008).
4.2.2.1.3 PALLET FIRE HEAT RELEASE RATE
Section 68
Wooden pallets are common in many facilities and can produce a high HRR. NUREG-1805, Table 2-8
provides HRR per unit area for various heights of stacked pallets, while SFPE Handbook Section 3,
Chapter 1 provides a correlation to estimate the HRR from a stack of wood pallets based on height.
Example: For a 5 ft high pallet stack with a nominal area of 4 ft x 4 ft (1.2m x 1.2m), referencing
NUREG-1805, Table 2-8, the HRR per unit area is 3,970 kW/m2. The total HRR would be:
𝑸̇𝑸 = 𝑨𝑨 𝑸̇𝑸′′ = (𝟏𝟏.𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐)𝟐𝟐 �𝟑𝟑,𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌
𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐� = 𝟓𝟓,𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 = 𝟓𝟓.𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 Equation 4-6
4.2.2.1.4 FLAME HEIGHT
Determination of a fire’s flame height can be helpful in order to estimate the likelihood of further
propagation or structural impacts. Flame height at sea level of a fire may be predicted using Equation 4-
6, based on the 1995 Heskestad method (NUREG-1805 Section 3.4, Flame Height [which also includes
the 1962 Thomas method], SFPE 2008). Flame height corrections at elevations significantly above sea
level can be found in Section 2, Chapter 1 of the SFPE Handbook. Equation 4-7 represents the height of
the flames above the base of the fire and is based on empirical test data.
𝐻𝐻 = 0.235 𝑄̇𝑄2/5 − 1.02𝐷𝐷 Equation 4-7
Where:
𝐻𝐻 flame height above base of fire (m)
𝑄̇𝑄 HRR (kW)
𝐷𝐷 flame diameter (m), i.e., the diameter of the burning area as described in
NUREG-1805.
Example: This equation can be applied to fires reasonably approximated by a circle. For this example,
the flame height for the pallet fire discussed in Section 4.2.2.1.2 will be found (5 ft stack of 4x4 ft
pallets).
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The effective diameter from Equation 4-1 is:
𝐷𝐷𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = �4𝐴𝐴
𝜋𝜋
= �4(1.2𝑚𝑚)(1.2𝑚𝑚)
𝜋𝜋
= 1.4𝑚𝑚 Equation 4-8
The flame height from Equation 4-7 is:
𝐻𝐻 = 0.235(3,010 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘)2/5 − 1.02(1.4𝑚𝑚) = 4.4𝑚𝑚 Equation 4-9
4.2.2.1.5 ENCLOSURE FIRE DYNAMICS
Fires within an enclosure, such as a glovebox or a room in a building, exhibit distinct behavior that differs
from well-ventilated fires. There are two primary differences when considering an enclosure fire: (1)
interaction with the enclosure boundary; and (2) the development of an upper layer (hot, gaseous
products) of the fire that collect in the compartment. In both cases, the enclosure boundary and the upper
layer have the ability to reflect and radiate heat within the enclosure. Heat and mass transfer effects out
of the boundary may also affect the behavior of the fire.
Flashover is a phenomenon of importance when analyzing enclosure fires. Flashover is “the rapid
transition to a state of total surface involvement in a fire of combustible materials within an enclosure”
(ASTM E176). The occurrence of flashover is dependent on many variables such as available vent area,
heat transfer from the enclosure boundary, and HRR of the fire. Flashover occurs when the temperature
of the enclosure, with consideration given to the radiative effects of the upper layer, is sufficient to
effectively ignite all combustibles in the enclosure. Upon transition to flashover, the fire is in a
ventilation-limited state.
4.2.2.1.5.1 PRE-FLASHOVER
Pre-flashover room temperatures can be estimated for simple geometries using energy balance techniques.
NUREG-1805, Section 2.6 and the SFPE Fire Protection Handbook, Section 3, Chapter 6 (SFPE, 2008)
describes methods that can be applied to
• Small to medium size room with natural ventilation such as a single open door or window; or
• Small to medium size room with forced ventilation.
Section 69
The following analytical method predicts the temperature of the upper layer as a function of HRR. This
methodology can be used to estimate the onset of flashover and can also be used as input to sprinkler or
heat detector activation. This method is primarily applicable to thin walled, ventilated enclosures with
high heat conductive boundaries.
Example: Room Fire with Forced Ventilation. A 500 kW fire occurs in a ventilated steel box. The box is
2.4 m wide, 6.0 m long, and 2.3 m high with 16 mm thick walls. The ventilation flow rate is 1,000 cfm
(0.57 kg/s for air at standard temperature and pressure). Predict the upper layer temperature at 5.0
minutes.
The upper layer temperature is (Section 2.64.4 of SFPE, 2008):
𝑻𝑻𝒈𝒈 = 𝑸̇𝑸
𝒎̇𝒎𝒈𝒈𝒄𝒄𝒑𝒑+𝒉𝒉𝒌𝒌𝑨𝑨𝑻𝑻
+ 𝑻𝑻∞ Equation 4-10
Where:
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Tg upper layer gas temperature (°K)
T∞ ambient air temperature (°K)
𝑄̇𝑄 HRR of the fire (kW)
𝑚̇𝑚𝑔𝑔 ventilation mass flow (kg/s)
cp specific heat of air (kJ/kg °K)
hk effective heat transfer coefficient (kW/m2 °K)
AT compartment surface area (m2)
The compartment surface area is:
𝐴𝐴𝑇𝑇 = 2(2.3𝑚𝑚)[(6.0𝑚𝑚) + (2.4𝑚𝑚)] + 2(6.0𝑚𝑚)(2.4𝑚𝑚) = 67𝑚𝑚2 Equation 4-11
The effective heat transfer coefficient for a thin-walled compartment will range from 0.012 to 0.03
kW/m2∙K, calculated from the following (SFPE, 2008):
𝒉𝒉𝒌𝒌 = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 − 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 �𝟏𝟏 − 𝒆𝒆�−
𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓
𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑�� Equation 4-12
Where:
hk heat transfer coefficient [W/m2 °K]
t exposure time (s)
ρ compartment boundary density (kg/m3)
δ compartment boundary thickness (m)
c specific heat of compartment boundary (J/kg °K)
Using commonly available material properties for steel, at 5 minutes (300 seconds) the effective heat
transfer coefficient is:
ℎ𝑘𝑘 = 30 − 18
⎣
⎢
⎢
⎡
1 − 𝑒𝑒
�−
�50 𝑊𝑊
𝑚𝑚2°𝐾𝐾
�(300𝑠𝑠)
�7833 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑚𝑚3�(0.0016𝑚𝑚)�465 𝐽𝐽
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 °𝐾𝐾�
�
⎦
⎥
⎥
⎤
= 13.4 𝑊𝑊
𝑚𝑚2°𝐾𝐾
Equation 4-13
The upper layer temperature is:
𝑇𝑇𝑔𝑔 = 500𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
�0.57𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑠𝑠 ��1.01 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 °𝐾𝐾�+�0.0134 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑚𝑚2 °𝐾𝐾
�(67𝑚𝑚2)
+ 293°𝐾𝐾 = 623°𝐾𝐾 = 360℃ Equation 4-14
4.2.2.1.5.2 FLASHOVER
Upper layer temperatures, such as those found using methods discussed above, can be used to predict
flashover. Upper layer temperatures of 500°C to 600°C are widely considered to be associated with the
onset of flashover (NUREG-1805, SFPE 2008, NFPA 2008). More rigorous flashover prediction can be
performed using methods from NFPA 555, Guide on Methods for Evaluating Potential for Room
Flashover, or NUREG-1805 Chapter 13, which applies different correlations.
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A common screening criterion for predicting flashover in a compartment with a single vent opening is
detailed in the example below, based on the Thomas method (NUREG-1805 Chapter 13, SFPE 2008
Section 3 Chapter 6, NFPA 555) using the empirical formula presented in Equation 4-15. This example
estimates the HRR necessary to achieve flashover; this can be compared to the HRR for the postulated
fire as found using methods such as those presented in 4.2.2.1.
Example: Estimate the HRR required to cause flashover in a room 2.4 m deep, 6.0 m long, and 2.3 m
high. The door is 2.36 m high and 1.19 m wide.
𝑄̇𝑄 = 7.8𝐴𝐴𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 + 378𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣�𝐻𝐻𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 Equation 4-15
Where:
𝑄̇𝑄 HRR required for flashover (kW)
𝐴𝐴𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 total area of walls, floor, and ceiling, less the vent area (m2)
𝐴𝐴𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 total vent area (m2)
𝐻𝐻𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 height of vent (m)
The vent area associated with the door would be:
𝑨𝑨𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗 = (𝟐𝟐.𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑)(𝟏𝟏.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏) = 𝟐𝟐.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐 Equation 4-16
Section 70
The surface area of the compartment would be:
𝑨𝑨𝑻𝑻 = 𝟐𝟐(𝟔𝟔.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎)(𝟐𝟐.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒) + (𝟐𝟐.𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑)[𝟐𝟐(𝟔𝟔.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎) + 𝟐𝟐(𝟐𝟐.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒)] − (𝟐𝟐.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐) = 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔.𝟔𝟔𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐 Equation 4-17
The HRR needed to create flashover with the door fully open is:
𝑸̇𝑸 = 𝟕𝟕.𝟖𝟖�𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔.𝟔𝟔𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐� + 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑�𝟐𝟐.𝟖𝟖𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟐��(𝟐𝟐.𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑) = 𝟐𝟐,𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 Equation 4-18
4.2.2.1.6 SOLID FUEL IGNITION AND RADIANT HEATING
Describing the progression of a postulated fire requires analysis of potential propagation. Specifically,
co-located combustible materials can be ignited by a fire. Determining if these combustibles will ignite in
a given fire or determining the minimum separation distance to prevent ignition is an important
consideration.
There are two basic ignition metrics: (1) heat flux; and (2) surface temperature. Both metrics may be
used, but heat flux is the more common method to predict solid fuel ignition. There are multiple test
methods be used to measure ignition heat flux. Results will vary with the test method. In general ignition
heat fluxes will be lower for piloted tests than for autoignition tests (i.e., piloted tests include a flame or
spark; autoignition tests do not). Ignition heat fluxes will also vary with the duration of the exposure.
Lower fluxes require longer exposures to cause ignition. A commonly accepted default ignition heat flux
used for cellulosic materials is 12.5 kW/m2. For additional ignition flux data, see the Ignition Handbook
(Babrauskas, 2003).
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One methodology to estimate the heat flux imposed on a target is based on Beyler’s 2002 equation as
presented in NFPA 555, SFPE 2008, and NUREG-1805 (Section 5.3.2 Solid Flame Radiation Model with
Target At and Above Ground Level):
𝒒̇𝒒′′ = 𝑭𝑭𝒇𝒇−𝒕𝒕𝑬𝑬𝒇𝒇 Equation 4-19
Where:
𝒒̇𝒒′′ heat flux at the target fuel package (kW/m2)
𝑭𝑭𝒇𝒇−𝒕𝒕 view factor between the flames and a differential area on the target fuel package
(dimensionless)
𝑬𝑬𝒇𝒇 emissive power of the flames (kW/m2)
When using the fire flame height estimation in Equation 4-7, the corresponding emissive power
correlation is based on the Shokri and Beyler 1989 empirical correlation from experimental data as
presented in NFPA 555, SFPE 2008, and NUREG-1805 Section 5.3.2:
𝐸𝐸𝑓𝑓 = 58(10−0.00823𝐷𝐷) Equation 4-20
Where:
𝐸𝐸𝑓𝑓 emissive power of the fire (kW/m2)
D fire diameter (m)
Figure 4-2 shows the view factor for a differential planar element (dA1) of an object at a specified
distance (h) to a finite-length right circular cylinder, where the normal to the element passes through the
one end of the cylinder and is perpendicular to the cylinder axis. The view factor (F) is calculated using
the following equation (Siegel & Howell, 1992; NUREG-1805 Section 5.3.2.2, Configuration Factor F1-2
under Wind-Free Conditions, has different view factor equations from Beyler in 2002 for vertical and
horizontal targets at ground level and above ground level):
𝑭𝑭 = 𝟏𝟏
𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝅
𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕−𝟏𝟏 � 𝑳𝑳
�𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐−𝟏𝟏
�+ 𝑳𝑳
𝝅𝝅
�(𝑿𝑿−𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐)
𝑯𝑯√𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯
� 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕−𝟏𝟏 ��𝑿𝑿(𝑯𝑯−𝟏𝟏)
𝒀𝒀(𝑯𝑯+𝟏𝟏)�−
𝟏𝟏
𝑯𝑯
𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕−𝟏𝟏 ��(𝑯𝑯−𝟏𝟏)
(𝑯𝑯+𝟏𝟏)� Equation 4-21
Where:
F view factor (dimensionless)
h distance from the object to the centerline of the cylinder (m)
l height of the cylinder (m)
r radius of the cylinder (m)
H distance from the object to cylinder radius ratio (h/r) (dimensionless)
L cylinder height to radius ratio (l/r) (dimensionless)
X (1+H)2+L2 (dimensionless)
Y (1-H)2+L2 (dimensionless)
Section 71
Since the above solution is for a right circular cylinder with the differential area at the base of the cylinder
(i.e., fire), to obtain the peak heat flux, which occurs at the mid-height of the cylinder, the actual view
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
61
factor is twice the value calculated using Equation 4-21, if the cylinder height is taken as half the fire
height.
Figure 4-2. Adaptation of View Factor Geometry for a Fire Model.
Example: For a 2 MW fire with a base diameter of 1.2 meters, estimate the heat flux 0.5 meters from the
fire at the mid-height of the flames.
The emissive power from Equation 4-20 would be:
𝑬𝑬𝒇𝒇 = 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓�𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎� = 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌
𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐 Equation 4-22
From Equation 4-7 the flame height would be:
𝑯𝑯 = 𝟎𝟎.𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 (𝟐𝟐,𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎)𝟐𝟐 𝟓𝟓⁄ − 𝟏𝟏.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎(𝟏𝟏.𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐) = 𝟑𝟑.𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 Equation 4-23
The view factor for a fire to object separation of 0.5 m is presented below:
l = 3.69 m/2 m=1.845 m
r = 1.2 m/2 m=0.6 m
h =0.5 m + 0.6 m = 1.1 m
H = h/r = 1.1 m/0.6 m = 1.833 m
L = l/r = 1.845 m/0.6 m = 3.075 m
X = (1+H)2+L2 = (1+1.833)2+(3.075)2 = 17.48
Y = (1-H)2+ L2 = (1-1.833)2+(3.075)2 = 10.15
dA1
l/2
r h
l
l/2
A2U
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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𝑭𝑭 =
𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕−𝟏𝟏 � 𝟑𝟑.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
�(𝟏𝟏.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖)𝟐𝟐 − 𝟏𝟏
�
𝝅𝝅(𝟏𝟏.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖)
+
𝟑𝟑.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝝅𝝅 �
�(𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒) − 𝟐𝟐(𝟏𝟏.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖)�
(𝟏𝟏.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖)�𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒(𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏)
� 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕−𝟏𝟏 ��
(𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒)�(𝟏𝟏.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖) − 𝟏𝟏�
(𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏)((𝟏𝟏.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖) + 𝟏𝟏)
�
−
𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕−𝟏𝟏 ��
�(𝟏𝟏.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖) − 𝟏𝟏�
�(𝟏𝟏.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟑𝟑) + 𝟏𝟏�
�
𝟏𝟏.𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖
= 𝟎𝟎.𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐
As discussed previously this view factor is for a half-cylinder. The effective view factor is thus twice this
value, or 0.52. The heat flux would thus be:
𝒒̇𝒒′′ = (𝟎𝟎.𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓) �𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌
𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐� = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌
𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐 Equation 4-24
Note that when using this method, the SFPE Handbook Section 3, Chapter 10, recommends a safety
factor of 2 for heat fluxes in excess of 5 kW/m2. Application of this safety factor would, thus, increase
the prediction of heat flux in Equation 4-24 to 60 kW/m2. Additionally, this methodology is based on
data of pool fires; NFPA 555 endorses the use of this methodology when considering fuel packages but
care should be taken when considering the flame height and emissive power of the postulated fire. It
should be noted that applying the NUREG-1805 methodology does not include this doubling factor as it
sums the horizontal and vertical view factors.
4.2.3 SOURCE TERM CALCULATION FOR FIRE SCENARIOS
DOE-HDBK-3010-94 (page 1-11) describes how a fire can cause an airborne release as follows:
[Fire] generates heat and combustion gases that may destroy/stress the radioactive material and/or the
substrate upon which radioactive materials may be deposited, compromise barriers, and/or pressurize
containers/enclosure that may lead to the airborne release of contained radioactive materials. Mass
flux of vapors from the reacting surfaces suspend material in air. This material is then entrained in
general convective currents that provide transport for particulate materials.
The following discusses the effect of a fire on radiological and hazardous material in terms of parameters
important to the source term calculations, thermal effects on SSCs, and smoke damage.
4.2.3.1 EFFECT ON HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
4.2.3.1.1 DETERMINING MAR FOR THE FIRE EVENT
One of the principal outputs of fire analysis is the determination of the affected MAR. In addition, the
fire analysis provides information used in conjunction with DOE-HDBK-3010-94 to determine the DR
and ARF/RF of the event.
Section 72
The amount of MAR involved in the event may be the material within the area affected by the fire. For
example, the analysis of a small fire within a glovebox that is shown to not propagate beyond the
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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enclosure would consider only the MAR within the glovebox. For large fires, all hazardous material in
areas potentially affected by the thermal energy or structural impacts of the fire should be included in the
MAR. Therefore, establishing the boundary of the fire’s impact area, for example, a rated fire barrier, is
important when specifying each component of the MAR.
The determination of a bounding MAR that may be involved in a fire may need to include MAR in
adjacent structures. Spatial separation between buildings is evaluated in the FHA and usually evaluated
using NFPA 80A, Recommended Practice for Protection of Buildings from Exterior Fire Exposures.
This code provides information on the role of building type and the impact of distance between buildings
on fire propagation. FM 1-20, Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure (2016), may also be consulted.
NFPA 80A separation values assume that fire department response will be timely. If an unmitigated
separation evaluation is necessary, NFPA 80A recommends that the separation value be increased by a
factor of three.
4.2.3.1.2 DETERMINING DR AND ARF/RF FOR THE FIRE EVENT
As further discussed in Chapter 5, DOE-HDBK-3010-94, states the following important consideration
regarding MAR and DR:
The damage ratio is the fraction of the MAR actually impacted by the accident-generated conditions.
A degree of interdependence exists between the definitions of MAR and DR. If it is predetermined
that certain types of material would not be affected by a given accident, some analysts will exclude
this material from the MAR.
Justification of DRs for a fire scenario is generally a function of the size of the fire and facility
configuration, as well as how the MAR is being defined due to its interdependence with the DR (see
above MAR discussion and Section 5.2.2, Damage Ratio). For example, MAR for a single glovebox
operation is normally associated with a 1.0 DR for a fire inside the glovebox, while MAR for a process
area could have lower DRs as determined by the fire analysis. Including DRs <1.0 will require refined
analysis to justify that the equipment and containers affected by the fire scenario act to limit interaction
with the MAR.
Where test data or other criteria are established, DRs for containers can be based on calculations of heat
fluxes to targets, sizes of fuel pool fires, and other factors. (see Section 4.2.2, Fire Analysis Methods).
For example, the performance of standard 55 gallon drums in fire conditions have been studied in depth;
using analytical methods to determine the fire scenario’s interaction with a storage array, in concert with
the published testing data, can be used as a basis for a DR < 1.0.
For more comprehensive analyses, CFAST or other fire modeling software, such as Fire Dynamics
Stimulator, can be used to model the potential damages from fires. These damage estimates can then be
used to assess appropriate DRs (see Section 4.2.2.3).
For TRU waste operations, DOE-STD-5506-2007 provides guidance for selection of DRs associated with
fire events based upon the type of metal waste container involved and whether a fuel pool fire or an
exposure fire is being evaluated. WCH-SD-SQA-ANAL-501, Fire Protection Guide for Waste Drum
Arrays (Beyler and Guttok, 1996), is a source of experimental data regarding how waste drum arrays
responded to pool fires.
Section 73
Generally, DRs < 0.01 require extensive justification. Consideration needs to be given to describing
scenarios, which attempt to use very small DRs to ensure that the bounding event is being described. If
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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there is the potential for another scenario with a higher DR to occur, the differences between the scenarios
needs to be clearly outlined in the DBA/EBA section.
The fire analysis should define the scenario progression adequately in order to determine the DR, and the
ARF/RF using DOE-HDBK-3010-94. DOE-HDBK-3010-94 provides data on the ARF/RF for the
following types of fire-related stresses affecting radioactive material that generate airborne releases:
• Heating of aqueous solution in flowing air without surface rupture of bubbles.
• Boiling (bubbles continuously breaking the surface of the bulk liquid with <30% of the volume of
the liquid as bubbles).
• Volatiles such as iodine, under all conditions.
• Quiescent burning, small surface area pools, or small solvent layer over large aqueous layer
burning to self-extinguishment.
• Vigorous burning large pools or solvent layer burning over limited aqueous layer with sufficient
turbulence to disrupt bulk of aqueous layer.
• Large, vigorously burning organic fire that burns to complete dryness or burning solvent over
aqueous phase burning to complete dryness for both phases (requires external heat source).
• Aqueous solution or air-dried salts under gasoline fire on a porous or otherwise absorbing
surface.
• Airborne release of particulates formed by oxidation at elevated temperature, greater than room
temperature but less than self-sustained oxidation (ignition).
• Airborne release of particulates formed by self-sustained oxidation.
• Airborne release of particulates during complete oxidation of metal mass.
• Airborne release during free-fall of molten metal drops.
• Plutonium compounds subjected to thermal stress (temperature <1000º C, natural convection).
• Contaminated combustible materials heated/burned in packages.
• Dispersed ash dropped into airstream or forced draft air.
Selection and development of ARF/RF is further discussed in Chapter 5.
4.2.3.2 THERMAL EFFECTS
Another output of the fire analysis is information useful in determining the environmental stressors on
SSCs, in particular safety SSCs relied on to mitigate the event.
Failure of structural members can have a major impact on the accident progression; the fire analysis
should consider structural members located near postulated fires. The strength and stiffness of structural
steel begins to worsen when heated leading to possible deformation and failure. Structural, reinforced
concrete also may begin to degrade when subjected to extreme temperatures. Building codes generally
provide prescriptive fire ratings for structural members; however, detailed analytical methods can be used
for design of critical structural components and should include heat transfer analysis and consideration of
steel properties at elevated temperatures (Buchanan, 2001).
Radiant heating, direct flame impingement, and hot gas layers can cause the failure of both passive and
active mechanical SSCs. Temperature limits of valves, motors, and sensors should be considered in
conjunction with radiant heating models when reviewing effects to SSCs from postulated fires. Radiant
heating and hot gas layer temperature models were presented in Section 4.2.2. Although most fire
analysis relates to the direct release of hazardous material due to the effect of the fire itself, fire in control
systems in adjacent areas could indirectly cause a release of MAR.
Section 74
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Accordingly, the best practice is to calculate the potential thermal effects of the fire events to determine
what SSCs would be available for both the unmitigated and mitigated consequence calculations.
4.2.3.3 SMOKE DAMAGE
The intent of this section is not to look at the effects of smoke on the workers or members of the public,
but on equipment integrity. Smoke can damage equipment and render active SSCs either inoperable or
behaving in an unpredictable manner. Sensitive electrical components such as programmable logic
controllers used in safety-instrumented systems could fail due to smoke conductivity or corrosivity.
Circuit bridging has been observed in testing of electrical components subjected to heavy smoke
environments (NUREG/CR-7123, A Literature Review of the Effects of Smoke From a Fire on Electrical
Equipment); consideration may need to be given to the failure state of electronics. Longer-term
degradation effects of smoke (days to months) are also important considerations upon restart following a
fire.
Smoke can also affect nuclear ventilation system High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters causing
them to clog. There are two main failure mechanisms for HEPA filter failure from smoke generated by a
fire; plugging and blowout/media failure. Plugging occurs when the filter media becomes saturated with
particles and prevents adequate airflow. Blowout/media failure occurs when holes or other openings in
the media occur and allow particulate matter to pass through the HEPA filter. Both of these mechanisms
are important, since they both will create unfiltered leakage paths, which increase the LPF, thus
contributing to the amount of released material. The effect of HEPA filter failure needs to be included in
assessment of radioactive releases in the FHA and DSA. In the case of plugging, the fire generates hot
gases, which pushes smoke and contamination outward in the absence of adequate HEPA filter flows.
With HEPA media failure the ventilation system flows are no longer effectively filtered. Filter clogging
occurs before blowout/media failure, and therefore, has been used to determine when loss of confinement
occurs.
Correlations have been developed by researchers and the fire protection industry and used in FHAs and
DSAs to estimate the rate of smoke loadings on HEPA filters; however, there is no one universally
accepted model, nor universally accepted criteria recommended for determining when plugging causes
loss of confinement or filter blow-through. An example of one model is provided in Analysis of Filter
System Soot Loading for Postulated Fires in the K-Area Complex Container Surveillance and Storage
Capability Project (U) (Sprankle, 2007). Another example of smoke loadings on HEPA filters is in
WIPP-058 (Revision 2), DSA Supporting Calculation, Fuel Spill, HEPA filter Plugging, Fire
Compartment Over-Pressurization, Facility Pallet Survivability, Lube Truck Standoff Distance, Waste
Array Fire Spread, and Internal Drum Event Fire in CH Bay and Along Waste Transport.
A good summary of performance of HEPA filters under accident conditions in terms of filter efficiencies
and pressure differentials is provided in Appendix F, Filtration, of NUREG/CR-6410. Regarding smoke
modeling and confinement ventilation systems, DOE-HDBK-1169-2003, Nuclear Air Cleaning
Handbook, provides discussions in Sections 10.4 and 10.5. Section 10.4 provides these cautions on the
use of modeling:
Section 75
Fire models for FHAs range from simple algorithms that predict thermodynamic changes in enclosures
to complex programs that can account for heat, mass transfer, and smoke production in multiple
enclosures. Many mathematical models have been installed in software codes and are available on the
Internet bulletin boards of various government agencies. These codes can predict the development and
spread of fire and smoke conditions through multiple rooms, and can account for changes in the
structure and composition of enclosures. Application of these models requires considerable
understanding of their use and limitations, statements of which are usually included in the instructional
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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text published with the software codes. Reduction of complex models to simple terms supported by
empirical data is often useful in predicting uncomplicated systems.
4.3 EXPLOSION SCENARIO ANALYSIS
The DSA analyzes explosion scenarios developed from hazardous or upset conditions that challenge the
material at risk in non-reactor nuclear facilities involving tanks, pipes, vessels and/or containers, filled
with flammable or non-flammable, gases or liquids, pressurized or not. Explosion events are assessed
inside or outside the facility. An explosion scenario can arise from a wide spectrum of hazards,
operational conditions, and from deviations in the safety requirements in the facility or its production
process.
The quantitative analysis of the effects of an explosion on the SSCs establishes the basis to identify safety
controls for preventive or mitigative considerations. The explosion scenarios, analyzed for the facility
DSA, are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the control strategy such as the ability of explosion
barriers, efficient implementation of hazardous material protection, testing, surveillance and maintenance.
Explosion models using hand calculations are presented in this section to aid in the assessment of the
explosion magnitude, and its damage potential, such as blast (overpressures), fragmentation, and thermal
damages.
Explosion accidents that have unique dispersion characteristics may be modeled using phenomenon-
specific codes more accurately representing the release conditions. Areal Locations of Hazardous
Atmospheres (ALOHA) Version 5.4.6 is a chemical consequence code (see Section 9.7) that is capable of
calculating consequences for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions (BLEVE), explosions due to
delayed ignition and radiant heat from fires resulting from explosions.
The intention of this chapter is to provide basic insights and formulas for the various calculations
presented with the expectation that further insight and clarification can be attained by consulting the
referenced literature. Subsections 4.3.1 and 4.3.2 describe how an explosion event can be defined and
analyzed. Subsection 4.3.3 briefly describes the damages to receptors and SSCs in terms of potential
consequences and subsection 4.3.4 presents a brief assessment for the source term estimation for
explosion scenarios. A specific case of a hydrogen explosion is presented in subsection 4.3.5.
4.3.1 EXPLOSION EVENT TYPES AND SCENARIOS
Explosions can be defined in a variety of ways. In the textbook Explosion Hazards and Evaluation
(Baker et al., 1983), one finds the following general definition of an explosion:28
Section 76
In general, an explosion is said to have occurred in the atmosphere if energy is released over a
sufficiently small time in a sufficiently small volume so as to generate a pressure wave of finite
amplitude traveling away from the source. This energy may have originally been stored in the system
in a variety of forms; these include nuclear, chemical, electrical or pressure energy, for example.
However the release is not considered to be explosive unless it is rapid enough and concentrated
enough to produce a pressure wave that one can hear. Even though many explosions damage their
surroundings, it is not necessary that an explosion produce external damage. All that is necessary is
that the explosion is capable of being heard.
28 This reference is also cited in NUREG/CR-6410 and NUREG-1805.
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NUREG-1805 states that “An explosion is defined as a sudden and violent release of high-pressure gases
into the environment” and that “In its most widely accepted sense, the term ‘explosion’ means a bursting
associated with a loud, sharp noise and an expanding pressure front, varying from a supersonic shock
wave to a relatively mild wind.” The NUREG also offers several other definitions and concepts of an
explosion from the literature.
The word “explosion” thus applies to a variety of phenomena that can cause a range of damage from mild
to severe. Generally, there are two categories of explosions 1) the result of purely physical phenomena
such as the rupture of a high pressure air tank, or 2) as the result of a chemical reaction. Figure 4-3
provides a simplified explosion categorization for likely scenarios at DOE facilities. This section does
not addresses natural explosions (lighting, volcanoes, meteors, atmospheric pressure change from tornado
or hurricane), intentional explosions (nuclear, high explosives, firearms), dust explosions, runaway
reactions, neither does it cover the toxicity and asphyxiation effects (see Chapter 9) as consequence of
explosions since these events are subject to more detailed evaluations that are beyond the scope of this
handbook.
Figure 4-3. Simplified Explosion Categorization.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Special terminology associated with explosions is explained below.
Physical Explosion: Those caused when the high-pressure gas is generated only by mechanical means
without any chemical change as in the following types of explosions:
• external heating of a tank resulting in increased internal pressure and resultant failure of the tank;
and
• sudden release of super-heated liquid which flash-evaporates, causing a rapid
explosion.(NUREG-1805, page 15-2)
Chemical Explosion: Caused when high-pressure gas is generated by a chemical reaction. The
generation of high pressure gas is the result of exothermic reactions where the fundamental chemical
nature of the fuel is changed. Chemical reactions of the type involved in an explosion usually propagate
in a reaction front away from the point of initiation. NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion
Investigations, states they “can involve solid combustibles or explosive mixtures of fuel and oxidizer, but
more common will be the propagating reactions involving gases, vapors, or dust mixed with air. Such
combustion reactions are called propagation reactions because they occur progressively through the
reactant (fuel), with a definable flame front separating the reacted and unreacted fuel.”
Section 77
In a confined environment, a hydrogen explosion or other flammable gases released in the waste from the
decomposition of water and other organics (via radiolysis, catalytic and other mechanisms) is also
considered a chemical explosion. Dissolved hydrogen and small quantities of flammable organics may
also be released from the waste. Since the waste tanks have an air atmosphere, quantities of oxygen
sufficient to allow an explosion are assumed available. For the purpose of an unmitigated scenario, it is
assumed that an ignition source is present.” (WSRC-TR-2005-00467)
This type of explosion is commonly considered in the hazard and accident analysis for facilities where
radiolysis is a hazard, such as high level waste facilities.
While fragmentation is also a concern, a major consequence of these explosions is the airborne release of
the hazardous material that was in the vessel or pipe. Such airborne release can occur even if the vessel
does not rupture. (see Section 4.3.5 Case: Source Term Calculation for Hydrogen Explosion) Basic
“detonation” and “deflagration” descriptions are provided below:
Detonation: The literature offers several definitions, for example:
• A detonation is a propagating chemical reaction of a substance in which the reaction front
advances into the unreacted substance at or greater than sonic velocity in the unreacted material.
(Guidelines for Evaluating the Characteristics of Vapor Cloud Explosions, Flash Fires, and
BLEVEs [CCPS, 1994]).
• “Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is greater than the speed of sound in the
unreacted medium.” (NFPA 68, Definitions).
• In a detonation, the flame or combustion wave propagates through the reactants at supersonic
speeds, typically on the order of 2,000 m/sec (6,562 ft/sec). (NUREG-1805, page 15-3).
Deflagration: Again, the literature offers several definitions, for example:
• A propagating chemical reaction of a substance in which the reaction front advances into the
unreacted substance rapidly but less than sonic velocity. (CCPS, 1994).
• “Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is less than the speed of sound in the
unreacted medium.” (NFPA 68, Definitions).
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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• In a deflagration, the rate of propagation is below the speed of sound in air at 20 °C (68 °F),
which is approximately 330 m/sec (1,082 ft/sec). (NUREG-1805, page 15-3).
A brief description for each type of explosion, an associated scenario, and an example are provided in
Table 4-1.
The DBA/EBA explosion outlined in the facility’s DSA may be a single event consisting of any
combination of the explosion types as listed in Table 4-1 and Figure 4-3. The DBA/EBA explosion event
needs to identify the bounding explosion analyzed and any other explosion phenomena that are
considered credible and bounded by the DBA/EBA selection. In the hazard evaluation, each explosion
scenario needs to define the physical boundaries and the associated MAR so that the accident analysis can
group the events into similar types to determine the appropriate control sets.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Table 4-1. Types of Explosions Descriptions.
EXPLOSION TYPE DESCRIPTION SCENARIOS EXAMPLES EFFECTS OF
CONCERN
Pressure Vessel Burst
The explosive rupture of a pressure vessel, where the stored
energy is released instantaneously, creates a blast wave (i.e.,
shockwave) in the surrounding air and propels fragments.
The shockwave and fragment characteristics depend on
vessel contents, pressure, vessel geometry and mode of
vessel failure. (Cain, 1996)
Section 78
An air compressor, during an highly hypothetical event in
which all the safety controls fail (relief valves, automatic
controls, sensors, instrumentation), continues to run until the
internal pressure of the vessel increases and ruptures the
vessel. The rupture can occur at a substandard weld, a partial
through-wall crack, fatigue from pressurization cycles, and
corrosion resulting in wall thinning.
Pressure Vessel Explosion in
Houston, TX at the Marcus Oil
Facility in December 2004; no
fatalities; significant material and
structural damages in the
neighborhood; Cause: faulty welds in
a steel process pressure vessel
https://www3.epa.gov/region10/pdf/r
mp/cepp_newsletter_0308.pdf
• Overpressure, burst,
shock, and/or blast
effects
• Fragmentation
• Thermal effects (if
the content in the
pressurized vessel is
a flammable
liquid/gas)
Boiling Liquid
Expanding Vapor
Explosion (BLEVE)
The explosively rapid vaporization and corresponding
release of energy of a liquid, flammable or otherwise, upon
its sudden release from containment under greater-than-
atmospheric pressure at a temperature above its atmospheric
boiling point. A BLEVE is often accompanied by a fireball
if the suddenly depressurized liquid is flammable and its
release results from vessel failure caused by an external fire.
The energy released during flashing vaporization may
contribute to a shock wave. (CCPS, 1994)
An ammonia tank, during an highly hypothetical event in
which all the safety controls fail (relief valves, automatic
controls, sensors, instrumentation) and the tank is punctured
by forklift tines at the time a fire in the vicinity exposes the
vessel to high temperatures.
BLEVE explosion in Toronto,
Canada at the Sunrise Propane
Industrial Gases in August 2008; 6
people hospitalized; more than
$1.8M in cleanup efforts; various
causes: one is attributed to illegal
transfer between vessels of liquid
propane.
• Overpressure, burst,
shock, and/or blast
effects
• Fragmentation
• Thermal effects (if
the content in the
pressurized vessel is
a flammable
liquid/gas)
Vapor Cloud
The explosion resulting from the ignition of a cloud of
flammable vapor, gas, or mist in which flame speeds
accelerate to sufficiently high velocities to produce
significant overpressure. (CCPS, 1994)
A flammable gas escapes from its containment and mixes with
air to form a flammable mixture, and an ignition source causes
the gas cloud to explode.
Vapor Cloud explosion in a city
block of Allentown, PA in February
2011; 6 fatalities; $500K fine by the
natural gas company UGI Utilities,
Inc.; plus extensive costs for the
infrastructure replacements of gas
distribution system; cause: natural
gas leak; Vapor cloud explosion in
East Harlem neighborhood in
Manhattan, New York; March 2014;
8 fatalities; property destruction;
cause: natural gas leak
• Overpressure, burst,
shock, and/or blast
effects
• Thermal effects
Flash Fire
A fire that spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as
dust, gas, or the vapors of an ignitable liquid, without the
production of damaging pressure. (NFPA 2113, General
definitions)
Flash fire has a heat flux of approximately 80 kW/m2 “for
relatively short periods of time, typically less than 3 seconds.”
(NFPA 2113)
Section 79
“A flash fire requires an ignition source and a hydrocarbon or
an atmosphere containing combustible, finely divided particles
(e.g., coal dust or grain) having a concentration greater than
the lower explosive limit of the chemical. Both hydrocarbon
and dust flash fires generate temperatures from 538 °C to 1038
°C (1000 °F to 1900 °F). The intensity of a flash fire depends
on the size of the gas or vapor cloud. When ignited, the flame
front expands outward in the form of a fireball. The resulting
effect of the fireball’s energy with respect to radiant heat
significantly enlarges the hazard areas around the gas released”
(NFPA 2113, Topic A.3.3.16)
A polyethylene dust explosion at
West Pharmaceutical Services in
Kinston, NC, in Jan. 2003, 6 fatalities
and 39 workers injured. Cause:
Ignition of a fine plastic powder,
which had accumulated above a
suspended ceiling over a
manufacturing area at the plant.
• Overpressure, burst,
shock, and/or blast
effects
• Thermal effects
https://www3.epa.gov/region10/pdf/rmp/cepp_newsletter_0308.pdf
https://www3.epa.gov/region10/pdf/rmp/cepp_newsletter_0308.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_flux
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4.3.2 EXPLOSIONS ANALYSIS
This section provides basic descriptions and calculation methods associated with the type of explosions
and effects that receive the greatest attention for DSA hazard and accident analysis in the DOE Complex.
They are:
1. Overpressure, burst, shock, and/or blast effects. Blast calculation assesses the sudden release of a
gas into the surrounding area after a functional vessel rupture (argon, nitrogen tanks) or from a
vapor cloud explosion. The goal is to calculate the expansion energy, shock wave, or shock
effect, using one of the methods presented to the analyst in the following subsections.
2. Fragmentation. All explosion calculations that involve sudden vessel failures, such as Pressure
Vessel Ruptures or a BLEVE result in vessel fragmentation and thus invoke fragment release
calculations. The nature of this calculation is to assess either analytically or statistically, the
distance, velocity, and energy of a fragment that could impact the MAR.
3. Thermal Analysis. Thermal effects from explosions when the mix is combustible are of utmost
importance in addition to the overpressure and fragmentation effects, if applicable. The analysis
expands to the calculation of damage distances from the heat flux and the thermal radiation of the
vaporized mass that could result in a fireball if the liquid in the failure vessel is combustible.
There are several alternate correlations in the literature than those presented here that may be
conservative for a DSA accident analysis to determine the thermal radiation distance from an
explosion (see NUREG-1805; ALOHA, 2013; EPA Risk Management Program Guidance for
Offsite Consequence Analysis [EPA-550-B-99-005]; and Handbook of Chemical Hazard Analysis
Procedures [ARCHIE, 1989], and their original sources referenced in those documents).
The following sections provide basic methods to assess the effects of explosions, following the order of
types listed in Table 4-1.
4.3.2.1 PRESSURE VESSEL BURST
Catastrophic vessel ruptures can occur due to a variety of initiating events such as external fire, metal
fatigue, erosion, corrosion, oxidation, installation violations of the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) codes and standards, (such as the ASME boiler and pressure code) poor maintenance,
excessive internal pressure buildup, deficiencies in the safety management program and/or from physical
impacts (vessels punctured by forklift tines, vehicle accident outside the facility).
Section 80
The DSA hazard and accident analysis evaluates explosive hazard scenario to estimate the effects on
surrounding SSCs. Assessment of pressurized vessel burst is performed for the following three main
effects:
1. Blast effects. Simple calculation of blast effects from vessel bursts are presented for ideal gases.
Particular attention across the DOE complex is given to the potential for explosion events from
hydrogen generation.
2. Fragmentation effects from pressure vessel burst could also be calculated with particular
emphasis if the MAR is present within nearby locations.
3. Thermal radiation effects (if the content in the pressurized vessel is a flammable liquid/gas) are
associated with the fireball and depends on its diameter, height, and the combustion duration.
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4.3.2.1.1 BLAST EFFECT FROM PRESSURE VESSEL BURST
Baker et al., 1978 and Baker et al., 1977 present a method for predicting blast effects following the
rupture of gas-filled pressure vessels, either spherical or cylindrical. The relevant steps in the calculation
from those references are depicted in Figure 4-4.
Figure 4-4. A Methodology Example for Calculations of Overpressure Effects.
(Source: Created from discussions in Baker et al., 1977 and Baker et al., 1978)
The method applies to:
1. Gases that can reasonably be approximated as ideal (for example, vessels with hydrogen that
rupture); and
2. Non-ideal fluids or superheated liquids (for example, a pressure vessel filled with liquefied
propane that ruptures as the result of a fire).
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Blast Effects of Gases that can Reasonably be Approximated as Ideal in a Spherical Vessel
The blast effect (overpressure and specific impulse) at a specific distance from a burst vessel is presented
with an example as given in Baker et al., 1977. The example uses close to normal temperature and
pressure conditions (P=1 atm; T=273.15 K + 20 °C=293.15 K).
• Vessel diameter ro: 1 m.
• Ratio of specific heats of the gas in the vessel to air (γ = 1.4)
• Gas pressure in the vessel P1 = 1.013x106 Pa
• Gas temperature in the vessel T1= 273.15 K + 26.85° C = 300 K
• Ambient pressure Pa= 1 atm = 1.013x105 Pa
The overpressure versus distance relationship for a bursting gas vessel is strongly dependent upon the
pressure, temperature, and ratio of specific heats of the gas in the vessel. For high pressures and
temperatures, relative to the air outside the vessel, the overpressure behavior is much like that of a blast
wave from a high explosive.
The steps to follow are:
a. Calculate the non-dimensional starting distance R0
𝑅𝑅0 = 1
�4𝜋𝜋3
�𝑃𝑃1𝑃𝑃𝑎𝑎
−1�
(𝛾𝛾−1) �
1
3�
= 1
�4𝜋𝜋3
�1.013∙106
1.013∙105
−1�
(1.4−1) �
1
3�
= 0.2197 Equation 4-25
b. Determine the overpressure at the interested distance (r = 5.0 m)
𝑅𝑅 = 𝑟𝑟
�4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟0
3
3
�𝑃𝑃1𝑃𝑃𝑎𝑎
−1�
(𝛾𝛾−1) �
1
3�
=
𝑟𝑟
𝑟𝑟0
�4𝜋𝜋3
�𝑃𝑃1𝑃𝑃𝑎𝑎
−1�
(𝛾𝛾−1) �
1
3�
= 0.2197 ∙ 5.0
1.0
= 1.099 ~1.1 Equation 4-26
c. With (𝑃𝑃1
𝑃𝑃𝑎𝑎
= 10 and 𝑇𝑇1
𝑇𝑇𝑎𝑎
= 300
300
= 1) on Figure 4-5 find the non-dimensional starting pressure Ps0.
This pressure is estimated to be Ps0 ~ 1.7
For gases with γ = 1.667 use the graphic presented in Figure 4-6.
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Figure 4-5. Temperature vs. Pressure Ratio for γ = 1.4
(Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 2-2; Baker et al., 1977 - Figure 2.20)
Figure 4-6. Temperature vs. Pressure Ratio for γ = 1.66.
(Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 2-3; Baker et al., 1977 Figure 2.21)
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Section 81
75
d. On Figure 4-7 look for the curve that corresponds to the interception of points 𝑅𝑅0��� =
0.2197and𝑃𝑃𝑠𝑠0���� = ~1.7. Then move on the curve to the point intercepted by 𝑅𝑅�~1.1 and read on
the vertical axis the value that corresponds to the starting the overpressure at 5 m. This is equal to
𝑃𝑃�𝑠𝑠 = 0.26
For values of R>2 use the graphic presented in Figure 4-8.
Figure 4-7. Ps vs. Rs for Overpressure Calculations
(Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 2-5; Baker et al., 1977 Figure 2.18)
Ps0 ~ 1.7
R0 =0.2197 R =1.1
Ps =0.26
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Figure 4-8. Ps vs. Rs for Pentolite
(Source: Baker et al., 1977 Figure 2-19)
To find the specific impulse:
a. Given the calculated 𝑅𝑅� = 1.1 at the distance of 5.0 m, the non-dimensional, side-on impulse can be
found from Figure 4-9 ( 𝐼𝐼�~0.046).
For values of R<1, use the graphic in Figure 4-10.
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Figure 4-9. Is vs. Rs for Gas Vessel Bursts and Pentolite
(Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 2-6; Baker et al., 1977 Figure 2.23)
b. The energy inside the vessel can be calculated as:
𝐸𝐸 = 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜3
3
�𝑃𝑃1− 𝑃𝑃𝑎𝑎
𝛾𝛾−1
� = 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜3
3
�1.013∙106−1.013∙105�
(1.4−1) = 9.55 ∙ 106 𝐽𝐽 Equation 4-27
If surface burst is assumed, and a reflected shock wave is considered, then this energy value should be
multiplied by 2. NOTE: This is not considered in this example.
R =1.1
I = 0.046
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c. Impulse (I) is calculated from:
𝐼𝐼 ̅ = 𝐼𝐼 ∙ 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
𝑃𝑃𝑎𝑎
2
3� ∙𝐸𝐸
1
3�
⇒ 𝐼𝐼 = 𝐼𝐼 ̅ 𝑃𝑃𝑎𝑎
2 3� ∙𝐸𝐸
1 3�
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
= Equation 4-28
= 0.046
(1.013 ∙ 105)2 3� ∙ (9.55 ∙ 106 )1 3�
331
= 64 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 ∙ 𝑠𝑠
Where: aa is the speed of sound
Figure 4-10. Is vs. Rs for Gas Vessel Bursts (Small Rs)
(Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 2-7; Baker et al., 1977 Figure 2.24)
This section
corresponds to
near-field
refinement
presented in Figure
4-9
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Blast Effects of Gases that can Reasonably be Approximated as Ideal in a Cylindrical Vessel
For a cylindrical vessel, given the length L and the diameter D, use its volume Vv in the equations above,
performing the calculations as for a spherical vessel. After Ps and I have been determined, further
corrections are necessary according to the following table: Based on text in Baker et al., 1977 (page 67),
Table 4-2 summarizes adjustment factors Factors for Ps and Is for Cylindrical and Spherical Vessels based
on Rs.
Table 4-2. Adjustment Factors for Ps and Is for
Cylindrical and Spherical Vessels based on Rs.
Vessel
Type Rs
Multiply for:
Ps Is
Cylindrical
< 0.3 4 2
0.3 to 1.6 1.6 1.1
1.6 to 3.5 1.6 1
> 3.5 1.4 1
Spherical
< 1 2 1.6
> 1 1.1 1
(Source: Adapted from Baker et al., 1977 page 67.)
The difference between spherical and cylindrical vessel bursts is only known qualitatively. Therefore,
these corrections are very crude.
Blast Effects with Non-ideal Fluids (Vapors)
In practice, most vessels are filled with non-ideal fluids or with superheated liquids. For a pressure vessel
filled with propane that ruptures as the result of a fire, the following steps to be followed are similar but
not identical to those above.
a. Collect the following data:
• shape of the vessel (spherical or cylindrical).
• absolute internal pressure pv at the moment of vessel failure;
• ambient pressure p0
• quantity of the fluid (volume Vc or mass Mc )
• distance R from the center of the vessel to the target;
• specific enthalpy h
• specific entropy s
• specific volume ν
b. Calculate the work performed by the fluid as it expands
Section 82
The work done by an expanding fluid is defined by the difference in internal energy between the fluid’s
initial and final states.
For many situations of interest, for example, a BLEVE from a ruptured propane tank, the values of h, s,
and ν in the initial state are those for saturated vapor or liquid. They can be read from thermodynamic
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graphs or interpolated from thermodynamic tables given the temperature or pressure in the vessel.
Therefore, the specific internal energy of the system immediately prior to the explosion can be calculated.
These methods are based on extensive research, experimental work, historical data, and empirical
deductions. Equations can be found in thermodynamic textbooks, and physical data for the gas in
question can be selected by using a tool such as the one provided in: http://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/,
“Thermophysical Properties of Fluid Systems.” An example of selecting these values for evaluating blast
effects is provided in CCPS, 1994.
After the explosion has taken place, the material expands to atmospheric pressure p0. It is partly vapor
and partly liquid.
c. Calculate:
• the fraction X that is vapor is given,
• the specific internal energy of the final state u2,
• the specific work performed by the fluid as it expands ee
• the expansion energy Ex
The factor of 2 is introduced to allow for the reflection of the shock wave at the ground.
For common fluids, tabulations or graphs exist from which ee can be directly read.
At this point, the analyst should return to the steps above for ideal gases. Note that the near-field
refinement for Rs < 2 is not valid for non-ideal gases or flashing liquids. In this case, a conservative
estimate of blast effects can be obtained by calculating the energy ETNT presented in the TNT-equivalency
method presented in Section 4.3.2.3.4.
4.3.2.1.2 FRAGMENTATION FROM PRESSURE VESSEL BURST
In principle, it is possible to estimate the mass distribution of fragments, their shapes, initial velocity, and
its angle of elevation, for any site-specific situation, to determine the SSCs or MAR, struck by the
fragment. Quantitatively justifying (demonstrating) for the DSA accident analysis that an operational
accident is not plausible per DOE-STD-3009-2014 requires an estimate of the mass distribution of
fragments, their shapes, initial velocity, and its angle of elevation.
Two approaches are provided, one analytical and the other statistical.
Analytical Approach
Although it is essentially simple and straightforward, the analytical approach is a highly conservative
methodology where consideration should be given to estimating the uncertainties of the results. The
relevant steps for the fragmentation effect on adjacent SSCs are depicted in Figure 4-11. These equations
can be found in CCPS, 1994. The methodology consists of the following steps:
Step 1. Collect important data related to the vessel in the analysis. This includes design characteristics
and vessel configuration as well as the thermodynamic properties of the fluid in the vessel, and
operational conditions.
Step 2. Calculate available energy. Calculate the energy of the compressed gas in the vessel, assumed to
be converted into kinetic energy of the fragments.
http://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/
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81
Step 3. Calculate initial velocity of the fragment. Several formulas are represented in the figure from the
various methods suggested by the literature to calculate the initial fragment velocity. These methods are
based on extensive research, experimental work, historical data, and empirical deductions.
Section 83
Step 4. Determined the distance ranges, R (Figures 4-11 and 4-12).
Figure 4-11. A Methodology Example for Calculations of Fragmentation Effects.
(Source: Adapted from CCPS, 1994)
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Figure 4-12. Scale Curves for Fragment Range Predictions
(Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 4-5; CCPS, 1994 Figure 6.36)
The set of curves in Figure 4-12 above provide predictions of the range distribution from various lift/drag
ratio of the fragments based on its velocity. CD is the dimensionless drag coefficient and AD is the
fragment area perpendicular to the flying trajectory. CL is the dimensionless lift coefficient and AL is the
fragment area in parallel to trajectory. For fragments where the lift coefficient is zero, the line of
importance is denoted by a ratio equal to zero. The higher the drag forces the shorter the distance will be
estimated for the fragment in question given its velocity. If a fragment is, for example, a metal plate, then
lifting forces will increase the ratio, making the distance prediction shorter as well.
Statistical Analysis
In practice, there is only statistical information on which to base predictions of the fate of any fragments
following a pressure vessel burst or a BLEVE.
An analysis in Workbook for Estimating the Effects of Accidental Explosions in Propellant Ground
Handling and Transport Systems (Baker et al., 1978), considered 20 accidental explosions. The data was
organized into six groups, which are summarized in Table 4-3.
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Table 4-3. Groups of Like Events—Fragments from Explosions
(Source: Adapted from Baker et al., 1978 Table 4-3).
Group
Number
Number
of Events Explosion Material Source Energy
Range (J) Vessel Shape Vessel Mass
(kg)
Number of
Fragments
1 4 Propane, anhydrous
ammonia
1.5E+5 to 6E+5 Railroad tank car 25,500 to
83,900
14
2 9 LPG 3,800 to 4,000 Railroad tank car 25,500 28
3 1 Air 5E+11 Cylinder, pipe
and spheres
146,000 35
4 2 LPG, propylene 550 Semi-trailer
(cylinder)
6,300 to 7,800 31
5 3 Argon 2.4E+9 to 1.1E+10 Sphere 46 to 187 14
6 1 Propane 25 Cylinder 510 11
Statistical analyses were performed on each group to yield estimates of fragment range and mass
distributions.
Figure 4-13 and Figure 4-14 can be used to estimate the percentage of fragments which will have a range,
Ri’, equal to or less than a particular range. Figure 4-15 and Figure 4-16 present the fragment mass
distributions for groups 2, 3, and 6.
Using this data, the analyst can obtain helpful information; for example:
• For a specific vessel, determine which of the groups 1 through 6 it most closely resembles (Table
4-3).
• Choose a specific percentile (e.g., 50 percent for the median case, 95 percent for a conservative
case) and read off the corresponding range from Figure 4-13 or 4-14.
• Within this range, consider whether there are any structures that are particularly vulnerable to
missiles, or groups of people who may be within range.
• Consider whether any additional design or procedural measures to reduce the likelihood of the
initial explosion or to protect the potential target are necessary. This additional design or
procedural measure is necessarily a qualitative analysis.
The reference gives an example on how to use the graphics:
Section 84
For example, if we wished to estimate the percentage of fragments which would have a range
equal to or less than 600 m for an explosion involving a rail tank car filled with propane (group
1), we would refer to Figure 4-6,29 and on the range axis (abscissa) at 600 m go upward to the
intersection of the group 1 line. Then, at the intersection point read the percentage value from the
ordinate, which is 96%. Conversely, if we wanted to know what range 90% of the fragments
would not exceed, we would enter the chart on the 90% line, go over to the intersection of the
group 1 line and read downward to the range axis the value of 380 m. (Baker et al., 1978)
29 Figure 4-6 is Figure 4-13 in this document.
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Figure 4-13. Fragment Range Distribution for
Event Groups 1 and 2 (Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 4-6)
Figure 4-14. Fragment Range Distribution for
Event Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 4-7)
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Figure 4-13. Fragment Range Distribution for Figure 4-14. Fragment Range Distribution for
Event Groups 1 and 2 (Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 4-6) Event Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 4-7)
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Figure 4-15. Fragment Mass Distribution for Event
Groups 2 and 3 (Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 4-8).
Figure 4-16. Fragment Mass Distribution for Group 6
(Source: Baker et al., 1978 Figure 4-9).
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4.3.2.1.3 THERMAL EFFECTS FROM PRESSURE VESSEL BURST
The fire analysis Section 4.2.3.2 of this Handbook provides an explanation of the thermal effects of an
unmitigated event that involves a developed fire. The difference between the thermal radiation from a
fire and explosion pressure vessel burst with combustion, resides in the conditions capable of sustaining a
prolonged fire versus a relatively short amount of time that the fireball lasts during an explosion.
Nevertheless, formulations from the literature are presented to the analyst in Section 4.3.2.2.3 in this
Handbook that is also applicable to a pressure vessel burst fireball.
4.3.2.2 BLEVE
NUREG-1805 defines a BLEVE as follows:
… a catastrophic rupture of a pressurized vessel containing a liquid at a temperature above its
normal boiling point with the simultaneous ignition of the vaporizing fluid. A short-duration,
intense fireball occurs if the liquid is flammable. During the rupture of the vessel, a pressure
wave may be produced and fragments of the containment vessel will be thrown considerable
distances.
In other words, to consider an explosion of a vessel containing pressurized liquid a BLEVE,
conditions, such as instantaneous depressurization and significant superheating of the liquid, need to
be met to cause a near instantaneous evaporation.
A common misconception is that the BLEVE produces the pressure that results in a catastrophic
vessel failure. Vessels may experience any number of insults, but not all of them result in a BLEVE,
which occurs independently of a vessel failure. That is, the explosion does not cause the vessel to
fail, it is the failure of a vessel that leads to a sudden depressurization of superheated liquid.
Sudden vessel depressurization of superheated liquid leading to a BLEVE may result from:
1) Failure of equipment such as valves and vaporizers.
2) Human errors made by operators, maintenance, or delivery personnel.
3) External impacts (such as pipe whip) where vessel integrity has already been compromised by
heating and internal boiling.
Section 85
4) Other causal chains such as extensive corrosion and extreme seismic events.
As stated above, sudden depressurization of a vessel from impact without external heating may not result
in a BLEVE, but may result in other situations that warrant evaluation. For example, it could lead to a
pool fire if the breach is below the vapor-liquid interface and the liquid is combustible or flammable. Or
it could lead to a jet fire if the content release is pressurized and contacts a sufficient energy source. The
jet fire would need to come from a breach in the vapor space and be turbulent enough to entrain and mix
air. However, if the jet flame could impinge on another vessel, a BLEVE of the adjacent vessel could
occur.
Unmitigated assessment of BLEVE is performed similarly to pressure vessel burst, for (a) blast effects,
(b) fragmentation effects, and (c) thermal effects.
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4.3.2.2.1 BLAST EFFECT FROM BLEVE
Blast effect assessment is performed in similar fashion as with pressure vessel burst described above. See
subsection 4.3.2.1.1 of this Handbook. (CCPS, 1994, Section 9.2)
4.3.2.2.2 FRAGMENTATION FROM BLEVE
Fragment effect assessment is performed in similar fashion as with pressure vessel burst described above.
See subsection 4.3.2.1.2 of this Handbook.
4.3.2.2.3 THERMAL EFFECTS FROM BLEVE
The thermal effects from a BLEVE can be evaluated similar to the thermal effects from a pressure vessel
burst with combustion, as discussed in Section 4.3.2.1.3, based on the fire analysis methodologies.
Fireball Diameter and Duration
In order to simplify calculations of BLEVE effects, it is often assumed that the fireball touches the
ground, the fireball is spherical and its center is at height Dc/2. This should give a somewhat conservative
estimate of radiant heat flux. Note that in practice, the fireball rises as a function of time and that greater
accuracy requires the use of numerical models.
The fireball diameter and its duration can be calculated by the following equations (CCPS, 1994;
ALOHA, 2013 page 68; EPA-550-B-99-005, page D-22):
𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐 = 5.8 ⋅ 𝑚𝑚𝑓𝑓
1
3� Equation 4-29
𝑡𝑡_𝑐𝑐 = 0.45 ⋅ 𝑚𝑚_𝑓𝑓^(1 ⁄ 3) 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 < 30,000 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 Equation 4-30
𝑡𝑡_𝑐𝑐 = 2.6 ⋅ 𝑚𝑚_𝑓𝑓^(1 ⁄ 6)𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 > 30,000 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 Equation 4-31
Where:
Dc [ m ] – final fireball diameter
mf [ kg ] – mass of fuel in fireball
tc [ s ] – duration of fireball
Damage Distance
From the equations to determine q (heat flux) and F (view factor) the hazard distance, L (i.e., the
maximum distance at which that level of damage will occur) can be calculated as (from as cited in CCPS,
1994, pages 178-179):
𝐿𝐿 = �𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐
2
���𝐸𝐸∙𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝛩𝛩∙ 𝜏𝜏𝑎𝑎𝑞𝑞
� Equation 4-32
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For propane BLEVEs, the following empirical, simplified formula for the hazard range that could inflict
severe burns to people was developed (original source from Lihou and Maund, 1982, “Thermal Radiation
Hazard from Fireballs,” I. Chem. E. Symp. Ser., No. 71 as cited in CCPS, 1994 page 183):
𝐿𝐿 ∼ 3.6 ⋅ 𝑚𝑚𝑓𝑓
0.4 Equation 4-35
Heat Flux
Finally, the incident radiation per unit area at which a receptor receives thermal radiation or the heat flux
that causes a specific level of damage over a minimum duration is given by (CCPS, 1994 page 178 and
ALOHA, 2013 page 65, which are similar to the fire analysis discussion in Section 4.2.2 of this
Handbook):
𝑞𝑞 = 𝐸𝐸𝑠𝑠 ⋅ 𝐹𝐹 ⋅ 𝜏𝜏𝑎𝑎 Equation 4-34
Where:
Section 86
q [kW/m2] – rate at which thermal radiation is received by the receptor/incident radiant heat flux
Es [kW/m2] – surface emissive power. A value of 350 kW/m2 for Es is consistent with
experiments on BLEVEs for most hydrocarbons involving a vapor mass of 1,000 kg or more.
F = Dc
2cosΘ/4L2 [dimensionless] – View factor. For a point on a plane surface at a distance L
from the center of a spherical fireball (with no obstructions between)
Θ is the angle between the normal to the surface and the line connecting the point to the center of
the fireball.
τa [dimensionless] – atmospheric transmissivity (CCPS, 1994 Equation 9.1.6)
RH is the relative humidity
𝝉𝝉𝒂𝒂 = 𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍[𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟏𝟏 ∙ 𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹−𝟎𝟎.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 �𝑳𝑳 − 𝑫𝑫𝒄𝒄
𝟐𝟐
�
−𝟎𝟎.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
Equation 4-35
Fuel Contribution to Fireball
A simple rule of thumb based on a “Study of Fireball Following Steam Explosion n-Pentane” (Hasegawa
and Soto, 1977) is that the amount of gas in a BLEVE can be taken to be three times the flash fraction, up
to a limit of 100 percent.
4.3.2.3 VAPOR CLOUD EXPLOSION
In the DOE Complex, examples of vapor cloud ignition involve the release of different gaseous mixtures
into the environment and depending on the time factor, could envelope the MAR in the proximity of the
vapor cloud.
Depending of the substance content and its flammability, a vapor cloud ignition can be developed into a
deflagration or detonation. The initiation energy plays a fundamental role after a flammable gas has
ignited. Detonations and deflagrations are often distinguished by the speed or rate of propagation of the
combustion wave through the material.
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In a deflagration, the flame or combustion wave is below the speed of sound in air at 20 °C (68 °F), which
is approximately 330 m/sec (1,082 ft/sec).
In a detonation, the flame or combustion wave propagates through the reactants at supersonic speeds on
the order of 2,000 m/sec (6,562 ft/sec).
4.3.2.3.1 VAPOR CLOUD DEFLAGRATION
A vapor cloud deflagration is characterized by the sudden energy release when the gas ignition results in a
pressure increase starting at the ignition location (center of initial cloud). For an unconfined vapor cloud
deflagration, the pressure wave, sometimes referred to as a constant-volume combustion pressure,
expands from the initial location at a subsonic propagation rate and reduces rapidly as a function of
distance. The combustion propagates through the gas medium from mass diffusion and heat transfer.
This phenomenon can exert excessive force on confinement features (e.g., cause a glovebox breach or
overturn a vessel) or can cause collateral damage due to debris impacts to the MAR from failed
equipment and interior furnishings, examples being collapse of lighting, piping, ventilation ductwork.
For a confined vapor cloud deflagration in a process room or enclosure, for other than minor
deflagrations, the damage is not caused by a pressure wave as a function of distance and instead it is due
to a uniform pressure rise in the room which can fail structural boundaries causing debris-impacts to the
MAR.
4.3.2.3.2 VAPOR CLOUD DETONATION
A Vapor Cloud Detonation is considered when the gas ignites in a detonation with a sudden release of
energy and a pressure increase at the ignition location. However, even if the flammable gas concentration
levels are high, detonation may not occur if the geometry is not favorable for a shock wave to occur. (It is
generally known that the pressure wave for a detonation, resulting in an overpressure, is referred to as a
shock wave or Chapman-Jouguet (CJ) pressure). Long pipes are a more favorable geometry for a
detonation to occur than a vessel with a length to diameter ratio of one and no interior obstructions.
Section 87
4.3.2.3.3 VAPOR CLOUD DEFLAGRATION AND DETONATION PRACTICAL DIFFERENCES
When comparing a deflagration to a detonation, the pressure wave progresses outward from the
detonation source at a much higher rate. The pressure wave for a detonation travels at supersonic
velocities. At the wave front, the unburnt gases are compressed. The combustion occurs at the wave
front from the compressive heating of the gases.
The practical distinction between deflagrations and detonations relates to the amount of damage caused
by the overpressures and depend on the material involved in the detonation or deflagration.
For example, the overpressure in a typical unconfined deflagration wave without obstructions is on the
order of 1 atmosphere (14.70 psi) for C2H2 in air (NUREG-1805). By contrast the pressure attained
during a detonation can be up to 20 atmospheres (294 psi), which would cause significant debris impacts
from failed equipment and structural features.
In closed vessels, deflagration overpressures from stoichiometric fuel-air concentrations at initial
conditions (25 C and 1.013 bar) when the burning rate is low (Bjerketvedt et al., 2012), are summarized in
Table 4-4, for various explosive substances. In addition, according to the Loss Prevention in the Process
Industries (as reported in the 1980 first edition of Lees, 1996), the CJ pressure is approximately twice of
the constant-volume combustion pressure. Doubling the pressures increases in Table 4-4 result in
pressures during a detonation of up to 20 atmospheres (294 psi).
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Table 4-4. Deflagration Overpressures in Closed Vessels
(Source: Extracted from Bjerketvedt et al., 2012 Table 4.5).
Hydrogen Ethylene Propane Methane
P (bar) 8.15 9.51 9.44 8.94
Original source as cited in Bjerketvedt et al., 2012: Baker, W.E., et al., 1983. Explosion Hazards and Evaluation,
Elservier Science Publishing Company, Amsterdam.
According to the Loss Prevention in the Process Industries (as reported in the 1980 first edition of Lees,
1996), the CJ pressure is approximately twice of the constant-volume combustion pressure. Doubling the
pressures increases in Table 4-4 results in pressures during a detonation of up to 20 atmospheres (294
psi).
4.3.2.3.4 BLAST EFFECT FROM VAPOR CLOUD EXPLOSION
Different techniques are used for determining the blast effect from vapor cloud explosions. The two
techniques discussed in this section can roughly be characterized as being applicable to near- and far-field
impacts.
The TNT-equivalency method is recommended for determining far-field potential damage. It takes the
fuel (flammable gas) energy and determines an equivalent energy of TNT.
As long as the far-field potential damage is the concern, the TNT-equivalent method is a poor model for a
gas explosion. This method is known to give non-conservative results for peak overpressure in the far
field, because the positive phase duration and shape of the blast waves are not well reproduced. For this
reason, determining peak overpressure for the purpose of accident analysis can lead to erroneous results.
In order to apply the model, conservative TNT-Equivalency values, αe, are introduced as seen in the
content of this section.
The Multi-energy method is better suited to determining near-field potential damage than the TNT model,
although can also be used for determining far-field evaluations. Through the use of this method’s scaling
equations, side-on and overpressures and duration of pressures can be determined. The Multi-energy
method provides a better prediction of the positive phase duration of the pressure and shape of the blast
waves.
Section 88
TNT-Equivalency Method
A “TNT-equivalency” concept has been used in the literature for evaluation of potential damage from an
explosion overpressure, and in particular, has been applied to the evaluation of vapor cloud explosions.
Baker et al., 1977 summarized it as follows:
A common method of assessment of possible energy release or correlation of the results of
experiments has been to assess the energy release on the basis of equivalent pounds of TNT. This
method is used because a large body of experimental data and theoretical analyses exist for blast
waves generated by TNT or other solid explosives. Although the comparison with TNT is
convenient, the correlation is far from exact. Specific energies, which can be released, i.e., energy per
unit volume or mass of material, differ quite widely between TNT, various liquid propellants or
mixtures of liquid propellants and oxidizers, and gases stored in pressure vessels.
The concept of TNT-equivalency was introduced for blast prediction purposes when the mechanisms of
blast generation in vapor clouds were not fully understood. The method simply converts the available
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combustion energy into an equivalent charge weight of TNT. This TNT method is for gas explosions
outside of facilities that are unconfined explosions, i.e., this method is not valid for inside building
explosions). The “TNT-equivalency factors” come from assessing the damage to the exterior of buildings
from the gas explosion vs. the quantity of TNT to cause the same damage.
A simplified method for assessing the blast wave effects from a vapor cloud explosion is based on blast
wave energy, i.e., TNT-equivalent. NUREG-1805 Equation 15-1, NRC Regulatory Guide 1.91,
Evaluation of Explosions Postulated to Occur at Nearby Facilities and on Transportation Routes Near
Nuclear Power Plants, and SFPE, 2008, estimate the energy released as follows:
𝑬𝑬𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 = 𝜶𝜶𝒆𝒆𝑯𝑯𝒇𝒇𝑾𝑾𝒇𝒇 Equation 4-36
Where:
ETNT [J ] = explosive energy released or blast wave energy
Wf [ kg ] – the mass of fuel involved. The weight of the fuel Wf in the cloud is equal to the flash
fraction (F) times the quantity (mass) of fuel released.
Hf [ kJ/kg ] – theoretical net heat of combustion of the fuel in question. This information is
available in NUREG-1805 Table 15-2, Heat of Combustion, Ignition Temperature, and Adiabatic
Flame Temperature* of Flammable Gases; and in Factory Mutual Loss Prevention Data Sheet 7-
42, “Guidelines for the Estimation of Property Damage from Outdoor vapor cloud explosions in
Chemical Processing Facilities,” March, 1990 (as cited in NRC Regulatory Guide 1.91).
αe [ dimensionless ] – TNT-equivalency based on energy; the fraction of available combustion
energy participating in blast wave generation
Note that the literature on this subject does not use consistent terminology, hence it is common that TNT-
equivalency (αe) is also called equivalency factor, yield factor, efficiency, or efficiency factor.
For a catastrophic failure of a vessel containing a gas liquefied under pressure (such as liquid propane),
some fraction (F) of the liquid flashes into vapor and the rest cools to the boiling point of the liquid (or
lower). The flash fraction can be determined on the basis of actual thermodynamic data using the
following equation:
𝑭𝑭 = 𝟏𝟏 − 𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆�− 𝑪𝑪𝒑𝒑∆𝑻𝑻
𝑳𝑳
� Equation 4-37
Where:
• F [dimensionless] – Flash Fraction
• Cp [ kJ/(kgK) ] – mean specific heat of the flashing material at constant pressure
Section 89
• ∆T [ K ] – difference in temperature between the temperature of the vessel and the atmospheric
boiling point
• L [ kJ/kg ] – latent heat of vaporization
Some of the unvaporized liquid from the ruptured vessel forms aerosols, and thus adds to the fuel in the
vapor cloud. The UK Health and Safety Executive recommends calculating the cloud inventory by using
the flash fraction and then multiplying by 2 to allow for spray and aerosol contributions to the cloud.
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The corresponding TNT equivalent mass in (kg), WTNT, is:
𝑾𝑾𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 = 𝑬𝑬𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻
𝑯𝑯𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻
Equation 4-38
Where:
WTNT [ kg ] – equivalent mass of TNT or yield
HTNT [ J/kg ] – heat of combustion of TNT
The heat of combustion of TNT is 4,680 kJ/kg per EPA-550-B-99-009 Section C.1, Equation for
Estimation of Distance to 1 psi Overpressure for vapor cloud explosions. However, other values have
also been selected, e.g., 4500 kJ/kg was used in NUREG-1805, Section 15.8.2, TNT Mass Equivalent
Calculations, and 4,420 kJ/kg was used in the 1995 second edition of the SFPE Handbook of Fire
Protection Engineering (as cited in NRC Regulatory Guide 1.91).
If the explosive energy is not calculated, the TNT equivalent mass can be determined from:
𝑾𝑾𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 = 𝜶𝜶𝒆𝒆
(𝑯𝑯𝒇𝒇𝑾𝑾𝒇𝒇)
𝑯𝑯𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻
= 𝜶𝜶𝒎𝒎𝑾𝑾𝒇𝒇 Equation 4-39
Where:
αm = αe (Hf / HTNT) [ dimensionless ] – TNT-equivalency based on mass
In order to apply the TNT-equivalency model, a conservative value of αe (TNT-Equivalency value based
on energy) is selected. A brief discussion of practices for choosing these values is provided below.
For stoichiometric, hydrocarbon-air detonation, the theoretical maximum efficiency of conversion of heat
of combustion into blast is approximately 40% (CCPS, 1994, Section 4.3.1). In practice, because vapor
cloud explosions are usually deflagrations and not full detonations and gas mixtures in air are rarely fully
stoichiometric, the efficiency is usually less than 40%.
Table 4-5 provides a range of values of αe that have been estimated based on past accidents or
recommended (see CCPS, 1994 or the original references for further discussion and understanding of
their bases to select a conservative value for purpose of the DSA accident analysis).
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Table 4-5. Sources for TNT Equivalency Factor Estimations.
References αe
Dow Chemical (CCPS, 1994, Section 4.3.1; Brasie and Simpson, 1968) 0.02 ≤ αe ≤ 0.05
United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (CCPS, 1994, Section 4.3.1; HSE,
1979)
αe = 0.03
Exxon (CCPS, 1994, Section 4.3.1; unpublished) 0.03 ≤αe ≤ 0.10
Industrial Risk Insurers (CCPS, 1994, Section 4.3.1) 0.02
Factory Mutual Research Corp (CCPS, 1994, Section 4.3.1)
{Note: These values are also recommended in NRC Regulatory Guide
1.91.)
0.05-0.15
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-550-B-99-005) in its guidance
for explosion modeling in the context of its Risk Management Program regulations,
recommends:
• For worst-case explosion analysis
• For “alternative” or “more likely” scenarios
0.1
0.03
Original sources (as cited in CCPS, 1994):
Brasie and Simpson, 1968. Brasie, W.C. and D.W. Simpson, “Guidelines for Estimating Explosion Damage,” Proc.
63rd Nat. AIChE Meeting, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, NY.
HSE, 1979. “Second Report of the Advisory Committee on Major Hazards,” Health and Safety Executive, United
Kingdom, London, UK.
Industrial Risk Insurers, 1990. “Oil and Chemical Properties Loss Potential Estimation Guide,” IRI-Information
Section 90
February 1, 1990.
Factory Mutual Research Corporation, 1990. “Guidelines for the Estimation of Property Damage from Outdoor Vapor
Cloud Explosions in Chemical Processing Facilities,” Technical Report, March.
For other than catastrophic releases (such as a jet release from a vessel containing a gas under pressure or
a gas liquefied under pressure, where the release approximates a steady state), it is in principle possible to
use an atmospheric dispersion model to determine the amount of fuel at any one time that lies between the
upper and lower flammable limits.
EPA-550-B-99-009, Section C.1 assumes that the entire contents of the cloud is within the flammability
limits for a worst-case release scenario. As shown in Table 4-5, EPA-550-B-99-009 also assumes that
10% of the flammable vapor in the cloud participates in the explosion blast wave. This Handbook
considers the EPA worst-case guidance conservative for the purposes of the DSA accident analysis;
however, the TNO Multi-Energy method discussed in the next subsection may be more defensible.
Once WTNT has been determined, the “scale distance” can be calculated by the following simple
expression:
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷
�𝑊𝑊𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
3 ⟹ 𝑅𝑅� = 𝑅𝑅
�𝑊𝑊𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
3 � 𝑚𝑚
�𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘3 � Equation 4-40
This equation has been plotted in Figure 4-17 where the side-on overpressure can be estimated on the
vertical axis. The figure is from 1976 a paper by V.C. Marshall, “The Siting and Construction of Control
Buildings – a Strategic Approach,” I. Chem. E. Symp. Series, No. 47 (as cited in CCPS, 1994 page 117).
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Alternate correlations to determine the overpressure distance from an explosion have been used in other
methods (EPA-550-B-99-005; NRC Regulatory Guide 1.91; ARCHIE, 1989).
There are, however, certain caveats. The TNT-equivalent methodology explosion is a poor model for a
gas explosion. In particular, the positive phase duration and shape of the blast waves are not well
reproduced. However, TNT-equivalency methods are satisfactory, so long as far-field potential damage is
the concern.
Figure 4-17. Hopkinson-Scaled TNT Charge Blast
(Source: 1976 Marshall paper as cited in CCPS, 1994 Figure 4.18)
"scaled distance" =
actual distance,
mkg
10 10 10210
-1/3
3
W
10
10
10
10
-2
-1
0
1
"s
id
e-
on
" o
ve
rp
re
ss
ur
e,
b
ar
TNT
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TNO Multi-Energy Method
A summary of the necessary steps to apply the TNO Multi-Energy method with the needed calculations is
provided in Figure 4-18.
Figure 4-18. Multi-Energy Calculation Method Steps
(Source: Adapted from CCPS, 1994)
The basic tool for the application of the TNO Multi-Energy model is based on a set of scaling equations
also known as Sach’s scaling equations. Additional information on the Multi-Energy Method to establish
a conservative evaluation for the DSA accident analysis can be found in CCPS, 1994, Section 4.3.2,
Methods Based on Fuel-Air Charge Blast (other methods are also provided that reference), or in the
original development of that method in “The Multi-Energy Method—A Framework for Vapor Cloud
Explosion Blast Prediction” (van den Berg, 1985).
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The scaling equations are:
𝑅𝑅𝑠𝑠��� = 𝑅𝑅
�𝐸𝐸
𝑃𝑃0
3
Equation 4-41
𝑡𝑡+𝑠𝑠���� = 𝑡𝑡+𝑐𝑐0
�𝐸𝐸
𝑃𝑃0
3
Equation 4-42
𝑃𝑃𝑠𝑠 = ∆𝑃𝑃𝑠𝑠����𝑃𝑃0 Equation 4-43
Where:
Rs [dimensionless] – energy scaled distance
Section 91
Once calculated, a number ranging from 1 (very low strength) up to 10 (detonative strength) represents
the initial blast strength in Figure 4-19 and Figure 4-20.
In addition, Figure 4-19 and Figure 4-20 show a rough indication of the blast-wave shape, which
corresponds to the characteristic behavior of a gas-explosion blast.
R [m] – actual distance from source of explosion
E [J] – charge combustion energy
P0 [Pa] – ambient pressure
t+s [dimensionless] – positive-phase duration as a function of the combustion
t+ [s] – the positive-phase duration
c0 [m/s] – ambient speed of sound
Ps [Pa] – side-on blast overpressure
ΔPs [-] – Scaled side-on blast overpressure
Ro [m] – charge radius
Once Ps has been estimated form the graphic, use Equation 4-42 to calculate the positive phase duration
and Equation 4-43 to calculate the overpressure.
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Figure 4-19. Sachs-Scaled Side-on Peak Overpressure of
Blast from a Hemispherical Fuel-Air Charge
(Source: Adapted from CCPS, 1994 Figure 4.24)
Figure 4-20. Sachs-Scaled Positive-Phase Duration of
Blast from a Hemispherical Fuel-Air Charge
(Source: CCPS, 1994 Figure 4.24)
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4.3.2.3.5 FRAGMENTATION FROM VAPOR CLOUD EXPLOSION
Fragment effect assessment is not performed for vapor cloud explosion since the vapor cloud is the result
of a flammable gas release over time t and it does not involve catastrophic functional failures of
receptacles (vessels, containers, jugs) containing the gas, vapor, or mixture. If a vapor cloud explosion is
credible, then fragmentation and other failures of SSCs should be considered.
4.3.2.3.6 THERMAL EFFECT FROM VAPOR CLOUD EXPLOSION
The thermal effects from a vapor cloud explosion can be evaluated similar to the thermal effects from a
pressure vessel burst with combustion, as discussed in Section 4.3.2.1.3, based on the fire analysis
methodologies.
4.3.2.4 FLASH FIRE
A flash fire is the non-explosive combustion of a vapor cloud—it does not produces a blast. (See Section
4.2; see also the scenario description summary in Table 4-1.)
4.3.3 CONSEQUENCES OF EXPLOSIONS BEYOND RELEASES OF HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS
Consequences of explosions are characterized for the purpose of the DSA hazard and accident analysis to
assess the potential unmitigated damages that explosions can inflict to the public, the co-located workers
the facility worker, and to the environment.
Unmitigated consequences of the explosions are grouped in:
• Damages caused by overpressures of vessel burst, BLEVEs and vapor cloud explosions;
• Damages caused by fragmentation of vessel burst and BLEVEs; and
• Damages caused by thermal radiation from the fireball generated after a vessel burst, BLEVEs
and vapor cloud explosions.
Section 9.5.5 of this handbook presents a brief summary of consequences of energetic events which
includes detonations, deflagrations, BLEVEs, and impacts from radiant heat exposure to fires. This
section also discusses ALOHA V 5.4.6 which is a Central Registry toolbox code that is capable of
providing quantitative results from each of these energetic events.
4.3.3.1 DAMAGE CAUSED BY OVERPRESSURE (DETONATIONS AND DEFLAGRATIONS)
NUREG-1805 Section 15.8 describes the potential damage from overpressure as follows:
Section 92
The damage caused by a shock or blast wave striking an object or a person is a complex function of
many factors, and it is well beyond the scope of this chapter to describe all of the complex
interactions involved. Instead, we will simply refer to the wave as a rapidly expanding shell of
compressed gases. We can then measure the strength of the wave in terms of units of pressure (psi),
and we can relate the effects of peak overpressure within the wave (i.e., the maximum pressure in the
wave in excess of normal atmospheric pressure) to the level of property or personal injury that is
likely to result.
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Table 15-130 lists damage effects on people and property, which might be expected to result from
explosions characterized by various peak overpressures (Clancey, 1972). Peak overpressures in a
shock or blast wave are highest near the source of the explosion and decrease rapidly with distance
from the explosion site. The extent of damage incurred is heavily influenced by the location of the
blast relative to nearby reflecting surfaces.
Table 4-6. Estimated Damage Attributable to Explosive Overpressure.
(Source: Adapted primarily from NUREG-1805, Table 15-1,
with additions as noted from other references)
Overpressure
*
(psig)
Expected Damage
0.03 Occasional breaking of large windows that are already under strain.
0.04 Glass failure caused by loud noises (143 dB) or sonic booms.
0.1 Breaking of small windows under strain.
0.15 Typical glass failure.
0.4 Some damage to house ceilings; 10% window glass breakage.
0.4 Limited minor structural damage.
0.50–1.0 Windows usually shattered; some damage to window frames.
0.7 Minor damage to house structures.
1.0 Houses made uninhabitable by partial demolition.
1.0
ALOHA V. 5.4.6 PAC: Shatters glass.
EPA-550-B-99-009 applies this threshold for vapor cloud explosions to define the endpoint
distance for worst-case evaluation.
NRC Regulatory Guide 1.91 conservatively selected this value below which no significant
damage would be expected, which establishes the safe distance from a source of potential
explosions to critical plant structures for a nuclear power plant.
1.0–2.0 Failure and buckling of corrugated metal panels; housing wood panels are blown in.
1.0–8.0 Slight to serious injuries (e.g., skin lacerations from flying glass).
1.3 Slight distortion of the steel frames of clad buildings.
2 Partial collapse of walls and roofs of houses.
2.0–3.0 Shattering of non-reinforced concrete or cinder block walls.
2.3 Lower limit of serious structural damage.
2.4–12.2 Up to 90% eardrum rupture among exposed populations.
2.5 50% destruction of home brickwork.
3 Distortion of steel frame buildings; may pull away from their foundations.
3.0–4.0 Ruin of frameless steel panel buildings.
3.5 ALOHA V. 5.4.6 PAC: Serious injury.
4 Rupture of cladding of light industrial buildings.
5 Snapping of wood utility poles.
5.0–7.0 Nearly complete destruction of houses.
30 Table 4-6 in this document.
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Overpressure
*
(psig)
Expected Damage
7 Overturning of loaded train cars.
7.0-8.0 Shearing of flexure causes failure of 8–12-inch thick non-reinforced brick.
8.0 ALOHA V. 5.4.6 PAC: Destruction of buildings.
9 Demolition of loaded train cars.
10 Probable total destruction of building.
15.5 - 29 Up to 99% fatalities among exposed populations as a result of direct blast effects. (ARCHIE,
1989 Table B.1)
Section 93
* These are the peak pressures formed (in excess of normal atmospheric pressure) by blast and shock waves.
For SI units, 1 psi = 6.894757 kPa.
Sources:
Clancey, V.J., “Diagnostic Features of Explosion Damage,” Sixth International Meeting of Forensic Science,
Edinburgh, England, 1972 (as cited in NUREG-1805 Table 15-1, Estimated Damage Attributable to
Explosive Overpressure (Clancey, 1972)).
Lees, F.P., Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, Vol. 1, Butterworth, London and Boston, 1980 (as cited in
ARCHIE, 1989 Table B.1, Explosion Overpressure Damage Estimates).
Additional sources added, as identified above:
EPA-550-B-99-009.
NRC Regulatory Guide 1.91, page 3.
ALOHA V. 5.4.6 PAC values.
4.3.3.2 DAMAGE CAUSED BY FRAGMENTATION
Damages caused by fragments originating from an explosion may have a significant impact on
surrounding SSCs. Section 4.3.2.1.2 discusses the techniques that determine the characteristics (shape,
velocity, angle of elevation) of fragments on SSCs or the MAR. By knowing the characteristics of
fragments, it is possible to judge whether a SSC will continue to operate after an explosion.
In the qualitative analysis of consequences to the facility worker, fragmentation injuries to the facility
worker should be considered.
4.3.3.3 DAMAGE CAUSED BY THERMAL EFFECTS TO FACILITY WORKERS
The information collected in Table 4-7 summarizes the type of injury that may result from various
thermal dose levels. A thermal analysis may be performed to show the thermal dose as a function of
distance, and the impact of the thermal dose to the worker. The analysis can be the basis for establishing
a barrier around a flammable area to prevent workers from entering the area and becoming potential
casualties, unless the workers have appropriate personal protective equipment, or for emergency planning
and responses.
However, DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 2.6.1.3, excludes the minor consequences in the previous
paragraph for qualitatively assessing consequence levels for facility worker hazard analysis. If the event
is classified as a SIH, then Chapter 4 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 is not applicable. For an explosion that is
not a SIH, then the thermal effects as well as physical injury from flying shrapnel need to be considered in
the qualitative consequence assessment for the facility worker in the DSA.
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Table 4-7. Approximate Rate of Radiant Flux
(Source: NFPA 921 Table 5.5.4.2.8, CCPS 1994 Table 6.6, ALOHA V. 5.4.6 PAC)
Approximate Radiant
Heat Flux
[ kW/m2 ]
Comment or Observed Effect
170 Maximum heat flux as currently measured in a post-flashover fire compartment. (1)
80 Heat flux for protective clothing Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) Test. a
52 Fiberboard ignites spontaneously after 5 seconds. b
37.5 Sufficient to cause damage to process equipment. Minimum energy required to
ignite wood at indefinitely long exposures. (2)
29 Wood ignites spontaneously after prolonged exposure. b
20 Heat flux on a residential family room floor at the beginning of flashover. c
16 Human skin experiences sudden pain and blisters after 5-second exposure with
second-degree burn injury. a
12.5 Wood volatiles ignite with intended exposure d and piloted ignition.
10.4 Human skin experiences pain with 3-second exposure and blisters in 9 seconds
with second-degree burn injury. a,b
10.0 ALOHA V. 5.4.6 PAC: Potentially lethal within 60 seconds.
9.5 Pain threshold reached after 8 s. Second degree burns after 20 s. (2)
Section 94
6.4 Human skin experiences pain with a second exposure and blisters in 18 seconds
with second-degree burn injury. a,e
5.0 ALOHA V. 5.4.6 PAC: Second degree burns within 60 seconds.
4.5 Human skin becomes blistered with a 30-second exposure, causing a second-
degree burn injury. a
4.0 Sufficient to cause pain to personnel if unable to reach cover within 20 s; however,
blistering of the skin (second degree burns) is likely; 0 percent lethality. (2)
2.5 Common thermal radiation exposure while firefighting. f
This energy level may cause burn injuries with prolonged exposure.
2.0 ALOHA V. 5.4.6 PAC: Pain within 60 seconds.
1.4 Thermal radiation from the sun. Potential sunburn in 30 minutes or less.g
1.0 Approximate solar radiation intensity on a clear, hot summer day. (2)
(1) NFPA 921 Table 5.5.4.2.8
Original sources as cited in NFPA 921, Table 5.5.4.2.8
a From NFPA1971, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Fire Fighting.
b From Lawson, “Fire and the Atomic Bomb.”
c From Fang and Breese, “Fire Development in Residential Basement Rooms.”
d From Lawson and Simms, “The Ignition of Wood by Radiation,” pp. 288-292.
e From Tan, “Flare System Design Simplified,” pp. 172-176.
f From U.S. Fire Administration, “Minimum Standards on Structural Fire Fighting Protective Clothing and
Equipment.”
g From Bennett and Myers, Momentum, Heat, and Mass Transfer.
(2) CCPS 1994, Table 6.6
(3) ALOHA V. 5.4.6 PAC values added above, as identified.
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Table 4-8 shows the time restrictions on workers with respect to potential thermal radiation from a fire to
avoid reaching the pain threshold.
Table 4-8. Exposure Time tc to Reach the Pain Threshold.
Radiation Intensity tc
[ Btu/hr/ft2 ] [ kW/m2 ] [ s ]
500 1.74 60
740 2.33 40
920 2.90 30
1,500 4.73 16
2,200 6.94 9
3,000 9.46 6
3,700 11.67 4
6,300 19.87 2
Source: API 521, 1982, Recommended Practice 521, American
Petroleum Institute (as cited in CCPS, 1994, Table 6.5,
Exposure Time to Reach the Pain Threshold (API 521, 1982).
Figure 4-21 shows the combination of heat flux and time that result in various injury levels to a worker
(CCPS, 1994, Figure 6.10).
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Figure 4-21. Injury and Fatality Levels for Thermal Radiation
(Source: CCPS, 1994 Figure 6.10)
ALOHA, 2013, Section 6.2, Levels of Concern for Thermal Radiation, reviewed the literature to present
the technical basis for thresholds that are used in the ALOHA code: 10 kW/m2 for a fatality; 5 kW/m2 for
second degree burns on unprotected skin; and 2 kW/m2 for pain. A value of 1.7 kW/m2 was reported to
not even cause pain regardless of exposure time, and the 5 kW/m2 was based on the U.S. Department of
Transportation regulations for liquid natural gas facilities.
4.3.3.4 DAMAGE CAUSED BY THERMAL EFFECTS TO SSCS
In addition to potential adverse personnel impacts, thermal flux can adversely impact SSCs. Thermal flux
data can be used to determine appropriate locations for SSCs to prevent adverse effects of a potential fire.
A fire analysis as discussed in Section 4.2.2 is completed to determine the potential heat flux over the fire
duration. With the transient heat flux profile, it is possible to use Table 4-7 and Table 4-8, to determine
potential injury to workers and damage to SSCs.
From Table 4-7 it can be observed that process equipment and buildings suffer severe damage for incident
heat fluxes of 37.5 kW/m2 and 12.5 kW/m2 respectively. As a rule of thumb, flammable materials in
buildings and process installations would be damaged after having been exposed to the above-quoted heat
fluxes for longer than 1,000 s (CCPS, 1994).
Section 95
pain
100101
exposure time (sec)
1
10
100
in
ci
de
nt
h
ea
t f
lu
x
(k
W
/m
)2
50% lethality (average
clothing)
-1% lethality (average
clothing)
range for blistering
of bare skin i.e.
threshold
3 burns, to bare skin (2mm)o
start of 2 burnso
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4.3.4 SOURCE TERM CALCULATION FOR EXPLOSION SCENARIOS
The following discusses the effect of an explosion on radiological and hazardous material in terms of
parameters important to the source term calculations, as further discussed in Chapter 5, Source Term
Analysis. This section provides basic guidance in the determination of MAR, DR, and ARF/RF to
estimate the release from an explosion event, and considerations related to release durations. No
additional considerations are presented for the selection of a mitigated LPF for explosions since the
analysis would be unique for the type of explosion and facility features (refer to Section 5.2.5 for further
discussion of LPFs for a mitigated analysis).
4.3.4.1 EXPLOSION MAR
For vessel bursts or BLEVEs, the MAR, quantity, form, and location is subject to assessment of
following:
a. For events where the MAR is outside of the exploding vessel, the effects of the blast are assessed
as a function of distance.
b. The impacts from fragments over a specific distance. The material could be in the nearby
proximity or directly within the reach of fragments projected by the burst vessel.
c. The thermal effects, as the result of thermal radiation produced during BLEVEs. If flammable
substances are released out of a pressurized vessel and form a cloud, the impact on the MAR will
depend on the distance the MAR is from the edge of the flammable cloud/fireball.
For vapor cloud explosions, the MAR, quantity, form and, location is subject to assessment depending on
the conditions where the explosion scenario event develops, for example:
a. A confined vapor cloud explosion causes a uniform pressure rise in the room until the
walls/ceiling fails, resulting in potential debris impacts to the MAR throughout the room.
b. For large enough enclosures or unconfined vapor clouds, where no significant over-pressure is
predicted; depending upon the size of the vapor cloud; the MAR may be determined by a physical
area subject to accelerated airflow that could suspend powders and liquids. If the vapor cloud
produces detonation-like overpressures (e.g., as predicted with the TNO Multi-Energy Method),
detonation and over-pressurization to rupture (if applicable) explosive forces on the MAR are
assessed.
c. No fragmentation is considered since the vapor cloud is the result of a gas release over time. If a
vapor cloud explosion is credible, then fragmentation and other failures of SSCs should be
considered.
d. Thermal effect is assessed on MAR if the material exposed to the thermal radiation is in the area
or in the proximity of the ignited cloud.
Explosions have a primary and secondary effect. The primary effects are discussed above. A secondary
effect is the possibility of secondary fires of other combustibles/flammables in the room or facility. These
fires could impact MAR that was not directly affected by the original explosion, or serve as a mechanism
for damaging the same MAR in a second way.
4.3.4.2 EXPLOSION DAMAGE RATIO (DR)
Section 96
Generally, a DR of 1.0 is appropriate for the unmitigated case, unless it is feasible to justify a technical
basis for a different value. For all explosion cases, the type of explosion, distance, and mitigative and/or
design control features are taken into account to justify the calculated results that various types of material
and/or quantity either would not or would be subjected to certain physical stresses.
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For vapor cloud explosions, additional considerations include height of the cloud, radius, impulse, and
energy content. Fragmentation effects also consider energy deposited at impact, and the size of the
fragments.
Section 5.2.2 provides a discussion of DRs. Additional guidance regarding explosions DRs are provided
in Section 5.2.2.2, Examples.
4.3.4.3 EXPLOSION ARF/RF
In the development of DOE-HDBK-3010-94, available experiments and other data were correlated with
the major types of material forms present at DOE nuclear processing and material handling facilities. The
MAR is not necessarily the explosive material, but rather the material exposed to the explosion stresses of
shock (detonation) and blast (deflagration) waves from an explosive source. In some cases the material is
the explosion source.
The Material at Risk (MAR) pertinent to the major types of radioactive materials that were addressed
include:
1. Gases, most specifically tritium;
2. Liquids
a. Aqueous solutions
b. Organics, combustible liquids
3. Solids
a. Metals
b. Nonmetallic or composite solids
c. Powders
4. Surface contamination
a. Contaminated, combustible solids
b. Solid, noncombustible unyielding surface
c. HEPA filters – venting of pressurized gases through filters
An important distinction to mention is that the TNT equivalent method, as discussed in section 4.3.2.3.4,
is used to calculate shock effects (detonations) on MARs located in the near field (or practically adjacent)
where the explosion occurs, but this equivalency should not be associated with the MAR itself, unless any
of the listed above materials in question is the explosive source.
4.3.4.4 EXPLOSION RELEASE DURATION
For unmitigated explosions indoors and all explosions outdoors, the release duration for atmospheric
dispersion should be the same as the sampling time base for the dispersion parameters (viz., 3 or 10
minutes), as discussed in Chapter 6, Atmospheric Dispersion.
For mitigated explosions inside facilities, the analyst may consider the use of a leakpath factor from the
facility geometry to effect a longer release time than 3 or 10 minutes. The analyst is cautioned that
Section 5.2.4 of this states that the total airborne quantity is assumed to exit the facility at one moment in
time because simple physical principles showing holdup may not be available. If crediting the facility
with holdup, the analyst should use acceptable physical principles to show that facility holdup is possible,
and more importantly, obtain approval from the regulatory authorities that facility holdup is an acceptable
mitigation. In many cases, building holdup does not limit the total release but only serves to spread the
total release over a longer time period. Section 5.2.4 provides a discussion of events that are not
amenable to potential facility holdup calculations.
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For explosions releasing hazardous chemicals located outdoors, the release duration should be considered
to be 1 minute when calculating the 15-min time weighted average (TWA) as discussed in Chapter 9,
Chemical Dispersion and Consequence Analysis.
Section 97
4.3.5 CASE: SOURCE TERM CALCULATION FOR HYDROGEN EXPLOSION
The source term is dependent on whether a detonation or deflagration occurs. The explosion is modeled
in the source term calculation using either the detonation model or deflagration model, depending on the
flammable gas concentration.
• If the hydrogen concentration is below the LFL, no event will occur. A concentration of 12%
volume at 25 °C and 1 atmosphere is conservatively selected for detonation of hydrogen and air
system in vessels.
• If the hydrogen concentration is between 4% and the 12% volume at 25 °C and 1 atmosphere in
the hydrogen-air system, a deflagration is assumed to occur.
• If the hydrogen concentration is at 12% or above, a detonation is assumed to occur. There is
some uncertainty in the 12% value due to equipment geometry [unfavorable to Deflagration to
Detonation Transition (DDT)] and lack of a credible ignition source. However because of the
uncertainty in the 12% value, the analyst should use the 12% for hydrogen LEL. The
consequences of a detonation are large and it is conservative to assume that the 12% value is
appropriate for hydrogen’s LEL.
The above values were taken from (Klotz, 2005: Section 2 for the 4% value, Section 5 for the 12%
value). Different values apply for other flammable gases. The conditions for achieving DDT deal in
particular with the geometry and path of the flame front. Since some process areas have a geometry that
is favorable for DDTs (e.g., a tank with numerous obstructions), a concentration of 12% at 25 °C and 1
atmosphere in air has been conservatively used for the DSA accident analysis. Other factors, such as
presence of water vapor and energy of the ignition source, affect this parameter and would make a
detonation less likely, but are conservatively ignored.
The following subsections are structured to address the important parameters and considerations for
selecting MAR, DR, ARF/RF, and release duration, rather than as a narrative scenario of a case study that
would be documented for the DSA or its supporting calculation.
The LFL value of 4% for hydrogen should be corrected if used for other than the 25 °C and 1 atmospheric
conditions. The following correction is used for air temperature greater than 25 °C (Klotz, 2005, p. 7):
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻2 = 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻2@4% − 0.0011 × (𝑇𝑇 − 25) Equation 4-44
Where:
LFLH2 = hydrogen LFL at temperature T, volume %
LFLH2@4% = hydrogen LFL at 25 °C and 1 atmosphere, volume %
0.0011 = Attenuation Factor
T = temperature, °C
There are different values for the Attenuation Factor in the literature. If a different factor can be justified
by the user for their unique situation, then the justification should be provided in the document that the
user produces. Different flammable gases have different Attenuation Factors. There are also different
correction formulas for LFL in the literature. If a different correction formula is applicable for the event
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scenario under evaluation, the analyst should consider the different correction formula and provide
justification for using the different correction formula.
It is conservative to use no correction for temperature less than 25 °C.
Section 98
The LFL and LEL values for hydrogen are given at one atmosphere pressure. The data base for LFL and
LEL values at other than atmospheric pressure is near zero. Typically, most LFL and LEL calculations
are completed for near atmospheric pressure and any potential correction for pressure is negligible. If
experimental data become available for pressures different than atmospheric, then the new data should be
examined for applicability to the analyst’s event scenario. If a pressure correction is needed and no
experimental data are available, a suggested correction from the ideal gas relationship is:
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻2 = 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐻𝐻2@1𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ∙ �𝑃𝑃1𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
𝑃𝑃𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
� Equation 4-45
Where:
LFLH2 = hydrogen LFL at pressure Pact, volume %
LFLH2@1atm = hydrogen LFL at 25 °C and 1 atmosphere, volume %
P1atm = standard atmospheric pressure, atm
Pact = actual atmospheric pressure, atm
LEL values can be corrected using the same formulas as above. However in practice, LEL corrections are
seldom performed as the correction is generally very small. Also, hydrogen LEL values in the literature
shows some variation from the 12%. A potential small correction to the 12% value is generally not worth
the effort.
The hydrogen LFL and LEL values in this section are based on an oxidizing environment of air. A
different oxidizing environment could lead to different results.
The preceding paragraphs have discussed the LFL and LEL for hydrogen in air. In many cases across the
DOE complex, hydrogen is not the only flammable gas in a vapor space. For a combination of flammable
hydrocarbons, Le Chatelier’s Law [Joseph M. Kutcha, “Investigation of Fire and Explosion Accidents in
the Chemical, Mining, and Fuel-Related Industries – A Manual”, Bureau of Mines Bulletin 680, 1985,
Equation 35; Michael G. Zabetakis, “Flammability Characteristics of Combustible Gases and Vapors”,
Bureau of Mines Bulletin 627, 1965, Equation 46] is used to develop a composite LFL or CLFL. Two
similar expressions for Le Chatelier’s Law are:
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 1
∑
𝑀𝑀𝑖𝑖
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝑀𝑀𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚∙𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝑖𝑖
𝑖𝑖
= 1
∑ 𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑖
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝑖𝑖
𝑖𝑖
Equation 4-46
Where:
CLFL = composite LFL, volume %
LFLi = the lower flammability limit of gas i, volume %
mole
iM = the mole fraction of flammable gas i
mole
totM = the total mole fraction of all flammable gases
fi = fraction of combustible gas represented by the ith combustible
An example calculation for a vapor space containing two flammable gases follows. Let the fraction of
gas1 with a LFL of 2% in the vapor space equal 0.011 while gas 2 with a LFL of 5% has a fraction in the
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vapor space equal to 0.035. The flammable fraction for gas 1 is 0.011 / (0.011 + 0.035) = 0.239 and for
gas 2 is 0.035 / (0.011 + 0.035) = 0.761. The resulting CLFL is:
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 1
𝑓𝑓1
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿1
+ 𝑓𝑓2
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿2
= 1
0.239
2% +0.761
5%
= 3.68% Equation 4-47
The preceding paragraphs have discussed the LFL of gases and potential corrections to the nominal LFL
value of a gas. For control of flammable gases, the industry standard for allowable LFL or CLFL
conditions is NFPA 69. This standard states that the concentration of a flammable gas is controlled to
25% of the LFL (or CLFL) unless there is real-time monitoring of the gas concentration, in which case
the gas concentration is allowed to reach 60% of the LFL or CLFL. In DOE facilities, the control points
for flammable gas concentrations are typically the 25% or 60% levels, depending on the control is use.
There are cases where LFL (CLFL) levels different than 25% or 60% are allowed, depending on the
process and what is allowed by the local regulatory agencies. Also, allowable gas concentrations during
accident conditions may be allowed to differ from the 25% or 60% guideline values in NFPA 69.
Section 99
Controlling LFL or CLFL conditions is typically accomplished with purge flows through the vapor space
containing the flammable gas. The purge flow is based on the maximum LFL or CLFL level that is
permitted by the facility in question.
4.3.5.1 GAS EXPLOSION SOURCE TERM (ST)
The source term from a gas explosion is based on the TNT-Equivalency model. As discussed in Section
5.2, the source term is determined from the five-factor formula:
ST = MAR × DR × ARF × RF × LPF Equation 4-48
Where:
MAR = material at risk
DR = damage ratio
ARF = airborne release fraction
RF = respirable fraction
LPF = leakpath factor
In fitting this formula to a gas explosion over a liquid containing radionuclides, the TNT equivalent mass
from Equation 4-38 provides the equivalent of the MARxDR. If one prefers to define DR = 1, then
Equation 4-38 defines the MAR. For an explosion, the ARF/RF is one. The LPF equals one for
unmitigated analyses and is usually one for mitigated events as acceptable methodologies for determining
LPF values less than one are not available. The end result is that the source term (ST) is simply the result
from Equation 4-38. In this example, the TNT equivalent mass model simply converts energy into a
quantity of liquid that is vaporized to become a ST for radiological dose calculations.
An additional item should be considered in using the ST from the previous paragraph in determining a
receptor dose consequence. This item is whether the radionuclides in the liquid MAR are uniformly
distributed throughout the liquid. The ST from the simple TNT model is the surface of the MAR. If
settling of solids in the original liquid mass has occurred, then the radionuclide content of the evaporated
liquid would be less than the original uniform distribution of radionuclides in the liquid. Another
scenario is that the waste material has trapped flammable gas that is suddenly released. As part of the
release, there is the possibility that the rising gas bubbles in the waste will bring more hazardous materials
to the top layer of liquid that is susceptible to evaporation from the gas detonation.
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In the previous paragraphs, the MAR is defined as the quantity of liquid that is evaporated. The original
quantity of material in the tank is more accurately termed the MAR.
This treatment for an explosion assumes that the explosion is the only stress imposed on the original mass
of liquid involved in the explosion.
4.3.5.2 GAS DEFLAGRATION SOURCE TERM (ST)
Calculations for determining a ST for a flammable gas deflagration are more involved than the
calculations for a detonation event. There is no single set of equations available for a deflagration event.
Depending on the defined accident scenario from the HA process, there are different paths that a release
can take. For example, a deflagration may or may not rupture the vessel or pipe containing the flammable
gas that caused the deflagration.
With deflagrations, it is possible to have multiples stresses on the MAR in a vessel, depending on the
accident scenario progression. For the deflagration discussion in the following paragraphs, the accident
scenario is assumed to occur inside a vessel.
The initial step in a deflagration is to determine the mass quantity that is evaporated from the liquid
surface due to the deflagration. The fraction of energy available for evaporation is determined:
𝐹𝐹 = 𝐴𝐴𝐹𝐹
𝐴𝐴𝑊𝑊+𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶+ 𝐴𝐴𝐹𝐹
Equation 4-49
Section 100
Where:
𝐸𝐸𝑇𝑇 - total energy from the combustion of flammable gas
𝐴𝐴𝐹𝐹 - footprint area (the liquid surface area)
𝐴𝐴𝑊𝑊 - area of exposed walls
𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶 - ceiling area
In this equation, the fraction of the energy (F) that is deposited into the liquid surface is taken to be equal
to the fraction of the total surface area represented by the liquid; this assumes that no energy is lost by
venting and that the heat flux from the product gas volume is uniform. One difficulty in using the
equation is that the liquid level in the vessel experiencing the deflagration can vary, resulting in different
values for Aw. To eliminate this potential question on side wall area, Aw can be set to zero and the area
ratio reduces to the simple value of 0.5 because for a simple vessel model, AF = AC.
Equation 4-49 assumes that the flammable gas is uniformly distributed throughout the vapor space. Also,
the heat flux from the hot gas after the deflagration is uniform on the vessel walls, vessel top surface, and
waste surface that surround the vapor space of the vessel. If a localized deflagration is possible near the
waste surface, the analyst will need to justify the use of Equation 4-49 or a possible modification to
Equation 4-49.
Once the fraction of energy is calculated from Equation 4-49, the mass quantity that is evaporated from
the deflagration is determined:
𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = 𝐸𝐸𝐻𝐻∗𝐹𝐹
(𝐶𝐶𝑝𝑝∗ ∆𝑇𝑇+𝐻𝐻)
Equation 4-50
Where:
𝐸𝐸𝐻𝐻 – Total heat from combustion of flammable gas
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𝐶𝐶𝑝𝑝 - Specific heat of liquid
∆𝑇𝑇 - Temperature differential to raise the liquid temperature to boiling
H - Latent heat of vaporization of liquid
As in Section 4.3.5.1, the MAR from the above equation is defined as the actual quantity that is
evaporated from the deflagration and not the original mass of the liquid exposed to the deflagration.
Typically, the original mass would be defined as the MAR but the value from Equation 4-50 is used as
the MAR variable in the five-factor formula.
With a deflagration for a stoichiometric gas/air mixture in an enclosed space, there is a pressure increase
and this increase is specific for different gases. This pressure is referred to as the adiabatic, constant-
volume combustion constant (AICC) pressure, and the table below provides examples of AICC pressures.
Table 4-9. Constant Volume Combustion Pressures for Various Gases.
Gas P (bar)
Hydrogen 8.15
Ethylene 9.51
Propane 9.44
Methane 8.94
Source: D. Bjerketvedt, et al., “Gas Explosion
Handbook,” GexCon, (internet version).
At this point in the analysis, specific information is needed regarding the accident scenario sequence for a
deflagration. Possible accident sequences are discussed in the following paragraphs.
One possible accident sequence for the deflagration is that the deflagration has pressurized the vessel, and
that the relief is through a simple vent pipe through which the gas flow is not choked. The analyst for a
simple unmitigated analysis can use the MAR from Equation 4-50. The unmitigated ST for this MAR is
determined from Equation 4-48 with DR = 1, LPF = 1, and ARF/RF = 0.1 × 1.0. This ST is due to the
original stress on the MAR. In this scenario, no entrainment of liquid in the vessel occurs and the dose
consequence is totally dependent on the ST from Equation 4-50.
Section 101
A second accident scenario for the deflagration assumes that the vessel containing the deflagration bursts.
In this scenario, venting of the pressurized liquid from the vessel occurs as well as the release of the ST
from the evaporation of the waste from the first accident scenario in the previous paragraph. Depending
on the pressure magnitude (AICC value) and on the location of the venting process, different ARF/RF
values are used for the venting calculation. Section 3.1, subsection “Explosive Stress” of DOE-STD-3010
presents information on the selection of ARF/RF values.
A third accident scenario for the deflagration assumes that the vessel breach is well above the liquid level
in the vessel. In this scenario, the analyst is referred to the technique described in (Paddleford, D. F. and
J. K. Thomas, 1995.) The total ST for this third scenario would be sum of the STs from the volume of
vaporized waste and from the mass quantity that is entrained and exits through the breach in the vessel
wall.
The above accident scenarios for a gas deflagration do not include all possible STs. The analyst should
carefully review the accident scenario as defined by the HA process and determine the appropriate
analytical technique to determine the STs.
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4.4 SPILLS
A spill is of concern in accident analysis, as it results in an airborne release of radiological and toxic
chemical materials from the puddle that is formed through evaporation. DOE-HDBK-3010-94 describes
a spill event as follows:
Material experiences instability/shear stress at the surface of the mass resulting in sub-division of
the overall mass. Airflow patterns around and through the material mass, including induced
turbulence, accelerate overall sub-division. Mass breakup is further enhanced by impact with
ground surface. The material sub-division can generate particles sufficiently small that they
remain airborne for a significant period of time.
4.4.1 TYPES OF LOSS OF CONFINEMENT/SPILLS AND SCENARIOS
Spills can be defined as the accidental falling or flowing of material out of a confinement boundary.
Spills can result from either a closed confinement system (e.g., sealed drum or tank) or an open
confinement system (e.g., open container being handled in a glovebox [GB]). The GB, room, and exterior
building walls can also be considered confinement barriers, but these barriers are used to determine the
leak path of the spill.
DOE-HDBK-3010-94 provides estimates of ARF/RFs for the following spill/loss of confinement events:
• Free-fall spill of aqueous solutions, 3-m fall distance.
• Free-fall spills of slurries, 3-m fall distance, <40% solids.
• Free-fall spills of viscous solutions, viscosity >8 centipoise.
• Free-fall spills of aqueous solutions, slurries and viscous solutions, fall distances >3 m.
• Free-fall spill of cohesionless powders <3m.
• Free-fall spill of cohesionless powders >3m.
• Suspended solid dispersed into flowing air.
• Aqueous solution, slurries, and viscous liquids (non-Newtonian fluids) spilled onto a hard,
unyielding surface.
Spills of powders, liquids, or gases can be initiated via human error or by an external energy source.
Examples of such events include puncture of a container by a forklift or missile, crushing of a container,
drop of container, or other impact, shock, vibration, and abrasion forces.
Section 102
For nonvolatile and volatile liquids, evaporation is generally the dominant mechanism for release of
hazardous materials. For spills of these types, the surface area of the spill and temperature of the pool
formed by the spill dominate the release. DOE- Central Registry Toolbox codes such as EPICode and
ALOHA, have pool evaporation models that can be used to evaluate spills of liquids and volatile organic
compounds. See Section 9.7 for a further discussion of these codes.
For spills of gases and cryogenic compounds, the impact on surrounding equipment needs to be
considered. Concurrent spills of dissimilar compounds from a common-cause event (e.g., seismic) may
result in adverse chemical reactions. Analysis of adverse chemical reactions is discussed in Section 4.5 of
this Handbook.
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4.4.2 ANALYSIS OF SPILLS
The analysis of spills requires the analyst to be able to identify the amount of material that is spilled and
the mechanical mechanism involved, that is, the accident phenomenology, so that the MAR, DR, ARF,
and RF can be determined utilizing information in DOE-HDBK-3010-94. Spill source terms is further
discussed in Chapter 5. NUREG/CR-6410, Section 3.2.3.3, provides the following descriptions of insults
to containers or enclosures that may result in a spill:
A. Puncture-Perforation of a container or confinement can release materials in a number of ways.
For the release of a volatile material, evaporation is the dominant mechanism (Brereton et al.,
1997). Some solids (e.g., phenol) may vaporize/sublime on release from perforated containers.
Materials that are flammable gases or have combustible vapors can be vented and, in the presence
of an ignition source, result in secondary fires. Solutions with non-volatile solvents and powder
may vent if the volume is pressurized and can vent either above the level of the material in the
vessel (fragmentation of the liquid by bubble formation and rupture at the surface, or separation
of particles at rest by the expansion of the gas in the inter-particle void space) or below it (spray
formation of liquids either at temperatures above or below the boiling point of the solvent, or by
venting of pressurized volume containing powders). Free-fall spill/release of a solid may be
followed by a period of evaporation or even sublimation for volatile solids.
B. Free-Fall Spill (Result of Perforation) - The release and free-fall of liquids and powders can result
in suspension from shear stress at the air-material interface. A falling slug can thus shed
particles/droplets during the fall. Air resistance can result in the disruption of the face of the
falling slug of powder, and particles can be shed into the area of lower pressure resulting from the
restoration of the streamlines on the back face of the slug. Impact can induce breakup of solids,
powder slugs, and liquids. Volatile materials may evaporate on release (Brereton et al., 1997).
C. Crush-Impact - This phenomenon imposes force on the surface of the material impacted and can
fragment both solids (brittle fracture, displacement of powders) and liquids (splashing and droplet
formation by displacement and shear). If the force is applied to less than the total surface of the
material, fragmentation of the material is limited to the volume that experiences shock wave
transmission and reflectance in solids, or the surface area affected for liquids.
Section 103
D. Shock-Vibration - If the surface is not fragmented, particles lying on the surface (surface
contamination, corrosion products) can be jarred from the surface and suspended by
vibratory/shock effects.
E. Abrasion - This phenomenon consists of forces applied to the surface layer that induce
fragmentation of the surface by mechanical action. Particles generated may be suspended by the
mechanical action more efficiently than by aerodynamic forces.
The following three subsections provide a brief treatment of glovebox spills, spills from material handling
and waste container accidents, and spills due to over-pressurizations. Aerodynamic entrainment is also
briefly treated. Pressurized gas releases are addressed in Section 9.5.2.
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4.4.2.1 GLOVEBOX SPILLS
Loss of confinement inside a GB could be caused by an operator inadvertently dropping an open can of
material during an operation such as a bagout operation, by equipment failure, or by an airflow reversal.
A spill from a can or bottle may occur as the result of a human error while performing some particular
action in the GB. A chemical reaction could also occur either inside or outside a container, resulting in a
container breach. The MAR is the amount of material that could be spilled from the GB. The DR
represents the amount damaged from the accident, while the ARF/RF can be determined by the energy of
the released material if any is imparted on it from the release event, height of the release, and
environmental conditions (i.e., temperature, pressure, humidity) into which the spill occurs. The release
from the glovebox into the process room is of interest for evaluation of consequences to the FW, while
the release to the environment is of interest for evaluation of consequences to the CW and MOI.
4.4.2.2 MATERIAL HANDLING AND WASTE CONTAINER ACCIDENTS
A number of energy sources can cause a spill or loss of confinement during material handling. The
movement of waste containers or primary containers with dispersible forms of Pu or U used in processes
can be subjected to such energy sources. The most common include: (1) kinetic energy sources such as
maintenance equipment (e.g., drills, grinders), handling equipment (e.g., forklifts), and internally
generated missiles (e.g., shrapnel from failed rotating plant equipment); (2) potential energy sources (e.g.,
high storage shelves); (3) NPHs (e.g., earthquakes); and (4) man-made external events (e.g., airplane
crashes). In addition, chemical reactions such as from nitric acid or chlorinated solvent corrosion of the
container and exothermic pyrophoric Pu reactions can also fail the primary confinement boundary. Loss
of confinement events involving a single drum, crate, or container can result from all energy sources
during handling operations. Events involving multiple drums, crates, or containers require a large energy
source from mechanical equipment such as a forklift truck.
Table 4-10 provides an example of an approach for defining spill sizes for handling accidents for
containers without interior packaging and for tanks/piping. Evaluating different spills sizes may be
important if the preventive or mitigative controls that need to be credited are different, otherwise, the
bounding spill size important to establishing the safety basis within a likelihood category is generally
evaluated.
Section 104
Spill sizes, however, depend heavily on spill type, interior packaging, size of packaging, internal pressure,
orifice size, and form and type of hazardous material. For example, the amount of material released from
a drum punctured by a fork lift may be different from the amount released from an identical drum that fell
from the top of a stack of drums from the effects of an earthquake. Also, if the material within a
container is packaged in additional containers, such as plastic bags, not all of these interior containers
would be breached in an accident. A drum puncture, for example, would probably breach only one
interior container, so that the amount of spilled material (i.e., MAR) would be reduced by a factor equal to
the number of bags in the drum, assuming each bag contains the same amount.
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Table 4-10. Spill Sizes for Handling Accidents.
Spill Size Drums Tanks/Piping
Small one drum ≤10% content of
tanks/piping
Medium Two to
three drums
>10% but <50%
content of
tanks/piping
Large ≥ four
drums
100% content of
tanks/piping
4.4.2.3 OVER-PRESSURIZATIONS
Over-pressures can result from a build-up of pressure in a container through increasing temperature or
through radiolysis, or from the force of a pressure wave of an explosion. For a pressurized container, a
small hole in the vessel can result in a spray release of liquid or rapid depressurization and release of
powder whereas a rupture of the container of powder would release a cloud of powder. Explosions that
cause over-pressurizations are discussed in Section 4.3.
4.4.2.3.1 PRESSURIZED POWDER RELEASES
If the gases in and around a powder are compressed, the gases will expand rapidly during a sudden release
of pressure, resulting in airborne dispersal of the powder. Experiments involving the venting of
pressurized powders is discussed in Chapter 4, Solids, of DOE-HDBK-3010-94, in which different
amounts of powders are subjected to sudden venting under a variety of over-pressures. In general, the
larger the over-pressure the larger the amount of powder that becomes airborne, but does not change the
original host material particle size distribution.
4.4.2.3.2 PRESSURIZED LIQUID RELEASES
There are three main regimes of pressurized venting of liquids: (1) venting below liquid level, (2) venting
above liquid level, and (3) venting of superheated liquid (i.e., flashing spray). This phenomenon covers
general pressurized venting, including deflagration induced pressurized venting effects. Experiments
involving the venting of pressurized liquids is discussed in Chapter 3 of DOE-HDBK-3010-94. Further
discussion is provided in Section 9.5.2 of this handbook.
4.4.2.4 AERODYNAMIC ENTRAINMENT
Aerodynamic entrainment needs to be considered in two situations: (1) air flow past material spilled on
the floor or ground, and (2) backdraft of a confinement ventilation system.
Air and other gases passing over a surface or directed onto a surface can induce flow and turbulence that
can suspend particles on or from the surface impacted. The presence of obstructions around or over the
surface can affect the air flow and, therefore, the suspension of materials from the surface. Sources for
gases at accelerated velocities are the passage of or impact by the pressure impulse generated by
explosions, ambient or extreme wind conditions, or other conditions such as indoor ventilation airflows.
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Section 105
In DOE-HDBK-3010-94, the approach has been to consider aerodynamic entrainment or resuspension31
conditions as best evaluated for quantification of hazardous release scenarios using empirical
relationships based on field and laboratory data. While the transport phenomena described in Chapters 6
and 9 are applicable to these situations and improve the understanding of the effects of these phenomena,
the analyst is directed to Chapter 5 for quantitative inputs applicable to the accident conditions being
addressed so that the physical release potential from aerodynamic entrainment/resuspension is
conservatively estimated as defined for the DOE-STD-3009 unmitigated analysis. Two scenarios below
are discussed in more detail.
• Air flow past spilled material: An airborne release rate (ARR), and the length of time that air is
flowing past the material, are required to estimate the potential airborne release from postulated
accident conditions. In some situations, the release rate may not be uniform with time.
• HVAC backdraft (or flow reversal): For the airflow reversal scenario resulting from a loss of
HVAC Zone I functionality, a GB breach could occur and result in the release of holdup material
in the GB and exposed material in open containers within the GB. Since the Zone II Ventilation
System is still functional, the rest of the building ventilation system is operating under partial
system flow or even near normal ambient conditions depending upon the ventilation system
design. Other factors that affect the airflow reversal scenario are the DR for the holdup material
and the release duration.
4.5 ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Several specific chemical reactions rise from the hazards analyses and may require accident analysis due
to their ability to contribute to the airborne release of radioactive materials or toxic chemicals in nuclear
materials processing and waste management as they can lead to loss of confinement, fire and/or
explosions. This section briefly discusses a selection of reactions relevant to DOE accident analysis,
including:
• Organic-Based Ion Exchange Resin Reaction;
• “Red Oil” Reaction;
• Organic Reaction Event; and
• Hydroxylamine Nitrate Reaction.
This information may be useful in identifying and analyzing chemical reaction events. It may also be
useful to determine whether a fire, explosion, or loss of confinement may occur (which can be further
evaluated per information provided in Sections 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 of this handbook).
4.5.1 ORGANIC-BASED ION EXCHANGE RESIN REACTION
Synthetic ion exchange resins are used in nuclear processing operations such as with plutonium nitrate
solutions. Because the separation and purification processes involve contacting nitric acid solutions with
31 Resuspension as used when referring to the stress caused by an accident or to calculate the airborne source term,
refers to the initial suspension of materials from the surface of the particulate mass being affected by the accident
stress or air turbulence. This should not be confused with a more limited definition of resuspension used in the
Chapter 6 and 7 atmospheric dispersion analyses that refers to the amount of contaminated materials initially
deposited as the plume travels downwind that becomes airborne again due to wind effects overcoming saltation.
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organic materials, conditions for safe operation should be clearly defined and resolutely maintained.
Section 106
Under conditions of rapid reaction between nitric acid and organic materials, the nitrogen oxides
produced by the reaction are also reactive, and this further tends to accelerate the reaction. The result in a
confined system can be rapid and accelerating pressurization, with the resulting hazard of bursting the ion
exchange column or vessel.
The presence of a large number of active sites designated to exchange ions accompanied by extensive
polymer cross-linking in the overall resin matrix creates an inherent potential for instability in the type of
resin used. Under the right circumstances, this instability can be expressed in a wide variety of
exothermic reactions. A variety of reactions is possible, but once the thermal excursion reaches an
autocatalytic state, an over-pressurization incident of some type is the inevitable result.
Various types of theoretical models for assessing the airborne release have been postulated. Precedents
within DOE for source term estimation have used the model of a thermal explosion since this model
seems to predict damage that best matches what has been historically observed. The model is based on
exothermic resin degradation reactions, including the recombination of plutonium with nitrate. In thermal
explosion events, the initial source of the resin exotherm is highly localized. The localized area may dry
out the resin and heat it above the resin autocatalytic ignition temperature, at which point the column
condition can no longer be stabilized. Accelerated heat and gas generation results in rapid pressure build
up to the onset of structural failure of the ion exchange vessel.
A pressurized spray of superheated liquid occurs when the vessel fails either catastrophically or leaks.
For a catastrophic failure, the amount of release depends on the failure pressure of the ion exchange
column since this will determine the degree of superheating. The ARF increases with higher degrees of
superheat. Assuming the properties of water as expressed in the steam tables, a superheat of 50 °C
corresponds to 0.76 MPa (110 psia), and a superheat of 100 °C corresponds to 3.1 MPa (450 psia). If the
accident occurs with process solutions present, the ARF should be obtained from DOE-HDBK-3010-94,
Section 3.2.2.2 for blast effects over the surface of the liquid and Section 3.2.2.3 for venting below or
above the liquid surface, and Sections 4.4.2.2 and 4.4.2.3 for blast effects and venting of solids/powders,
respectively. Ignition of the dried-out organic resin, such as polystyrene resin, whether still in the ion
exchange column or packaged as waste, may occur before, during, or after the explosion and represents
another potential source term mechanism (1E-2 ARF / 1.0 RF per Table 5-1 of Chapter 5).
4.5.1.1 REACTIONS OF NITRIC ACID WITH ORGANIC MATERIALS
Nitric acid, in addition to being a strong acid, is a powerful oxidant when concentrated. It “reacts
violently with many organic compounds, for example turpentine, charcoal, and charred sawdust. The
concentrated acid may react explosively with ethanol. Nitric acid is used with certain organics, such as
furfuryl alcohol and aniline, as rocket propellant” (Clarke and Mazzafro, 1996). The explosive properties
of such reactions are aggravated by the production of gaseous reaction products, including steam, carbon
dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. The concentrated acid can induce nitration in many organic compounds,
including both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, and the products may be unstable to shock or heat.
Section 107
The nitrating reaction of concentrated HNO3 with organic materials proceeds by one of several
mechanisms. With aromatic compounds and alcohols, the reaction is believed to involve the ion NO2
+.
Consider a reaction of nitric acid (HNO3+) with benzene (C6H6) and ethanol (C2H5OH).
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Reaction of nitric acid with aromatic compound and ethanol
HNO3 + C6H6 + C2H5OH ==> NO2
+ + H2NO3- + H2O + 8CO2 Equation 4-51
From the principles of mass action, it is evident that in strong acid this equilibrium is shifted to the right.
In dilute nitric acid, this equilibrium is shifted to the left and the rate of nitration is negligible. The
addition of sulfuric acid favors the nitrating reaction, and sulfuric acid is used for this purpose in the
chemical industry.
Another mechanism that leads to the nitration of aliphatic hydrocarbons involves reaction of the NO2
radical. This normally occurs only with concentrated acid at very high temperatures. However, ionizing
radiation produces this radical in nitrate solutions (Miner, 1969), making such reactions possible at
ordinary temperatures. Nitric oxide also reacts with metal to create hydrogen gas. Other hazards
involving nitrates and organics are mentioned in Section 4.5.3.
4.5.1.2 COMPOSITION AND REACTIONS OF ION EXCHANGE RESINS
Synthetic ion exchange resins are made in many types, and used for a wide variety of industrial purposes.
Those used in nuclear separations processes are primarily of two types: cation exchange resins, and strong
base anion exchange resins. Both cation and anion exchange resins are composed of polystyrene with
active sites chemically bound to the aromatic rings. Cation resins contain sulfonic acid groups, which
carry a negative charge and bind the positively charged cations through electrostatic forces. The active
sites in anion resins are quaternary amine groups, which take on a positive charge that need to be
neutralized by a negative ion.
Other active groups, such as chelating agents, are sometimes present in resins used for specialized
purposes, such as concentrating samples for chemical or radiochemical analysis. Full characterization of
ion exchange resins requires specifying resin bead sizes and the extent of cross-linking. Small resin
particles permit more rapid exchange, but offer greater resistance to flow. Development of macroreticular
resins, which contain large channels that facilitate diffusion, has enabled improved sorption and
desorption kinetics. The extent of cross-linking determines the rigidity of resins, and their tendency to
shrink and swell as the solution composition varies.
4.5.1.3 CHEMICAL DEGRADATION OF ION EXCHANGE RESINS
Both strongly basic anion and cation resins are quite stable in neutral and moderately acid aqueous
solution at ordinary ambient temperatures. Strong-base anion resins are used for plutonium and
neptunium separations at nitric acid concentrations in the range of 6 to 8 molar (M). Chemical
degradation of the resin is unimportant under these conditions. However, at higher acidities there is an
increasing likelihood of reaction between the nitric acid and the amine groups that give the resin its
character. The rate of nitric acid reaction with the resin also increases with temperature. Acidity control
and low temperatures are therefore important safety factors. For example, at the Savannah River Site,
column temperatures during anion exchange processing of plutonium are limited to a maximum of 60 °C,
and the nitric acid concentration is held below 9 M. Temperature control becomes especially important
when processing highly radioactive alpha-emitting isotopes, such as Plutonium-238 or Americium-241.
In these, nearly all the decay heat is released within the ion exchange bed on which they are sorbed.
Section 108
A number of incidents have occurred in the chemical process industry when weak-base anion resins were
exposed to nitric acid. A review has recommended that nitric acid not be used with these resins, as they
are apparently more sensitive to attack by nitric acid than the strong-base resins (Calmon, 1980). Calmon
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also recommends that the presence of ions such as copper, which may catalyze resin decomposition,
should be excluded from processes involving nitric acid and resins.
4.5.1.4 RADIATION EFFECTS ON ION EXCHANGE RESINS
Like all organic material, synthetic ion exchange resins are degraded by ionizing radiation. Although
aromatic compounds are less vulnerable to radiation degradation than aliphatic compounds, ionizing
radiation can still break chemical bonds within the ring and elsewhere in the resin. Additionally, free
radicals formed by radiolysis of water in the resin bed can remove bound hydrogen or attach to the resin.
Substituent groups may be removed, and the resin backbone may cross-link. The extensive literature on
radiolysis of ion exchange resins has been reviewed by Pillay (1986). Again, the highest radiation dose
rates are associated with short-lived alpha-emitting isotopes, which release nearly all their radiation into
the bed on which they are sorbed.
Empirical relationships have been developed to establish the maximum radiation dose that a resin can
tolerate. For very radioactive material, such as Curium-244, only a single use of a given resin batch may
be allowed. For less radioactive material, such as Plutonium-239 or Neptunium-237, repeated use over a
long period is allowable. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) adopted a maximum
allowable dose to anion resin of 1E+08 rad (1E+06 gray) based on a survey of practices in the nuclear
power plant industry and considering uncertainties (NUREG/CR-2830, Permissible Radionuclide
Loadings for Organic Ion-Exchange Resins from Nuclear Power Plants), a value that also has been
adopted at some DOE sites such as Savannah River (Smith, F.G., et al., 2007). Generally, the
effectiveness of the resin as a separations medium begins to degrade before nitration makes the resin itself
a reaction hazard. However, the handling of spent resins should take into account the possibility of
radiation-induced nitration, which makes the resin more flammable and more easily subject to chemical
degradation.
4.5.1.5 INCIDENTS INVOLVING CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF RESINS
A number of events, including vessel rupture, fire, and explosion, have occurred in ion exchange
equipment exposed to nitric acid. Calmon (1980) has reviewed 14 events occurring prior to 1980,
including 8 in nuclear processing operations. Pillay (1986) cites 13 articles dealing with incidents in the
nuclear industry, including those cited by Calmon. Several of these incidents were reviewed by Miles
(1969). There has also been at least one serious incident in Russia that has not been described in western
literature. It was informally reported during bilateral meetings on safety at Hanford in 1993.
Cation resin is considered less vulnerable to degradation than anion resin. However, a major incident in
1976 (BNWI--107) involved the explosion of a cation column at Hanford that had been loaded with more
than 100 g americium, and allowed to stand for more than five months as the result of a plant shutdown.
The resin was Dowex 50, 8 percent cross-linked, and the liquid phase was 7 M nitric acid. The column
was 6-in. schedule 10 stainless steel pipe. On resumption of work, the column pressurized and burst
violently, causing considerable damage and one serious injury. The resin had been exposed to a high
radiation dose from absorbed americium during the outage. It is unclear whether the pressure relief vent
was open at the time of the accident.
Section 109
The Russian incident of 1993 involved an anion column loaded with the highly radioactive isotope
Plutonium-238. As the result of a valve leak, the column dried out, and the cooling jacket was unable to
maintain the central part of the column at a safe temperature. (Heat transfer through dry resin is poor.)
The resin was heated by the radioisotope and reacted with enough violence to burst the column. This
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operation was in a remote facility, and there was no personal injury. However, cleanup and repair were
very difficult.
4.5.1.6 DISCUSSION OF ACCIDENT CONDITIONS
Precautions against resin reactions are of two types: (1) those that prevent the reaction from occurring,
and (2) those that mitigate the results.
Precautions to prevent a runaway reaction include temperature control, acid concentration control, and
providing adequate cooling. Because most of the heat transfer within a column of resin involves the
aqueous phase the column should not be allowed to dry out. At the Savannah River Site, a maximum
flow interruption of 48 h is allowed for processing Pu-239, and a maximum interruption of 15 min is
allowed when processing Pu-238. Maintaining flow carries away heat, and helps prevent the formation of
bubbles in the resin bed. As previously indicated, maximum values for radiation doses (108 rad), nitric
acid concentration (9 M) and temperature (60 °C) are also imposed. The values chosen were based on
experience and on the results of laboratory studies of the materials and reactions.
Another method of prevention is to use resins less susceptible to these phenomena. For new resins or
processes, the reactivity of the system should be determined using techniques such as thermogravimetric
analysis, differential thermal analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry.
Mitigation primarily takes the form of venting. The design of vents should take into account measured
reaction rates and the corresponding gas generation. Design is important; vents should be of the “ever
open” type wherever possible. Where this is not possible, as in high-pressure separations systems, careful
analysis of the system and control of operating parameters is important to ensure safe operation.
4.5.2 “RED OIL” REACTION
4.5.2.1 BACKGROUND AND PRIOR RED OIL INCIDENTS
The Plutonium Uranium Extraction (PUREX) solvent extraction process (and its variants) uses tri-n-butyl
phosphate (TBP) and concentrated nitric acid as two principal components (>70 wt% HNO3). These
components, under certain extreme conditions of heating (temperatures greater than 135 degrees C) and
strong nitric acid concentration, can react in an uncontrolled manner that could result in very serious
consequences such as over-pressurization and rupture of a vessel, and fire or deflagration of flammable
gases generated. The stronger the concentration of the nitric acid, the more violent the reaction. In the
absence of high temperatures, or the presence of dilute nitric acid (e.g., 30 wt% HNO3), this reaction does
not occur.
Incidents with TBP and concentrated nitric acid are often referred to as “red oil” incidents because of the
red oily intermediates that form in the TBP phase in the course of the reaction. The red oily intermediates
are nitrated compounds that are flammable and produce significant amounts of NOx gases. Red oil looks
similar to the red fumes present with red fuming nitric acid (> 90 wt% HNO3).
Section 110
The consequences from a TBP/nitric acid runaway reaction (i.e., “red oil explosion”) can vary
significantly depending upon assumed initial conditions and vessel design and other factors, which
influence the accident progression. Common to all scenarios is the oxidation of TBP by nitric acid or
nitrates dissolved in it. Possible scenarios range from benign reactions to intense uncontrolled reactions
followed by primary vessel failure and/or flammable gas deflagration. Small-scale reactions between
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TBP and nitric acid can result in slow reactions similar to boiling and a more reactive scenario. In the
slow reaction, the release of radioactivity from the vessel would be very small due to a small airborne and
respirable release fraction product of 3E-5 ARF / 1.0 RF (see Chapter 5, Table 5-1 for simmering liquid).
In the more reactive scenario in which the solution boils, the fraction of radioactivity released could be as
high as 2E-3 ARF / 1.0 RF (see Chapter 5, Table 5-1). (See also the DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Section
3.2.2.2 for blast effects over the surface of the liquid; Section 3.2.2.3 for venting below or above the
liquid surface). For worst-case uncontrolled reactions of large quantities of TBP and nitric acid in vessels
without adequate venting, an ARF/RF as high as 1E-1 has been postulated based on insights from the
Tomsk-7 accident considering source term contributions from the initial explosion that ruptured the
vessel, subsequent deflagration of combustible gases released into the room that blew out the building
walls, and the ensuing fire (Howard, 1994).
While proper vent area will ensure process vessel integrity, a pressurized radiological release or free-fall
spill of liquids would be expected. Also, the consequences of potential flash fire or deflagration of the
vented gases on containment structures should be evaluated as well as radiological source terms based on
the type of accident stress.
Several reported incidents of damage have occurred in the nuclear industry as the result of high-
temperature reactions between TBP and nitric acid or nitrates. The most recent was the damaging
explosion at the Tomsk-7 nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Russia during April 1993 (Hyder, 1996;
IAEA, 1998). At least four incidents in North American plants have been attributed to such reactions.
Two of these were at the Savannah River Site. One other incident in the Soviet Union has been
informally reported.
Damaging incidents occurred at Hanford and the Savannah River Site in 1953 (Colven et al., 1953;
Campbell and Mailen 1998). In each case, TBP solution was inadvertently allowed to enter an evaporator
in which a nitrate solution was being concentrated at a relatively high temperature. The damage at
Hanford was minor; however, the unit at the Savannah River Site was destroyed by the explosion.
Temperature controls were established by the two sites following investigations of these incidents, and
these have successfully prevented any recurrence within the DOE complex. However, an incident that
damaged a Canadian evaporator in 1980 appears to have been caused by a nitrate-TBP reaction
(Hyder, 1994a).
A damaging incident at the Savannah River Site in 1975 resulted from the accidental introduction of TBP
into a vessel in which uranyl nitrate was being calcined (Gray, 1978). In this case, the calciner was
adequately vented, but flammable fumes were released to the process room and ignited, producing a
fireball deflagration and a pressure wave loading in that blew out the lightly constructed walls.
Section 111
The explosion in the Tomsk-7 plant involved reaction of strong nitric acid with organic material
originating from the PUREX solvent extraction process. The organic material was not well characterized
but presumably contained TBP and its degradation products. The materials were contacted in a tank that
also contained evaporator bottoms (probably still thermally hot). There was no venting or pressure relief
until a substantial pressure had been generated in the vessel. During a period of about 100 min, an
accelerating reaction occurred that overwhelmed the pressure relief and finally burst the vessel.
Substantial damage to the building was done by the resulting pressure wave and/or ignition of flammable
gases released from the vessel.
Investigations of the above incidents have produced much of the available information on TBP-nitrate
reactions. Hyder (1996) summarized investigations regarding TBP-nitrate reactions and provided an
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interpretation of the experimental results and their pertinence to past incidents. Experimental studies
were conducted at the Savannah River Site by Nichols in the 1950s (Colven et al., 1953) and by a team
under Harmon in the middle 1970s (Harmon et al., 1976). Other investigations have been made at
Hanford (Wagner, 1953; Watkins and Gordon, 1993), by the Du Pont Engineering Department at the
Savannah River Site (Hyder, 1996), and in Russia (Vladimirova et al., 1991). Additional studies have
been conducted at the Savannah River Site and Los Alamos (Hyder, 1994b; Davis et al., 1966; Smith and
Cavin, 1994; Fauske, 1994).
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board issued a technical report on red oil hazards and explosions,
DNFSB/TECH-33, Control of Red Oil Explosions in Defense Nuclear Facilities (2003). It is an
assessment of the potential for a red oil explosion in the DOE defense nuclear facilities complex. This
reference describes the connection between the process of solvent extraction and red oil production,
identifies the types of process equipment and the necessary materials capable of producing red oil, defines
what red oil is and what conditions cause it to decompose in a runaway reaction, summarizes four of the
previous red oil events described above, and provides discussions of controls for prevention or mitigation
of a red oil explosion (generally categorized as controls for temperature, pressure, mass, and
concentration).
Reactions of concern involve oxidation of TBP by nitric acid or nitrates dissolved in it. The oxidant
content is a small fraction of the amount required for complete oxidation, and most of the TBP is
unaffected by this reaction. In sealed tubes the products include principally carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide, water, nitrogen gas, nitrogen oxides (NO and N2O), and phosphoric acid. Other non-volatile
organic materials are also produced, but have not been well characterized. In open vessels, intermediate
products such as NO, NO2, and CO can escape, and the amount of oxidation is less. The heat produced is
also much less, as reactions giving these products are less energetic. Heat produced ranges from a
measured value of about 100 cal/g in DTA experiments (Watkins and Gordon, 1993), to a calculated
value of about 340 cal/g for sealed-tube experiments (Hyder,1994b).
At high temperatures (above 130 C), TBP is thermally decomposed to 1-butene and phosphoric acid.
This appears to be the principal source of flammable gas produced in this reaction. This decomposition is
endothermic and requires the oxidation reaction (or some other heat source) to produce the necessary heat
(Harmon et al. 1976; Watkins and Gordon, 1993).
Section 112
TBP that has been contacted with aqueous solutions will contain some water (Davis et al., 1966).
Savannah River Site experiments (Smith and Cavin, 1994) have shown that heat removal by evaporation
is very effective if the water content can be maintained and water vapor removed by proper venting of the
atmosphere above the TBP. Hanford experiments have also confirmed this phenomenon (Watkins and
Gordon, 1993). Further, the experiments indicate that if the vessel were adequately vented, the transport
of water from the underlying aqueous phase to the TBP phase would be sufficient to maintain continuous
evaporation and a net cooling.
Formation and thermal decomposition of red oil during unit operations of nuclear fuel cycle process
flowsheets is a severe risk. Solvent extraction is a cost effective industrial process to recover, purify, or
separate metals. Although several solvents can effectively extract uranium, plutonium, or thorium from
acid solutions, the commercially chosen solvent is only TBP. Results of unique experiments on adiabatic
thermal decomposition of red oil, red oil equilibrated with excess of 4N nitric acid and 100% TBP
equilibrated with excess of 4N nitric acid are discussed (Kumar et al., 2011). The provision of sufficient
vent area in the equipment to avoid closed-vent conditions during worst case scenario needs to be
considered (Kumar et al., 2011).
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If sufficient venting of process vessels is available for the quantity of TBP present, failure of the process
vessel can be precluded. The basis for determining the proper vent area is the work by Fauske &
Associates for the Savannah River Site (1994). In this experimental work a number of tests were
performed with the Reactive System Screening Tool (Creed and Fauske, 1990) and Vent Sizing Package
(Fauske and Leung, 1985) calorimeters. These small (10 ml and 110 ml, respectively) calorimeters have
been specifically developed for the purpose of studying runaway reactions and determining vent sizes to
support safe design and operation in the commercial chemical industry.
In open (well-vented) systems, a runaway is much less likely to occur because of release of reactive
intermediate gases and evaporative cooling mechanisms. The Fauske experiments show, that even when
runaway is induced in the TBP and nitric acid system, dangerous pressure buildup is prevented with
practical vent sizes. In particular, scale up of a test in which TBP was saturated with concentrated (>
70 weight percent) nitric acid indicated pressures should remain low (less than 22 psig) provided the
effective vent area was greater than 0.0022 in2/kg of TBP and nitric acid solution. By contrast, identical
tests with a closed system, i.e., no vent, was destructive, and an identical test with the vent but with a back
pressure of 2 atm. (to simulate the Tomsk control valve opening pressure) resulted in a large pressure
with severe bulging of the test vessel
4.5.2.2 DISCUSSION OF RED OIL ACCIDENT CONDITIONS
A discussion of the operating or faulted conditions that resulted in each of five historical accidents
follows:
• Savannah River Site, TNX Facility, 1953. TBP was inadvertently introduced into an evaporator
concentrating uranyl nitrate solution. The evaporation was poorly controlled, and the uranyl
nitrate was heated to incipient solidification. Gases from the reacting TBP pressurized and/or
ignited and the burst the evaporator.
Section 113
• Hanford, 1953. This event was very similar to the 1953 event at the Savannah River Site.
Pressurization occurred, but it was not sufficient to burst the vessel.
• Savannah River Site. A-Line, 1975. TBP was inadvertently introduced into a heated calciner.
Venting allowed gases to escape the primary vessel; however, they were flammable and a
deflagration occurred in the process room.
• Port Hope, Ontario, 1980. TBP was inadvertently introduced into a uranyl nitrate evaporator. It
appears that the evaporator was operated at a temperature much higher than the normal
conservative value. A pressure pulse damaged the upper part of the unit.
• Tomsk-7, Russia, 1993. Concentrated nitric acid was contacted with an undetermined but large
amount of PUREX organic residues (possibly containing aromatic and cyclic contaminants) in a
feed tank. The tank also contained hot, freshly evaporated uranyl nitrate solutions, and was
initially unvented. The reaction of nitric acid and the organic material pressurized and destroyed
the vessel. The pressure surge, and possibly an external ignition of the released gases, seriously
damaged the building.
In four of the five events, TBP was externally heated in the presence of nitrate to a relatively high (though
in no case well determined) temperature. In the cases of the evaporator incidents, two errors were
involved: introduction of TBP and heating to a high temperature. In the case of the Savannah River Site
A-Line calciner, the high temperature was essential to the process, and safety was dependent on keeping
TBP out of the unit.
Temperature controls placed on the Savannah River Site, and at other locations, since the 1953 incident
have succeeded in preventing further evaporator incidents. It is noteworthy that the TBP in the calciner
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incident had passed through an evaporator without incident because of these temperature controls.
Replacement of batch calciners by continuous calciners has reduced the potential for inadvertent reaction
in the Savannah River Site A-Line. This, along with material control measures, has prevented a
recurrence of the 1975 incident.
The Tomsk-7 incident involved the following conditions: contact of strong nitric acid with a large
volume of TBP (possibly containing aromatic and cyclic contaminants); a quiescent system with no
mixing, hence the organic material need not be in thermal equilibrium with the underlying solution; no
venting, and hence no evaporative cooling. In contrast, all similar tanks at the Savannah River Site are
vented and mixed. Nitric acid concentrations are limited, as are the volumes of TBP allowed to pass into
such tanks.
4.5.2.3 APPROACH TO PREVENTING RED OIL ACCIDENTS
The information in the previous sections indicates the set of reactions that take place in an organic-nitric
system are exothermic with the reaction rate being a very strong increasing function of temperature. They
also indicate the overall reaction rate and energy released is significantly higher in a closed system, as
opposed to an open system, because of more energetic intermediate reactions and higher boiling points
that results from the increase in constituent partial pressures.
The basic approaches to prevent an uncontrolled reaction include the following administrative controls:
Section 114
• Prevent high temperature TBP and nitric acid by ensuring that the cooling mechanisms are
capable of removing the heat being generated. The reaction will only run away if the
temperature exceeds some critical value (dependent on TBP mass and vessel heat removal
mechanisms) above which the rate of heat generation exceeds the rate of heat loss. Vessel
cooling systems can remove sufficient heat. Vessel agitation systems can ensure sufficient
aqueous phase mixing with an organic phase to ensure evaporative cooling. In unagitated vented
vessels (e.g., evaporators), the transport of water from the underlying aqueous phase to the TBP
phase can be sufficient to maintain continuous evaporation and net cooling. This approach is
valid for temperatures up to at least 121 C and organic depths to at least 6.2 ft (Smith and
Cavin, 1994).
• Maintain the vessel vent areas to reduce constituent partial pressures in the vessel that
could feed back to increase energy release rates and limit evaporative cooling. If the mixture
is open to the atmosphere, evaporation of water, diluent, and nitric acid is an efficient heat loss
mechanism, which will limit the temperature of the mixture to the atmospheric pressure boiling
point. Also, adequate venting allows the escape of reactants and intermediates from the reaction
mixture, and limits the extent of the reaction. In contrast, a closed, inadequately vented system
allows the pressure to increase as gaseous reaction products accumulate, which raises the boiling
point, suppresses the heat loss due to evaporation, and retains partially reacted intermediates,
which can continue to react and generate heat. Process vessels can readily have vents of
sufficient area.
• Limit the mass of TBP present. The total amount of heat generated and total amount of gases
generated will be proportional to the amount of TBP that is reacted. With limited amounts of
TBP, uncontrolled reactions can be accommodated with minimal consequences.
• Limit the acid concentration. The reaction rate is proportional to the acid concentration.
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4.5.2.4 PREVENTIVE CONTROLS
The preventive controls that can be employed to prevent runaway TBP reactions in a processing facility
are given below:
• Ventilation system for the process vessel
• Ventilation system for the process room
• Agitation system for the process vessel;
• Evaporator maximum temperature interlock with steam heating system
• Liquid level instrumentation and low level interlocks
• Vessel vent areas
• Sampling of vessels for TBP content
• Time between vessel transfers
• Controls to prevent transfer of solvent wash solutions to acidic evaporators
• Procedural requirements to compare specific gravities of feed tank solutions
• Control of TPB mass of various process locations
With potentially large quantities of TBP, sufficient preventive measures should be selected from the
above list to ensure the likelihood of uncontrolled reactions in beyond the extremely unlikely likelihood
bin. For small to intermediate quantities of TBP, the approach in the previous section can be used to
predict consequences that may be acceptable.
4.5.3 ORGANIC REACTION EVENT
4.5.3.1 BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Nitrated organic compounds are in widespread use as propellants and explosives. The generation or
accumulation of such materials in nuclear facilities may present a risk of runaway reaction, loss of
confinement, fire, or explosion. The materials of primary potential concern include organic compounds
containing nitrate or nitrite, but also may concern mixtures of organic material and nitric acid. These
materials may be solids, liquids, gels, or slurries.
Section 115
Waste materials are a particular concern. Once a material is set aside as waste, it is easy to ignore,
especially if it is kept in a remote tank or waste drum because of its radioactivity. Such materials may
include spent resins, degraded solvents, analytical reagents, lubricants that have been exposed to acid, and
the like. In this environment, over a long time, further reactions may occur. For example, the explosion
at Tomsk-7 appears to have involved degraded, impure solvent that had been stored for a long time in
contact with nitric acid solution in a radioactive environment. The resulting material appears to have
been highly reactive toward strong nitric acid.
Another concern is the accumulation of materials in unexpected locations. Decomposition of sulfamic
acid during processing has led to the accumulation of ammonium nitrate, a potentially explosive material,
in the offgas system. The “red oil” incident in the SRS A-Line involved a situation in which,
unexpectedly, the organic phase was denser than the aqueous material in the tank with it, and so settled to
the bottom. It was then unknowingly drawn off and sent to a drying kettle, where it decomposed into
flammable gases.
Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is a colorless crystal that is a powerful oxidizer used in commercial
explosives. It has a heat of formation of–340 kJ/mol at 25 °C. Ammonium nitrate can undergo a
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decomposition reaction when heated to 250 °C, and can react with other constituents at a variety of
temperatures. Ammonium nitrate fuel oil is a type of reaction with a maximum energy release at a
concentration of 94 percent ammonium nitrate with 6 percent absorbed fuel oil. Ammonium nitrate may
react with other organics less vigorously at other concentrations.
An uncontrolled reaction can occur in waste tanks or drums when organic salts are in contact with
nitrate/nitrite salts, if high concentrations of both exist and temperatures are above the reaction onset
temperature. Decay heat and chemical reactions can lead to waste heating over relatively long periods.
Increasing temperatures result when heat is dissipated to the environment at a rate slower than it is
generated within the waste. The increase in reaction rate with temperature provides a positive feedback
mechanism and can lead to an energetic event. Reactions produce high-temperature gases that pressurize
the tank. A tank breach results in a pressurized release of reaction product gases that entrains aqueous
tank material.
In the chemical and radiological conditions found in the Hanford Site tanks, the organic materials in the
solution decompose to low energy compounds such as formate, oxalate, and carbonate. These low energy
compounds do not support deflagration propagation. This aging process greatly reduces hazards
associated with organic materials in these tanks (Meacham et al., 1998).
The radiological source term from an organic reaction is evaluated based on whether the consequences
are from a chemical detonation or thermal runaway reaction with rapid generation of gases that could
over-pressurize and rupture the vessel or container leading to a high pressure release of the radioactive
material. In addition to or instead of a pressurized release of radioactive material, if the vented gases are
flammable, the physical consequences of potential flash fire or deflagration on containment structures is
evaluated to estimate the radiological source terms based on the type of accident stress.
Section 116
An organic fuel-oxidizer reaction causing a release of radioactive material occurred on February 14, 2014
at WIPP. The DOE Accident Investigation Board determined that the release was a result of an
exothermic reaction involving the mixture of the organic materials (Swheat Scoop® absorbent and/or
neutralizer) and nitrate salts present inside a single TRU drum. Chemical reactions heated the drum’s
contents, leading to a thermal runaway reaction with an exponential temperature rise in the core and rapid
generation of gases. Gas generation exceeded the drum’s relief venting capacity. The drum lid extruded
beyond the lid retention ring, deflected the lid, and resulted in a rapid release of the materials from the
drum. The combustible gases and solids ignited, spreading the fire to other combustible materials
(fiberboard and polyethylene slip sheets, reinforcement plates, stretch wrap, cardboard stiffeners and
polypropylene super sack fabric) within the waste array. The energetic release propelled TRU waste from
the drum up into the polypropylene magnesium oxide (MgO) super sacks on top of the container stack,
onto adjacent stacked waste containers, and throughout the underground exhaust path from the drum’s
location. The results of the Phase 2 investigation were issued on April 16, 2015, and are available at:
http://energy.gov/em/downloads/radiological-release-event-waste-isolation-pilot-plant-february-14-
2014.32
Dealing with waste materials therefore involves locating them, sampling them, and developing safe-
handling methods. Each case is likely to be unique. The methods for evaluating the problems are
general, however, and have been based on long experience in the chemical industry.
32 For a detailed discussion of the reaction mechanism, see SRNL-RP-2014-01198 and Clark and Funk, 2015.
http://energy.gov/em/downloads/radiological-release-event-waste-isolation-pilot-plant-february-14-2014
http://energy.gov/em/downloads/radiological-release-event-waste-isolation-pilot-plant-february-14-2014
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4.5.3.2 ANALYTICAL AND TEST METHODS
A variety of methods have been developed for characterizing the hazards associated with potentially
reactive chemicals. In general, reaction of unstable chemical systems will be initiated or accelerated by
heating. The tests therefore generally involve heating of small samples under controlled conditions.
Differential thermal analysis (DTA) is important in identifying exothermic processes as a function of
temperature. The combination of DTA, thermogravimetry, and analysis of the offgases can provide an
adequate description of reactivity in many cases. These techniques are adaptable to contained and
shielded facilities. For systems in which venting is provided to control the pressure, the method of
Fauske has been widely used in the chemical industry to determine vent sizes. This method was used in
evaluating the red oil problem. However, it does not appear to have been applied to contained radioactive
facilities. Instrumented bomb calorimetry was also applied in studies of the red oil reaction, but again in
nonradioactive facilities.
Where the explosive potential is of concern, tests using small explosive initiators have been developed
within the explosive industry. These methods are difficult to adapt to radioactive systems, and have
mainly been applied to nonradioactive materials. The potential initiator of an explosion is usually fire or
heating, so the methods given above will give an indication of the explosive potential.
Section 117
4.5.3.3 PREVENTION AND MITIGATION
Prevention of these reactions first involves locating and characterizing the materials, identification of
possible reactive chemicals from references, such as Brethericks’ Handbook of Reactive Chemical
Hazards (Urben, 2006), and developing an appropriate handling and storage plan. In some cases it may
be possible to destroy the material safely. For handling and storage, temperature control is important.
Contact with potentially reactive materials should be prevented. When safety analysis determines that the
most likely concern for initiating reaction is an external fire, as is often the case, then measures to prevent
such fires can be imposed.
Venting will also be important. Nitrogen oxides from slow reactions should not be allowed to
accumulate. These can accelerate nitrate oxidation.
4.5.4 HYDROXYLAMINE NITRATE REACTION
Hydroxylamine, NH2OH, has been used in the nuclear industry as a reducing agent and in
decontaminating solutions. It is used as the nitrate (HAN) or sulfate (HAS) salt in solution. It has the
advantage of reducing plutonium smoothly to the trivalent state without creating solid waste.
Hydroxylamine is unstable against decomposition in the presence of nitric acid, and this reaction is
catalyzed by dissolved iron. This reaction occurs more readily at higher nitric acid concentrations. It
appears that the formation of nitrous acid (HNO2) is an important element in the mechanism. The net
reaction is:
Reaction of nitric acid and Hydroxylamine ==> 3 HNO2 + 7 H2O + 2 HNO3 Equation 4-52
This reaction, once begun, can accelerate to a dangerous rate, producing great quantities of gas and
pressurizing containers. At least seven damaging incidents involving the decomposition of HAN have
occurred in DOE facilities. The last of these occurred in May 1997 at the Plutonium Reclamation Facility
in Hanford.
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Since the vented gases are not flammable, the radiological source term from decomposition of HAN that
results rapid generation of gases that could over-pressurize the vessel or container is based on a
pressurized release of the solution. For over-pressurization of process solutions present, the ARF should
be obtained from DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Section 3.2.2.2 for blast effects over the surface of the liquid and
Section 3.2.2.3 for venting below or above the liquid surface.
4.5.4.1 PREVENTION AND MITIGATION
The recommendations in DOE/EH-0555, Technical Report On Hydroxylamine Nitrate, include the
following:
• HAN concentrations should not be allowed to exceed 2 M, and the nitric acid concentration
should be less than twice the HAN concentration.
• The long term storage of in-process HAN-nitric acid solutions should be avoided.
• Tankage containing HAN solutions should be evaluated to ensure adequate venting in the event
of rapid HAN decomposition.
• In preparing HAN solutions the sequence of mixing is important in avoiding autocatalytic
systems.
• Care should be taken to avoid the accumulation of HAN solutions as heels or in process lines.
• Strict procedures should be used to avoid contaminating HAN or its solutions with metal ions.
• HAN solutions should be maintained below 40° C.
The detailed recommendations consider five scenarios and discuss the precautions necessary in each case.
4.5.5 CHEMICAL REACTIONS ACCIDENT ANALYSIS
Section 118
Estimating the consequences from plausible scenarios that have radioactive materials involved in a
chemical process to accident analysis in a DSA may be challenging. Evaluate a loss of confinement
and/or a fire or explosion event as separate events. For example, if a process with plutonium dissolved in
nitric acid has a loss of confinement event and the vessel loses enough liquid such that the plutonium in
solution dries and is exposed to ambient oxygen, then the risk of a pyrophoric fire exists after the loss of
confinement event. Consider the radiological and chemical consequences with any event involving
radioactive material involved in a chemical reaction accident.
For a thorough evaluation, use the source term parameters that provide a conservative conclusion that
drive a control set. Changing the parameters by an order of magnitude may not change the conclusion or
the resulting control set.
For example, use DR of one for resin columns, waste drums or process vessels. Evaluate the total MAR
in the vessel for the loss of confinement and fire or for an explosion of a vessel. Evaluate accident
progression from loss of confinement to fire or explosion and with a range of ARF/RF in the range of 1E-
2 to 1E-4, which approximates the information from the DOE-HDBK-3010-94 for these type accidents, as
summarized in Chapter 5 of this Handbook.
By using a bounding MAR of the entire vessel contents, a DR of one, an ARF/RF in the range of 1E-2 to
1E-4, and a LPF of one, a conservative accident analysis can be described in a DSA. Simple and
conservative analysis can be used as a starting point. In some cases, no further insight or changes to the
control set would result from expending analytical effort on a more refined analysis. In other cases,
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refinements could provide insight, but in all cases, the analysis should be bounding, technically justified,
and consistent with DOE Standard 3009. If the resulting consequence driven control set can enable safe
operations without being too difficult to implement, then the source term parameters used are sufficient.
Only if further refinement in a particular parameter is needed to reduce consequences to receptors do the
accident analyses warrant such refinements. If the postulated event in the DSA closely resembles an
event that has either happened in the past or has been analyzed in a technical journal or report, then this
information can be used to support a technical justification of the DR, ARF, and RF. A technical
justification that cites actual or previously analyzed events should discuss whether these events bound the
severity of the accident conditions postulated in the DSA and describe how any non-bounding aspects of
the cited events were addressed in the derivation of DR, ARF, and RF.
4.6 NATURAL PHENOMENA HAZARD EVENTS
Natural phenomena hazard (NPH) events are quantitatively evaluated in accident analysis due to their
ability to contribute to the airborne and/or waterborne release of radioactive and toxic chemical materials
that may result when SSCs fail to perform their safety function during and after the NPH events.
Furthermore, the NPH events may cause fires or explosions that could provide energy for transporting the
radioactive and toxic chemical material and at the same time degrade the functions of the SSCs.
4.6.1 NPH EVENT TYPES
NPH events that affect DOE sites are:
Section 119
• Seismic events (earthquakes);
• Extreme winds (straight-line winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes);
• Floods (seiches, tsunamis, storm surges);
• Extreme precipitation;
• Lightning;
• Volcanic eruptions (ashfall); and
• Wildland fires.
DOE-STD-1020-2016 provides criteria and guidance for evaluation and design for all of these NPHs,
except wildland fires, which is addressed in DOE-STD-1066-2016, Fire Protection. Additional guidance
on implementing DOE-STD-1020-2016 is available in DOD-HDBK-1220-2017, Natural Phenomena
Hazards Analysis and Design Handbook for DOE Facilities.
4.6.2 NPH EVENT ANALYSIS OVERVIEW
Unmitigated accident analysis of NPH events is performed differently for safety basis documents for new
nonreactor nuclear facilities and major modifications to existing nuclear facilities, than for existing
facilities where the DSA is to be updated as a result of revised NPH criteria based on periodic
reassessments. These approaches are addressed in the following subsections, followed by a summary of
the general methodology for these evaluations.
4.6.2.1 ACCIDENT ANALYSIS FOR A NEW NUCLEAR FACILITY OR MAJOR MODIFICATION
OF AN EXISTING NUCLEAR FACILITY
In preparing a safety design basis document for the purpose of designing a new nuclear facility or major
modification of an existing nuclear facility, the evaluation of NPH events is different from the evaluation
of operational accidents. The magnitude of a design basis NPH event (e.g., the peak ground acceleration
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from an earthquake) is determined based upon: (a) the unmitigated dose consequences of the SSC failure
that determines the NPH design category (NDC) of that SSC as described in Section 2.3 of DOE-STD-
1020-2016 and the associated performance goal (expressed as annual probability of failure), and, (b) a
factor that is a measure of the degree of inherent conservatism in the design criteria and analysis methods
specified for the NDC of the SSC in DOE-STD-1020-2016 and the categorization scheme described in
supporting national consensus standard ANSI/ANS-2.26-2004. DOE-STD-1020-2016 also provides
direction on how to determine the site-specific NPH hazard values corresponding to each NDC level.
Some of these values can be directly obtained from national consensus standards33 while a site-specific
probabilistic NPH hazard analysis (e.g., Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment) may need to be
performed if consensus standards are silent on them or do not provide the requisite level of specificity.
For new facilities, the NDC of an SSC establishes a risk-based target performance goal for the SSC, and
the return period34 of the specific hazard, as established in DOE-STD-1020-2016, to which the SSC will
need to be designed. The NDCs were formerly called Performance Categories (PCs) in previous versions
of the DOE NPH design-related orders, guides, and standards, which are roughly equivalent from a
performance goal perspective to the numerical assignments for NDC. For example, a PC-3 SSC may be
viewed as equivalent to an SDC-3 SSC.
Subsections 4.6.3 through 4.6.8 provide additional guidance on unmitigated analyses of specific NPH
types to estimate radiological and toxic chemical source terms based on conservative estimates of MARs
and DRs. Atmospheric dispersion, aquatic dispersion and radiological dose calculations are performed in
accordance with Chapters 6, 7, and 8 of this Handbook. To determine MARs and DRs for safety
classification and NDC categorizations of the SSCs during a new facility design, the unmitigated
consequence analysis should assume that the building structure inside which the SSCs are located would
not maintain confinement and may collapse during the design basis NPH event.
Section 120
The NDC for SSCs that provide protection from toxic chemical hazards are determined based on the
unmitigated consequences of SSC failure from an NPH event, similar to the unmitigated consequence
methodology for radiological releases. The methodology for this unmitigated analysis should be
consistent with DOE-STD-3009-2014 and Chapter 9 of this Handbook, to determine the need for SS
SSCs, which influences the NDC determinations. The higher of the NDCs determined from the
application of radiation dose criteria and the criteria for toxic chemical consequences should be used;
therefore, it is possible that an SSC categorized as NDC-2 based on radiation hazards may be assigned to
the NDC-3 category based on toxic chemical hazards.
4.6.2.2 ACCIDENT ANALYSIS FOR EXISTING NUCLEAR FACILITY DSA
For existing facilities, the NDC or PC establishes the return period of the specific NPHs to which the SSC
design will need to be evaluated. For the DSA evaluation of NPH impacts on existing facilities, the initial
step is to establish, for each SSC, which NDC from the requirements in DOE-STD-1020-2016 should
apply, or which PCs from the previous DOE NPH standards apply as discussed below. Evaluations of
SSC capacities should have previously been performed as required by an implementation plan when
required by the DOE Program Secretarial Office per DOE O 420.1B or DOE O 420.1C, and its facility
conditions assessment should be used for the development of the existing DSA.
33 ASCE 7-10, ANSI/ANS-2.3-2011 (R2016), Estimating Tornado, Hurricane, and Extreme Straight Line Wind
Characteristics at Nuclear Facility Sites.
34 The return period is the reciprocal of the frequency of exceedance of the NPH event: a 100-yr flood has a
1E-2/yr frequency of exceedance.
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DOE O 420.1C and DOE-STD-1020-2016 require that sites with any facilities rated NDC-3 or higher,
review existing NPH assessments every 10 years. The results of the updated evaluations should be used
in the unmitigated radiological and toxic chemical consequence evaluations to support any required
updates of the accident analyses.
If a new NPH assessment yields increased NPH loads and they exceed the capacity of existing SSCs, the
DOE Site Office would evaluate and determine whether to upgrade SSCs and whether such evaluation
results need to be integrated with the DSA annual update. DOE-STD-1020-2016, Section 9.3, Facility
Condition Assessments, allows for a factor of two reduction in the return period and lesser design loads,
with caveats, when evaluating existing SSCs. If an engineering evaluation concludes that the existing
structure will not withstand the higher NPH loads, with allowances, a collapse event should be further
evaluated in DSA Chapter 3 accident analysis as an EBA.
Situations where increased NPH loads exceed the capacity of existing SSCs should also be evaluated to
determine whether this new information requires entry into the Potential Inadequacy of the Safety
Analysis (PISA) process. This evaluation can be performed using DOE Guide 424.1-1B, Implementation
Guide for Use in Addressing Unreviewed Safety Question Requirements. For SSCs that are found
deficient, a fragility analysis or seismic margin study may be performed to assist in the PISA and
Unreviewed Safety Question Determination, and to justify continued operation of the facility.
Another outcome of a new NPH assessment is that higher NPH loads might be within the DBA and EBAs
already evaluated in the DSA. Thus, no changes would be necessary for the DSA upgrade.
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In performing an NPH engineering evaluation for the existing facility, an unmitigated dose consequence
analysis is required that would assume that the structure will suffer major damage, exceed Limit States,
and/or collapse. This evaluation is used to determine the safety significance of the SSCs, i.e., whether the
SSCs provide a SC or SS safety function. If the engineering evaluation concludes that the SSCs can
withstand the NPH loads, then the unmitigated analysis can also credit the SSC as an initial condition that
provides the SC or SS safety function and would be protected by a TSR Design Feature. This analysis
applies only to passive features. Chemical consequences can be evaluated in the same manner as
discussed for new facilities or major modifications, as described in Section 4.6.2.1.
For an unmitigated analysis in Section 3.2.2 of DOE-STD-3009-2014, if a building structure, or any of its
components, is credited to maintain confinement, the NPH engineering evaluation using the revised or
updated NPH loads is required to demonstrate that the building structure and its components that have
confinement function will not be deformed more than the Limit State commensurate with the permissible
leak rate (see Section 5 and Appendix B of ANSI/ANS-2.26-2004; R2010). To ensure required
confinement function, such an evaluation considers not only the relationship between the predicted
deformation level/Limit State and leak rate, but also the existence of various openings and penetrations in
the building components. The analyst should carefully consider and account for any leak paths that could
be caused by expected event-driven actions such opening exterior doors to facilitate personnel evacuation.
However, if other SSCs fail at the revised NPH loads, the unmitigated dose consequence analysis should
recognize that some damage to other SSCs, such as fire sprinklers, may occur and could cause collateral
damage resulting in potential radiological or hazardous chemicals releases.
The unmitigated radiological and toxic chemical consequences of the SSC failure that determines the
NDC of an SSC is based on the same criteria and methods described above for evaluation of new facilities
and major modifications, and guidance from other chapters of this Handbook. Subsections 4.6.3 through
4.6.8 address additional guidance for unmitigated analyses of specific NPH types to estimate source terms
based on conservative estimates of MAR and DRs.
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With respect to evaluation of existing structures, systems and components (SSCs) following an updated
NPH assessment (required periodically by DOE-STD-1020-2016, Natural Phenomena Hazards Design
and Evaluation Criteria for Department of Energy Facilities, and its 2012 predecessor), a question arises
regarding selection of the appropriate bounding DBA or EBA. Two outcomes are possible: (1) the
original DBAs or EBAs developed for the design or evaluation of the facility are bounding; or (2) new
EBAs with higher NPH loads are defined by the NPH assessment are bounding. New bounding EBAs
would require further DSA evaluation using the results of the facility condition assessments required by
DOE-STD-1020. If the existing DBAs or EBAs are bounding, then a DSA revision should:
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• Document that the updated NPH evaluations did not change the existing accident analyses in the
safety basis document. If the safety class and safety significant SSCs have been concluded to
provide their safety functions for the applicable NPH EBA criteria for existing facilities, their
failure during a higher level NPH event is considered to be a Beyond DBA and therefore the
consequence of their failure is not evaluated in the DSA Chapter 3 accident analysis, except in
regards to potential cliff edge effects associated with evaluation of Beyond DBAs (addressed in
the next bullet).
• Evaluate SSCs for Beyond DBAs using NPH event return periods applicable for an NPH Design
Category (NDC) one level higher than the design or evaluation basis NDCs. For example, if the
design or evaluation basis NDC of an SSC is NDC-3, its Beyond DBA can be defined using a
return period applicable to NDC-4. See Section 3.4, Beyond Design/Evaluation Basis Accidents,
of this Handbook for further discussions.
• For existing facilities, all SSCs, including confinement barriers, that have been evaluated to meet
the requirements of DOE-STD-1020-2016 or its predecessor used for the existing DSA accident
analysis, can be credited when considering potential interaction effects of these SSCs on SSCs of
the same or lower NDC level.
4.6.2.3 GENERAL METHODOLOGY
For preparing the DSA of a nuclear facility, the list of DBA/EBAs would include those resulting from
NPH events. The selection of the size of these NPH events and their evaluation and mitigation are
required to be performed in accordance with DOE-STD-1020-2016 and the accompanying NPH
Handbook.
In general, for all nuclear and hazardous facilities in the DOE complex, DBA/EBAs related to NPH
events selected per the criteria in DOE-STD-1020-2016 are evaluated using requirements and guidelines
given in DOE-STD-3009-2014. For TRU waste facilities, additional NPH event evaluation guidance is
provided in DOE-STD-5506-2007. Since the NPH evaluation provisions in DOE-STD-5506-2007 were
developed independent of those in DOE-STD-1020-2016; therefore, during the DSA development
process, some inconsistencies between the provisions in these two documents may be identified. Any
such identified inconsistency should be reported to the DOE with proposed resolution.
SSC failures from NPH events may also cause toxic chemical releases from nonreactor nuclear facilities
with chemical hazards requiring further DSA evaluation as described in Section 2.3.2, Chemical Hazard
Evaluation, of this Handbook. NPH-induced toxic chemical releases are evaluated in a similar manner to
other operational accident types as described in Chapters 3 and 4 of this Handbook. For example, an
NPH event can cause spills of process solutions or powders and result in impacts of debris on process
equipment or impact of process equipment with the floor, or potential fires or explosions. The DR, ARF
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and RF are similar to those from operational accidents. Moreover, care should be taken to determine if
the effect of the NPH will cause abnormal process conditions. These types of events should be identified
and analyzed in the DSA. For example, it might be more conservative to assume that a process tank
remains intact, but suffers an overpressure event due to lack of power or cooling. Failure of tanks or
vessels could result in energetic chemical reactions, which may cause a release as discussed in Sections
4.3 through 4.5. A rupture of a line could result in a spray release.
Section 123
NPH events can initiate several separate accident progressions (e.g., fires, explosions, spills, collapses)
simultaneously. Therefore, the overall consequence analysis should sum up the contributions from all the
individual accident progressions.
4.6.3 SEISMIC EVENTS
Seismic events result in ground motions that can affect all the SSCs in a facility, so the unmitigated
consequences, assuming the failure of all SSCs—including the facility structure itself—should be
considered. The seismic ground motions result in accelerations and displacements that are transmitted
into the facility structure and to all the systems and components in the facility structure. Seismic events
can also result in soil-structure interactions, ground displacements that can impact the behavior of the
facility structure foundations and result in failures. The facility’s foundations should be evaluated to
address any potential structural concerns. Seismic events can cause secondary events, such as failure of
ground slopes near the facility structure, tsunamis, and seiches, which can result in additional flooding
concerns, facility fires, explosions, deflagrations, and unwanted interaction between SSCs in the facility.
NPH requirements for seismic events are provided in Chapter 3 of DOE-STD-1020-2016. The
unmitigated accident analyses performed for the facility determines the SDC of the SSCs, which, in
conjunction with a proper seismic hazard analysis, defines the size of the seismic event to be used to
design/evaluate the facility SSCs. According to DOE-STD-3009, accident analysis for a seismic event is
intended to determine the unmitigated consequences of release of the radioactive and/or toxic chemical
inventory of the facility. As stated above, the results of the accident analysis determine the SDC for the
facility SSCs.
The simplest evaluation of the unmitigated consequence assessment is to consider all hazardous material
to be released in a seismic event, that is, all the facility MAR is included with DR=1. While this
assumption may not be true in all situations, the analyst should justify taking an approach that does not
not make this bounding assumption.
The initial conditions and assumptions for the analysis are documented and evaluated to determine if
controls are needed to maintain the validity of the evaluation. If the presence of an assumed passive SSC
prevents significant consequences, it is evaluated for classification as either SS or SC (see section A.3 in
Appendix A of DOE-STD-3009-2014). Earthquake experience information or previous seismic
evaluations of similar SSCs may be used to estimate the extent of MAR and DR for each SSC. These
judgments of damage, MAR, and DRs should be determined working with the discipline engineers
responsible for the seismic design and evaluation. Accordingly, to analyze the seismic event, the analyst
should:
1. Define the scenarios;
2. Identify the type of material involved and appropriate MAR, DR, and LPF (for mitigated
scenarios only);
3. Determine the unmitigated consequences;
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4. Determine the SSCs which will be used to mitigate or prevent the consequences; and
5. Define the SDC for the SSCs that mitigate or prevent the consequences.
4.6.4 EXTREME WIND EVENTS
Section 124
Extreme wind events can be straight-line winds, tornado, or hurricane. A tornado can also insult a SSC
from a rapid atmospheric pressure change. NPH requirements for extreme wind events and evaluation of
SSC capabilities or damages is provided in Chapter 4 of the DOE-STD-1020-2016. The unmitigated
accident analyses performed for the facility determines the Wind Design Category (WDC) of the SSCs,
which, in conjunction with a proper extreme wind hazard analysis, defines the size and return period of
the extreme wind event to be used to design and evaluate the facility SSCs.
According to DOE-STD-3009, accident analysis for a wind event is intended to determine the
unmitigated consequences of release of the radioactive and/or toxic chemical inventory of the facility. As
stated for seismic events, the results of the accident analysis determines the WDC for the facility SSCs.
For extreme wind events, if properly designed in accordance with the requirements of DOE-STD-1020-
2016, the facility structure can usually be considered to protect the systems and components inside of it.
This is dependent on the number of openings in the facility structure, which could result in internal wind-
induced pressures on the systems and components inside of it. The facility structure’s failure should be
considered in determining the unmitigated consequences of the release of the hazardous material to the
environment.
The initial conditions and assumptions for the analysis are documented and evaluated to determine if
controls are needed to maintain the validity of the evaluation. If the presence of an assumed passive SSC
prevents significant consequences, it is evaluated for the need to classify as either SS or SC (see section
A.3 in Appendix A of DOE-STD-3009-2014). Wind experience information or previous wind
evaluations of similar SSCs may be used to estimate the extent of MAR and DRs for such SSCs. These
judgments of damage, MAR and DRs should be determined working with the discipline engineers
responsible for the wind design and evaluation.
SSCs located outside of the facility structure are also susceptible to the extreme winds and associated
missiles. The failure of these SSCs should also be considered in the accident and consequence analyses.
To analyze the extreme wind event, the analyst should:
1. Define the scenarios;
2. Identify the type of material involved and appropriate MAR, DR, and LPF (for mitigated
scenarios only);
3. Determine the unmitigated consequences;
4. Determine the SSCs which will be used to mitigate or prevent the consequences; and
5. Define the WDC for the SSCs that mitigate or prevent the consequences.
4.6.5 FLOOD AND PRECIPITATION EVENTS
Flood events for a facility can result from several sources, such as river flooding, dam, levee, or dike
failure, storm surge, tsunami, seiche, landslide, extreme precipitation (both rainfall and snow/ice) run-off,
and extreme precipitation loading on roofs, parapets, or outside utilities. Floods can also cause water-
borne debris impacts which should also be considered.
NPH requirements for floods and extreme precipitation events are provided in Chapters 5 and 7 of DOE-
STD-1020-2016. The unmitigated accident analyses performed for the facility determines the Flood
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Design Category (FDC) of the SSCs which, in conjunction with a proper flood hazard analysis, defines
the size of the flood event to be used to design/evaluate the facility SSCs. For dry sites, which are defined
as sites that have no external flood threat outside of extreme precipitation, the unmitigated accident
analyses performed for the facility determines the Precipitation Design Category (PDC) of the SSCs
which, in conjunction with a proper extreme precipitation hazard analysis, defines the size of the extreme
precipitation event to be used to design/evaluate the facility SSCs.
According to DOE-STD-3009, accident analysis for a flood or extreme precipitation events is intended to
determine the unmitigated consequences of release of the radioactive and/or toxic chemical inventory of
the facility. As stated for seismic and extreme wind insults, the results of the unmitigated accident
analyses determine the FDC and PDC for the facility SSCs.
For flood and extreme precipitation events, if properly designed in accordance with the requirements of
DOE-STD-1020-2016, the facility structure can usually be considered to protect the systems and
components inside the facility structure. This is dependent on the number of openings in the facility
structure, which could result in inflow of flood water. The facility structure’s failure should be
considered in determining the unmitigated consequences of the release of the hazardous material in the
facility. The initial conditions and assumptions for the analysis are documented and evaluated to
determine if controls are needed to maintain the validity of the evaluation. If the presence of an assumed
passive SSC prevents significant consequences, it is evaluated for the need to classify as either SS or SC
(see section A.3 in Appendix A of DOE-STD-3009-2014). Flood and precipitation experience
information or previous flood and precipitation evaluations of similar SSCs may be used to estimate
extent of MAR and DRs for such SSCs. These judgments of damage, MAR, and DRs should be
determined working with the discipline engineers responsible for the flood and extreme precipitation
design and evaluation. Some SSCs, even though capable of withstanding mechanical loads from flood
water, may fail to perform their safety function when subjected to water intrusion or inundation. These
modes of failure should also be considered in performing flood and extreme precipitation hazard
evaluations.
SSCs located outside of the facility structure would be susceptible to the flood, extreme precipitation, and
associated water debris. The failure of these SSCs should also be considered in the accident and
consequence analyses.
To analyze the flood and precipitation events, the analyst should:
1. Define the scenarios;
2. Identify the type of material involved and appropriate MAR, DR, and LPF (for mitigated
scenarios only);
3. Determine the unmitigated consequences;
4. Determine the SSCs which will be used to mitigate or prevent the consequences; and
5. Define the FDC and PDC for the SSCs that mitigate or prevent the consequences.
4.6.6 LIGHTNING EVENTS
Chapter 6 of DOE-STD-1020-2016 is focused on NPH design criteria and does not provide a detailed
discussion about the effects of lightning events or guidance regarding the safety analysis. Accordingly,
the following additional guidance is provided with respect to the DSA evaluation.
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Lightning is a high-current electrical discharge in the atmosphere with a path length measured in
kilometers. Natural lightning is almost always associated with clouds, normally those of severe weather
(e.g., thunderstorms), but can also be present in volcanic clouds and clouds from dust storms.
Assessing the severity and frequency of lightning strikes at, or nearby, a site is essential because lightning
can:
• Start a fire inside a building, outside of a building but within the industrial area, or on the area
surrounding the industrial area of a site; fire can also arise from contact of combustibles with a
lightning-heated non-combustible;
• Can start a wildland fire at sites surrounded by forests intense enough to breach site barriers;
• Breach a building, providing an open pathway for radioactive or other hazardous substances to be
released into the atmosphere;35 and
• Cause failure of sensors, communications and electronic components, and power supply systems.
The analyst can consult a map of the United States given in the Standard for Installation of Lightning
Protection Systems, NFPA 780 (NFPA, 2017).36 NFPA 780 provides an Annex L, Lightning Risk
Assessment, which may be applied in the facility FHA when determining the requirement to install a
lightning protection system. Per NFPA 780 Section L.1.4, “Lightning risk for a structure is the product of
the lightning frequency, exposure vulnerability, and the consequence of the strike to the structure or
object.” The results of the lightning frequency calculation can be directly used to estimate the DSA
likelihood of a strike to the facility. This frequency calculation relies on local ground flash density data
as referenced in NFPA 780 and other factors such as the footprint of the facility (“equivalent collection
area”) to estimate the” annual threat of occurrence (lightning strike frequency).” The NFPA risk
assessment methodology also estimates a “tolerable lightning frequency” and “acceptable frequency of
property loss” based on other considerations, and these frequency estimates should not be used for the
DSA determination of the likelihood. The DSA likelihood determination may further modify the annual
threat of occurrence lightning strike frequency to estimate the likelihood of a lightning-induced fire or fire
from a lightning-induced wildland fire based on facility-specific justifications.
The severity of a lightning flash is usually defined by the peak amplitude of its return stroke current,
which range from one to hundreds of kA. The upper one-percentile current (i.e., 99 percent of all
lightning flashes have a lower current) has been determined to be about 200 kA. Lightning scientists
identify this level of current as the severe threat level. The 50th percentile value lies in the 20-30 kA
range.
For flat terrain without buildings or other structures, the probability of a lightning strike is the same
throughout the area. However, structures, especially tall ones such as stacks, water towers, and power
poles, are more likely to attract lightning and thus increase the probability of a strike at those locations,
while concomitantly decreasing the probability at other nearby locations. These taller structures provide
some protection for nearby shorter structures. The extent of this protection, however, is not readily
quantifiable except for properly grounded conductive structures (or buildings protected by a code-
compliant Lightning Protection System). Elevated conducting wires that are horizontal and grounded can
also protect facilities below them. Power lines could therefore be considered to provide some protection
for certain buildings. In general, the stacks, water towers, and power lines may offer protection for only a
Section 127
35 Because filter plenums are electrically conductive, they can attract lightning and can therefore be breached by
lightning even within a building. This phenomenon would provide another leak path to the environment as well as a
hazard to personnel within the building.
36 This standard was originally issued as NFPA 78, Lightning Protection Code.
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small portion of an industrial area.
If a particular facility is not protected, the expected number of lightning strikes per year can be
determined by multiplying the footprint area of the facility by the lightning strike density applicable for
the site. This quantitative estimate of the annual frequency of lightning strikes to the facility can then be
used to qualitatively assign a hazard scenario likelihood as suggested on Table 2-9.
Not every lightning strike is damaging to structures. The amount of structural damage depends on the
amount of current in the return stroke, the magnitude of any continuing current, and the susceptibility of
the target to lightning damage. Electronic equipment, for example, is more susceptible to failure from a
lightning strike than a concrete pad is to fire damage. The main danger from lightning for the site is from
fire, as fire can potentially lead to a release of radioactive or toxic chemic material. Lightning-induced
fire can be caused in several ways:
1. Fire can be started in dry combustible material, such as a wooden structure or dry grass, by the
weak “continuing current” between lightning strokes.37 About 20 percent of the lightning strikes
have a continuing current large enough to start such a fire (Hasbrouck, 1989). The magnitude of
the peak current is not relevant for this circumstance, as the return stroke is too brief to start a
fire. This type of fire will be mainly confined to wildland fires and wooden power poles, unless
there are wooden structures on the site and a lack of a requirement that any wood brought onto
the site be treated with fire retardant. Range fires can occur only when the wildland grass is dry
during drought conditions. Lightning-induced wildland fires should be anticipated. In addition,
power poles have been set on fire by lightning, showing that this type of fire also needs to be
anticipated.
2. If a facility is constructed of non-combustible building materials, a so-called Highly Protected
Risk (HPR) facility, or if it is constructed as a Faraday cage, the frequency of a lightning-induced
in-facility fire is qualitatively assessed as extremely unlikely, whether or not the facility has a
properly functioning lightning protection system, unless the NFPA 780 lightning risk assessment
determines that the probability of a lightning strike is so small that a lightning protection system
is not required by the code.
3. For a facility that has a code-compliant lightning protection system that can perform its designed
function as determined by the FHA or Fire Protection Engineering, a qualitative reduction of one
likelihood bin for the mitigated analysis may be taken for lightning-induced in-facility fires. This
is based on the general rule of thumb discussed in Section 2.5.2, Qualitative Likelihood, for
failure of a SSC.
Section 128
4. A lightning strike on a building can induce large currents in the electrical wiring in the building.
It is possible that the high current will cause a breakdown in both the insulation on the wiring and
the insulation provided by the air, causing an electrical arc to form between the wire and a nearby
grounded object. (This is called a “side-flash.”) A follow-on current from the electrical circuit
would then sustain the arc and could continue for many seconds or even minutes, long after the
lightning strike is gone. Combustible material in the immediate vicinity could then be ignited.
Although arcing is more likely with the larger-current strikes, any magnitude of strike should be
considered. This type of fire for facilities without functional lightning protection systems should
37 The continuing current will probably not start a fire within a concrete structure or Butler-type building.
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be considered as the same likelihood as determined above from the NFPA 780 method.
5. A lightning-induced spark in the building could ignite volatile gases, such as from rags damp with
cleaning fluids. This could occur with a lightning strike of any magnitude current. This type of
fire may thus be considered less likely for facilities with functional lightning protection systems
depending on process-specific and facility-specific considerations.
For DOE facilities performing explosive operations, and/or handling nuclear weapons, lightning
represents an additional hazard. For a more complete discussion, refer to Chapter X of DOE-STD-1212-
2012, Explosives Safety. Lightning presents a hazard to explosives in at least five ways:
1. The electrical current produced by a voltage gradient resulting from a lightning strike could
initiate the explosives directly.
2. The surface flashover or arcing of the generated electrical current between conductive surfaces
that are not at equilibrium could initiate the explosives directly by the heat, sparks, and molten
metal generated by the arc.
3. This same arcing could cause damage or fires in electrical fixtures and equipment.
4. Lightning could initiate a fire involving combustible materials in the facility, including the
containers around explosives.
5. The spalling generated by the heat of the current flowing through the structural components of the
facility could initiate, by impact, unprotected explosives. In addition, lightning could affect
support systems such as fire protection and security. Lightning can reach a structure not only by
direct strike, but also indirectly by coupling to a conductor that penetrates the structure.
From this information the analyst can determine the potential impact of lightning strikes on hazardous
materials. The methodology to analyze lightning-initiated accidents is to:
1. Define the scenario;
2. Estimate the damage to facility SSCs and support systems from lightning strikes;
3. Identify materials and appropriate MAR, DR, and LPF (for mitigated scenarios only); and,
4. Calculate the radiological or toxic chemical consequences for this type of event.
4.6.7 VOLCANIC ERUPTION AND ASHFALL EVENTS
Section 129
Volcanic eruption events can pose a number of hazards to facilities such as ashfall (“tephra”), lava flows,
ballistic projections, pyroclastic flows, mudflows, low-level seismic activity, ground deformation,
tsunami, atmospheric effects, and emission of gasses that can result in acid rains. For existing DOE sites,
the primary volcanic hazards are from ashfall. Designing facilities to withstand any other volcanic hazard
is not feasible, and such hazards should be mitigated by siting facilities far enough from active volcanoes
to preclude being affected by these hazards. The primary issues with ashfall are the potential clogging of
ventilation systems and equipment exhaust, structural roof loading, and other concerns include disruption
or shorting of electrical equipment and interference with emergency response.
Volcanic eruptions may pose hazards to select DOE sites in the western United States. For practical
application, volcanic hazards are assessed at DOE sites and facilities lying within 400 kilometers of a
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volcanic center that erupted within the geologic Quaternary Period (i.e., 2.6 million years before present).
Chapter 8 of DOE-STD-1020-2016 provides NPH requirements for volcanic eruption events. The
unmitigated accident analyses performed for the facility determines the Volcanic Design Category (VDC)
of the SSCs, which, in conjunction with a proper volcanic hazard analysis, defines the size of the
volcanic-induced event to be used to design/evaluate the facility SSCs.
According to DOE-STD-3009, accident analysis for a volcanic eruption event is intended to determine the
unmitigated consequences of release of the radioactive and/or toxic chemical inventory of the facility. As
stated above, the results of the accident analyses determine the VDC for the facility SSCs. For volcanic
eruptions, the facility structure can usually be considered to protect the systems and components inside
the facility structure with the exception of the potential clogging of ventilation systems from ashfall
which have openings to the outside of the facility structure. The facility structure’s failure should be
considered in determining the unmitigated consequences of the release of the hazardous material in the
facility.
SSCs located outside of the facility structure could be susceptible to the volcanic ashfall and potential
extreme rainfall induced by the volcanic eruption. The failure of these SSCs should also be considered in
the accident and consequence analyses.
To analyze the volcanic ashfall events, the analyst should:
1. Define the scenarios;
2. Identity the type of material involved and appropriate MAR and DR (for mitigated scenarios
only);
3. Determine the unmitigated consequences;
4. Determine the SSCs which will be used to mitigate or prevent the consequences; and
5. Define the VDC for the SSCs that mitigate or prevent the consequences.
4.6.8 WILDLAND FIRES
Wildland or range fires (also called wildfires) present an external exposure to site facilities, and as such,
their potential severity needs to be evaluated. The potential severity of a wildland fire may be assessed
through an analysis of the chief factors that contribute to its growth and spread. These factors include the
characterization of the fuel available, the terrain, and environmental conditions. The damage potential
from a wildland fire is dependent on factors such as including the construction of potential target
structures, spatial separation distances, existing automatic fire suppression, and the effectiveness of the
responding fire fighters.
Section 130
A wildland fire in the site buffer zone or exclusion area of the DOE site may threaten the structural
integrity (i.e., MAR confinement capabilities) of site facilities located in this region, as well as facilities
located in the site’s industrial area that normally have minimal or extremely limited vegetation. The fire
may spread by flame or radiative heat from building-to-building, or it may be spread to various building
roofs by flying brands. Wildland and other fire hazard potentials are addressed in a facility FHA. (See
Appendix B of DOE-STD-1066-2016, Fire Protection, for details.) An FHA analysis of wildland fire
potential should be incorporated into the DSA. The following section details the methods available to
subject matter experts in determining wildland fire potential.
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4.6.8.1 WILDLAND FIRE EVENT DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS
Wildland fires may be caused by various natural and human initiators. These initiators include lightning,
human action, mechanical incidents, and an explosion and/or fire at an off-site facility. Lightning can
occur any time of the year; however, it is primarily a spring and summertime phenomenon. Human
action-caused incidents include improper disposal of smoking materials, poor control of a campfire, hot
work, prescribed burns, ignition by tracer fire during training, ignition by explosives during training,
carelessness, and arson. Mechanical incidents include sparks generated from railways and passing
automobiles.
The methodology to analyze a wildland fire is to:
1. Define the bounding scenario.
2. Identify the type of material involved and appropriate damage ratios.
3. Determine the consequences.
4. Determine appropriate design/operational criteria for the SSCs needed to prevent or mitigate the
event.
Expected wildland fire intensity may be determined by characterizing the material available for
combustion, such as trees, grasses, forbs (weeds), and low shrubs. Vegetation types are to be identified
within the outlying areas, such as marshland, woodland, shrubland, and grassland. Other vegetation types
may be located in small isolated pockets. The average plant production in terms of kilograms per hectare
or tons/acre is estimated.
In the bounding scenario, a wildland fire would burn the entire area surrounding a site. Some facilities
within this area (for example, those of wood construction) would be damaged or potentially destroyed.
Smoke might necessitate site evacuation, road closures, and reconfiguration of building ventilation
systems. In general, wildland fires are of such an extent and unpredictable nature that multiple
buildings/facilities will likely be threatened, requiring fire department and other firefighting resources to
be deployed accordingly.
NFPA 1144, Standard for Reducing Structure Ignition Hazards from Wildland Fire (2013), provides
guidance for the analysis of the susceptibleness of a structure to wildland fires. The NFPA standard
identifies the elements of the structure and the surrounding environment that require evaluation. These
elements contribute to the safety analyst’s understanding and selection of controls for the mitigated
analysis.
NFPA 1144 provides an example hazard assessment in its Table A.4.1.2, “Example of Structure
Assessment Rating Form.” The five areas of evaluation are:
• Overview of the surrounding environment – topography, weather, and surrounding structures;
• Chimney to eaves – roof construction, skylights, and roof attachments;
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• Top of exterior wall to foundation – wall construction, openings and penetrations;
• Foundation to Immediate Landscaped Area (ILA)38 – vegetative fuels and other combustibles
around the structure, heat and flame sources, other structures and vehicle parking within 30 ft;
38 ILA definition: “The area of the structure ignition zone extending at least 30 ft (9 m) from the foundation of the
structure, including the footprint on decks and all extensions, and the area in which vegetation has been modified for
reduced flammability or aesthetic purposes, such as lawns and gardens.” This area is often referred to as “defensible
space.”
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• ILA to the extent of the Structure Ignition Zone (SIZ) 39 – vegetation, heat and flame sources, and
vehicle parking between the outer edge of the ILA and the extent of the SIZ.
The FHA application of this hazard assessment methodology will result in four hazard ratings that can be
used to aid in assessing the likelihood of a wildland fire causing a release of radiological or hazardous
chemical MAR. The evaluation areas also aid in identifying existing passive design features that may be
credited in the DSA unmitigated hazard evaluation or accident analysis or may need to be improved to
provide the necessary protection of MAR. This NFPA methodology may be used to perform iterative
analysis as well since it identifies controls (e.g. vegetation control/treatment within the SIZ).
This Handbook provides some amplifying information on the NFPA 1144 table (highlighted in yellow in
the example that follows) for use by fire protection subject matter experts in the DSA development/
revision process. Annex A of NFPA 1144 provides additional detailed explanatory information that may
provide insights into assigning a value where a range of values is provided. If not obvious, assigned
values should be documented with a basis either within the cell or use of footnotes, as illustrated in the
example provided in the next subsection.
Building design, location and construction standards that reduce structural susceptibility to wildland fires
are provided in Chapter 5 of NFPA 1144, in NFPA 1141 (2017), Standard for Fire Protection
Infrastructure for Land Development in Wildland, Rural, and Suburban Areas, and in local building
codes. Section 4.2.5.8 of NFPA 1144 states, “Any structure that fails to comply with the requirements of
Chapter 5 shall be deemed to increase the risk of the spread of wildland fire to improved property and the
risk of fires on improved property spreading to wildland fuels.”
Some additional sources of guidance for fire hazards analysis, building design and construction, exterior
exposure protection, and wildland fire management are:
• DOE-STD-1066-2016, Fire Protection, was developed to address the special or unique fire
protection issues at DOE facilities and includes guidance (and additional references) for wildland
fire management and facility design against wildland fire exposures. Specifically, Chapter 8
addresses wildland fires.
• NFPA 801 (2014), Fire Protection for Facilities Handling Radioactive Materials, addresses fire
protection requirements intended to reduce the risk of fires and explosions at facilities handling
radioactive materials. NFPA 801, Section 5.5 specifically states, “Buildings in which radioactive
materials are to be used, handled, or stored shall be fire-resistant or noncombustible construction
in accordance with NFPA 220, Standard on Types of Building Construction, Type I or Type II
construction.”
Section 132
• NFPA 80A (2012), Recommended Practice for Protection of Buildings from Exterior Fire
Exposures, provides guidance on fire exposure hazards. NFPA 80A, Chapter 4 provides guidance
for determining minimum building separation distances, and Chapter 5 identifies various means
by which facilities may be protected from fire damage due to exterior exposure.
39 SIZ definition: “The “ignition zone” includes the area around a specific structure and associated accessory
structures, including all vegetation that contains potential ignition sources and fuels that can affect ignition potential
during an intense wildland fire.” The zone extends 0–200 ft (0–60 m) out from a structure’s foundation.
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• NFPA 1143 (2014), Standard for Wildland Fire Management, provides guidance that aids in the
development of wildland fire management programs, which include the full range of activities
and functions necessary to plan, prepare, and respond to potential fires.
4.6.8.2 EXAMPLE: WILDLAND FIRE FACILITY/STRUCTURE HAZARD ASSESSMENT
A simple example of the application of the Wildland Fire Facility/Structure Hazard Assessment is
presented in Table 4-11. For this example, the most significant characteristics of the facility are listed
below. However, for specific facilities, additional detailed information should also be available. The
values for the hazard risk ratings and the Hazard Rating Scale are established in NFPA 1144. For each of
the example characteristics listed below, cross-references are provided as a brief basis for the selected
values in Table 4-11. Note that the evaluated characteristics include existing facility controls.
Topographical Features (TF):
• The facility location is in a semi-arid region {evaluated as identified by TF1}
• The region has a history of wildland fires (about 1 every 10 years) {justifying a relatively high
rating of 4 as shown for TF2};
• The surrounding environment is timberland (mostly ponderosa pine) and grassland with minimal
slash or undergrowth due to regular forest management, thus there is moderate wildland
combustible material present {evaluated as identified by TF3}.
• The location may be subjected to significant straight, dry winds, as well as thunder/lightning
storms {supporting values identified by TF4}.
• The nearest sloping grade of greater than 15% is more than 400 ft from facility, except for the
northerly direction where a slope of 15% to 20% begins at 30 ft from the facility and continues
out several hundred feet {thus resulting in relatively low values for the evaluations of topography
slope (rating range from 0 to 15) and the Building Setback (rating range of 0 to ~5) for which
slopes greater than 30% are several hundred feet away; evaluations are identified as TF5}.
• A neighboring structure is a single story transportable building of combustible materials with an
attached wood deck with no underpinning or screening. This structure is 60 to 70 feet away
{evaluated as a moderate risk of 3 (for a risk factor range of 0 to 5) for separation of structures as
shown by TF6}.
Fuel Modifications and Vegetation (FM):
• Large trees have been removed and the brush is thinned out to a distance of at least 210 ft. Trees
and brush are removed out to 100 ft, leaving primarily grasses and forbs. {This fuel modification
treatment significantly reduces the flame and radiative heat threat to the structure from the SIZ,
justifying very low values from 30 to 100 feet; when properly performed it may be judged to
support the low values identified by FM1}.
Section 133
• A controlled defensible space, concrete slab, is provided for a minimum of 30 ft from the
foundation of the structure in all directions {essentially eliminating combustibles and justifying a
value of 0 for FM2; without this defensible space the hazard risk would significantly increase}.
Building Construction (BC):
• Although the concrete structure of the walls are 1 to 2 hour fire resistance capable, multiple
penetration seals in several concrete walls are not fire-rated, resulting in fire resistance
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vulnerabilities in the exterior walls {judged for this example to pose a significant fire propagation
risk into the building and thus elevated value of 9 for the siding identified by BC1};
• There are no skylights in the roof and the facility roof has been evaluated by fire protection
engineering and is considered to meet UL Class A/FM Class 1 requirements (i.e., provides
adequate fire resistance, supporting a very low risk evaluation shown by BC2);
• Large external ventilation fan suction and discharge duct openings are not covered by metal
screening, making it possible for sparks or fire brands to reach combustible ventilation filters
(hence a high hazard value of 20 is assigned as shown by BC3);
• Existing gutters are constructed of metal (supporting a very low risk evaluation shown by BC4);
Additional Fuel Modifications Relevant to Fire Hazards (FM):
• Vehicles are parked within the SIZ on paved parking lots clear of vegetation. (FM3)
• The facility is equipped with a concrete dock (deck) for equipment and material shipping and
receiving. (FM4)
• No vehicles are parked or left unattended within 30 ft of the facility. (FM5)
• No other significant combustibles are permanently located or stored within 30 ft of the facility.
(FM6)
Additional Fire Risk Factors (FF):
• An above ground, dry transformer (1750 kVA) is located approximately 50 feet away from the
building exterior, stepping down 13.8 kV commercial power to 600 V electrical service for the
facility (evaluated as a moderate utility fire hazard shown as FF1). There is no gas service to this
facility.
Fire Protection System (FP):
• Facility is equipped throughout with an NFPA-compliant wet-pipe sprinkler fire suppression
system (therefore the building can be considered fully protected, resulting in a 0 hazard rating
under the Fixed Fire Protection category identified as FP1).
Table 4-11. Example Application of Wildland Fire Facility/Structure Hazard Assessment
Analyzed Parameters Environment ‡ Building Structure ‡ Landscape/Combustibles ‡
Rating Values by Areas
Assessed
Overview of
Surrounding
Environment
(4.2.1*)
From
Chimney
to Eaves
(4.2.2*)
From Top
of Exterior
Wall to
Foundation
(4.2.3*)
From
Foundation to
ILA
(0 to 30 ft)
(4.2.4*)
From ILA to
Extent of SIZ
(30 to 200 ft)
(4.2.5*)
Topographical Features
Topographical features
that adversely affect
wildland fire behavior
(4.2.1*)
3 {TF1, TF3,
TF5, general
judgement}
Areas with history of
high fire occurrence
(4.3.4*)
4 {TF2}
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Analyzed Parameters Environment ‡ Building Structure ‡ Landscape/Combustibles ‡
Rating Values by Areas
Assessed
Overview of
Surrounding
Environment
(4.2.1*)
From
Chimney
to Eaves
(4.2.2*)
From Top
of Exterior
Wall to
Foundation
(4.2.3*)
From
Foundation to
ILA
(0 to 30 ft)
(4.2.4*)
From ILA to
Extent of SIZ
(30 to 200 ft)
(4.2.5*)
Areas exposed to
unusually severe fire
weather and strong, dry
winds (4.2.1.3*)
5 {TF4}
Section 134
Local weather
conditions and
prevailing winds
(4.2.1.2*)
4 {TF4}
Separation of structures
on adjacent property
that can contribute to
fire spread/behavior
(4.2.1.3*)
3 {TF6} 0 {TF6} 3 {TF6}
Vegetation—Characteristics of predominant vegetation
Light (e.g. grasses,
forbs, sawgrasses, and
tundra) NFDRS Fuel
Models** A, C, I, N, S,
and T
5 {TF3, FM1} 0 {FM2} 0 {TF3, FM1}
Medium (e.g. light
brush and small trees)
NFDRS Fuel Models**
D, E, F, H, P, Q, and U
0 {TF3, FM1} 0 {FM2} 5 {TF3, FM1}
Heavy (e.g. dense brush,
timber, and hardwoods)
NFDRS Fuel Models**
B, G, and O
0 {TF3, FM1} 0 {FM2} 0 {TF3, FM1}
Slash (e.g. timber
harvesting residue)
NFRDS Fuel Models**
J, K, and L
0 {TF3, FM1} 0 {FM2} 0 {TF3, FM1}
Topography
Slope 5-9% 0 {TF5} 0 {TF5}
Slope 10-20% 4 {TF5} 2 {TF5}
Slope 21-30% 0 {TF5} 0 {TF5}
Slope 31-40% 0 {TF5} 0 {TF5}
Slope >41% 0 {TF5} 0 {TF5}
Building Setback, relative to slopes of ≥ 30%
≥30 ft (9.14 m) to slope NA {TF5}
<30 ft (9.14 m) to slope NA {TF5}
Roofing Materials and
Assembly, nonrated***
0 {BC2}
Ventilation Soffits, without
metal mesh or screening
20 {BC3}
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Analyzed Parameters Environment ‡ Building Structure ‡ Landscape/Combustibles ‡
Rating Values by Areas
Assessed
Overview of
Surrounding
Environment
(4.2.1*)
From
Chimney
to Eaves
(4.2.2*)
From Top
of Exterior
Wall to
Foundation
(4.2.3*)
From
Foundation to
ILA
(0 to 30 ft)
(4.2.4*)
From ILA to
Extent of SIZ
(30 to 200 ft)
(4.2.5*)
Gutters, combustible 0 {BC4}
Building Construction (predominant)
Siding and Deck—
noncombustible/fire-
resistive/ignition-
resistant ††
9 {BC1,
FM4}
Siding—
noncombustible/fire-
resistive/ignition-
resistant siding, but
Deck—combustible ††
NA {BC1,
FM4}
Siding and Deck—
combustible ††
NA {BC1,
FM4}
Fire resistance of wall components (e.g. doors, windows, and penetrations) are also considered in the building
construction evaluation. Value (0 to 9) of item 1 above may increase up to 9 based on extent of vulnerabilities
created in the walls. Likewise the value (10 to 14) of item 2 may increase up to 14 due to vulnerabilities.
Fences and Attachments
Combustible
Non-combustible 1. NA {None}
Placement of Gas and Electric Utilities
2. One
underground,
one
aboveground
3 {FF1}
Both aboveground
Both underground
Fuel Modifications within structure ignition zone
71-100 ft (21-30 m) of
vegetation treatment from
the structures
3. 0 {FM1, FM3}
30-70 ft (9-21 m) of
vegetation treatment from
the structures
0 {FM1, FM3}
<30 ft (9 m) of vegetation
treatment from the structures
0 {FM2, FM5,
FM6}
Note: Evaluate the presence and location of heat sources, flame sources and vehicle parking from the foundation
to the ILA (4.2.4.2 and 4.2.4.5*) and throughout the SIZ (4.2.5.3 and 4.2.5.5*). For example, even with no
vegetation in the Defensible Space (<30 ft), the presence of fuel, heat and flame sources (e.g. propane tanks,
parked vehicles, combustible waste containers) could be sufficient cause to result in a high evaluation value of
15.
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Analyzed Parameters Environment ‡ Building Structure ‡ Landscape/Combustibles ‡
Rating Values by Areas
Assessed
Overview of
Surrounding
Environment
(4.2.1*)
From
Chimney
to Eaves
(4.2.2*)
From Top
of Exterior
Wall to
Foundation
(4.2.3*)
From
Foundation to
ILA
(0 to 30 ft)
(4.2.4*)
From ILA to
Extent of SIZ
(30 to 200 ft)
(4.2.5*)
Fixed Fire Protection (NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D sprinkler systems)
Section 135
No Protection
Protected 4. 0 {FP1}
TOTALS 27
(Moderate)
20
(Moderate)
9
(Slight)
4
(Slight)
10
(Slight)
Hazard Rating Scale (Total the above individual ratings and compare the totals to scale below for an estimated
structure ignition hazard (probability) from Wildland Fire.
Slight 0-14 0-14 0-14 0-14 0-14
Moderate 15-29 15-29 15-29 15-29 15-29
Significant 30-49 30-49 30-49 30-49 30-49
Severe ≥50 ≥50 ≥50 ≥50 ≥50
Note: The estimated hazard rating of structure ignition should be used as a guide to aid in determining
scenario/event frequency in the DSA hazard analysis. Each of the individual columns (areas of evaluation) above
assess a group of features/controls that reduces the likelihood that a wildland fire will breach the facility external
structure. The likelihood that the structure will be breached by the wildland fire is determined primarily by the
most vulnerable feature (highest column value). For this example, the assessed hazard rating of structure ignition
is Moderate. The hazard rating of structure ignition should be used as an input to the DSA HA qualitative
selection of wildfire event frequency (unmitigated and mitigated) while considering other factors (e.g. location
and containment of MAR, credited controls).
‡ The gray shaded areas of the table are not applicable (NA) to the “Analyzed Parameters” listed in column 1.
* Ref. NFPA 1144, 2013 Edition
** National Fire Rating Danger System (NFDRS) Fuel Models correspond to the type of vegetation/forest surrounding the
facility.
*** Additional information on roof ratings and the impacts of firebrands to facility roofs may be found in LA-UR-14-27684,
Analysis of Wildland Fire Hazard to the TWF at Los Alamos National Labs (Gilbertson, 2014).
†† The NFPA Table A.4.1.2 provides numerical and value rankings (low, medium, high). The user is urged to assign the
value ranking of low, medium, or high based on the other ignition factors prevalent at the assessment site. For example,
a deck made of combustible materials might rank low if it is small in size and the rest of the site is in a low fuel loading
area that will not promote a large amount of firebrands. That same deck might rate high if it is in an area of high fuel
loading that will promote numerous firebrands. Numeric values can be substituted as a local option. [Ref. NFPA 1144,
2013 Edition] For this Handbook, using a range of numerical values is presented as a means to address the evaluation
of vulnerabilities in the fire resistance of the exterior construction; thus, incorporating the evaluation of vulnerabilities
with the goal of improving DOE-complex wide consistency in the final hazard rating.
The hazard rating results of Table 4-11 for the probability that a wildland fire in the vicinity of the facility
will breach the structural barrier provides input into the DSA hazards analysis likelihood determinations.
This evaluation should be performed for both the unmitigated (no controls) and mitigated (controls in
place) cases to provide input and justification to the unmitigated and mitigated DSA hazard analysis
wildland fire scenarios, respectively. If this is not performed in the facility FHA, it could be added to the
DSA hazard evaluation.
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As stated in the footnote to Table 4-11, additional information on roof ratings and the impacts of
firebrands to facility roofs may be found in LA-UR-14-27684, Analysis of Wildland Fire Hazard to the
TWF at Los Alamos National Labs (Gilbertson, 2014). That reference also provides guidance on
assigning likelihoods based on whether the roof is combustible or noncombustible and consideration of
the wildland fire separation distance.
Section 136
The design features and controls (engineering and administrative) that are assumed in Table 4-11 for the
reduction of the hazard rating are carried forward to the DSA as appropriately credited or defense-in-
depth controls. The evaluated characteristics in the above example that may be considered as candidate
controls include the fire resistance of the exterior walls, roof rating, and defensible space configuration
control.
For the radiological consequence analysis, the damage ratio for the wildland fire is facility dependent, and
considers the capability of other MAR containment components to withstand the fire. ARF and RF
estimates are evaluated the same as those for operational facility fires as addressed in Section 4.2. The
LPF is assumed to be 1 for an unmitigated wildland fire that results in a release of MAR from a facility
because the facility structural boundary is assumed to be significantly breached.
The Table 4-11 example documents the results of the FHA assessment of wildland fire, which should be
interpreted and included in the FHA or referenced to a supporting analysis. The DSA Chapter 3 hazard
evaluation or accident analysis would then summarize the analysis and reference the FHA, add the
mitigated analysis if not already included in the FHA, and expand on how the likelihood was assigned,
identify protection features, and evaluate their safety significance.
4.7 MAN-MADE EXTERNAL EVENTS
Man-made external events can cause a breach in the structure of a facility and cause a release of
radioactive or hazardous materials. The following events may be evaluated in a DSA accident analysis:
(1) aircraft crashes, (2) vehicle crashes, and (3) loss of power to safety-related SSCs that provide a safety
function to prevent or mitigate accidents.
Additional external events may also need to be evaluated for a DSA depending on:
• site characteristics, such as nearby facilities with accident potentials that can affect the facility
being evaluated,
• nearby natural gas distribution lines or other gas lines not servicing the facility,
• explosion from a train derailment (for trains not related to facility operations),
• underground transformer explosions, and
• events involving storage tanks external to the facility that are not associated with facility
operations.
Some of the methods presented in this section and in earlier sections of Chapter 4 regarding fires,
explosions, and loss of confinement accidents assist in evaluating these other external events, although a
special engineering analysis of the accident phenomena associated with the external event may also be
needed.
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4.7.1 AIRCRAFT CRASHES
The analysis of aircraft crash impact involves the following steps.
1. Performing a screening analysis based upon MAR, frequency, and consequences.
2. Defining the scenario.
3. Identifying the type of material involved and appropriate DR and LPF (for mitigated scenarios
only).
4.7.1.1 SCREENING ANALYSIS
Guidance and criteria for evaluating airplane crashes are given in DOE-STD-3014-2006, Accident
Analysis for Aircraft Crash into Hazardous Facilities. The assessment is presented in three phases:
1) determination if there is enough hazardous material in the facility to pose a threat to the public or
workers;
2) determination of the estimated probability per year (i.e., frequency) of an aircraft crash into a
facility with hazardous materials; and
Section 137
3) determination if an aircraft crash into the facility would penetrate to the location of the hazardous
materials and release it into the atmosphere.
If the relevant determination in any of these three phases falls below screening guidelines, the threat of an
aircraft crash is considered insignificant for that facility.
For phase one, the screening guidelines are based on the assumption of the total release into the
atmosphere of all of the hazardous material in the facility from an aircraft crash. The screening criteria
for the public, for example, are a radiological dose to the MOI of less than 25-rem TED and a
toxicological exposure of less than PAC level 2 (PAC/TEEL-2). Similar criteria apply to the worker. If
the amount of hazardous material is insufficient to reach these levels, an aircraft crash into the facility is
considered insignificant and phases two and three need not be evaluated as the scenario has been screened
out.
For phase two, the screening criterion is a crash frequency of less than one crash per million years into the
facility. Below this frequency, aircraft crashes are not considered significant and phase three need not be
evaluated (see DOE-STD-3014-2006 and DOE-STD-3009).
For phase three, the screening criteria deal with the robustness of the facility. If an aircraft or any of its
parts could not penetrate to the location of the hazardous material, an aircraft crash is not considered
significant for that facility.
Refer to DOE-STD-3014-2006 for details on performing these analyses. The following observations are
based on experience with applying that standard at multiple DOE sites.
1. Crash probabilities are estimated separately for airport operations (take-offs and landings) from
nearby airports and from overflights from more distant airports and are then summed. A variety of
aircraft types regularly operate near DOE sites. These include general aviation, commercial, and
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military. There are typically no special restrictions in place for the air space around and above a
DOE site, although sectional charts may carry an advisory relative to flights below a certain
altitude, such as 1,000 feet. Overflights occur occasionally along predefined navigational
pathways (Airways). Helicopter operations should also be considered, such as from hospital
“Flight-For-Life” and spraying operations. Site-supervised overflights may also be performed by
rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft for photographic and other purposes. In addition, a nearby
airport may host air shows featuring military aircraft conducting displays and acrobatic activities.
Small aircraft (those that weigh less than 12,500 pounds) operating from nearby airports are major
contributors to the numbers of aircraft in the vicinity of a DOE site.
Although a pilot would be expected to attempt a minimal-impact landing, data show that the pilot
has no control in approximately 76% of accidents and only limited control 19% of them (Cooper
and Chira-Chavala, 1998). An aircraft-fuel fire may also accompany this accident. The
estimation of the probability of an aircraft accident involving a site facility is based on the air
traffic associated with the nearby airports and overflights, and the aircraft crash rate. The aircraft
accident rate from airport operations is estimated as the product of the number of flights and the
aircraft accident rate per square mile for airport operations (Boonin, 1974; DOE-STD-3014-2006).
These data provide accident probabilities for impact locations as a function of distance from an
airport. The aircraft crash rate from general aviation overflights is also significant and needs to be
considered.
Section 138
2. For fixed-wing aircraft, the estimated annual aircraft crash frequency from airport operations is
calculated from aircraft crash rate for each flight phase (take-offs, landings, and in-flights), aircraft
category (general aviation or commercial), flight source, and effective area of facility, including
physical footprint, skid-in area, and shadow. The values of estimated number of site-specific
airport operations, for each aircraft category and flight source, are found in airport operations data
(http://www.airnav.com/airports/ ).
3. The crash rates from general aviation, commercial, and military overflights are provided in
Appendix B of DOE-STD-3014-2006, Accident Analysis for Aircraft Crash into Hazardous
Facilities, for each DOE site, as well as the maximum, minimum, and average rates for continental
United States. The rates for a given site are added to the rate determined from operations at
nearby airports to get the total rate. For general aviation, it was found that the overflight crash
data may not be accurate for a given DOE site, as the database was limited by the paucity of crash
data available when DOE-STD-3014-2006 was initially prepared in 1996. It would be appropriate
for the safety analyst to do a reanalysis for a given DOE site. The National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) database should be consulted to determine the total number of crashes within a
certain distance from the site. The distance chosen should be small enough to be representative of
the Site, but large enough to include a sufficient number of accidents so that meaningful statistics
can be derived. For sites in more heavily populated areas, the “certain distance” could be as little
as 25 miles, whereas for sites in less populated areas, it could be as much as 50 miles to obtain an
adequate data sample.
4. Another parameter to calculate the likelihood of an aircraft crashing into a facility is the aircraft
crash location conditional probability at the facility location (x,y) relative to the runway. The
coordinates x and y are relative to the runway, with the origin being at the center of the runway,
positive x in the direction of takeoff or landing and positive y in the direction 90°
counterclockwise from positive x (i.e., to the left). The bearing of the airport from the facility (θ)
from geographic north, the bearing of the runway (ϕ) from magnetic north, and the distance (R)
between the facility and runway are needed to calculate the (x,y) coordinates of the facility from
the center of the runway.
The coordinates of a facility relative to the runway are thus
http://www.airnav.com/airports/
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𝒙𝒙 = −𝑹𝑹𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄(𝜽𝜽 − 𝝋𝝋)
𝒚𝒚 = 𝑹𝑹𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔(𝜽𝜽 − 𝝋𝝋) Equation 4-53
The calculation of R is based on the differences in latitude and longitude of the facility and the
referenced airport.
Runway labels are expressed as degrees azimuth /10. Thus, runway 22 has a bearing of 220
degrees azimuth and runway 4 has a bearing of 40 degrees azimuth. Runways 4 and 22 are
physically the same but differ in designation depending on the direction of motion of the aircraft,
with 4 being to the northeast and 22 to the southwest. Runways may also have a left/right (L/R)
designation if there are two runways side-by-side with the same orientation; sometimes, C is used
for Central. The true runway bearing may differ slightly from its designation. For example,
runway 22 might have a bearing anywhere between 215 degrees azimuth and 225 degrees azimuth
from magnetic north. The difference between geographic north and magnetic north, the magnetic
declination, needs to be considered and if it is smaller than the uncertainty in the runway bearing it
may be ignored. The magnetic declination can be found at National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration National Geophysical Data Center website http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/ngdc.html
and selecting Magnetic Field Calculators.
Section 139
5. The values of effective area are dependent on the dimensions of the facility and aircraft type. As
the effective area depends on the side of the building the aircraft crashes into, it should be evaluated
for all reasonable approach directions and the largest value used. If two adjacent buildings are
spaced apart less than the wingspan of the plane, the effective area will be the combination of the
two buildings.
6. For buildings that are partially protected by other buildings or a hillside, the analyst should use the
building dimensions appropriate for the direction of approach of the aircraft to the exposed walls.
To be conservative, assume that the aircraft will approach from the side that gives the largest
unprotected target area.
7. Do not assign conditional probabilities to different parts of the plane, such as the probability of the
engine hitting the building versus the wings.
8. Helicopter crashes are treated differently from fixed-wing aircraft crashes. The helicopter crash
frequency into a facility is given by:
FH = NHPHAH(2/LH) Equation 4-54
where NH is the number of helicopter local overflights per year at the site,
PH is the probability of a helicopter crash (2.5E-5 per operation),
AH is the facility footprint area,
LH is the average length of the flight path over the site.
The term 2/LH arises from the conservative assumption that the helicopter crash takes place within
0.25 miles from the centerline of the flight path. This gives a total area in which the helicopter
crashes of 0.5 miles wide and LH miles long, for a conditional probability of 1/(0.5LH) = 2/LH per
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/ngdc.html
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square mile. If the value of LH is not available, it can be estimated as the distance to the nearest
heliport.
4.7.1.2 AIRCRAFT CRASH DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
If an aircraft crashes into the portion of a facility housing radioactive or other hazardous materials, that
material could be released by an ensuing fire (Section 4.2), explosion (Section 4.3), and/or by loss of
containment (Section 4.4), or potentially may cause releases from chemical reactions (Section 4.5).
4.7.2 VEHICLE CRASHES
Two types of vehicle crashes need to be considered: (1) A vehicle crashing into a facility causing a
release of hazardous material from that facility; and (2) A vehicle transporting hazardous materials is
damaged en route and material is released from the vehicle.
4.7.2.1 VEHICLE CRASH INTO FACILITY
The accident analysis methodology for an external vehicle crash into a facility is:
1. Identify the scenario;
2. Identify whether a fire initiator is present;
3. Identify the type and quantity of hazardous materials involved and appropriate MAR, DR, and
LPF (for mitigated scenarios only); and
4. Calculate the consequences of the accident.
If a vehicle crashes into the portion of a facility housing radioactive or other hazardous materials, that
material could be released by a fire (Section 4.2), explosion (Section 4.3), and/or by loss of containment
(Section 4.4). The analyst should determine the likelihood of such an accident based on the location of
the MAR in the facility relative to the route the vehicle would take to impact that portion of the facility.
Although it may not affect the likelihood of the vehicle crash causing a release, the location of SSCs
should be considered if a vehicle crash into SSCs could initiate an accident progression. Vehicles to
consider would include automobiles, trucks and vans, and railroad cars if a rail line passes near the
facility.
Section 140
The vehicle momentum, robustness of the facility walls, amount of fuel in the vehicle (assume the
maximum), any combustibles it contains, and the facility combustibles at the crash site needs to be
estimated. Then, following the guidance in Sections 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4, the source term can be estimated.
4.7.2.2 ONSITE TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENT
Transportation of radioactive and hazardous materials presents special hazards to operations and to
personnel at the site due to the close proximity of these vehicles to facilities and the reduced level of
containment of the materials while outside buildings. These types of materials include special nuclear
material (SNM), residues, TRU waste, TRU mixed waste, low-level waste, low-level mixed waste,
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)-regulated waste, Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA)-regulated waste, mixed TSCA waste, samples, contaminated soil, incoming bulk shipments of
fuels, acids, bases, miscellaneous chemicals, compressed gases, and laboratory reagents.
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The accident analysis methodology for transportation accidents is:
1. Identify the scenario;
2. Identify whether a fire initiator is present (generally, one is present if the accident involves a
motor vehicle);
3. Identify the type and quantity of hazardous materials involved and appropriate MAR, DRs, and
LPFs (for mitigated scenarios only); and
4. Calculate the consequences of the accident.
The analyst should examine shipping records to determine the frequency, type of material, and quantity of
shipping, both on-site and to/from off-site. The shipment of bulk fuels and toxic chemicals also needs to
be quantified. This would include the type of material, the total amount shipped, the average and
maximum delivery size, and which facilities are involved. Each site should have an on-site transportation
manual that lists the packaging configurations currently approved for on-site and off-site use. For
example, no package may be used for Pu or uranium unless it has received a criticality safety evaluation
and has been determined to remain subcritical. It is not uncommon for transportation accidents to occur
at a site. Most of these accidents involving radioactive material transfer would not be severe, and there
could be minor releases. Loading and unloading accidents are the most common and could involve
forklifts.
In estimating the MAR in a transportation accident, the maximum number of packages that can fit on a
truck should be assumed, unless a specific justification is stated for a different number. An example of
truck capacities is shown in Table 4-12, which provides the capacities of transport vehicles for a full load
of each type of package that can be hauled. Different size vehicles used at a particular DOE site for
transport of containers should be evaluated. Because of the requirement to keep radiation exposure levels
in the truck cab below 5-mrem/hr, these capacities are conservative for SNM and waste drums. If
analysis with these capacities provides unacceptable consequences, then the truck inventory should be
limited by administrative controls.
For a single drum accident, the maximum amount of material allowed by criticality limits should be
assumed to be in the drum. For large numbers of drums, where the actual inventories may be vastly
different from the allowed inventories, it may be acceptable to use, inventory estimates from specific
process knowledge (DOE-STD-5506-2007, Section 4.3.2). However, the importance of this assumption
affects the need for an administrative control to preserve it. For container types other than drums,
determine the maximum amount allowed by conditions imposed on that container type.
Section 141
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Table 4-12. Example of Transport Vehicle Package Capacities.
Transport Truck Bed Size
SNM and Residues
Number of 10-
Gallon Drums
Number of 30-
Gallon Drums
Number of 55-
Gallon Drums
Enclosed Metal Van 7’ 7” × 12’ 54 28 18
Enclosed Metal Van 7’ 7” × 13’ 9” 66 32 21
Dump Truck 7’ 6” × 15’ 10” 72 36 24
Box Van 17’ 8” × 15’ 11” 168 90 72
LLW and Hazardous Waste
Number of Half-
Size Crates
Number of Full-
Size Crates
Number of 55-
Gallon Drums
Flat Bed Trailer
(for on-site transfers) 8’ × 55’ 10
(weight limited)
12
(weight limited) 112
Tractor Trailer Van (for
off-site shipment)
8’ 6” × 53’ or two
25’ long in tandem
10
(weight limited)
12
(weight limited) 208
The MAR released by crash should be determined depending upon the result of the event, i.e., whether it
results in a fire (see Section 4.2), explosion (see Section 4.3), or loss of containment (see Section 4.4).
4.7.3 LOSS OF POWER TO SAFETY-RELATED SSCs
The accident analysis methodology for loss of power to safety-related SSCs that may provide a safety
function to prevent or mitigate accidents is:
1. Identify the scenario;
2. Identify the type and quantity of materials present;
3. Identify whether a fire initiator is present; and
4. Calculate the consequences of the accident.
The NRC has requirements and guidance for a “station blackout DBA” for a commercial nuclear reactor,
where station blackout means loss of AC power within a facility (i.e., loss of all onsite and offsite
sources), except that battery power may be credited for the duration analyzed to ensure safe shutdown.
For a DOE nonreactor nuclear facility DSA, DOE-STD-3009 requires an unmitigated analysis that does
not credit any active power sources, including battery power.
Loss of power scenarios are of interest in this Handbook in terms of the potential for releases of
radioactive or hazardous materials. If the safety SSC is preventive, evaluate whether the failure of the
safety SSC in question (upon loss of electrical power) could cause or initiate a hazardous condition or an
accident involving the release of radioactive or hazardous materials. If the safety SSC is mitigative, the
analyst could consider whether failure of the safety SSC in question could occur simultaneously with
other existing analyzed accident scenarios (i.e., a common cause event like NPH).
The DSA loss-of-power scenario would include loss of building support systems such as ventilation
system and GB inerting are lost. When the ventilation system loses power, the ventilation fans coast-
down and there may be a slight pressure gradient that favors airflow from the GB out into the module.
Such air reversal is postulated to draw some radioactive material from the GB into the module. In
addition, with the loss of inerting atmosphere within the GBs, a small pyrophoric fire could also be
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initiated within a GB.
For the loss-of-power scenario, resuspension of holdup material and exposed inventories in GBs should
be evaluated. The inventory of holdup material should include quantities in the facility GBs, and
ventilation ducting. A loss-of-power is also a primary initiator for loss of GB inerting, which, while it
occurs slowly, increases the probability of a pyrophoric fire involving vulnerable material that may be left
unpacked. If a pyrophoric fire was considered credible in the fire analysis, then a pyrophoric fire should
be considered in the loss-of-power scenario as well. The MAR for the pyrophoric fire during a loss-of-
power scenario should be the same as the MAR for the pyrophoric fire from the fire analysis. Another
progression is the loss of purge ventilation flow that sweeps away radiolysis gases. The loss of the purge
flow could lead to an accumulation of flammable gases and then an explosion.
Section 142
If a loss-of-power can initiate a release of hazardous material, then these scenarios and associated controls
should be evaluated in the DSA hazard evaluation and the need to develop a specific DBA/EBA
determined based on potential consequences. Even in cases where loss-of-power is not identified as a
separate and specific DBA/EBA, the DSA (viz. chapters 3 and 4) evaluates the need for backup power for
every active safety class and safety significant SSC.
5 SOURCE TERM ANALYSIS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter addresses development of source terms for accident analysis for the evaluation of
consequences to the MOI, and also quantitative evaluation of consequences to the CW, when necessary.
As noted in Footnote 4 for Table 2-8, Consequence Thresholds, consequences may be estimated using
qualitative and/or semi-quantitative techniques for the hazard analysis. The source term is the amount of
hazardous material released to the environment from a given confinement volume under the stress posed
by a hypothetical phenomenological event. The source term initially released from confinement into
process areas is also of interest for evaluation of consequences to FWs.
This chapter covers application of the five-factor formula presented in Figure 5-1: MAR, DR, ARF, RFs,
and LPF, as described in the DOE-HDBK-3010-94. These parameters are evaluated in terms of the
stresses imposed by internal events, external man-made events, and NPHs.
Examples of the type of thought processes, bounding assumptions, and overall methodologies used in
parameter determination are also provided.
5.2 RADIOLOGICAL SOURCE TERM COMPONENTS
The amount of hazardous material released as a result of accident-imposed stresses is evaluated by a
prescribed formula that considers the influence of those five factors. Figure 5-1 displays those factors and
their relationships. The basic concept is as follows:
MARxDRxARF = Initial Source Term (IST)
ISTxLPF = Building Source Term (BST)
and
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ISTxRF = IST that is respirable
IST (respirable) xLPF = BST that is respirable40
The material potentially available to be affected is the MAR. The DR represents that fraction of available
material actually affected by the accident stresses. The ARF represents the fraction of material actually
affected that is driven airborne, either as a gas or an aerosol. Together, these three factors define the
amount of material in the air at the immediate point of release, or the IST. The airborne pathway is
normally the exposure mechanism evaluated as it is the principle means by which exposures at a distance
from the point of release can occur. Releases to large bodies of waters are a special case where the IST
would reduce to simply the MARxDR, with the DR being expressed as a total fraction of material
released or a leakage rate.
40 The “respirable BST” that represents the MARxDRxARF/RFxLPF has been called the “five-factor formula” and
is generally presented as the “Source Term (ST)” when describing the input to the radiological consequence analysis
for inhalation dose calculations.
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Figure 5-1. Five Factors Formula.
Release to
Atmosphere
• Respirable for
Inhalation Pathway
• Total for Direct
Exposure Pathway
Release
to Aquatic
Pathways
Natural
Earthquake
Tornado/Wind
Other
Man-Made
Airplane Crash
External Fire
External Initiators
Internal
Initiators
Fire
Explosion
Spill
Other
Materials at Risk
Parameters
Physical Form
Chemical Form
Quantity
Section 143
Damage
Ratio
Airborne
Release
Fraction
Final External Barrier
Respirable
Fraction
Leakpath
Factor
Fraction of Spilled
Liquid Leaked from
Final External Barrier
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The RF identifies what fraction of the airborne aerosol can be inhaled and retained in the body. The
responsible portion of the IST is of major interest for nuclear material handling operations as, with the
exception of MAR such as tritium gas, fission products, or high energy gamma sources, most materials of
concern (e.g., plutonium, uranium) are alpha-emitting radionuclides. These present no significant dose
hazard outside the body. For gases, of course, the IST and the IST respirable amount are the same.
An LPF accounts for source term depletion due to filtration or deposition (“plateout”) as the source term
migrates through various layers of confinement. By far the most common application of LPF is HEPA or
sand filtration in exhaust ventilation. Applying all relevant LPFs yields the amount of material released
to the environment, sometimes called the BST as most handling operations occur inside fixed facilities.
The LPF is of interest for mitigated analysis, and is set to unity for unmitigated analysis.
5.2.1 MATERIAL AT RISK
5.2.1.1 OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS, GUIDANCE, AND PRACTICES FOR
IDENTIFYING MAR
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.1, provides the following direction regarding MAR:
The MAR is the bounding quantity of radioactive material that is available to be acted upon by a
given physical stress from a postulated accident. The MAR may be the total inventory in a facility
or a portion of this inventory in one location or operation, depending on the event. MAR values
used in hazard and accident analysis shall be consistent with the values noted in hazard
identification/evaluation, and shall be bounding with respect to each accident being evaluated.
This concept is considered equally applicable to hazardous chemicals.
The MAR value assigned should be consistent with the DSA hazard identification41 documented for a
given facility or operation. That is, the DSA hazard identification used some basis to determine the
maximum hazardous material accumulation foreseeable. The MAR should use that same basis. If it does
not, absent some compelling explanation, the basis for either the hazard identification or the MAR
designation, or both, becomes suspect. Therefore, if some compelling explanation for a discrepancy does
exist, it is preferable to document the rationale for the discrepancy in both the summary section of the
DSA hazard identification results and in the DSA hazard evaluation or accident analysis section.
Specifying the amount of a given material foreseeable is based on physical possibility, procedural or other
administrative limits, or sampling/historical data. Physical possibility is most often used as a basis with
regard to fixed volumes, such as storage vessels. In these cases, the maximum volume of material present
can be precisely specified. However, there is still a need to specify the concentrations of the different
radionuclides within that volume, in order to determine a bounding MAR.
Administrative limits dominate the assignment of MAR values for radioactive material handling in
glovebox-type environments. These environments are constructed to allow operations within the
confinement, as opposed to serving as simple holding volumes. Normal practice is to assess specific
workstations, glovebox vessels, and storage containers, in terms of batch sizes, process parameters, and
Section 144
41 Note that the DSA hazard identification values are is not necessarily the same as the initial data generated in the
hazard identification activity itself. As noted in Section 2.2.2, Hazard Data Recording, the DSA hazard
identification may identify bounding MAR values as opposed to maintaining a plethora of inventory limits.
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criticality safety or other procedural limits.
Statistical sampling or historical data are primarily used for waste-handling and environmental cleanup
activities. While some waste-handling operations will have physical upper limits for a given storage
vessel such as a drum, much of the radioactive material of concern is mixed with debris, liquid or dirt and
is present in very dilute concentrations. A vessel’s inventory is estimated by specific process knowledge
and is not exaggerated by using the full capacity with concentrated material. Likewise, the condition of
residual material in cleanup efforts may not support precise specification of the quantities involved. A
theoretical reconstruction based on historical data, measurement, sampling, or some combination of these
is required. This is consistent with the statistical treatment of TRU waste allowed in DOE-STD-5506-
2007, Preparation of Safety Basis Documents for Transuranic (TRU) Waste Facilities, as discussed later
in this chapter.
Sometimes for simplification of accident analysis calculations it is beneficial to introduce the concept of
surrogate compositions. For example, the concept can be used to establish a common inventory or
tracking basis for a dose calculation. It can provide a process for accepting new material while remaining
within the bounds of the accident analyses, thus allowing operational flexibility while complying with the
safety basis and source strength administrative control limits. A DSA identifies and protects any
significant assumptions used in deriving surrogate compositions (e.g., the fraction of combustible waste
forms in TRU waste inventories, or the fraction of highly dispersible powders in glovebox operations).
See Section 8.2.6, Plutonium Equivalent Curies (PE-Ci), for a further discussion of dose equivalent
technique.
5.2.1.2 EXAMPLES FOR IDENTIFYING MAR
Figure 5–2 offers a simplified representation of a nuclear materials handling facility modeled off the
example plutonium recovery facility in DOE-HDBK-3010-94. It consists of three glovebox processing
rooms: a metal dissolution line, an ion exchange and precipitation room containing two gloveboxes, and a
fuel fabrication room containing four gloveboxes. There are also two gloveboxes in a laboratory, one for
handling solid samples and the other for handling liquids. Waste is stored in 55-gallon drums in a waste
handling room. Finally, there are three storage vessels outside the facility: a chlorine gas supply to the
laboratory, and sulfamic acid and nitric acid storage tanks. A MAR is developed for each of these
operations. It is important to account for the potential accumulation of MAR throughout the process area,
including piping.
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Figure 5-2. Example Nuclear Materials Handling Facility.
Note that the following discussion is for example only, and none of the fictitious quantities cited are
intended to represent actual operations in any weapons complex facility.
MAR in External Storage Tanks
Section 145
Simple physical possibility, with some reference to procedural limits, is used to identify the MAR for
these operations. Suppose the chlorine source is a standard vendor-supplied compressed gas cylinder
containing 30 pounds of chlorine. As the cylinder volume is fixed and its pressure is monitored by the
supply manifold, it is not reasonable to presume a quantity of material greater than 30 pounds based on
the unlikely possibility of the vendor overcharging the cylinder. Likewise, if the external acid supply
tanks are sized to hold 3,000 gallons, that is maximum volume potentially present. Procedural limits
factor into defining the operating concentrations desired. If 32 percent by weight nitric acid and 15
percent by weight sulfamic acid are what is supplied, these would be the values used to define density,
and volatility.
Chlorine: 30 pounds in gaseous form
Nitric Acid: 3,000gal × 1ft3/7.48gal × 74lb/ft3 = 30,000 lb of solution
30,000 lb of solution × 0.32 = 9,600 lb of acid
Sulfamic Acid: 3,000gal × 1ft3/7.48gal × 75lb/ft3 = 30,000 lb of solution
30,000 lb of solution × 0.15 = 4,500 lb of acid
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MAR for Dissolution Glovebox
The metal dissolution glovebox holds a small spray chamber, a 30-liter acid storage tank, a heat
exchanger, a small pump, and various piping and valves. Single plutonium metal shapes are then placed
in the spray chamber and dissolved by a heated acid spray recirculated from the slab tank via the
following reaction:
Pu + 3NH2SO3H Pu+3 + 3NH2SO3
-1 + 1.5H2 Equation 5-1
In this case, the glovebox volume is capable of holding a great deal more material than practical operating
considerations will allow. Therefore, the MAR is derived from administrative limits.
Suppose a criticality safety evaluation determined that the criticality limit for the acid storage tank is 100
g of plutonium per liter. A volume of 30 liters would then allow 3,000 g of plutonium. But further
suppose that the actual pieces to be dissolved each individually contain a maximum plutonium inventory
of 750 g. The critical discriminator would then be how the process is operated. If four 750 g pieces are
allowed to be dissolved before the dissolving solution is sent out of the glovebox, the bounding MAR
values would be as follows:
3,000 grams in liquid form, or
750 grams in solid form, or
whatever combination of both forms could result in the bounding radiological consequences.
On the other hand, if only one item can be dissolved at a time, after which the acid tank solution is sent
out of the box, then 750 g of plutonium could represent a reasonable bounding value. For each accident
scenario, the analyst would assume the material is in the form (liquid or solid) that maximizes the
consequences for that scenario. Or the bounding value could be 1,000 grams if this limit is being
normalized with the limits of other operations to provide for TSR consistency. Further, the limit might
even be 2,000 grams for the entire glovebox to normalize glovebox TSR limits. There are multiple
potential answers depending on how the operation is run and how material limits are apportioned.
Potential administrative burdens on facility management should be considered as well. Suppose the limit
had been set at 750 g. If a campaign of unusual shapes ranging in mass up to 1,000 g becomes necessary,
and there is no way to split the units into two pieces, a facility might again choose to assign a larger MAR
limit for flexibility. The key point is that the limit allowed is the amount analyzed. Within reasonable
bounds, there is flexibility to assume more MAR in the accident analysis than is expected to be present
during operating campaigns with individual high process inventories.
Section 146
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MAR from Fuel Fabrication
This process takes as feedstock purified oxide powders from the ion exchange and precipitation process
which takes the plutonium-bearing dissolution product. Fuel fabrication consists of four gloveboxes
containing a variety of milling, blending, sintering, and fuel matrix formation stations. Assume there are
13 distinct operating stations with operating limits as follows:
Operating Limit Number of Stations
1,000 grams 4
2,000 grams 3
3,000 grams 6
These limits yield a cumulative quantity of 28 kg of plutonium oxide for the overall room. The way in
which the process is operated, however, could affect that conclusion. Suppose the process is a semi-batch
operation run in campaigns. Three thousand grams (the feed of four dissolving operations) may be
entered into glovebox #1, and 3,000 more grams entered when the first batch has progressed to glovebox
#3. After the completion of this second batch, the process is then shut down for material control and
accountability cleanup. If that is the case, then the overall MAR figure for the fabrication room could
decrease to 6 kg of plutonium oxide. Again, the MAR assumed in accident analysis is a function of how
facility management chooses to control the operation, and the MAR assumptions may require protection
and coverage in the TSRs.
Note that to the degree individual accidents are sufficiently localized so as to affect only a subset of
stations, the scenario-specific MAR might also be only a fraction of the overall total. Given the nature of
the operation, there may also be a point in processing beyond which the material is no longer at risk from
phenomena threatening the entire room, for example, after incorporation into a ceramic matrix. The
accident analysis needs to consider station-specific form in order to fully assess vulnerability.
MAR for Waste Storage Area
The waste storage area provides temporary storage capacity for up to thirty 55-gallon drums of TRU
waste. The drum limit for disposal is 80 PE-Ci. Based the fact that no drums from this facility have ever
approached that level, the facility has an internal restriction of 10 PE-Ci/drum, but managed as 300 PE-Ci
as a facility limit. The historical database for the facility, which covers a period of 15 years and includes
a statistically significant amount of data, indicates the 95th percentile drum loading is 3.0 PE-Ci, the 50th
percentile loading is 0.2 PE-Ci, and the mean loading is 0.4 PE-Ci.
Based on a maximum capacity of 30 drums, the MAR can range from a minimum of 6 PE-Ci (based on
50th percentile loading) to a maximum of 2,400 PE-Ci (based on disposal limit), while the mean loading is
about 12 PE-Ci for the entire facility. That considerable range requires common sense parsing. At a
minimum, the internal limit of 10 PE-Ci/drum or 300 PE-Ci for the facility is an acceptable MAR
assumption for accident analysis. This is also a case where the use of statistical sampling or historical
data should be considered. Even the 95th percentile drum loading is a factor of three less than the local
facility limit, and the average loading is a factor of 25 less. DOE-STD-5506-2007, Table 4.3.2-1,
Bounding MAR Limits for TRU Waste Operations 4, provides a statistical algorithm on how to address
multiple drum accidents, except where drums with the highest inventories are commingled are segregated
from the general population. Administrative controls may be (and generally are) required to protect the
Section 147
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MAR assumptions for a group of drums or other containers, if the analysis does not assume that every
drum is loaded at the maximum allowable level. This applies to the use of the Standard 5506 statistical
method, as well as other methods that do not assume the maximum inventory for each container.
The use of statistical sampling and historical data (acquired knowledge) is common in cases of old waste
storage areas or environmental restoration where detailed nondestructive assay records do not exist. One
such example is the case at Rocky Flats where plutonium residues had built up in ventilation ducting over
many years. Prior to cleaning out this material, selected samples were taken to characterize the range of
physical forms and chemical composition. This data was augmented by nondestructive assay
measurements of radiation levels along the length of the ductwork to arrive at workable estimates of
material holdup quantities. In such cases, reasonable conservatism is needed to provide a bounding
estimate that is unrealistic.
5.2.2 DETERMINING THE DAMAGE RATIO (DR)
5.2.2.1 OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS, GUIDANCE, AND PRACTICES
The DR is the fraction of material that is actually affected by the accident-generating conditions. DOE-
HDBK-3010-94 notes that some degree of ambiguity can result from overlapping definitions of MAR and
DR. A given DSA should use one consistent definition throughout. A DR of 1.0 is used unless there is an
applicable standard or technical basis for a smaller value. For example, DOE-STD-5506-2007 contains
specific DRs (and associated MAR guidance) that may be used in TRU waste operations.
If a qualified container is assessed to survive the postulated accident scenario (i.e., container test
requirements exceed the accident environment) then a DR of zero is assigned since there is no release. If
the qualified container does not survive the accident conditions, a DR of 1.0 is usually assigned, unless
technical justification is provided for a lesser value.
There is an intrinsic interdependence between the definitions of MAR and DR. In simplest terms, the
overall area impacted by an event, as well as the magnitude of any energy release, determines what
material is impacted. But that can also be thought of as determining what materials are available to be
acted upon.
This distinction is made clear by considering two cases. The first is an explosion that affects only one
room in a large facility and does not have the capacity to generate a large fire. Most analyses will focus
only on that one room. They will not consider material in other rooms, as by definition such material is
not at risk, and thus not part of the MAR.
The second case is a seismic event that shakes the entire facility and topples various weak gloveboxes
throughout the facility. In this case, analyses identify material in every room as MAR, specifying DRs
over the range of zero (e.g., if seismically qualified) to one for each specific case. Because the event
affects the entire facility, it is deemed necessary to demonstrate that every potential source of release has
been considered. Or, in simpler terms, the practical limits of what could be MAR are not self-evident
from the scenario definition itself.
This relationship between MAR and DR may seem trivial. There have, however, been multiple analyses
that have stumbled over it. MAR has been defined imprecisely enough that DRs for a given form were
credited when that form had already been stricken from the MAR, and DRs greater than zero were applied
to material not ultimately at risk. In the former case, the DR is effectively credited twice, yielding a
Section 148
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nonconservative source term; in the latter, it is effectively omitted so that the source term is excessively
conservative. The relationship between MAR and DR is pointed out to emphasize the need for precise
definition of each with reference to the other. Either unaffected material is not considered MAR, or it is
and assigned a DR of zero. Likewise, material with a DR greater than zero should be identified as MAR.
The simplest convention for avoiding confusion is to identify all material within the structural subdivision
affected by the accident (e.g., glovebox, room, wing) as MAR. DR values of zero are then assigned for
material not impacted in any significant fashion as justified in the scenario description.
DR values are based on the response of MAR form and available shielding to the stress imposed, as
attenuated by any distances involved. In many cases, the nature of the stress-to-distance, stress-to-
shielding, or stress-to-form relationship is simple enough to assign a DR from general engineering
knowledge or historical experience. Ion exchange exotherms are a well-understood potential in certain
operations, sufficiently so that many have been re-engineered to eliminate or minimize that possibility. If
vitrified waste, or even hardened cement containing waste, waste is co-located in a room with an ion
exchange glovebox, these can be quickly eliminated as MAR is significantly impacted by the exotherm
for all but the most unusual of circumstances. Likewise, spilling a plutonium nitrate solution from one
glovebox is not going to affect material in other gloveboxes.
When the nature of the stress relationship is not so simple, engineering estimates of type and level of
stress are performed in conjunction with assessments of structural strength for available shielding and
confinement. Seismic assessments determine whether a given glovebox will remain stable or fall over,
and whether massive objects in the overhead will impact the glovebox either way. Fire modeling (see
Section 4.2) can estimate whether or not temperatures necessary for combustion of bulk metal will occur
for an extended period of time. Blast calculations (see Section 4.3) can determine if a steel vessel at a
given distance will remain intact. All of this information may be needed to define a DR of zero, one, or
any fraction in between.
5.2.2.2 EXAMPLES
Examples are provided in the following subsections to illustrate the thought process for determining DRs.
These are not bounding default recommendations, and use in a DSA will require appropriate justification
in context with the scenario being analyzed.
Fire Event
The hazard identification states that 100 g of Pu metal fines, a pyrophoric hazard, is the maximum amount
of metal contamination anticipated in impure oxide received for processing. The nuclear criticality limit
is 2,000 g if an entire feed can contain nothing but metal fines, but the maximum anticipated amount from
historical records is 100 g. Therefore, the DR is 0.05. Note that this assumption may require protection
by a TSR administrative control. It would also be acceptable to use a DR of 1.0 with a MAR of 100 g.
Another potential hazard to analyze is whether the pyrophoric event could affect other MAR, such as bulk
metal, if it is also allowed to be present in this process. For example, the pyrophoric event could ignite
the bulk metal or ignite nearby combustibles, leading to a larger fire involving more MAR in nearby
gloveboxes. In this case, different DRs would be developed for this additional MAR.
Section 149
Explosion Event
Assume four liquid tanks holding plutonium nitrate solution. The location of the tanks is split, with two
each being located on opposite sides of a large room. There is a significant amount of intervening
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equipment between them.
The tanks are physically sized to hold 200 liters of solution. At a nominal operating concentration of 30 g
Pu/l, the tanks could physically hold 6 kg. The operational flow sheet for the process; however, indicates
that each batch contains only 1 kg of plutonium. The operating limit specified in procedures is 1.5 kg.
Assume that under certain conditions, any tank can experience a runaway reaction that overpressures the
tank to failure. However, each is operated independently, so that a common cause for multiple over-
pressurizations simultaneously does not exist. How should the MAR and DR be defined?
The starting MAR would be 1.5 kg Pu per tank. This is the allowable limit, irrespective of the fact that
only 1 kg of Pu is expected per tank. If facility management does not desire to analyze 1.5 kg of Pu per
tank, the operational limit should be lowered. Facility management may also choose to analyze a higher
value, say 2 kg of Pu per tank, for future flexibility. There is no obligation, however, to assume 6 kg of
Pu per tank simply because one could physically do that. That conclusion is no different than a glovebox
example, where one works with the practical limits established as opposed to calculating how much solid
material could physically be crammed into the box at a given density. The important point is to establish
a conservative bounding estimate that is not unrealistic. Since the 1.5 kg of Pu is much less than the
physical limit of 6 kg, a TSR Administrative Control may be necessary to protect this assumption unless
process upsets cannot exceed the 1.5 kg operating limit.
Accordingly, each tank contains 1.5 kg Pu for the DSA analysis. The next question to answer is what
happens to that material? The liquid in the tank where the runaway reaction occurs will experience an
over-pressurization release phenomena. What happens to the other tanks is a function of two variables:
(1) location, and (2) the violence of the original tank failure.
There are two tanks on the same side of the room. If the first tank merely experiences a localized weld
failure (DR of 1.0 for over-pressurization only), the second tank on that side of the room should not be
damaged (DR of zero). On the other hand, if the first tank bursts violently into multiple pieces (DR of 1.0
for over-pressurization and DR of 1.0 for free-fall spill of the remaining solution), and the second tank is
directly adjacent, it is reasonable to consider whether the second tank could be punctured (DR of 1.0 for
free-fall spill). The answer to that question would be determined by mechanical engineering calculations.
For example purposes, assume the second tank would be punctured if the engineering calculation is not
performed.
The final matter to consider is the two tanks on the opposite side of the room. If the room is large, and
the process equipment occupying the floor space between forms a natural barrier, assume that an
engineering calculation has been performed that establishes that the remaining two tanks are unaffected;
therefore, a DR of 0.0. That is an acceptable conclusion for an unmitigated analysis given that no specific
preventive or mitigative capability is being credited. The relative locations of the tanks are physical facts,
and the process they serve intrinsically requires equipment located on the intervening floor space.
Section 150
Alternatively, as previously discussed, the analyst could choose to state that the tanks on the opposite side
of the room are not MAR for this particular accident scenario. Other subtleties could come into play as
well. If, for the purposes of this example, it is not physically possible to generate a puncture in the
adjacent tank at low levels, because half the tank is located in a pit, then only 50 percent of the adjacent
tank contents could spill. The spill release DR for that tank may then be given a value of 0.5.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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In the mitigated scenario, of course, the DRs can change significantly. For example, if one credits a
pressure relief system designed to handle the runaway reaction, there may be no release at all. Or there
may be a smaller release depending on the ultimate destination of the pressure relief outlet.
A final consideration is human error. That is not a consideration in this scenario as developed, but
suppose the potential for human error to drain one of these tanks in a spill scenario was examined. At
only two hundred liters, if there is a plausible way to initiate a spill by erroneous draining, the entire tank
is usually assumed to spill. This is because although it might be noticed and the process stopped, the
available volume relative to typical pump capacities can result in emptying the tank relatively quickly. A
DR less than 1.0 would thus be inappropriate. On the opposite extreme, assume one is evaluating a
legacy liquid waste storage tank holding over two million liters of solution. At some point, the
cumulative level of human error required to drain the entire tank can become willfully egregious. There
is no requirement to analyze scenarios that become physically ridiculous, so a reasoned basis for the
maximum portion of the tank that might be drained is acceptable.
Determining DR for Spill Event – Powder Spill from example 7.3.1 in DOE-HDBK-3010-94: As
discussed in that Handbook, the DR for a powder spill event is usually 1.
Liquid Spill from example 7.3.2 DOE-HDBK-3010-94: A spill can occur from a piping or vessel leak
due to corrosion, or inadvertent damage from an activity such as maintenance or an unrelated accident. If
the leak in a line is small, or a leak in a vessel is above the vessel bottom, not all of the material would be
spilled. For the sake of simplicity, a leak large enough and situated so as to allow all of the liquid to drain
from confinement is postulated (i.e., DR = 1.0).
Liquid Spray: The use of a centrifugal pump for liquid circulation generates positive pressure. While the
pressure is not high in this small process, it is sufficient to produce liquid spray and thus a different
release stress than the vacuum transfer systems in other dissolution lines. A pump seal, flange failure, or
even a piping leak could cause spray generation. The maximum amount of material available in solution
is 1,200 g of plutonium if all of the metal is dissolved. The DR will probably not be 1.0 even if no
operator intervention occurs as the pump eventually shuts off from loss of net positive suction head after
sufficient liquid is lost. The distinction, however, could be minor; therefore a DR of 1.0 is used for the
sake of simplicity in this example.
Exothermic Event
Section 151
The ion exchange process is located in the purification room shown in Figure 5-2, receiving feed
solutions from the dissolving tanks and sending the processed liquid streams to annular holding tanks;
both sets of tanks being located in other rooms. The process consists of three ion exchange columns in
series in a glovebox with support equipment and piping. The columns themselves are 6-inch diameter,
5.5-foot tall Pyrex cylinders with flanged heads on the top and bottom. Each column holds approximately
24 liters of Dowex 21-K anion resin, or equivalent. This activity involves liquid plutonium solutions and
plutonium absorbed on solid resins. The source term for the ion exchange exotherm is a function of MAR
distribution as DRs are variable and there are competing release mechanisms for solid and liquid phases,
with no constant ratio of plutonium between the phases depending on whether in the loading or eluting
cycle. At the completion of a loading cycle almost 6,000 g of plutonium are absorbed in the beds with a
maximum of 6,500 g allowed. Assume that no other MAR in the adjacent precipitation glovebox is
affected by an explosion in the ion exchange glovebox.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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First, if the temperature of the liquid flowing from the affected column to the next column in line is
sufficiently high, it may initiate a resin exotherm in the next column. Secondly, when the affected
column ruptures, historical experience and understanding of the phenomena indicate that at least some of
the resin from the damaged column will continue to burn on the glovebox floor.
How much will burn depends on whether the spilled resin is piled on the glovebox floor to maintain local
temperature above the autoignition temperature. If a large amount of resin burns, the heat generated may
be sufficient to initiate resin exotherm reactions in the undamaged columns. This effect is not certain and
there are historical incidents where an exotherm in one column was followed by a fire with no subsequent
exotherm in adjacent columns. With respect to the Hanford exotherm incident discussed in Section 4.5
above, the presence of a significant amount of uncharred resin was reported after the incident. Finally,
the other columns may be damaged in the initial explosion, shattered by shrapnel from the damaged
column, in which case spilled resin may burn, but pressurization of multiple columns is not possible.
Therefore, depending on how many columns are assumed to be affected by a given stress, the first
potential factor of the DR is 0.33, 0.67, or 1.0. A second potential factor is, at least for solids, how far the
process is into a loading or elution cycle. For example, if only 2,000 g are loaded per operational limits
that are protected by a TSR AC, the DR is 2,000/6,500 = 0.31. If both potential factors are used, they
need to be defined together so that “double-counting” does not occur.
Earthquake Event
Figure 5–3 is a reproduction of Figure 5–2 with the additional designation of a structural collapse zone
along the south wall vulnerable to a seismic event. The affected equipment includes half of the
dissolution glovebox and the final glovebox (No. 4) in the fuel fabrication line. A seismic study indicates
all other gloveboxes and major equipment have sufficient margin to survive the seismic stress.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Figure 5-3. Seismic Collapse Zone.
Section 152
Based on the batch operation discussions for this example in the MAR section, 3,000 g of material can be
in the dissolution glovebox. Six thousand grams of powder from the precipitation operation can be in the
fuel fabricator line, with 3,000 grams in the front end (i.e., glovebox #1), and 3,000 grams in the back end
(gloveboxes #3 and #4).
At first glance, the largest source term of concern would occur if 3,000 g of powder is in glovebox #4,
which is impacted by falling debris. A DR of 0.5 (3,000 of available 6,000 g) would be assigned to this
material, with a DR of 0.5 for the powder in undamaged gloveboxes # 1 and #2. Moreover, it would be
equally acceptable to use a DR of 1.0 with a MAR of 3,000 g for each of these locations.
But suppose by the time the material reaches glovebox #4 that it has been rendered into a ceramic state
impervious to the stresses offered by the structural collapse. The ARF for the stress imposed upon
ceramic components would be significantly less than the ARF for the stress imposed upon powder. It is
conceivable that the bounding release scenario might now move the 3,000 grams of material from
glovebox #4 to glovebox #3, where it would still be powder and experience the limited release from
seismic shock. These are the types of considerations that come into play when generating source term
estimates.
Another possible source of airborne material would be the seismic vibration experienced by surface
contamination in all four gloveboxes. This material might contribute in a minor way for the first three
gloveboxes as it could have a larger ARF (for smaller quantities) than bulk powder contained in cans or
Acid Tanks
Gas
Cylinder
DissolutionFuel Fabricator Purification
Waste StorageLab
Nitric Sulfuric
Cl
Ion Exchange
Glovebox
Precipitation
GloveboxDissolving GloveboxGB #1
GB #2 GB #3
GB #4
Liquid
Samples
Solid
Samples
Drums
Seismic Collapse Zone
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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equipment. It could even prove the dominant source term from glovebox #4 if the ceramic fuel forms in
question truly are undamaged in the post-seismic state. This drives home again the point that the source
term analysis assesses multiple factors. While individual factors should not be unrealistically
exaggerated, no potential contributor should be dismissed without consideration.
Moving to the issue of the dissolution glovebox, consider two cases. In the first, the spray chamber and
acid storage tank are located at the south end of the glovebox in the collapse zone. Both should be
considered structurally compromised in the aftermath of such an event. The question is what value to
assign for what MAR? In this case, the ARF for liquids will exceed that for metal. The accident analysis
should therefore assume a full dissolution run of four items has finished and the liquid tank contains
3,000 grams of material in solution. The DR for this MAR is 1.0.
The second case is one where the spray chamber and acid storage tank are located at the north end of the
glovebox, outside of the collapse zone. This would initially lead to an assumed DR of zero. If, however,
the piping that transfers liquid out of the glovebox passes through the collapse zone, some release is
possible. If the pipe is one inch in diameter, and the affected length is ten feet, with an additional twenty
feet in the next room over that might drain back to this new low point, a total of 4.6 liters might be
available to spill. This yields a DR of 0.15 (4.6 liters out of 30). Likewise, if the acid storage tank
survived, but seismic analysis indicated failure of a penetration on the tank at the 15-liter level, 15 liters
could be assumed to spill from the tank and 15 liters remain, yielding a DR of 0.5.
Section 153
As a final note, analysts should realize that the structural strength of the majority of the facility, and the
seismic capacity of the gloveboxes, is an initial condition of analysis. That is why the hypothetical
analysis discussed above focused on areas of potential facility damage. See discussions in Chapters 2 and
3 of this Handbook regarding initial conditions and protection as design features in the DSA and TSRs.
5.2.3 AIRBORNE RELEASE FRACTION AND RESPIRABLE FRACTION
5.2.3.1 OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS, GUIDANCE, AND PRACTICES FOR DETERMINING
ARF/RF
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.1, provides the following information/directions related to ARF and
RF:
The ARF is the coefficient used to estimate the amount of a radioactive material that can be suspended
in air and made available for airborne transport under a specific set of induced physical stresses. The
RF is the fraction of airborne radionuclide particles that can be transported through air and inhaled into
the human respiratory system. The RF is commonly assumed to include particles of 10-μm
Aerodynamic Equivalent Diameter and less. Bounding estimates, and in many cases median estimates,
for radionuclide ARFs and RFs for a wide variety of MAR and release phenomena are presented in
DOE-HDBK-3010. The bounding estimates shall be used unless a different value is provided in an
applicable standard or is otherwise technically justified. In cases where direct shine may contribute
significantly to dose, that contribution should be evaluated without the use of the RF, and without the
use of the ARF if due to a spill release resulting in exposure to a pool. ARFs and RFs are selected
based on physical conditions and stresses anticipated during accidents. DOE-HDBK-3010 defines
bounding ARFs and RF mechanisms and airborne release rates based on physical context.
The ARF and RF are evaluated together except in circumstances where it is desired to know the total
release of a given material, or when the RF is one, such as is the case with gases. Defining these two
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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parameters generally presents the greatest difficulty in source term analysis. Historically, available
information on the subject was extremely limited. As a result, whatever information could be found
was used regardless of its true applicability. Little quality control was applied either: different ARFs
were assigned by different analysts based on the same information, best guesses became quasi-facts
with sufficient repetition, numbers were transposed in copying and passed down. In response to this
state of affairs, the DOE set in motion a project to collect the available data on ARF/RFs for material
at nonreactor nuclear facilities, test its application in real life circumstance, and attempt to define
bounding values for various phenomena. This effort culminated in the development of DOE-HDBK-
3010-94. The estimates from that document have since been reproduced in NUREG/CR-6410 and
ANSI/ANS-5.10, Airborne Release Fractions at Non-Reactor Nuclear Facilities. Both of the
documents cited were subject to significant peer review.
Section 154
In the development of DOE-HDBK-3010-94, available experiments and other data were correlated with
the major types of material forms present at materials handling facilities, as well as the normal accidents
of concern for such facilities. The major types of material were considered to be: (1) gases, most
specifically tritium; (2) liquid solutions, both organic and aqueous; (3) solids, including metals, bulk
powders, aggregates, spent fuel and other special forms; and (4) surface contamination, whether in the
form of holdup in processes, material entrained in waste, or soil contamination. The major types of
accidents considered included spills, fires, explosions, seismically induced vibrations and impacts, and
criticalities. The latter, while included in DOE-HDBK-3010-94, represent a special case whose potential
MAR is directly defined by the physics of the phenomena itself.
The net result of correlating data to material and accidents was a general categorization of ARFs by four
categories: (1) explosive, (2) thermal, (3) mechanical, and (4) aerodynamic entrainment (i.e., suspension
in air or resuspension). Explosive stresses of interest are shock effects, blast effects, and venting effects
associated with detonation (e.g., high explosive), deflagration (e.g., most gas explosions), and over-
pressurization (e.g., heating confined material to rupture pressure). Thermal stresses include evaporation
of liquids and combustion of organic liquids, combustion of solids and contaminated waste, and intense
heating of noncombustible material. Mechanical stresses of concern include free-fall spill to impact,
vibration/shock induced by events such as an earthquake, and impact or crushing of material and
containers by falling debris. Aerodynamic entrainment relates to the special case of material freshly
deposited on surfaces in the immediate aftermath of an accident or other releases as evaluated in DOE-
HDBK-3010-94 Chapter 5, and for wind suspension from a bed of powders or aged contaminated soils as
evaluated in the DOE-HDBK-3010 Chapter 4.
Along with ARF values, associated RFs were assigned whenever possible. The size distribution of
accident generated aerosols is a particularly complex issue, as most experiments cannot be designed so as
to capture a truly representative sample. The logistical requirements of sampling typically result in a
skewed sample. Either a sample is obtained where the larger size particles have already deposited due to
sampling at a distance or engineered features of the sampling device itself, or the size distribution is
affected by the physical chaos of the event itself on in-close sampling equipment. Further, this most basic
of problems does not even address detailed physics interaction problems, such as the attractive forces
between particles (inter-particle attractive forces) or between particles and the surface (including the
effect of surface roughness and the presence of other materials that increase the adhesion of the particles
to the surface).
Table 5-1, taken from ANSI/ANS-5.10-1998 (R2013), Airborne Release Fractions at Non-Reactor
Nuclear Facilities, Table A-1, “Bounding ARFs and Applicable Experimentally Measured RFs,” presents
a brief summary of ARF and RF values currently available. This table is an update to a similar summary
Table 3-1, “Bounding ARFs and Applicable Experimentally Measured RFs,” initially developed for
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
170
Section 155
NUREG/CR-6410 in 1998. This is only a summary, and the discussion of ARF selection to follow is
both brief and general in nature. ARF and RF values should be chosen using DOE-HDBK-3010-94,
DOE-STD-5506-2007, NUREG/CR-6410, technical journal articles, from other approved DSA’s for
unique situations, or derived from physics/chemistry principles. The source of the values needs to be
cited and technically justified for use. As stated in the quote above, alternate values to the DOE-HDBK-
3010-94 bounding values may be technically justified. Qualitative engineering judgment should not be
used as the sole basis for departing from DOE-HDBK-3010-94 bounding values, without substantial
technical basis from data that can be appropriately extrapolated or used as an analogy − see Section 5.4.1
below.
An ARF value is selected on the basis of the scenario postulated, the type and level of stress presumed to
impact the MAR, and the characteristics of the MAR. Both volatile and nonvolatile materials can be
suspended. To suspend a stable material at rest, it is necessary to impact the material sufficiently to
convert it to a dispersible form and to provide sufficient air flow to carry the suspended material into the
local flow field. In the case of volatile materials, the physicochemical environment to convert the
material to its gaseous form needs to be present. If the conversion is due to a chemical reaction, sufficient
reactant needs to be available to convert all the affected MAR to its gaseous phase. If the quantity of
reactant necessary for conversion is limited and only converts a portion of the volatile material to its
gaseous phase, the fraction converted becomes the ARF. In the case of material in the gaseous phase, no
RF can be assigned, since, all the material can be transported and inhaled as long as the material remains
in the gaseous phase. Airborne reactions, however, can either convert some gaseous materials to solid
particles (e.g., reaction of NO2
- with NH4
+ to produce NH4NO3), attach them to existing airborne particles
(e.g., attachment of I2), or result in adhesion to surfaces (e.g., I2).
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Table 5-1. Summary of Bounding ARF and RF Values.
(Extracted from American National Standard ANSI/ANS-5.10-1998 (R2013)
with permission of the publisher, the American Nuclear Society;
with addition of Clark, 2015, uranium thermal ARF/RFs)
NOTES:
The codes in the column titled “TSL” (Technical Support Level) indicate the following:
1 - supported by experimental data from more than one independent source of the stated range with
experimental support for particle generation mechanism;
2 - experimental support over that stated range;
3 - single experimental datum or inferred from other studies.
In the “ARF (RF)” column, the value for the ARF is given in exponential form, and the value for the RF,
where used , is given in decimal form, and in parentheses. If no RF is given, it is set to 1.0. Letters in
square brackets ([a], [b]) refer to notes at the end of the Table A1 as presented in ANSI/ANS-5.10-1998
(R2013). Other minor formatting and editing changes were also made to the original Table A1, and any
non-editorial changes to Table A1 are shown in {italicized text}. “DOE Handbook” refers to DOE-HDBK-
3010-94.
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
Explosive Forces: Detonation
Reactive Metal
Implosion, Pu surrounded by and in
intimate contact with high explosives
(HE), HE:Pu ratio > 1 to 10, single point
detonation
Section 156
1E+0
(0.2)
2 Mensing et al., 1995,
Shreve and Thomas,
1965
Calculated from
airborne sampling data
for operation “Roller
Coaster” 1965
(experiments to
determine the dispersal
of nuclear materials by
explosives).
Implosion, metal surrounded by and in
intimate contact with high explosives
(HE); HE:metal ratio >1 to 10, single
point detonation
2E-1 3 ANSI/ANS-5.10-
1998
Based on small scale
experiments on the
dispersal of metal
hemisphere by
explosives. Applicable
to metals less reactive
than Pu. Release of any
Pu is estimated by
ARF/RF values shown.
Metal or Solution – Explosion, metal or
aqueous solution, high explosive in
intimate contact with material,
HE:material ratio 0.07 to <1
TNT Eq.
[a]
2 DOE Handbook,
Sections 3.2.2.1 and
4.2.2.1
Powder – Explosion, High Explosives
lying on surface, HE:powder ratio 1 to
100
ARF/RF
=
0.2 x
TNT Eq.
[b]
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.2.1
From soil lofted during
field tests where HE
(bare and as artillery
shells) were placed
directly on the soil
surface.
HEPA Filters {Shock pulse} 2E-6 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 5.4.2.1
Small pieces of glass
fiber medium were
dislodged from a few
locations on the creases
in the downwind region
of the filter.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
172
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
Explosive Forces: Deflagration
Powder
Unshielded, directly under or in blast
volume of large explosion with high
confinement pressure
1E+0
[c]
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.2.2.1
In containers or at a distance of meters
from the blast volume, aerodynamic
entrainment by accelerated gas velocities
5E-3
(0.3)
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.2.2.2
HEPA Filters {Venting by pressurized
gases}
1E-2 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 5.4.2.2
Explosive Forces: Over-pressurization to Rupture
Liquid, confined in vessel or container
Slow buildup of pressure [d], vented
above the surface level of liquid, failure
<0.35 MPag
5E-5
(0.8)
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.2.3.2.A
Slow buildup of pressure, vented above
the surface level of liquid, failure
pressure >0.35 up to 3.5 MPag
2E-3
(1.0)
DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.2.3.2.A
Rapid buildup of pressure, vented above
the surface level of liquid
NVA [e] DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.2.3.2.B
Rapid buildup of pressure, vented below
the surface level of liquid [f]
1E-4 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.2.3.1
Superheated liquids (“flashing spray”),
<50 oC superheat
1E-2
(0.6)
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.2.3.3.A
Superheated liquids (“flashing spray”),
50 oC – 100 oC superheat
1E-1
(0.7)
2 Mishima et al., 1968,
Borkowski et al.,
1986, and Kataoka
and Ishii, 1983, DOE
Handbook, Section
3.2.2.3.3.4
Powder
Confined in vessel or container, release
pressure < 0.17 Mpag (< 25 psig)
5E-3
(0.4)
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.3.3.2
Confined in vessel or container, release
pressure > 0.17 < 3.5 Mpag (25–500 psig)
1E-1
(0.7)
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.2.3.1
Vitrified High Level Waste Canisters
High pressure sufficient to dissolve the
plug
3E-5 3 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.3.1.1
Based on a measured
value of 3.5E-4 of
inventory as particles in
the upper plenum of
canister and ARF/RF of
1E-1/0.7.
Thermal Stress
Volatile compounds 1E+0 1 Brereton et al., 1997 AP AC Spills Report.
Liquid, aqueous solutions
Simmering, no visible bubbles 3E-5 2
DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.1.1
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
173
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
Boiling [g] 2E-3 1 Mishima et al., 1968,
Borkowski et al.,
1986, and Kataoka
and Ishii, 1983, DOE
Handbook, Section
3.2.1.3
Section 157
Liquid, organic combustible
Volatile compounds
1E+0 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 3.3.1, 3.3.7
Non-volatile compounds, burns to self-
extinguishment, no significant surface
turbulence
1E-2 2 DOE Handbook,
Sections 3.3.1, 3.3.7
Non-volatile compounds, vigorous
burning with surface turbulence, burns to
self-extinguishment
3E-2 2 DOE Handbook,
Sections 3.3.3, 3.3.4,
3.3.5, 3.3.7
Non-volatile compounds, vigorous
burning with surface turbulence, to
complete dryness
1E-1 2 DOE Handbook,
Sections 3.3.3, 3.3.7
Burning of combustible liquid over air-
dried residue from solution on porous,
non-heat-conducting surface
5E-3
(0.4)
2 DOE Handbook,
Sections 3.3.6, 3.3.7
Burning of combustible liquid over air-
dried residue from solution on heat-
conducting surface
2E-1
(0.3)
2 DOE Handbook,
Sections 3.3.6, 3.3.7
Solid reactive metal
Plutonium, < ignition temperature [h] of
oxide formed
3E-5
(0.04)
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.2.1.1.2
Plutonium, > ignition temperature 5E-4
(0.5)
1 Mishima, 1966,
1967; Luna, 1994;
Carter and Stewart,
1970; Eidson et. al.,
1988; Eidson and
Kanapilly, 1983,
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.2.1.1.3
Plutonium, free-fall spill of molten metal
into air, small fall distance
1E-2 2 Stewart, 1963, DOE
Handbook Section
4.2.1.1.4
Plutonium, small drops of molten metal
violently dispersed that travel greater
than 1 m in air
1E+0
(0.5)
1 Raabe et. al., 1978,
Chatfield, 1969,
DOE Handbook
Section 4.2.1.1.5
Uranium, less than ignition temperature
[i], greater than 500 °C
1E-3 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.2.1.2.1
Ignitable forms of β-phase Uranium
Alloys, greater than 500 °C
1E-3 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.2.1.2.1
Elder and Tinkle (1980)
and experiments using
Staballoy DU
penetrators.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
174
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
Ignitable forms of pure-Uranium and α-
phase Uranium Alloys, greater than 500
°C
1E-4 2 Carter and Stewart
(1970)
Discussion of Carter
and Stewart
Experiments in DOE
Handbook Section
4.2.1.2.1 for Median
ARF/RF value.
Non-ignitable forms (e.g., bulk/large
pieces) of pure-Uranium and/or α-phase
Uranium Alloys, below ignition
temperature
1E-6 2 Clark (2015) Note: Median ARF/RF
rounded to nearest
order of
magnitude. From Table
5 in Clark (2015), 5E-7
is rounded up to 1E-6.
Non-ignitable forms (e.g., bulk/large
pieces) of β-phase Uranium Alloys,
below ignition temperature
1E-5 2 Clark (2015) Note: From Table 5 in
Clark (2015), arithmetic
mean is rounded down
to 1E-5, same as the
geometric mean.
Non-ignitable forms (e.g., bulk/large
pieces) of γ-phase Uranium Alloys,
below ignition temperature
1E-7 2 Clark (2015) Note: From Table 5 in
Clark (2015), 5E-8 is
rounded up to 1E-7.
Uranium, free-fall spill of molten metal
greater than 1 m
1E-2 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.2.1.2.2
Uranium, explosive dispersal of thin
sheets of metal
1E+0 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.2.1.2.3
Concrete
Tritium (3H) as water, > 20 °C to 200 °C
5E-1
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.3.1.2
Tritium (3H) as water, > 200 °C to 600 °C 1E+0 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.3.1.2
May also suspend
radionuclides held in
cement matrix if
cement is decomposed
and particles of CaO
can be suspended.
Solid, powder
Nonreactive [j], up to 1,000 °C, upflow
around powder to 100 cm/s
6E-3
(0.01)
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.1.1
Reactive, plutonium compounds, up to
100 °C, upflow around powder to 100
cm/s:
Plutonium fluoride
1E-3
(0.001)
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.1.2
Section 158
Solid, Compounds
Reactive, plutonium compounds, up to
100 °C, upflow around powder to 100
cm/s:
Plutonium oxalate, nitrate
1E-2
(0.001)
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.1.2
Solid, contaminated combustible
Packaged waste, burns to self-
extinguishment
5E-4
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 5.2.1.1
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
175
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
Loose cellulosic material, burns to self-
extinguishment
1E-2 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 5.2.1.2
Loose polystyrene 1E-2 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 5.2.1.4.3
Loose, other plastics 5E-2 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 5.2.1.4
Light cellulosic material remaining
suspended during complete combustion
(i.e., ash)
UO2 preformed particle
Contaminated with air-dried
residues from solution
4E-1
8E-2
2
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 5.2.1.3
DOE Handbook,
Section 5.2.1.3
Solid, contaminated HEPA filters
passage of heated air up to 400 °C [k]
1E-4 DOE Handbook,
Section 5.4.1
Aerodynamic Entrainment/Resuspension [l]
Homogeneous Deposit
Liquid, indoors, shallow pool on
heterogeneous surface (e.g., stainless
steel, glass, concrete), normal building
ventilation flow/low airspeed (< 2 m/s,
~5 mph)
ARR:
4E-7/hr
3
DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.4.5
Liquid, indoors, as above, covered with
substantial layer of debris or indoor static
conditions
ARR:
4E-8/hr
3 DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.4.5
Liquid, outdoors, large pool, up to 13.6
m/s (~30 mph)
ARR:
4E-6/hr
3 DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.4.5
Powder, pile on heterogeneous surface
(e.g., concrete, stainless steel, glass),
normal building ventilation flow/slow
airspeed (< 2 m/s, ~5 mph)
ARR:
4E-5/hr
3 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.4.1
Powder, indoors, as above covered with
substantial layer of debris or indoor static
conditions
ARR:
4E-6/hr
3 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.4.1
Powder, dispersed into flowing air,
airspeed up to 9.1 m/s (20 mph)
[m] 2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.3.2
Heterogeneous Deposit
Liquid, outdoors, absorbed on soil, no
large standing pools of free liquid, up to
22.7 m/s (50 mph)
ARR:
9E-5/hr
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.4.4
Powder, indoors, loose surface
contamination [n], normal building
ventilation flow, low airspeed (<2 m/s, 5
mph)
ARR:
4E-5/hr
3 DOE Handbook,
Section 5.3.4
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
176
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
Powder, outdoors, due to the passage of
vehicular traffic across or by loose
powder on road, up to 22.7 m/s (50 mph)
ARR:
1E-2/
pass
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.4.2
Mechanical Stress [o]
Free-Fall Spill
Liquid, aqueous solution, spill distance
< 3 m
2E-4
(0.5)
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.3.1
Liquid, slurry (<40 percent solids), spill
distance < 3 m
5E-5
(0.8)
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.3.2
Liquid, viscous solution, spill distance <
3 m
7E-6
(0.8)
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.3.3
Liquid, spill distance > 3 m (see
reference)
DOE Handbook,
Section 3.2.3.1
Powder, spill distance < 3 m 2E-3
(0.3)
1 Sutter et al., 1981,
Ballinger et al.,
1988, Plinke et al.,
1991, Heitbrink et al.
1992, DOE
Handbook, Section
4.4.3.1.2
Powder, spill distance > 3 m (see
reference)
2 DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.3.1.3
Powder, shock impact due to falling
debris
1E-2
(0.2)
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.3.3.2
Powder, dispersed into flowing air, to
9.1 m/s (20 mph) (see reference)
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.3.2
HEPA filter, object strikes encased [p]
filter or encased filter impacts unyielding
surface after fall
5E-4 3 DOE Handbook,
Section 5.4.4.1
Section 159
HEPA filter, object strikes unencased
filter or unencased filter impacts
unyielding surface after fall
1E-2 3 DOE Handbook,
Section 5.4.4.2
Spent nuclear fuel
Noble gases
Iodine (I2)
Cesium vapor
Fines
5E-2
2.3E-3
2.5E-4
2.4E-4
(7E-5)
2
3
3
2
Soffer, 1993
Mishima, 1995
Mishima, 1995
Mishima, 1995
Crush/Impact
{Vitrified} Glass
[q]
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.3.3
Aggregate [r] 2 Owczarski and
Mishima, 1996
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
177
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
Spent nuclear fuel
noble gases
iodine (I2)
3H (as HTO)
Ffuel
7E-2 [s]
2E-3
1E-2
2E-3
(7E-5)
2
2
2
2
Kent, et al., 1995
For the degree of
fragmentation in
experimental program.
Bounding for energy
density (crushing force)
imparted to material in
the range of 10 to 100
J/cm3.
Encapsulated ceramic oxide pellets,
particles generated but not released,
impact velocities of steel to 188 mph,
concrete to 99 mph, and soil to 550 mph
5E-3
(0.6)
{[t]}
2 Mishima, 1995
Shock/Vibration
Loose surface contamination
{powder}
{contaminated noncombustible
materials}
1E-3
(0.1)
{(1.0)}
2
DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.3.3.1
{Sections 5.2.3.2,
5.3.3.2.2}
{Bulk powder] {1E-3
(0.1)}
{2} {DOE Handbook,
Section 4.4.3.3.1}
{Loose surface contamination,
substrate packaged in container
such as pail or drum}
{1E-3
(0.1)}
{2} {DOE Handbook,
Section 5.2.3.2}
[a] A very conservative assumption of mass airborne in respirable size range (10 µm AED) is equal to the TNT
Equivalent calculated for the explosion.
[b] Particles in the respirable size range of initial inventory made airborne, provided that this value does not
exceed the fraction of {respirable}particles in the size range in the source material.
[c] RF for these events cannot exceed the fraction of {respirable} particles in the source material.
[d] Absorption and equilibration of gases in liquids is a function of chemical composition of the solution, the
surface area and depth of the liquid, and the volume of the gas. Equilibrium may take minutes to hours
dependent upon conditions.
[e] NVA = No value currently available.
[f] Generation of RF liquid droplets can be greater than the values shown here that bound circular, knife-edge
orifices of 0.125-in diameter and greater with upstream pressures up to 200 psig. The “worst case” for RF
droplets of solutions is a crack 50 micrometers wide. The longer the length, the more liquid that can be vented
for a given upstream pressure. This type of crack is not a common nor typical occurrence for faults in pipes or
vessels, and, at higher pressure, would probably propagate into a wider, longer crack.
[g] Only applies to bubbly flow (distinct bubbles visible, <30 percent liquid in form of bubbles). Does not apply
to churn turbulent nor chaotic boiling regimes.
[h] Ignition temperature for plutonium metal is a function of surface to mass ratio (S:M). At S:M of 100 cm2/g,
the measured ignition temperature for plutonium metal is in the range of 160 oC. The ignition temperature rises
rapidly after S:M 10 cm2/g and ranges from 480 to 520 oC for bulk pieces.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
178
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
Section 160
[i] Like plutonium, the ignition temperature for uranium metal is a function of the Surface to Mass ratio (S:M).
At S:M of 100 cm2/g, the uranium ignition temperature is in the range of 200 ° C to 300 °C. Like plutonium it
rises rapidly in the region of S:M 10 cm2/g and reaches temperatures in excess of 700 °C or more. There is some
doubt that bulk pieces of uranium can attain ignition conditions except for very special circumstances.
[j] Does not react chemically to change form under accident conditions postulated.
[k] Assumes HEPA filter medium (glass fiber) softens and melts at higher temperatures and thus retains particles
accumulated on the fiber surfaces. {This should not be taken as a presumption that filters will remain functional
for prolonged exposure to temperatures up to 400 °C.}
[l] In this part of the table (the next nine items), the second column is the Airborne Release Rate (ARR), rather
than ARF and RF.
[m] ARF = 0.0134[U] + 0.00543, where U is local windspeed in m/s.
[n] Loose surface contamination that can be removed by swiping or by low air speeds such as blowing across the
deposit.
[o] From here to the end of the table, the second column is again ARF (RF).
[p] Encased denotes a container that does not £ail due to impact of falling objects nor impact with unyielding
surface after fall of the container.
[q] Formula for crush/impact forces on brittle solids is shown on pg. 4-52 of DOE-HDBK-3010-94. For vitrified
HLW, the empirical correlation 2E-11[J/cm2] shown is applicable. The user should be cautious in application of
this formula since the value calculated is an energy density applied to the material. If the crush/impact force is
applied to all the material, the energy density is simply the force/volume. If the crush/impact force is only
applied to a portion of the object (e.g., the object impacts just a portion of the surface of the brittle material), the
formula only applies to the volume being crushed.
[r] For aggregate materials such as cement and sandstone, the correlation factor for use in the formula on pg.
4-52 of DOE-HDBK-3010-94 is 3E-11.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
179
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
[s] For spent nuclear fuel, the empirical correlation is found in the NRC Safeguards Report (Kent, et al., 1995)
{[t] Care should be taken in use of this value. It is based on extreme impact energies.}
* Original sources cited in Section A3 of ANSI/ANS-5.10-1998 for Table 5-1 above are as follows:
Ballinger, M. Y., J. W. Buck, P. C. Owczarski, and J. E. Ayer, Methods for Describing Airborne Fractions of Free-Fall Spills
of Powders and Liquids, NUREG/CR-4997 (PNL-6300), January 1988, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA.
Borkowski., R., H. Bunz, and W. Schoeck, Resuspension of Fission Products During Severe Accidents in Light. Water
Reactors, KfK 3987 (EUR 10391 EN), May 1986, Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Germany.
Boughton, B. A., Unpublished data, Sandia National Laboratory.
Brereton, S., D. Hesse, D. Kahlnich, M. Lazzaro, V. Mubayi, and J. Shinn, Final Report of the Accident Phenomenology and
Consequence (APAC) Methodology Evaluation - Spills Working Group, UCRL-ID-125479, August 1997, Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA.
Carter, R. F., and K Stewart, “On the Oxide Fume Formed by the Combustion of Plutonium and Uranium”, Inhaled Particles
III (Proceedings of an International Symposium, British Occupational Hygiene Society, London, England, 9/14-23/70),
1970, Unwin Brothers Limited - The Gresham Press, Old Working, Surrey, England.
Section 161
Chatfield, E. J., “Some Studies on the Aerosol Produced by the Combustion or Vaporization of Plutonium-Alkali Mixture”,
Journal of Nuclear Materials, 32: pp. 228-246, 1969.
DOE Handbook, Airborne Release Fractions / Rates and Respirable Fractions for Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities,
DOE·HDBK-3010-94, December 1994, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC.
Eidson, A. F., H. C. Yeh, and G. M. Kanapilly, “Plutonium Aerosol Generation in Reducing and Oxidizing Atmospheres”,
Journal of Nuclear Materials, 152: pp. 41-52, 1988.
Eidson, A. F., and G. M. KanapiUy, Plutonium Aerosolization Studies: Phase I Final Report, February 1983, ITRI . Lovelace
Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM.
Heitbrlnk, W. A., P. A. Baron, and K Willeke, “An Investigation of Dust Generation by Free Falling Powders”, Am. Ind. Hyg.
Assoc. J., 53: No. 10, pp. 617-624, October 1992.
Kataoka, I., and M. Ishii, Mechanistic Modeling for Correlations for Pool Entrainment Phenomena, NUREG/CR-3304 (ANL-
83-37), April 1983, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL.
Kent, G. 1., J. R. Britt, R. T. Allen, D. R. Ranta, J. R. Stokley, P. C. Owczarski, J. Mishima, and S. M. Mirsky, Effect of Spent
Fuel Cask Design on Mitigation of Radiological Impacts from a Vehicle Bomb Attack. May 12, 1995 (undocumented),
Safeguards Information, Science Applications International Corporation, Reston, VA. (NRC Safeguards Report).
Luna, R. E., A New Analysis of the VIXEN A Trials, SAND93-2528, February 1994, Sandia National Laboratory,
Albuquerque, NM.
Mensing, R. W., T. R. Bement, and R. E. Luna, Characterization of Plutonium Aerosol for Various Accident Scenarios by an
Expert Panel, LA-CP-95-55, March 29, 1995, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM.
Mishima, J., Plutonium Release Studies 1. Release From the Ignited Metal, BNWL-205, December 1965, Pacific Northwest
Laboratory, Richland, WA.
Mishima, J., Plutonium Release Studies II. Release From Ignited, Bulk Metallic Pieces, BNWL-357, November 1966, Pacific
Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA.
Mishima, J., “LANL TA-55 ‘Particles Generated by Impact of Bare Fuel Pellets’’’, letter report to Bob Jackson, March 1995,
Richland, WA.
Mishima, J., L. C. Schwendiman, and C. A. Radasch, Plutonium Release Studies IV. Fractional Airborne Release From
Heating Plutonium Nitrate Solutions in Flowing Air, BNWL-931, November 1968, Pacific Northwest Laboratory,
Richland, WA.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
180
Stress/Material
ARF
(RF)
TSL Reference*,# Comments
Owczarski, P. C., and J. Mishima, Airborne Release / Respirable Fractions for Dome Collapse in HLW Tanks, May 1996
(undocumented), SAIC-Richland for Westinghouse Hanford Company, Richland, W A.
Plinke, M. A. E., D. Leith, D. B. Holstein, and M. G. Boundy, “Experimental Examination of Factor That Affect Dust
Generation”, Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J., 52: No. 12, pp. 521-528, December 1991.
Raabe, O. G., S. V. Teague, N. L. Richardson, and L. S. Nelson, “Aerodynamic and Dissolution Behavior of Fume Aerosol
Produced During the Combustion of Laser-Ignited Plutonium Droplets in Air”, Health Physics, 35: pp. 663-674, November
1978.
Shreve, J. D., and D. M. C. Thomas, Operation Roller Coaster - A Joint Field Operation of the Department of Defense, the
Atomic Energy Commission, and The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (AWRE), DASA-1644, June 1965,
Department of Defense, Washington, DC.
Section 162
Soffer, L. “Revision of Reactor Accident Source Terms and Implications for Nuclear Air Cleaning Requirements”,
Proceedings of the 22nd DOE/NRC Nuclear Air Cleaning Conference (M.W. First, Ed), NUREG/CP-0130 (CONF-
9020823), July 1993. Harvard Air Cleaning Laboratory, Boston, MS 02115.
Stewart, K, “The Particulate Material Formed by the Oxidation of Plutonium”, Progress in Nuclear Energy Series IV, Vol. 5,
pp. 535-579, 1963.
Sutter, S. L., J. W. Johnston, and J. Mishima, Aerosols Generated by Free-Fall Spills of Powders and Solutions in Static Air,
NUREG/CR-2139 (PNL-3786), December 1981, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA.
# Additional references added:
Clark, D.K., 2015. “Characterization of Respirable Uranium Aerosols from Various Uranium Alloys in Fire Events,” Aerosol
Science and Technology, Vol. 49, Issue 3, pg. 188-195.
Elder, J.C. and Tinkle, M.C. 1980. Oxidation of Depleted Uranium Penetrators and Aerosol Dispersal at High Temperatures,
LA-8610-MS, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM.
In the case of liquids and solids, the material is either subdivided into droplets or particles, or, in the case
of powders, is de-agglomerated. De-agglomeration of a powder at rest is not readily accomplished. This
is especially true for stored powders, where the smaller particles have had time to settle into the interstices
between larger particles. De-agglomeration/separation is difficult due to the small surface areas of small
particles and the limited space for gas flow between them. Even in a heavier medium, such as a liquid,
the application of sonic agitation for long periods (30 minutes or more) is necessary to restore a size
distribution approximating the original distribution. All phenomena (including detonations with minimal
stand-off distances) do not fragment small particles (<100 µm). Thus, the amount of particles in the
respirable size range that can be suspended is limited by the amount of material of this size found in the
original source powder. Thus, the amount of particles in the respirable size range that can be suspended is
limited by the amount of material of this size found in the original source powder. See Section 4.4,
Powders, of DOE-HDBK-3010-94 for further discussion of the difficulty of de-agglomerating powders.
Bulk solids and liquids require more energy to fracture the bonds that hold the form together. In the case
of liquids, the material is drawn into a fine filament or sheet that breaks when the tensile strength of the
material is exceeded. This can occur in many ways. If the liquid forms bubbles at the surface from
boiling or the passage of a gas through the liquid, breakup of the bubbles generates fragments that can be
suspended or result in secondary droplets when condensation of the liquid vapors. A mechanism that can
form significant amounts of fine liquid droplets is a “flashing spray” that forms upon the venting to lower
pressures of a liquid that is super-heated. The liquid initially forms a column approximately the shape of
the opening. Then, bulk vaporization of the liquid (a significant fraction of the liquid is “flashed” into a
vapor) within the column results in rapid subdivision of the remaining liquid. The greater the superheat,
the smaller the diameter of the liquid droplets. In all cases of heated liquids, additional evaporation of the
liquid occurs during airborne transport and, depending on the temperature, environmental factors, the
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
181
Section 163
distance traveled, and solute concentration, the droplet diameter decreases.
Bulk solids of various categories have different physical characteristics. For brittle materials (e.g., glass-
like materials, aggregate, composites), crush-impact forces (including shock waves from explosions) can
result in fragmentation. The level of force and the material tensile/compressive strength are factors that
influence the particle size distribution of the fragments formed. Materials that have elastic-plastic
response to the application of forces (e.g., metals) require greater forces and are generally fragmented
only by the pressures generated by the detonation of solid explosives in contact with the surface of the
metal. Crush-impact forces generally result in deformation and tearing of metals; unless, the metal is
embrittled.
One feature in particular of the data analysis is noted. ARF and RF values are assigned by physical
context. That is, the physical context of the material determines the stress it experiences. For example,
consider the case of powder spills. The bounding ARF/RF specified in DOE-HDBK-3010-94 (page 4-77)
for plutonium oxide powder falling freely (< 3 m) through air is 6E-4. The bounding ARF/RF assigned if
plutonium oxide falls inside a container is 1E-4. The difference is that the physics of release for the free-
fall spill are driven by shear stress from air currents moving through the powder. That phenomenon
physically does not exist inside a container. Release in the latter case is driven primarily by flexing of the
container substrate upon impact with the ground, with some self-acting mitigation in the form of a
powder’s physical tendency to agglomerate. Therefore, if powder falls inside a can, acknowledging that
point does not constitute improper crediting of a can in unmitigated analysis. For the perspective of
DOE-HDBK-3010-94, the pedigree and capability of the can is irrelevant. The physical fact of it defines
the stress being experienced by material. Further, it is not reasonable to assume personnel carry
plutonium powder about cupped in their hands. In unmitigated analysis, however, if the can is not to be
credited, it should assume to open upon impact with the ground and release the appropriate source term
(i.e., can inventory * 1E-4, per DOE-HDBK-3010-94, page 4-85).
The treatment of TRU waste is another such example. The respirable release fraction for loosely strewn
waste in a fire is 1E-2. But packaged waste, even in as primitive a form as plastic bags or pails, is
assigned a respirable release fraction of 5E-4. The experimental data supports that distinction due to the
physical fact that a clumped mass traps particles in a self-filtering effect.
5.2.3.2 EXAMPLES FOR DETERMINING ARF/RF
Given that it is not desired to use this document as a primary reference for selecting release fractions, the
reader is referred to the extensive examples in Chapter 7 of DOE-HDBK-3010-94. Only a brief
discussion is provided regarding one aspect of the example previously cited in Section 5.2.1.2 above. It is
intended to demonstrate the basic thought process for ARF selection.
A. Case One
Consider the example facility of Figures 5–2 and 5–3, specifically the fuel fabrication line. Presume for
the moment that the structural collapse depicted in Figure 5–3 does not occur and all four gloveboxes
remain intact (i.e., upright in a largely undamaged state) during a seismic event. What stress is then being
imposed on any powder contained in the glovebox?
Section 164
The four main categories of potential stress are explosive, thermal, mechanical, and aerodynamic
entrainment. No explosion or fire is postulated for this event. No debris impacts either the powder or its
outer glovebox confinement. This could lead an analyst to dismiss mechanical impact as well, but that
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
182
would be a mistake, because even intact gloveboxes will experience transitory movement of structural
members and an associated seismic vibration. If the gloveboxes held only solid metal, such a stress
would present no significant force. For the much more fragmented powders, however, that force is
sufficient to produce a small amount of aerosolization.
Examining Table 5-1 for mechanical stresses indicates that an ARF and RF of 1E-3 and 0.1, respectively,
are assigned for shock/vibration of bulk powders. Previous examinations of this case have indicated the
maximum MAR is 6,000 g of plutonium oxide powder for all four gloveboxes. The initial source term
would therefore be 6 g, and the initial respirable source term 0.6 g.
Given this 0.6 gram respirable release, could surface contamination produce a significant contribution?
Table 5-1 indicates that the ARF and RF for shock/vibration of loose surface contamination is assigned an
ARF and RF of 1E-3 and 1.0, respectively, thus yielding a combined ARF/RF one order of magnitude
greater than that for bulk powder. For the purpose of discussion in this example, if significant
contribution is defined as 10 percent of the 0.6 gram source term, then surface contamination would have
to contribute 0.06 g of airborne material to be significant. Working backward with the ARF/RF of 1E-3
yields a required surface contamination MAR of 60 g. That is certainly possible given that historical
surface contamination levels for representative gloveboxes can range up to 50 g. Using a value of 0.1
g/ft2 for powder handling gloveboxes (from historical experience), and assuming each glovebox is 12 feet
by 4 feet by 4 feet (with a factor of 1.3 applied for equipment inside the gloveboxes) yields a total MAR
of 116 g for all four gloveboxes. It can be concluded, therefore, that surface contamination is a nontrivial
contributor. Both of these approaches to determine the level of surface contamination (MAR) and
potential airborne release, are appropriate application of DOE-HDBK-3010.
This last result points out another question that an analyst should always keep in mind: when is a result
real, and when is it an artifact of analysis? Examining the specifics of DOE-HDBK-3010-94 indicates
that the main reason the ARF/RF for surface contamination is assigned a higher value than for bulk
powder is because no real confidence existed as to a generic size distribution for surface contamination
residues. It is, in essence, simply a conservative assumption. DOE-HDBK-3010-94 contains multiple
cautions against taking its bounding recommendations as absolute statements of reality, or as a starting
point for extrapolating ever more extreme circumstances that could theoretically exacerbate the physics of
release. Either of these approaches can quickly tumble over into analytical gamesmanship, defeating the
cited purpose of DOE-HDBK-3010-94, which is “to provide information to support general bases for
decision making.”
B. Case Two
Section 165
Consider again the example facility of Figures 5-1 and 5-2, specifically the fuel fabrication line. Presume
for the moment that the structural collapse depicted in Figure 5-3 does occur, but is sufficiently severe to
collapse all four gloveboxes. What additional stresses are then being imposed on any powder contained
in the glovebox?
Depending on how the powder is contained, and the nature and orientation of the debris impacting
gloveboxes, it may not experience much in the way of additional stress. In the interests of conservatism,
however, that is not presumed for the type of gloveboxes common in the DOE weapons complex. The
collapse is instead broken down into the sequence of distinct events occurring. First, the glovebox is
experiencing a fall of some kind, more so if it tips over than if it simply slumps downward, but the latter
is considered equal to the former given that it is difficult to specify the exact nature of the collapse.
Second, the glovebox is impacted by debris. Windows can break or contents can be spilled out of the
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
183
glovebox. Either case raises the possibility of debris impacting powder.
For spill distances less than three meters, Table 5-1 specifies an ARF and RF of 2E-3 and 0.3,
respectively, for the free-fall spill of powders. This circumstance is not, in fact, a free-fall spill, but the
experimental data on free-fall spills is the closest equivalent available. Any conservatism involved in the
use of this ARF/RF is simply accepted. Table 5-1 also lists an ARF and RF of 1E-2 and 0.2, respectively,
for debris impacting powder. This might not be considered if the nature of the debris is small fragments
or if the gloveboxes are shielded by slumping installations in the overhead. That will not be presumed to
be the case. If the box contains loose powder that falls and is heavily impacted by debris, the cumulative
ARF/RF could be as high as 6E-4 + 2E-3 = 2.6E-3.
Conversely, suppose all powder in the glovebox is held in cans or other metallic containers. The overall
effect might then be characterized as two similar events. The can falls with the glovebox and is impacted
by debris as it lands. As noted, DOE-HDBK-3010-94, the ARF/RF for shock impact and falling debris
on confined bulk powder is 1E-4. The cumulative ARF/RF could therefore be as low as 1E-4 + 1E-4 =
2E-4. In this case, however, the idea of powder being outside of a container while in a glovebox is not an
absurd construct similar to personnel carrying plutonium cupped in their hands outside of a glovebox. If
the operation naturally lends itself to the powder being confined, that initial condition should be preserved
in the TSR control set.
5.2.4 AIRBORNE RELEASE RATE
Sometimes ARFs are expressed as a function of time. The parameter is then identified as an airborne
release rate (ARR). This is, in fact, the norm for chemical releases. Gas escaping from a damaged
cylinder will leak at a rate of so many pounds per second. Liquids spilled into a bermed area or as a
shallow pool dispersing to its limits will evaporate at a rate of pounds per minute, depending on the
surface area of the pool, its temperature, and the specific physical properties of the liquid.
Section 166
Radionuclides are treated in a more overall fashion, as noted in the examples of Section 5.2.3, Airborne
Release Fractions and Respirable Fractions. Most radioactive material releases occur due to momentary
chaotic stresses. Therefore, even when the release might occur over a minute or several minutes, the total
quantity airborne is assumed to exit the facility at one moment in time. That is often the case even for an
event such as a fire, which occurs over an interval of tens of minutes, sometimes even hours. In these
cases, unlike with the leak rate of a gas of a given pressure or the evaporation of a pool of a given liquid,
there is no simple physical principle from which to compute reasonable time dependence. The most
common exceptions to this are solution criticalities (whose time for a complete set of pulses is part of the
event definition) and aerodynamic entrainment, which is defined as a rate. Chemical releases are
discussed further in Section 5.3.
Example
It is not unreasonable to assume that an event as severe as the earthquake assessed in the Case Two
example from the previous section could result in cleanup activities being delayed for some period of
time. Aerodynamic entrainment will suspend more material during that period. How should that release
be estimated?
An assumption is that for long duration releases, DOE-STD-3009 limits the unmitigated consequence
analysis to eight hours. Table 5-1 defines an ARR of 4E-6 per hour for “powder, indoors ... covered with
substantial, layer of debris or indoor static conditions.” Using that value, the ARR for 6,000 g of spilled
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oxide powder would be 2.4E-2 g/hr, or a total of 0.2 g/8 hr. If this figure were trivial compared to the
overall facility release, it could either be ignored or lumped in with the immediate release.
5.2.5 LEAKPATH FACTOR
The term “leak path” refers to the path taken by material released in a facility on its way to the outdoor
atmosphere. Common leak paths of a building are air ventilation ducts, door gaps, and various building
leaks. The “leakpath factor” (LPF) is the “fraction of the radionuclides in the aerosol transported through
some confinement deposition of filtration mechanism” (DOE-HDBK-3010-94, page 1-6). The LPF used
in the common five-factor formula is the total fraction of respirable airborne material released during the
accident that escapes from the building to the environment. Once an aerosol is formed, it continuously
depletes (in concentration) due to natural mechanisms such as gravitational settling and other lesser
important mechanisms such as impaction, agglomeration (a subset of gravitational settling), diffusion to
surfaces, and possibly mechanical filtration. The LPF is of interest because it has the potential for
reducing the initial source term (IST) at the point of generation before it exits the facility, thus producing
a much smaller release to the external environment.
The DSA analysis does not allow credit for a facility LPF for unmitigated analysis. Unmitigated analyses
necessarily start with LPF of 1.0. For mitigated analysis, the LPF is dependent on the physical
characteristics and configuration of the facility as it is estimated to exist under the postulated accident
conditions.
Section 167
Assignment of an LPF of 1.0 is the general practice for most low consequence facility DSAs. As accident
consequences from bounding events increase into the rem range for the offsite public, LPF determinations
become important and a process and strategy for estimation of a LPF < 1.0 generally becomes
appropriate, such as crediting filtration or other natural depletion mechanisms. An active confinement
ventilation system with filtration is the preferred mitigative control as required by DOE Order O 420.1C,
and discussed further in DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.8, Hierarchy of Controls. However, sometimes
a passive confinement strategy may be justified that credits other natural depletion mechanisms.
Other than for filtration systems, LPFs are functions of building ventilation, building leak-tightness,
atmospheric conditions (e.g., wind speed), building pressurization by a fire, the length of the leakpath,
floor area for deposition of particulates, and other factors. They are specific to the building and the
location of the source within that building, and are specifically estimated for each scenario and building.
Therefore, the effort in estimating the LPF is significant and the analyst should consider that there may be
limited benefit for refinement of LPF below 1.0 for facilities with a small MAR.
Historically, some DSAs have been developed applying complicated in-facility transport analyses using
the MELCOR or CONTAIN codes. 42 Egress doors being open during evacuation have been considered
for both normal ventilation and loss of ventilation scenarios. Also, based on these types of computer code
analyses, and/or hand calculations, DSAs have credited an in-facility transport LPF for loss of power
concurrent with radioactive material release within the facility. Under such scenarios, doors open during
evacuation and otherwise closed doors with some assumed leakage past the door seals have been
considered. The adequacy of those LPF justifications has been determined based on facility-specific
ventilation designs, specific circumstances and postulated accident environments; approved by the DOE
Safety Basis Approval Authorities.
42 These codes were not designed for modeling dozens of volumes. The uncertainty increases with the number of
nodes and junctions.
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Many LPF estimates are assumption-driven, can be challenging to defend, and should be carefully
applied. Therefore, it is always important to remain cognizant of the inherent uncertainty in the LPF due
to analytical variances in all of the parameters used in the assignment, which applies to both active and
passive confinement strategies. As is the case with all safety analysis calculations, sufficient
conservatism is factored into the overall determination by reasonably conservative assignment of the
respective input parameters. Also, assumptions used in LPF analysis are required to be identified and
evaluated so that the need for TSR controls can be decided for a facility-specific situation.
5.2.5.1 FILTRATION LPF
If a release passes through filtration before reaching the atmosphere, a conservative LPF assumption
based on filter efficiency (i.e., LPF = 1 – efficiency) for the accident conditions being evaluated should be
made. This is appropriate if active ventilation filters releases that do not breach primary confinement
systems (e.g., gloveboxes). However, this does not represent a bounding LPF for energetic releases that
breach primary confinement systems if active secondary confinement ventilation pressure differentials are
not maintained during full building evacuations over several minutes. Moreover, the measured filter
efficiency may not directly lead to the LPF determination if there are unfiltered leak pathways in the
system or through building penetrations that need to be evaluated.
Section 168
General guidance on HEPA filter design, installation, testing, and service life is provided in Chapters 3
and 8 of the DOE-HDBK-1169-2003. HEPA filters, by definition, have a minimum filtration efficiency
of 99.97% for 0.3 µm particles (the most penetrating size). For accident analysis, DOE-HDBK-1169-
2003 (page 2-31) states the following:
Accident analysis typically assumes a first stage credit of 99.9 percent efficiency (DF of 103) for
removal of plutonium aerosols. Second and subsequent stages typically assume an efficiency of 99.8
(DF of 5 x 102). [DF = Decontamination Factor] These assumed efficiencies are based on the premises
that: (1) the HEPA filters have successfully been through the DOE Filter Test Facility (FTF) at Oak
Ridge; (2) they are installed and in-place leak tested to at least 99.95 percent; (3) they are installed in a
system built to the specifications of AG-1; and (4) are tested in accordance with national standards.
This assumption is predicated upon the filters in question having been leak tested upon installation and
tested thereafter in accordance with national standards. The efficiencies assigned translate to LPF values
of 1 x 10-3 for 99.9 percent and 2 x 10-3 for 99.8 percent. Thus, one stage of HEPA filtration has an LPF
of 1 x 10-3; two stages of HEPA filtration have an LPF of 2 x 10-6. Assuming HEPA filter efficiency of
99.9% for the first HEPA filter stage and 99.8% for the second stage (in series) is appropriate if both
HEPA filters are credited in the analysis to reduce consequences, and are designated and maintained as
safety SSCs.
Section F.2.1.3 of NUREG/CR-6410 provides the following additional guidance regarding HEPA filter
efficiencies to mitigate accidents:
… HEPA filters must demonstrate a particle collection efficiency of >99.97 percent for 0.3-µm
diameter particles and have a particle collection efficiency of >99.95 percent for similar sized particles
in-situ (installed in the system). For accidents in which conditions at the HEPA filter are unchanged
from normal operating conditions, use of the in-situ tested efficiency is recommended for analysis
(Elder et al., 1986). If a series of HEPA filters is protected by pre-filters, sprinklers, and demisters,
efficiencies of 99.9 percent for the first filter and 99.8 percent for all subsequent filters is
recommended for accident analysis (Elder et al., 1986). If conditions are severe or the filters are
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unprotected, efficiencies as low as 99 to 95 percent are recommended (USNRC 1978).
Even if tested after installation and periodically to meet industry standards, some DSA mitigated analyses
have credited a smaller LPF (e.g., 0.01 or 0.1) since that was sufficient to reduce the unmitigated offsite
and CW doses to low consequences (see Table 2-8, Consequence Thresholds. However), if unprotected,
the filter may be breached by flame impingement, which will open up the leak path to near unity or it may
be located remote from flame but be plugged by soot or other factors (as specified in DOE-HDBK-1169,
Chapter 10); further discussion on this topic is found in Section 4.2.3.2 of this Handbook. Any modeling
of LPF (e.g., through the use of computer codes such as MELCOR) will have to account conservatively
for the damage to HEPA filters by fire conditions.
5.2.5.2 LPF MODELING
Section 169
A more realistic estimation of the LPFs associated with complex pathways (e.g., rooms, corridors,
stagnant supply and exhaust ducting) other than HEPA filtration also have the potential to significantly
reduce release estimates for the DSA mitigated analysis (Ma, 2006). If the release passes through long
passageways, cracks, or torturous routes before exiting to the atmosphere, fall-out and plate-out can be
considered in determining LPF. It is possible to calculate how much material of a given size range will
deposit out in the time it takes to navigate the available release paths. When multiple paths are present,
LPFs may be specified individually for each path, or may be summed into one overall LPF. In more
complex cases, each path normally is assigned its own LPF. As the LPF for aerosol particles depends on
particle size, multiple LPFs may be assigned for various size ranges as well.
Determination of LPFs less than unity takes a variety of forms. Quantitative LPFs can be performed by
hand calculations or by using a variety of computer codes, each dependent upon the complexity of the
facility, the specific release parameters and the magnitude of unmitigated accident consequences. As
would be expected, small LPFs require substantial justification, particularly if the LPF is the dominant
parameter and necessary in the reduction of accident consequences below the safety classification
guidelines discussed in Chapter 10.
Because of this strong dependency on the facility and phenomenology of the release, default LPF values
are not recommended. There are several hand-calculation methods to calculate the parameters that go
into developing a LPF. One method is NUREG/CR-6189, A Simplified Model of Aerosol Removal by
Natural Processes in Reactor Containments, developed by Sandia National Laboratories for the NRC.
NUREG/CR-6410, Chapter 4, also provides guidance on calculating LPFs. It describes the phenomena
that control transport through buildings. Such phenomena include ventilation and other flows of air, filters
that remove particulates, and various effects such as gravitational settling, impaction on surfaces,
thermophoresis. A portion of the introduction to that chapter is reproduced as follows:
This chapter describes in-facility transport and deposition of gases, heavy gases, vapors, and particles,
together with controlling parameters, basic aerosol physics, and airborne chemical reactions. The
chapter emphasizes airborne particles, because such aerosols seem to predominate in accidents that
might occur in fuel cycle facilities. The quantitative value that expresses the fraction of initially
airborne material that successfully escapes the facility is called the Leakpath Factor (LPF). For
particles, the LPF primarily depends on three parameters: the flow rate of the aerosol through the
facility, the particle sizes, and the areas available for deposition of contaminants.
The objective of this chapter is to provide the tools necessary for defining the fraction of accident
generated airborne material that escapes the facility and, if desired, the concentrations of airborne
material throughout the facility as well as the amount of initially airborne material that has deposited
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within the facility.
Section 170
This chapter continues the accident analysis process whereby the source term provided in Chapter 3 is
carried through and out of the facility. The primary final output is the fraction (for particles, the RF) of
the source term that escapes the facility, the LPF. Secondary outputs are the concentrations and
amounts deposited in the facility of the initial source term. To obtain these outputs, Chapter 4 provides
guidance to help the user: (1) identify the facility barriers that define the flow path of the airborne
material in the facility; (2) quantify the driving forces moving material along the flow path; (3)
quantify the flow rates along the path; (4) quantify the effects of any mitigating engineered safeguards
(e.g., filters); (5) quantify the roles of deposition processes along the flow path; and (6) estimate
facility concentrations during the movement of the airborne source term.
Computer codes can be used to support LPF calculation for the mitigated analysis. Computer code
calculations should be considered for highly complex facility configurations where multiple release paths
exist and the relative importance of the various leak paths is not obvious. The computer codes are also
extremely beneficial in the cases of time-dependent phenomena (e.g., propagating fires) and when the
contaminant transport processes are complex, such as is the case where wide particle size distributions
and coupled transport and deposition (e.g., agglomeration) processes exist.
The DOE Central Registry Toolbox code, MELCOR (Methods for Estimation of Leakages and
Consequences of Releases), has been applied for some DOE nonreactor nuclear facilities and DOE has
established code guidance supporting its use. MELCOR is a fully-integrated, engineering-level computer
code whose primary purpose is to model the progression of accidents in light water reactor nuclear power
plants. Major uses of MELCOR for nonreactor facilities include estimation of confinement behavior due
to radiological source terms under postulated accident conditions, and their sensitivities and uncertainties
in a variety of applications, evaluation of LPFs, and survivability of fans, filters, and other engineering
safety features. A conservative LPF analysis should be consistent with the guidance provided in
MELCOR Computer Code Application Guidance for Leak Path Factor in DSA Final Report (DOE,
2004d) that has been issued identifying applicable regimes in accident analysis, default inputs, and special
conditions for using the code.
5.3 CHEMICAL RELEASE SOURCE TERMS
The MAR is the bounding quantity of a toxic chemical or mixture of toxic chemicals that is available to
be acted upon by a single or series of physical stresses or insults from a postulated accident. Toxic
chemical source terms may be evaluated using DOE-HDBK-3010-94, if appropriate, for a non-reactive
toxic chemical release phenomenology or non-volatile liquid.43 These source terms include airborne
particulates suspended from accident stresses on solids, as well as the particulates (i.e., aerosols) from the
non-flashed portion of pressurized liquids, aerosols from heating of liquids or free-fall spills, and aerosols
aerodynamically entrained over time; all using the five-factor formula. However, the burden of proof is
on the analyst to establish whether the bounding value or formula presented in that reference is an
accurate representation of the particular accident phenomenology. Additional guidance related to the
application of DOE-HDBK-3010-94 for chemical source terms is provided in “Applicability of Airborne
Release Fraction and Respirable Fraction Values to Particulate Toxic Chemical Material Releases at DOE
Sites” (Laul et al., 2006).
Section 171
An alternative to the five-factor formula to calculate toxic chemical liquid and gas release source terms is
43 Liquid that does not readily evaporate at normal ambient temperature and pressure due to its very low vapor
pressure.
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the EPA 40 CFR Part 68 methodology for worst-case scenario development provided in EPA-550-B-99-
009. Detailed guidance, in Chapter 3 of that reference, is generally an appropriate starting point for
determining release rates and release quantities for a full spectrum of releases of toxic chemical gases and
liquids. However, that EPA reference is silent with respect to releases of airborne particulates suspended
from accident stresses on solids, and for non-volatile liquids where vapor pressures are very small or
where vapor pressure data are not available. In most cases, an RF value less than 1.0 should not be
applied for chemicals given that chemical particulates larger than respirable that have not deposited out of
the plume at the CW or MOI location may pose a health risk. For example, a particulate needs only be
inhalable to have a health impact, and skin absorption can play a role in a chemical’s toxicity although it
is not specifically addressed in the derivation of concentration guidelines.
ARFs and RFs, which are highly dependent on particle size distributions and evaporative effects on
aerosols, are selected based on physical conditions and stresses anticipated during accidents. For
calculating toxic chemical releases from gases and liquid evaporation, the above more current EPA
methodology is preferred. However, if EPA methodology does not provide relevant guidance for the
accident scenario, DOE-HDBK-3010-94 defines bounding ARF and RF mechanisms based on the
physical context of the accident stress. These include phenomena affecting liquids and powders such as a
free-fall spill, fire or heating of a substance, and shock or blast effects (e.g., overpressures) from an
explosion or detonation. These energetic phenomenologies are described in more detail in Chapter 4
(Section 4.3, Explosion Analysis), and in Section 9.5, Toxic Chemical Release Phenomenology and
Subsequent Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion.
Section 5.2.4 and Table 5-1 summarize airborne release rate recommendations from DOE-HDBK-3010-
94 that are applicable to aerodynamic entrainment of radioactive materials as a function of time. Those
recommendations may also be applicable to toxic chemical releases involving suspension of toxic
chemical powders or aerosols from heating of liquids.
The toxic chemical source term calculation generally results in a constant (i.e., linear) release rate in units
of mass per unit time, or total release quantity in units of mass coupled with a specified release duration in
units of time. For pressurized gas and pressurized liquid releases or evaporation of volatile liquids, the
release rate is non-linear, varying over time, as indicated in Section 9.5. If the toxic chemical source term
is not calculated as a constant release rate over the accident duration for solids, or as a pool evaporation
rate for liquids and gases, the total airborne release quantity should be divided by the release duration
consistent with the postulated scenario assumptions, or by recommended conservative estimates from the
aforementioned guidance documents that appropriately address non-linear release phenomenologies.
Section 172
For the calculation of toxic chemical releases from a chemical process, if dilution is inherent in the release
pathway, dilution effects may be incorporated into the analysis by determining the concentration of the
chemicals in the total stream flow that includes the offgas generation and a carrier gas such as fresh air.
This stream flow concentration at the exhaust stack discharge is used to establish the toxic chemical
release rates to the atmosphere. The stack discharge rate accounts for dilution effects of a carrier gas in
the exhaust path starting above the liquid surface of the chemical reactions and ending at the exhaust
stack discharge location. This can be calculated as a volume of toxic chemicals generated per unit time,
as adjusted by the density of the toxic chemicals mixed with the carrier gas at the point of release from the
facility.
This type of analysis accounts for fresh air entrainment in the process ventilation system due to ambient
air exchanges with the environment for the unmitigated analysis, or the active process ventilation system
for the mitigated analysis. These quantities represent the source term of the toxic chemicals in units of
mass per time (e.g., mg/s) that are input to the 95th percentile dispersion conditions as discussed in
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Section 9.7, Toxic Chemical Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Models, for the determination of
concentrations and resulting consequences to the CW and MOI.
For the unmitigated analysis, this adjustment may consider the mixing volume of the toxic chemicals
generated at the chemical process location, diluted with ambient air exchange as driven by the outside
environment. The dilution of the toxic chemicals from the process generation location, which is a
function of the volume of the release path and ambient air exchange with the outside environment, may be
performed using methodologies discussed in Section 5.2.5. Accounting for in-facility dilution effects is
not the same as a LPF; it is considered to be a phenomenological component of the source term
determination. The analyst, with the assistance of a HVAC engineer and chemical engineer, can establish
the ambient air exchange factor based on the specific design of the process and the ventilation system.
Another factor that may affect the unmitigated analysis is the stoichiometry of toxic chemical generation
that may rapidly decay with the limited amount of air available since active ventilation is not credited,
that is, the source term release rate would be nonlinear. See Chapter 6 discussions regarding an
unmitigated analysis crediting an effective stack height due to a passive physical feature (i.e., discharge
from an elevated stack), and/or may credit buoyancy effects due to a conservative estimate of offgas
temperature at the point of release to the environment. Both of these effects would result in improved
atmospheric dispersion. The assumptions of no active ventilation and crediting of the release from a stack
with plume buoyancy due to the high temperature of the offgas are consistent with unmitigated analysis
guidance in DOE-STD-3009-2014.
For the mitigated analysis, the analyst may consider crediting active ventilation. The ventilation flow will
dilute the toxic chemical releases before discharge to the atmosphere (i.e., the source term release rate),
and it may also drive a momentum flux at that release point, as discussed in the plume rise discussion in
Chapter 6. For a chemical process, the toxic chemical reaction rate may be linear or nonlinear. Therefore,
the first 15-minute release rate may be the most bounding unmitigated estimate and could be affected by
other factors such as combustion/reactant air supply. A conservative estimate for the 15-minute decay
period could be made if the release rate drops rapidly.
Section 173
To illustrate the above discussion, consider an example release of nitrous oxide (NO) from a chemical
process in a vessel provided with 1,000 cfm of process ventilation (air as the carrier gas) that is
discharged to the atmosphere. An unmitigated analysis does not credit depletion due to filtration and an
offgas treatment system. To simplify the illustration, although many species may be generated in the
vessel offgas that are in the form of gases or aqueous vapors, this example evaluates a single toxic
chemical. The NO has a mass generation rate of 11.7 kg/hr (3,250 mg/s) that is one of the constituents in
the stream that has a total mass flow rate of 1,700 kg/hr. Therefore, NO contributes approximately 0.7%
to the mass release rate from the stack (without considering the effect of the ventilation flow which would
not substantially add to the mass flow rate). The stream density (NO mixed with other constituents at the
point of generation) is 0.366 kg/m3. For this density, the volume NO flow is 19 cfm and the total gas flow
of 1,700 kg/hr has a volume flow of 2,700 cfm. Further assume that the total gas flow is mixed prior to
entering a stack with an air flow of 1,000 cfm. To credit dilution, the ratio of NO flow to total stream
flow is used to adjust the NO mass generation rate (3,250 mg/s) in the vessel. If the total stream flow is
composed only of NO, the fraction is one and the NO leaving the stack is 3,250 mg/s. When the total gas
stream (NO + remaining offgas parameters) is credited, the fraction is 19 cfm / 2,700 cfm = 0.0069 and
the diluted NO leaving the stack is 22.4 mg/s. Similarly when the air dilution of 1,000 cfm is credited,
the fraction is 19 cfm / 3700 cfm = 0.0050 and the diluted NO leaving the stack is 16.4 mg/s.
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5.4 APPROPRIATENESS OF SOURCE TERMS
The brief discussions and associated examples in Section 5.2 should serve to clarify that source term
determination is not an exact science. Instead, it involves a reasonable definition of circumstance, which
is then broken down into a sequence of oversimplified parameters. This limited representation of reality
demands a certain degree of conservatism to overcome the uncertainties introduced by the simplification.
No source term can account for all of the parameters introduced by first engineering principles, and this
process may be subject to abuse. As an example, consider a glovebox with plutonium-239 powder
collapsed by a seismic event and associated falling debris. It is possible to define the event so as to
eliminate any consideration of the ARF/RF of 2E-3 associated with debris impacting the powder even if
the actual facility configuration does not support such an assumption. This can be done by making poor
assumptions relative to shielding effects or the nature of the debris falling, or by probability arguments
that are not defendable. This can be minimized by standardization, expert elicitation and independent
review. DOE-HDBK-3010-94 was prepared to facilitate the development of some consensus among
DOE oversight and facility operators regarding a conservative estimate of consequence potentials. That
consensus is necessary to effectively implement integrated safety management by minimizing the
subjectivity in source term assessment.
Section 174
The basis for determining source term appropriateness is to use a combination of parameters on the upper
end of any potential uncertainty. That does not mean an average value, or even a 95th percentile value,
since meaningful informed statistical distributions cannot be generated for most of the accidents under
consideration. Instead, it means that a general consensus exists on upper and lower bounds for the
cumulative scenario definition and associated parameter specifications, which should yield a source term
in excess of the actual event that is not excessively conservative.
5.4.1 ADEQUATE TECHNICAL BASIS TO DEPART FROM DEFAULT OR BOUNDING
VALUES
Section 3.2.4 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 states:
Calculations shall be made based on technically-justified input parameters and underlying assumptions
such that the overall consequence calculation is conservative. Conservatism is assured by the
selection of bounding accident scenarios, the use of a conservative analysis methodology, and the
selection of source term and input parameters that are consistent with that methodology.
For some input parameters, this section identifies default or bounding values that may be used without
further justification. Unless otherwise stated for a particular input value, this section allows use of
alternative values when supported by an adequate technical basis. When an input parameter used is
not a default or bounding value, an acceptable technical basis of the value describes why the value
selected is appropriate for the physical situation being analyzed, and references relevant data, analysis,
or technical standards. The completeness and level of detail in the technical basis should increase as
the parameters depart from default or bounding values.
Additional guidance to develop an adequate technical basis that departs from default or bounding values
is the focus of this subsection. There are two fundamental reasons for departing from default or bounding
values:
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1. It may be expedient to use clearly bounding and conservative values to demonstrate that no
controls are necessary, which will result in a simplified analysis; and
2. Default values for a specific site may be too conservative leading to unnecessary burdensome
controls.
For expediency, the analyst may perform a consequence calculation by simply using clearly bounding
assumptions along with bounding and/or default input parameters provided in DOE-STD-3009-2014,
DOE-HDBK-3010-94, or other sources such as NUREG/CR-6410, because the values to be used are
easily identified and readily defended as bounding and conservative. The dispersion analysis Option 2
discussed in Section 6.10 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 is an example using this approach. If such a
consequence calculation shows that no controls need to be SC or SS, then no refined or more complicated
calculation is needed to classify controls. However, this approach generally results in an overestimate of
consequences and likelihoods, sometimes by orders of magnitude. If this very conservative calculation
yields consequences that exceed thresholds for control classification, a more refined analysis is performed
unless implementing and protecting the controls derived from the simplistic analysis has a small impact
on schedule and cost, especially lifecycle cost.
Section 175
As calculations are refined, conservatism in the analysis is reduced, with appropriate technical
justification, but no further than the point where either: (1) individual input parameters and underlying
assumptions are less conservative than a best estimate (i.e., mean value) of their expected values during
the accident scenario; or (2) the overall result of the consequence calculation is not conservative. Option
3 in Section 6.10 is an example using this approach to refine calculations after the required approvals are
obtained.
Another example would include testing model results against a large and varied experimental database
which includes data points measured under bounding circumstances. The analyst would then show, for
every measured data point, whether the overall result of the model was bounding of the measured data
point. The model inputs would have to be “fair and reasonable” in that the input parameters used while
testing the model would have to be applicable to the conditions of each experimental data point. For
example, it would not be reasonable to input a bounding temperature or flow rate into the model if the
bounding temperature or flow rate is not representative of the measured data point used to test the model.
This type of model-data test could be used to demonstrate overall conservatism of a modeling strategy.
Three requirements in DOE-STD-3009-2014 are important to providing assurance that consequence
calculations are conservative for plausible accident scenarios, NPH events, and external man made
events:
1. MAR values used in hazard and accident analysis shall be consistent with the values noted in
hazard identification/evaluation, and shall be bounding with respect to each accident being
evaluated.7 [Section 3.2.4.1]
_____________________
7 For facilities that provide retrieval, handling, storage or processing of TRU waste containers, a
bounding MAR may be determined in accordance with DOE-STD-5506-2007.
2. Radiological consequences are presented as a TED based on integrated committed dose to all
target organs, accounting for direct exposures as well as a 50-yr commitment. [Section 3.2.4.2]
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3. While the three options allow for alternative methods to calculate the χ/Q values, all three options
shall evaluate the dose at the MOI using either a 95th percentile for a directionally independent
method or a 99.5th percentile for a directionally dependent. Conservatism of the X/Q value is
ensured by using 95th or 99.5th percentile site-specific meteorology. All other values in the X/Q
analysis do not need to be bounding to ensure a conservative result; past analyses have shown that
piling up a number of conservative assumptions can lead to results representing a higher
percentile above the 95th or 99.5th. This is also true for the overall accident consequence
evaluation if all the other input values were selected at their maximum measured or theoretical
values, hence, the reason for establishing the original bounding or default values in DOE-HDBK-
3010-94 and DOE-STD-3009. [Section 3.2.4.2]
Section 176
When default values are too conservative, resulting in unnecessary controls for unrealistic scenarios, input
parameters can be adjusted if there is sufficient technical justification to show that the new parameters are
still bounding. The rationale could be based on new representative experimental data on release fractions,
or based on evaluation of the experimental data used to recommend bounding ARFs/RFs in DOE-HDBK-
3010-94. For example, a bounding value for a free-fall spill of powders is based on a drop at a 3-m
height. Typical glovebox operations in nonreactor nuclear facilities requiring manual operations could be
evaluated based on a 1-m fall height for either a spill within the glovebox, or a seismic-induced toppling
of the glovebox44 based on the experimental data that provided the basis for the 3-m spill. Considerations
should include the following factors:
• Representativeness of the data to the accident scenario being evaluated;
• Statistical completeness of the data (e.g., based only on a few samples?);
• Pedigree of the data; and
• Available data on particle sizes within the application domain of the calculation.
Regarding representativeness of the data, consider whether the data is applicable to the conditions of
the bounding design basis accident being analyzed. Examples include drop height, explosion energy,
fire severity, and other environmental considerations.
As a matter of practice, detailed statistical analyses are not necessary, nor expected. A review of the
experimental data and what percentile ranking the selected alternate value is may provide some insights
for the decision. However, DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Section 1.3, provides cautions regarding
interpretations of the experimental data and that the experimental data should not be used as a basis for an
ARF statistical distribution.
In some instances, the data available to support selection of input parameters are not prototypic of the
situation being analyzed, or there is large uncertainty. Hence, sound technical judgment is essential in
selecting appropriate input values, considering the range of possible values given the physical and
chemical conditions involved with the accident scenario and the relevant uncertainty. Although some
degree of subjective engineering judgment may be necessary, the rationale needs to have a technical basis
and not just opinions. Expert elicitation is essential to the success of this process.
The completeness and level of detail of the rationale used in technically justifying individual input
parameters increases as the parameters approach more realistic values. The methodology used in
44 Other release mechanisms are also applicable as discussed in the DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Chapter 7.0, Application
Examples.
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Section 177
selection of input parameters and analysis should not lead to unrealistic accident scenarios and
concomitant consequence estimates, nor an overall realistic estimate of consequences that may be
appropriate for a comprehensive probabilistic risk assessment (PRA). An example of an approach
previously justified in a DSA is related to a facility-wide seismic evaluation where median ARF/RF
values were applied for a large facility with MAR in many locations that would be acted upon by a
common stressor such as a spill. Applying the bounding ARF/RFs with the maximum MAR and DRs
would have resulted in an overly conservative estimate due to compounding conservatisms that could
have resulted in unnecessary SS controls and potential physical upgrading of the structure and equipment
to meet current seismic standards. The burden is on the safety analyst to justify that the overall
consequence estimates will be sufficiently conservative for the purpose of determining the need for safety
SSC or SACs. The following quote from DOE-STD-3009-94 CN3 (Section 3.4.2.X.2) should be kept in
mind: “The degree of conservatism believed to be present in the calculation needs to be consistent with
the Evaluation Guideline definition.” As alternate values depart from the bounding or default values, at
some point the calculation will not meet the original intent of the Evaluation Guideline based on a
conservative analysis.
It is plausible to discern if there is a lesser or greater degree of conservatism in a calculation, but it will
always be difficult and require judgment to determine the adequate level of conservatism. Another
consideration regarding conservatism is from DOE-HDBK-3010-94 Section 7.3.6.2, Release Estimation,”
that states:
In the examples in this handbook, DRs are typically bounded by assuming a value of 1.0 for the sake
of simplicity. The above discussion indicates how conservative such a bound can be. It is important
not to lose sight of the fact that the phenomena being examined are generally unlikely to highly
unlikely. By the time a maximum MAR has been assumed, the DR has been maximized as 1.0, the
bounding ARFs and RFs of this document have been applied, no leakpath is accounted for, and 95%
or greater meteorology has been used for dispersion, the answer obtained is extreme. Objectivity must
be retained in the evaluation process so that a rote conception does not distract available resources
from areas where greater real gains in safety can be made. As previously cautioned in this handbook,
answers obtained are only as good as the decisions they lead to.
6 ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION
6.1 INTRODUCTION
Radiological and/or chemically hazardous materials released into the environment can be transported to
potential receptors through air and water pathways. This chapter discusses the mechanisms of
atmospheric transport and diffusion, collectively referred to as dispersion, of such pollutants. Chapter 8
discusses the consequences of exposure to radioactive materials and Chapter 9 discusses dispersion
principles specific to chemical releases (such as dense gas dispersion).
The basic equation for the calculation of radiological inhalation dose to a downwind receptor is:
Dose (rem) = ST × χ/Q × BR × DCF Equation 6-1
where
ST = source term (Ci), as discussed in Chapter 5
χ/Q = atmospheric dispersion factor (s/m3), discussed below
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BR = breathing rate (m3/s), and
DCF = dose conversion factor (rem/Ci)
Section 178
This chapter and Chapter 8 address the recommended approach to evaluating the terms in the above
equation. This discussion is intended to be a practical guide and thus discusses these topics only to the
extent needed to support a given topic in order to calculate potential consequences to receptors downwind
for the DSA accident analysis. Only atmospheric (airborne) dispersion is addressed in this chapter, as
DOE-STD-3009 excludes waterborne pathways from consideration in a DSA, except when the water
pathway could significantly contribute to the overall radiological consequences. However, Chapter 7
does provide some guidance on aquatic dispersion principles with respect to infrequent releases of
radioactive materials into water bodies. That chapter also briefly addresses groundwater transport.
For in-depth background on atmospheric dispersion, consult these references:
• Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion Estimates, An Introduction to Dispersion Modeling
(Turner, 1994), which is based on Meteorology and Atomic Energy (Slade, 1968);
• Atmospheric Science and Power Production (Randerson, 1984);
• Atmospheric Diffusion, Study of the Dispersion of Windborne Material from Industrial and Other
Sources (Pasquill and Smith, 1983);
• Radiological Assessment: A Textbook on Environmental Dose Analysis (NRC, 1983);
• Radiological Risk Assessment and Environmental Analysis (Till and Grogan, 2008); and
• DOE Central Registry “Toolbox Code”45 guidance documents listed in the Chapter 11,
References.
In addition, Directory of Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Models, Equipment, and Projects, is an
excellent background source for 64 dispersion models (OFCM, 1998).
6.2 KEY RECEPTORS
The concentrations of pollutants at selected downwind distances are estimated in order to calculate the
consequences to hypothetical receptors. DOE-STD-3009-2014 identifies two generic receptors46 to be
considered in accident analyses involving atmospheric dispersion, the CW and the MOI.
CW: A hypothetical worker located at a distance of 100 m from a facility (building perimeter) or
estimated release point, defined to allow dose comparison with numerical criteria for selection of
Safety Significant (SS) controls described in Chapter 2. The CW may be located at a farther distance
if an elevated or buoyant radioactive plume causes a higher exposure beyond the 100 m distance. For
ground level releases, DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2, specifies the CW χ/Q value as 3.5E-03
s/m3 (based on NSRD-2015-01, Technical Report for Calculations of Atmospheric Dispersion at
Onsite Locations for Department of Energy Nuclear Facilities [DOE/ONS, 2015]).47 For situations
45 “Toolbox code” is a term used to identify software qualified to be listed in the DOE Safety Software Central
Registry ( http://energy.gov/ehss/safety-software-quality-assurance-central-registry) that is used primarily for DOE
safety analyses. The toolbox codes for atmospheric dispersion are discussed later in this section.
46 A third generic receptor, the facility worker (FW), is also considered in the DSA hazard evaluation. The FW is a
worker within a facility boundary and located less than 100 m from the release point. Atmospheric dispersion is not
considered for this worker.
47 DOE-STD-3009-2014 Section 3.2.4.2 does not specify the CW χ/Q value for elevated or buoyant releases. It does
allow a value other than 3.5E-03 s/m3, if technically justified. See Section 6.13 for more discussion and methods to
calculate an alternative value and for a justification of the 3.5E-03 s/m3 value.
Section 179
http://energy.gov/ehss/safety-software-quality-assurance-central-registry
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where a release is from a facility significantly smaller than that assumed in the default parameter (i.e.,
a 10-meter tall by 36-meter wide building), or if a building is not present, the default χ/Q value may
not provide a conservative estimate of dispersion.
MOI: A hypothetical individual representing the public, defined to allow dose comparison with an
EG for selection of SC controls described in Chapter 2. The MOI is located at the point of maximum
exposure on the DOE site boundary of the facility in question for a ground level release, or at some
farther distance if an elevated or buoyant radioactive plume produces a higher exposure (elevated
release) beyond the site boundary. Although this definition is specifically for radiological exposures, it
can be extended to toxic chemical exposures as well for selection of SS controls as described in
Chapter 10, Hazard Control Selection and Classification.
Per DOE-STD-3009, “the DOE site boundary is a geographic boundary within which public access is
controlled and activities are governed by DOE and its contractors, and not by local authorities. A public
road or waterway traversing a DOE site is considered to be within the DOE site boundary if DOE or the
site contractor has the capability to control, when necessary, the road or waterway during accident or
emergency conditions.”
Radiological exposure is treated differently than exposure to toxic chemical emissions. For radiological
exposures, the total time-integrated effective dose (primarily due to inhalation dose) is normally of
interest because it is bounding for most radionuclide releases. To be conservative, the receptor is
assumed to remain in the plume centerline during the entire period of plume passage, although
evaluations for mitigated analysis may consider engineered safety features and emergency management
dose-reduction measures (evacuation, sheltering) for the CW. For toxic chemical exposures, on the other
hand, a TWA, or peak concentration during some exposure period (such as 15 minutes) is normally of
greatest interest. This is addressed further in Chapter 9.
6.3 METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS AFFECTING DISPERSION
Once released into the atmosphere, radiological and toxic chemical emissions are transported in the
direction of the wind and diffused by atmospheric turbulence48 in the horizontal and vertical planes. This
atmospheric turbulence consists of random, chaotic air motion in the form of countless whirling eddies.
These eddies have a great range of size, from millimeters to tens or even hundreds of meters in diameter,
with the smaller eddies being embedded within the larger ones (Richardson, 1927). When a plume of
radiological or toxic chemical material is released into the atmosphere, the smaller eddies cause the
material to diffuse within the plume, while the larger ones cause the plume to meander, mostly in the
horizontal plane. These turbulent eddies are formed by surface frictional effects (mechanical turbulence)
and by vertical gradients in both the velocity and the temperature of the air (mechanical turbulence and
buoyancy), as discussed below.
A puff or plume that is released at the ground level grows vertically due to vertical diffusion. It reflects
vertically from the ground surface and from the top of the mixed layer, which act as vertical boundaries.
This is discussed more fully below.
Figure 6-1 displays the atmospheric and terrestrial processes determining the ultimate fate of a
radionuclide or chemical pollutant after it is released to the environment. These highly complex
Section 180
48 Molecular diffusion is much slower than turbulent diffusion in dispersing materials, and much smaller in scale,
and thus may be ignored.
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interactions of physical phenomena with underlying topography and foliar populations are extremely
difficult to describe mathematically. In order to approximate the effects of such phenomena, a Gaussian
plume model has found wide application.
Figure 6-1. Atmospheric and terrestrial processes involved in determining
the ultimate fate of a radionuclide or chemical pollutant.
The meteorological parameters affecting dispersion are discussed in the following subsections.
6.3.1 WIND SPEED, WIND DIRECTION, AND WIND DIRECTION STANDARD
DEVIATIONS
Wind velocity is a vector quantity, having both magnitude and direction. Its magnitude is the wind speed.
Variations in both magnitude and direction are important in dispersion.
6.3.1.1 WIND SPEED
The wind speed at the height of the release determines the travel time to reach a given downwind receptor
and the amount of initial dilution from the point of release. The greater the wind speed, the more
“stretched out” the plume will be and the more surrounding air will be mixed in. It is also a factor in
determining the magnitude of atmospheric stability, which is discussed below. Mechanical turbulence is
generated in the air when adjacent parcels of air move at different velocities, either at different speeds or
in different directions; this is termed wind shear. Thus, a change in wind speed with height above the
ground, or a variation in wind direction at different heights above the ground, causes mechanical
turbulence. Mechanical turbulence is also generated when air interacts with some fixed object, such as
the ground, described by roughness length, or with a building, described by aerodynamic effects (wake,
cavity).
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Short-lived radionuclides may decay appreciably if the transport time of the puff or plume to a receptor is
long. The horizontal wind speed used in Gaussian models is based on the average wind speed over a
selected time, usually fifteen minutes or one hour. Gaussian models are very conservative under light
wind speed conditions (<1 m/s) since such conditions are too variable to be accurately approximated by a
steady-state code. See Section 6.5.4.
6.3.1.2 WIND DIRECTION
The horizontal wind direction at the height of the release determines the initial direction of transport. The
horizontal wind direction used in Gaussian modeling is the average, or first moment, of a series of
“instantaneous” wind direction measurements. In meteorology, wind direction has traditionally been
defined as the direction from which the wind blows, which is of interest to weather forecasters. However,
most computer models for dispersion and consequence applications use wind direction to mean the
direction toward which the wind blows. For example, a SE wind (as termed by meteorologists) will
transport the plume to the NW. For a steady-state straight-line Gaussian model, once a plume segment is
released, its direction of transport typically remains the same in time and space, as do the wind speed,
turbulence intensities, and release rate. The MACCS2 code allows different segments to move in
different directions.
6.3.1.3 WIND DIRECTION STANDARD DEVIATIONS
Section 181
Atmospheric turbulence is directly related to the variability of the instantaneous wind speed and direction.
This variability is normally expressed in terms of the standard deviation of a series of “instantaneous”
wind direction measurements over a selected observation period, normally 15 minutes. The standard
deviation, or second moment, of the horizontal wind direction (σθ) is commonly used to type atmospheric
turbulence into stability classes. Some DOE sites also include the standard deviation of the vertical wind
component (σϕ) to type atmospheric turbulence, as discussed further in Section 6.4.2.2.
6.3.2 WIND SPEED PROFILE WITH HEIGHT
Wind speed varies with height in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL). It is often characterized with an
equation known as the wind profile power law, which is a relationship between the wind speed at one
height, and wind speed at another height. Winds generally increase with height as the frictional effects of
the Earth’s surface decrease as the distance from the surface increases. When the frictional effects of the
surface are no longer felt, the upper boundary of the PBL, and bottom of the free atmosphere, is reached
and the winds are termed geostrophic.
The wind profile of the PBL is generally logarithmic in nature (see PNNL-14584) and is best
approximated using the logarithmic wind profile equation that accounts for surface roughness and
atmospheric stability. However, the wind profile power law relationship is often used as a substitute for
the logarithmic wind profile when surface roughness or stability information is available. Figure 6-2
presents a simplified representation of the logarithmic wind profile in the PBL, showing how wind
speed increases with the height above the ground due to the reduction in the ground’s frictional effect
with height above the ground level.
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Figure 6-2. Logarithmic Wind Profile.
The wind profile power law relationship is described by:
u/ur = (z/zr)α Equation 6-2
where
u = wind speed (m/s) at height z (m);
ur = known wind speed at a reference height zr; and,
α = empirically derived coefficient that is dependent upon stability of the atmosphere. For
neutral stability conditions and a rural environment, α is approximately 1/7, or 0.143. For
urban environments it is somewhat larger (EPA, 2000).
6.3.3 MIXING LAYER HEIGHT
For an evaluation of χ/Q that includes reflections from the ground and the top of the mixing layer,
knowledge of the height of the top of the mixing layer at the site is required. Mixing height is the height
above which relatively vigorous vertical mixing essentially stops; the layer from the ground to mixing
height (mixing depth) is where vigorous vertical mixing occurs. Low mixing heights are related to a
meteorological circumstance where air is generally stagnant with very little vertical motion and where
radiological and toxic chemical emissions are usually trapped in a narrow layer near the ground surface.
Under very stable conditions (F or G stability), the temperature inversion that is common to this stability
class is typical of a low mixing height. Correspondingly, high mixing heights allow vigorous vertical
mixing within a deep layer of the atmosphere and accordingly a good dispersion capacity.
Section 182
Mixing heights can be used to estimate how far plumes rise in the vertical. The actual rise of a plume,
however, considers complex interactions between atmospheric stability, wind shear, and heat release rate,
density differences between the plume and ambient air, and radiant heat loss. Accordingly, an estimate of
mixing height provides only an initial estimate of plume height, but with respect to DSAs, it is sufficient.
Mixing height varies throughout the day and throughout the seasons, since it is directly related to the
amount of insolation that reaches the ground level. Mixing heights are usually lowest late at night or
early morning and highest during mid- to late-afternoon. Average morning mixing heights range from
H1
Height
H2
U1 U2
Wind Velocity
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300 m to over 900 m above ground level (EPA Publication No. AP-101) for many locations in the United
States. The highest morning mixing heights occur in coastal areas that are influenced by moist marine air
and cloudiness that inhibit radiation cooling at night. Average afternoon mixing heights are higher than
morning mixing heights and vary from less than 600 m to over 1400 m above ground level. The lowest
afternoon mixing heights occur during winter and along coastal locations. Mixing heights vary
considerably between locations and from day to day. Smoke Dispersion Prediction Systems (Ferguson,
2001) generated detailed maps and statistics of mixing heights in the United States that can be useful to
the analyst.
The actual magnitude of the mixing heights can be obtained from Rawinsonde balloon soundings or from
remote sensing techniques, such as sound detection and ranging (SODAR) and light detection and ranging
(LIDAR). These remote sensing systems are becoming more commonly used at DOE sites and provide
real-time data on the vertical structure of the atmosphere; whereas Rawinsonde data are discrete and
specific to the time of each balloon release; usually at 12-hour intervals and perhaps at distances far from
the DOE site. In the absence of such data, regional tables can be consulted, such as those in Mixing
Heights, Wind Speeds, and Potential for Urban Air Pollution throughout the Contiguous United States
(EPA Publication No. AP-101). Each DOE site needs to technically justify its selection of mixing layer
height in a dispersion modeling protocol (see Section 6.11).
6.3.4 VERTICAL TEMPERATURE PROFILES
Atmospheric turbulence can also be produced by temperature gradients, especially vertical temperature
gradients. The pressure of the atmosphere decreases with height. Therefore, when a parcel of air is
displaced vertically, it will expand if rising or contract if sinking to adjust its pressure to that of the
surrounding atmosphere. The expansion or contraction is accompanied by an adiabatic (no gain or loss of
heat) temperature change. Accordingly, as a parcel rises, it cools. If the surrounding air is warmer, the
parcel will be heavier than its surroundings and sink back toward its original position until it reaches
equilibrium. On the other hand, if the surrounding air is cooler, the parcel will be lighter and continue to
move upward and its vertical motion is enhanced. Similarly, if the air parcel sinks, it warms up as it
contracts. If the surrounding air is cooler, the parcel will be lighter and rise back toward its original
position until it reaches equilibrium. However, if the surrounding air is warmer, the parcel will be heavier
and continue to sink. Thus, turbulence is suppressed if the temperature profile of the air, termed the lapse
rate, is less than adiabatic (subadiabatic), and enhanced if greater than adiabatic (superadiabatic). The dry
adiabatic lapse rate near ground is about -9.8 °C/km (-5.4 °F/1,000 feet), while the moist adiabatic lapse
rate, which depends on temperature, is about -5.8 °C/km (-3.2 °F/1,000 feet); the difference is due to heat
required to overcome latent heat of the moisture in the air parcel (Wallace and Hobbs, 1977).
Section 183
The atmospheric layer near the ground is termed the mixed layer, as this is where atmospheric turbulence
is most common. During daylight, the ground heats up, warming the air near the surface through
convective eddy transport. The lapse rate near the surface thus becomes superadiabatic and positive
buoyancy forces enhance any existing mechanical turbulence caused by ground roughness or wind shear.
At night, the ground cools due to release of long-wave radiation, causing the air near the surface to cool,
and the lapse rate becomes subadiabatic and frequently inverted, suppressing much of the existing
mechanical turbulence. At greater heights, a few hundred to a few thousand meters in altitude, the lapse
rate may change. It is common for a turbulent lower atmosphere to be capped by a lapse rate that is
subadiabatic so that turbulent eddies rising from below are suppressed. Vertical plume expansion is thus
limited, reflecting off the top of the mixed layer, as well as off of the ground.
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6.3.5 PRECIPITATION
With regard to precipitation scavenging (rainout, snowout, hailout), the rate of precipitation is needed as
an input to models that address this atmospheric phenomenon. Rainout can cause major local deposition
of radionuclides leading to radioactive “hot spots” at locations that receive rainfall. However,
DOE-STD-3009-2014 does not require, nor does modeling code guidance recommend, the consideration
of precipitation scavenging in DSAs. If the analyst wants to include wet deposition, a dispersion
modeling protocol should be developed and approved as discussed in Section 6.11 below.
6.3.6 TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY
Temperature and relative humidity are not important parameters with respect to the calculation of
radiological consequences. However, it is quite important with respect to calculation consequences from
toxic chemical releases, which is addressed in Section 9.6.
6.4 GAUSSIAN PLUME MODEL FOR NEUTRALLY BUOYANT PLUMES
6.4.1 BASIC GAUSSIAN EQUATIONS
If pollutants are neutrally buoyant, as in the release of trace amounts of very fine particulates or gases,
plume dispersion approximates a Gaussian distribution in both the crosswind (lateral) and vertical
directions. As the plume moves downwind, it gets progressively larger and less concentrated. The
Gaussian approximation of atmospheric dispersion assumes that as a plume is transported downwind, its
horizontal expansion is essentially unlimited49. Vertical expansion is limited by the earth’s surface and
aloft under inversion conditions. The downward expansion of the plume stops at the ground, while
upward expansion may be stopped if there is a stable layer (a “cap”) at the top of the mixed layer. This
cap acts as a lid to rising “thermals” of air, thus restricting the range and magnitude of vertical turbulence.
The plume is often considered to “reflect” off both the ground and the top of the mixed layer, causing the
vertical profile to become increasingly uniform as the plume proceeds downwind. For low level mixing
heights, multiple reflections can occur from the ground and lid, especially for far-field receptors.
49 Horizontal, or lateral, plume expansion may be somewhat limited by physical barriers, such as buildings and
topographic obstacles, but these are normally treated as special cases. Vertical plume expansion is enhanced by
these barriers but can also be limited by mixing depth.
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Section 184
Figure 6-3 (Turner, 1994) illustrates the general shape of a Gaussian plume as released from a stack. The
coordinate system used in Gaussian equations is shown, in which x is defined as the downwind direction,
y is the horizontal cross-wind direction, z is vertical direction, and h is the height of release. The height of
the plume after release, or effective stack height, is H.50
Figure 6-3. Coordinate System of Gaussian Plume.
The amount of atmospheric dispersion is usually expressed in terms of normalized concentration, or χ/Q,
where:
χ = the concentration of the radionuclides or toxic chemical in air at some downwind (x, y, z)
location; this can be either the instantaneous concentration (e.g., Bq/m3 or mg/m3) or the
time-integrated concentration (e.g., Bq-s/m3 or mg-s/m3), and
Q = the constant rate of radionuclide or toxic chemical release (e.g., Bq/s or g/s), if χ is taken to
be the instantaneous concentration, or total source strength (e.g., Bq or g), if χ is taken to be
the time-integrated concentration.
The units of χ/Q are s/m3 whether the instantaneous or time-integrated releases are considered or whether
radioactive or toxic chemical releases are being evaluated. Thus, χ/Q is the concentration of the
radionuclides or toxic chemical in air at the receptor per unit source rate, or time-integrated concentration
per unit source release. The actual concentration of the radionuclides or toxic chemical in air (χ) at the
receptor is thus the product of χ/Q and the rate of release of the radionuclides or toxic chemical (Q), as
determined by the source term calculations from Chapter 5, Chapter 8, and Section 9.5 of this Handbook.
50 The symbol “H” in this figure is shown as “h” in the remainder of this chapter.
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When accounting for reflection off the ground, but not constrained by the top of the mixed layer, the
Gaussian plume model (Slade, 1968) is expressed as:
𝝌𝝌(𝒙𝒙,𝒚𝒚,𝒛𝒛,𝒉𝒉)
𝑸𝑸
= 𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝝈𝝈𝒚𝒚𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛
𝒆𝒆−𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝝈𝝈𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐� �𝒆𝒆−(𝒛𝒛−𝒉𝒉)𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐⁄ + 𝒆𝒆−(𝒛𝒛+𝒉𝒉)𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐⁄ � Equation 6-3
where
x = downwind distance of the receptor from the point of release (m),
y = horizontal cross wind distance of the receptor from the centerline of the plume (m),
z = distance of the receptor above the ground (m),
h = height of the plume centerline above the ground (m) (same as H in Figure 6-3),
σy = standard deviation of the horizontal Gaussian distribution (m) (converted from the “half
width” of a rectangular cross-section of a plume),
σz = standard deviation of the vertical Gaussian distribution (m) (converted from the “half
thickness” or “half depth” of a rectangular cross-section of a plume),
u = wind speed at a representative height (m/s).
With respect to ground-level releases, the analysis usually begins with the wind speed measured at a
height of 10-m, which is the lowest standard height for measuring wind speed (NRC, 2007). The
standard measurement height is the measurement level of winds at First-Order National Weather Service
stations and the lowest level of measurement at most DOE sites and commercial nuclear facilities. The
2π in this equation is implicit in a Gaussian distribution, in which the lateral (y) and vertical (z)
components each contribute (2π)½. Physically, the wind speed, u, represents the initial dilution of the
plume caused by the “stretching out” of the plume when it is released into clean air moving about the
release. Note that the downwind distance (x) does not appear explicitly in this equation. The x
dependence is implicit, as the σy and σz are functions of x only, for a given stability class. The choice of
what wind speed is input into Equation 6-3 for ground-level releases is discussed further in Section 6.5,
Characterization of Meteorological and Site Data.
Section 185
The bracketed term in Eq. 6-3 defines the vertical distribution. If the radionuclides or toxic chemicals are
reflected from the ground and from the top of the mixed layer, this term is to be modified. This is done
mathematically by adding multiple mirror source terms. The bracketed term in Eq. 6-3 thus is replaced
with:
�𝒆𝒆−(𝒛𝒛−𝒉𝒉)𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝒛𝒛
𝟐𝟐⁄ + 𝒆𝒆−(𝒛𝒛+𝒉𝒉)𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐⁄ + ∑ �𝒆𝒆−(𝒛𝒛−𝒉𝒉−𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐)𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐⁄ + 𝒆𝒆−(𝒛𝒛+𝒉𝒉−𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐)𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐⁄ +𝑵𝑵
𝒏𝒏=𝟏𝟏
𝒆𝒆−(𝒛𝒛−𝒉𝒉+𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐)𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐⁄ + 𝒆𝒆−(𝒛𝒛+𝒉𝒉+𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐)𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐⁄ �� Equation 6-4
The term before the summation in Eq. 6-4 is the ground reflection component since perfect reflection is
assumed. The series of terms after the summation represent multiple reflections from the top of the mixed
layer and the ground. L represents the height of the top of the mixed layer and the summation is over the
number (N) of reflections to be considered. The contribution of the summation term is a function of
distance from the source and mixing height. This contribution is generally minor, especially for distances
close to the source and for larger values of L. The higher-order terms contribute progressively less and
the series is normally terminated after only a few terms. For example, in the MACCS code (NUREG/CR-
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4691), the series is terminated at N = 5. As the plume travels and spreads, Equation 6-4 will eventually
result in a plume that is fully mixed vertically, between the ground and height L. In order to simplify the
computations, several codes switch from using an equation like 6-3 to using an expression that assumes a
vertically mixed plume. Detailed information on this transition for the codes that perform it are available
in the documentation for each code.
For a ground-level release (h = 0) when the receptor is at ground level (z = 0) (general assumption), the
first two exponential terms become equivalent as each of the z-h terms is equal to 1. In this case, the “2”
in the denominator of Eq. 6-3 cancels out with the “2” in the numerator, if the summation term is ignored,
as is often done in hand calculations and in some software codes.
The maximum concentration occurs on the plume centerline (y = 0). Thus, if the summation term is
ignored, the Gaussian equation simplifies to:
𝝌𝝌(𝒙𝒙,𝒚𝒚=𝟎𝟎,𝒛𝒛=𝟎𝟎,𝒉𝒉=𝟎𝟎)
𝑸𝑸
= 𝟏𝟏
𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝈𝝈𝒚𝒚𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛
Equation 6-5
If the summation term had not been ignored, the numerator in the above expression would have been
greater than one. The numerator in the above expression is slightly greater than one because of the
contribution of the summation term. Eq. 6-5, which is now only a function of downwind distance of the
receptor, is often used in hand calculations for the CW and MOI, as plume centerline represents a
conservative value.
6.4.2 GAUSSIAN PLUME WIDTHS AND DEPTHS
The horizontal and vertical spread of pollutants within a Gaussian plume is a function of the diffusion
parameters, σy and σz, respectively. As representations of plume boundary spread, σy and σz are often
referred to as the “half width” and “half thickness,” respectively.
Section 186
The most widely used sets of dispersion parameters are known as the Pasquill-Gifford curves (Pasquill,
1961; Gifford, 1961). These parameters have a varied basis. At shorter distances, some of the sigma-z
parameters are based on the results of field experiments known as Project Prairie Grass that were
performed on flat fields in Nebraska (Barad, 1958). Gifford adapted the original work by Pasquill and
published the curves in graphical form (Gifford, 1961). The curves can also be found in NRC Regulatory
Guide 1.145, and are shown in Figure 6-4. They are found in Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion
Estimates, An Introduction to Dispersion Modeling (Turner, 1994), Slade (1968), and Randerson (1984).
These curves became known as the Pasquill-Gifford (P-G) dispersion curves51, and the set of parameters
represented by them are the P-G dispersion parameters. In Figure 6-4, the curves beyond 1,000 m are
dashed because of lower confidence in those curves at the longer distances; Pasquill described some of
the curves beyond 1,000 m as being speculative extrapolations. For distances less than about 50 m, these
dispersion parameters did not provide a good fit to the observations. Moreover, building wake effects
further complicated near-field dispersion. This situation led to a lower confidence in curves below 100 m,
which is why the curves begin at 100-m. This limitation was a factor that influenced the choice of the
selected distance for evaluating the exposure to a CW as 100-m. NUREG-1140 provides some insight
into the decision to not use conventional Gaussian models at distances within 100 m.
51These curves are sometimes also referred to as the Pasquill-Gifford-Turner (P-G-T) curves, given their publication
by Turner in a workbook initially developed in 1970 for the EPA (current version is the 2nd edition, Turner 1994).
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Figure 6-4. Variations of Horizontal and Vertical Plume Dimensions with Distance.
The curve labels refer to atmospheric stability classes.
6.4.2.1 ATMOSPHERIC STABILITY CLASSES
Because atmospheric dispersion is so complex and turbulence is so random and chaotic, mathematical
descriptions of atmospheric phenomena are, in most cases, developed from empirical data. One method
defines distinct atmospheric stability classes and associates a magnitude of lateral and vertical diffusion
with each stability class as a function of downwind distance only. Although these computations provide
only a rough approximation to reality, they have proven extremely useful and are still in use, although
treatments that are more accurate are available. The most common measurements employed in typing
stability class are wind direction variability and vertical temperature gradients. The wind direction
variability provides the best approximation of the mechanical turbulence component and the vertical
temperature gradient provides the best approximation of the buoyancy component. The following
subsections provide some definitions associated with stability class and the methods to type it in order to
approximate the turbulence intensities that drive atmospheric diffusion. Schemes like that shown in
Figure 6-4 are then used with the stability class to determine σy, and σz as a function of downwind
distance. As seen in Figure 6-4, the σy, and σz curves are represented in graphical form. For
computational purposes, there is a need for curve-fits, of which several have been developed. This is
discussed further in Section 6.4.2.4.
Section 187
The rate at which turbulence diffuses radioactive and toxic chemical releases depends upon the stability
of the atmosphere. Seven distinct stability classes, namely, the Pasquill-Gifford-Turner (P-G-T) classes,
have been defined. These classes, with their relationship to measured temperature gradient, and the
conditions of occurrence, are defined below. The P-G curves use six stability classes (i.e., Classes A
through F), although some schemes for assigning stability class use a seventh stability class (i.e., Class
G). Therefore, from the results of the Project Prairie Grass atmospheric tracer tests, Pasquill and Gifford
developed an atmospheric dispersion stability class scheme that is still used today, which is similar to
Table II in Pasquill (1961).
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A: Extremely Unstable (strong superadiabatic). Normally occurs during bright sunshine with
relatively low wind speed (< 3 m/s).
B: Moderately Unstable (moderate superadiabatic). Normally occurs during conditions that range
from bright sunshine, with wind speeds in the 3 to 5 m/s range, to dim sunshine, with wind speeds
< 2 m/s.
C: Slightly Unstable (slight superadiabatic). Normally occurs during conditions that range from
bright sunshine with wind speeds in the 5 to 6 m/s range, to dim sunshine with wind speed in the
2 to 3 m/s range.
D: Neutral (adiabatic). Normally occurs with moderate to dim sunshine, cloudy conditions, and at
night, with wind speeds > 3 m/s. It also occurs with very strong wind speeds on either sunny or
cloudy days. It usually is the most frequent of the stability classes.
E: Slightly Stable (slight subadiabatic with or without inversion). Normally occurs at night or early
morning with some cloud cover and with wind speeds in 2 to 5 m/s range.
F: Moderately Stable (moderate subadiabatic with inversion). Normally occurs at night or early
morning with little cloud cover and with relatively low wind speeds (< 3 m/s).
G: Extremely Stable (strong subadiabatic with inversion)52. Normally occurs at night or early
morning with very light to nearly zero wind speed (calm wind conditions).
The G stability class, as well as the F stability class, is associated with inversion breakup fumigation
conditions, occurring in early morning, in which an elevated plume is rapidly forced to the ground. Due
to the stable conditions (slow lateral and vertical diffusion) and the low wind speed (slow dilution), the
plume concentrations from an elevated release are rapidly brought to the ground can be high. Fumigation
represents the worst case scenario for near-field immersion doses associated with elevated releases.
Unstable conditions result in rapid-spreading lateral and vertical diffusion of pollutants (wide plumes),
whereas stable conditions result in slow-spreading lateral and vertical diffusion (narrow plumes).
Although Class A stability is not rare, it is not as common as Classes B through F. Class D is the most
common stability class because of the large number of combinations of meteorological conditions that can
result in Class D stability. For example, high-wind conditions and/or cloudy conditions during the day or
at night are normally Class D. During periods of extended rainfall and overcast conditions, as many as
100 consecutive hours of Class D stability have been recorded. Classes E and F most commonly occur at
night. Class G is less common and it is often ignored in computer models based on the Gaussian
equations.
Section 188
6.4.2.2 METHODS OF CALCULATING STABILITY CLASSES
Many schemes have been proposed for determining stability class from measured meteorological
parameters. The conditions listed above are dependent on wind speed and amount of incoming solar
radiation, the latter a function of opaque cloud cover. These stability class definitions are not practical for
many DOE sites because the amount of opaque cloud cover is a visually observed condition and not
normally recorded by automated weather instrumentation. In addition, opaque cloud cover is somewhat
52 The NRC uses class G in licensing all civilian nuclear power plants. In the RSAC code used at Idaho National
Laboratory, an additional class, referred to as “class F fumigation”, is introduced. It is similar to class G but in the
RSAC code is distinct from class G. Hotspot and GENII both include class G stability.
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subjective, varying from observer to observer. Alternative methods have therefore been developed based
on measured data.
Several methods exist to convert measured or observed meteorological data into atmospheric stability
class data. Two methods are recommended given their regulatory support by the NRC and U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their use across DOE sites based on available
meteorological data. Note that the NRC guidance for stability classification extends the original P-G
scheme by subdividing P-G class F to create a seventh stability class (class G) for extremely stable
condition. In contrast, the EPA guidance combines classes F and G into a single class F. The implications
for atmospheric transport and diffusion modeling are addressed below.
The method that is prescribed by the NRC for supporting licensing of nuclear power plants makes use of
measurements of vertical temperature difference (∆Tz) to determine atmospheric stability as shown in
Table 6-1 (NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145). In this method, ∆Tz is expressed in terms of the vertical
temperature difference over a 100-meter layer of the atmosphere (termed ∆T100m), with the lowest
measurement 10-m above the ground. ∆T100m is determined by doubling the difference in temperature
measurements over a 50-meter layer at 60 m and 10 m, which are common temperature measurement
heights at DOE sites, or by normalizing the difference to a 100-meter depth if the lower height is not 10m.
Table 6-1. Classification of Atmospheric Stability
Based on Vertical Temperature Difference.
Stability Classification Stability
Class
Ambient Temperature Change with
Height (°C/100 m)
Extremely unstable A ∆T100m ≤ -1.9
Moderately unstable B -1.9 <∆T100m ≤ -1.7
Slightly unstable C -1.7 <∆T100m ≤ -1.5
Neutral D -1.5 < ∆T100m ≤ -0.5
Slightly stable E -0.5 < ∆T100m ≤ 1.5
Moderately stable F 1.5 < ∆T100m ≤ 4.0
Extremely stable G ∆T100m > 4.0
Example: If the temperature at 10 m was 10°C and at 60 m it was 9.5°C, the temperature difference would
be -0.5°C/50 m (∆T100m = -1.0°C/100 m); a stability Class D.
DOE site meteorologists have observed that turbulence typing based on PBL temperature gradients tend
to produce a distribution of stability categories that is more skewed toward the strongly stable (F and G)
and strongly unstable (A and B) categories; especially if the upper measurement level is much lower than
60 m.
Section 189
A method recommended by EPA calculates the stability in a two-step process based on turbulence
measurements. The first step makes an initial estimate and the second makes a correction to the initial
estimate. The initial categorization is based on the standard deviation of wind direction fluctuation in the
azimuth (horizontal) plane (σθ) as shown in Table 6-2 (EPA-450/4-87-013).
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Table 6-2. Initial Estimates of Stability Class, EPA Method.
Stability
Class
Standard Deviation of
Wind Direction, σθ
A 22.5° ≤ σθ
B 17.5° ≤ σθ < 22.5°
C 12.5° ≤ σθ < 17.5°
D 7.5° ≤ σθ < 12.5°
E 3.8° ≤ σθ < 7.5°
F σθ < 3.8°
The final categorization is then made by combining this initial estimate with the wind speed and time of day,
specifically whether it is “day” or “night”, as shown in Table 6-3. “Day” is defined here as being the period
between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. The remainder of the time is defined as
“night.”53 The measurement height of the standard deviation of wind direction should be at the 10-m
level.
53 For some DOE sites that are located nearby large bodies of water and subject to sea breezes and lake breezes (such as
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory), it may be necessary to adjust the definition of “day”
to account for the later onset of more stable conditions during morning and afternoon lake breeze and sea breeze
conditions.
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Table 6-3. Final Estimates of Stability Class, EPA Method.
Time of Day Initial P-G Stability
Class Estimate
Wind Speed Range,
WS (m/s)
Final P-G
Stability Class
Daytime
A
WS < 3 A
3 ≤ WS < 4 B
4 ≤ WS < 6 C
6 ≤ WS D
B
WS < 4 B
4 ≤ WS < 6 C
6 ≤ WS D
C
WS < 6 C
6 ≤ WS D
D, E, or F ANY WS D
Nighttime
A
WS < 2.9 F
2.9 ≤ WS < 3.6 E
3.6 ≤ WS D
B
WS < 2.4 F
2.4 ≤ WS < 3.0 E
3.0 ≤ WS D
C WS < 2.4 E
2.4 ≤ WS D
D ANY D
E
WS < 5.0 E
5.0 ≤ WS D
F
WS < 3.0 F
3.0 ≤ WS < 5.0 E
5.0 ≤ WS D
Example: If the value of σθ was measured to be 3.0° azimuth, the initial classification would be
Class F. Then if the wind speed was measured to be 4.0 m/s and it was nighttime, the final stability
class would be Class E.
6.4.2.3 ADDITIONAL STABILITY CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUES
Two additional methodologies are occasionally used: (1) the σE-σA method; and, (2) the SRDT method.
The σE-σA Classification Method is based on the direct measurement using three-dimensional mechanical or
sonic anemometers of either the horizontal wind fluctuation, or azimuth angle (σA) or vertical wind
fluctuation, or elevation angle (σE). The initial estimates for both the σE and σA methods, based on the
standard deviation of turbulence measurements are shown in Table 6-4, EPA-454/R-99-005,
Meteorological Monitoring Guidance for Regulatory Modeling Applications (EPA, 2000).
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Table 6-4. Initial Estimates of Stability Class Based on Elevation Angle
and Azimuth Angle Turbulence Measurements (EPA-454/R-99-005).
P-G
Stability
Class
Standard Deviation of Horizontal
Wind Fluctuation (σE)
Standard Deviation of Vertical
Wind Fluctuation (σA)
A 11.5° ≤ σE 22.5° ≤ σA
B 10.0° ≤ σE < 11.5° 17.5° ≤ σA < 22.5°
C 7.8° ≤ σE < 10.0° 12.5° ≤ σA < 17.5°
D 5.0° ≤ σE < 7.8° 7.5° ≤ σA < 12.5°
E 2.4° ≤ σE < 5.0° 3.8° ≤ σA < 7.5°
F σE < 2.4° σA < 3.8°
Section 190
In addition, EPA-454/R-99-005 recommends two possible additional adjustments to the σE-σA method
since the turbulence typing criteria are based on measurements at the standard height (Z) of 10 m and for
locations with a terrain roughness length (zo) of 15 cm. For sites with rougher terrain and/or measurement
heights different from 10 m, the category boundaries should be adjusted by wind speed measurement
height and terrain roughness factors:
Measurement Height Adjustment Factor = (Z/10)p Equation 6-6
The exponent p is a function of P-G stability class and has different values for the σE and σA methods as
shown in Table 6-5.
Table 6-5. Measurement Height Adjustment Factor
for σE and σA Methods as a Function of Stability Class.
P-G Stability Class σE Method p-value σA Method p-value
A 0.02 -0.06
B 0.04 -0.15
C 0.01 -0.17
D -0.14 -0.23
E -0.31 -0.38
Roughness Adjustment Factor = (z0/15)0.2 Equation 6-7
The SRDT Method involves the use of total solar radiation and surface wind speed data during the day to
determine atmospheric stability. During the night, ∆Tz data and surface wind speed data are used (EPA-
454/R-99-005). In this method, the wind speed is measured at or near the 10-m level or adjusted to this
reference height. The SRDT method is outlined in Table 6-6 (EPA-454/R-99-005).
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Table 6-6. Classification of Atmospheric Stability Based on SRDT Method.
DAYTIME
Wind Speed
(m/s)
Solar Radiation (W/m2)
≥ 925 925 - 675 675 - 175 < 175
< 2 A A B D
2 - 3 A B C D
3 - 5 B B C D
5 - 6 C C D D
≥ 6 C D D D
NIGHTTIME
Wind Speed
(m/s)
Vertical Temperature Gradient
< 0 ≥ 0
< 2.0 E F
2.0 - 2.5 D E
≥ 2.5 D D
6.4.2.4 METHODS OF CALCULATING PLUME WIDTH AND PLUME THICKNESS
Once the stability class has been determined for a given weather condition, the plume widths and depths
(σy and σz) are estimated in order to calculate χ/Q. This is needed for each hour of the year for five years
or more, to be compliant with DOE-STD-3009-2014. Depending on completeness of the data record,
consecutive years of recent meteorological data is preferred (EPA, 2000). Data is also needed for selected
distances from the point of release, out to the MOI, or beyond if the plume is lofted. The calculational
method is chosen depending on distance and terrain roughness.
Example: If the stability class is determined to be Class E, and the Tadmor-Gur method is chosen, the
values of σy and σz at 1,000 m would be calculated from σ = a xb, where ay = 0.1046, by = 0.9031, az =
0.4, and bz = 0.6021. This gives σy = 0.1046×10000.9031 = 53.6 m and σz = 0.4×10000.6021 = 25.6 m. The
width (σy) is then adjusted by the plume meander factor and the depth (σz) by the surface roughness
factor. For a one hour plume duration and a 10-minute time base, the plume meander factor would be
(60 min/10 min)0.2 = 1.43, yielding σy = 76.7 m. For a surface roughness of 100 cm (such as in a
forested region), the roughness factor would be 2.02, yielding σz = 51.7 m.
Calculations such as in this example, are performed within the various dispersion codes, such as
MACCS2 (discussed in Section 6.9.1). They can also be calculated manually using a spreadsheet but this
is normally done only for spot checking and scoping calculations.
Section 191
Numerous methods of calculating plume dimensions for the different stability classes have been
developed over the past 60 years. Many of these schemes attempt to determine the magnitude of
atmospheric dispersion by relating σy and σz to stability classes, based on curve fitting of data that were
taken during tracer experiments over flat grassland (Barad, 1958), and downwind distance.
One commonly used curve-fitting method is that of Analytical Expressions for the Vertical and Lateral
Dispersion Coefficients in Atmospheric Diffusion (Tadmor and Gur, 1969), in which each σ value is
expressed as a power law:
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σ = a xb Equation 6-8
where a and b are empirical constants, given in Table 6-7 (ay and by for horizontal, and az and bz for
vertical), as used in the MACCS2 code, with the Tadmor-Gur typographical errors corrected (see
Dobbins, 1979); the units of x and σ are in meters. There are two sets of vertical diffusion values as they
depend on distance from the source.54
Example: For stability class D and a distance of 1 km (1000 m), the Tadmor-Gur formulation gives
σy = 0.1474 × 10000.9031 = 75.5 m and σz = 0.3 × 10000.6532-= 27.3 m.
A power law expression, when graphed on logarithmic coordinates, appears to be linear. Examination of
the Pasquill-Gifford curves reveals that σy can be described by a power law, but σz cannot. Tadmor and
Gur attempted to address this difficulty by performing different power law fits over different ranges of
distance. It should be noted that Tadmor and Gur did not specify constants that are appropriate at
distances less than 500 m. However, Eimutis and Konicek (1972) determined that a curve-fit with better
fidelity to the Pasquill-Gifford σz can be achieved with a third fitted constant.
54 In some formulations, a third empirical constant, c, is added (as in Eq. 6-9) but in MACCS2, the c term of σz has
been set to zero for mathematical convenience, which has required an adjustment to the values of a and b.
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Table 6-7. Fitting Constants for σy and σz from Tadmor and Gur.
Stability
Class
σy σz (0.5 to 5 km) σz (5 to 50 km)
ay by az bz az bz
A 0.3658 0.9031 2.5E-04 2.1250 NA* NA*
B 0.2751 0.9031 1.9E-03 1.6021 NA* NA*
C 0.2089 0.9031 0.2 0.8543 0.5742 0.7160
D 0.1474 0.9031 0.3 0.6532 0.9605 0.5409
E 0.1046 0.9031 0.4 0.6021 2.1250 0.3979
F 0.0722 0.9031 0.2 0.6020 2.1820 0.3310
* NA - Not available. Power-law constants for stability class C are applied, per recommendation
of the MACCS2 code developer (DOE, 2004a).
Eimutis and Konicek adopted three sets of power-law expressions to cover three downwind distance
regimes: (i) < 100 m, (ii) 100 m to 1000 m, and (iii) > 1000 m (Eimutis and Konicek, 1972). This
parameterization is widely used in NRC dispersion models.
σj = aj ⋅ xbj + cj Equation 6-9
For j = y (horizontal), by = 0.9031 and cy = 0. The other constants aj, bj, and cj are given in Table 6-8; az,
bz, and cz are with respect to the vertical. Note that in the Table 6-8, typographical errors in Eimutis and
Konicek have been corrected.
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Table 6-8. Fitting Constants for σy and σz
(from Eimutis and Konicek, 1972).
ATMOSPHERIC STABILITY CLASS
Distance A B C D E F G
ay all 0.3658 0.2751 0.2089 0.1471 0.1046 0.0722 0.0481
az
< 100 m 0.192 0.156 0.116 0.079 0.063 0.053 0.032
100 to 1000 m 0.00066 0.0382 0.113 0.222 0.211 0.086 0.052
>1000 m 0.00024 0.055 0.113 1.26 6.73 18.05 10.83
Section 192
bz
< 100 m 0.936 0.922 0.905 0.881 0.871 0.814 0.814
100 to 1000 m 1.941 1.149 0.911 0.725 0.678 0.74 0.74
>1000 m 2.094 1.098 0.911 0.516 0.305 0.18 0.18
cz
< 100 m 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
100 to 1000 m 9.27 3.3 0.0 -1.7 -1.3 -0.35 -0.21
>1000 m -9.6 2.0 0.0 -13.0 -34.0 -48.6 -29.2
Example: For stability class D and a distance of 1000 m, the Eimutis-Konicek formulation gives
σy = 0.1471 × 10000.9031 = 75.5 m and σz = 0.222 × 10000.725
– 1.7 = 31.5 m.
In addition to the Pasquill-Gifford curves, there are two other sources of atmospheric dispersion
parameters available in some DOE Toolbox codes from Diffusion Estimates for Small Emissions (Briggs,
1973; as updated in Griffiths, 1994): (1) Briggs open-country curves; and,(2) Briggs urban curves. Just
like the Pasquill-Gifford curves, the open-country curves are applicable to rural conditions. The Briggs
urban curves are based on additional data from an atmospheric dispersion experiment in St. Louis (Hanna,
1982). In the Briggs expressions each σ is expressed as:
σ = a x (1 + bx) c Equation 6-10
where a, b, and c are constants, given in Table 6-9. Note that the Briggs-urban curves are not correct for
rough rural conditions because of the lack of urban thermal effects on the scale of a large city.
Example: For stability class D, open country, and a distance of 1000 m, the Briggs formulation gives
σy = 0.08 × 1000 × (1 + 0.0001×1000) ½ = 76.3 m; and,
σz = 0.06 × 1000 × (1 + 0.0015×1000) ½ = 37.9 m.
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Table 6-9. Fitting Constants for σy and σz from Briggs.
Curve
Fitting
Constant
ATMOSPHERIC STABILITY CLASS
A B C D E F
Open-Country Conditions
ay 0.22 0.16 0.11 0.08 0.06 0.04
az 0.20 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.03 0.016
by 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.00001 0.0001
bz 0 0 0.0002 0.0015 0.0003 0.0003
cy -0.5 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5
cz 1 1 -0.5 -0.5 -1 -1
Urban Conditions
ay 0.32 0.32 0.22 0.16 0.11 0.11
az 0.24 0.24 0.20 0.14 0.08 0.08
by 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004
bz 0.001 0.001 0 0.0003 0.0015 0.0015
cy -0.5 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5
cz 0.5 0.5 1 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5
Note: An incorrect bz value of 0.00015 has been presented in many references in the literature for the
stability classes E and F urban dispersion parameter equations, based on conversion of half-widths and
half-depths of a rectangular plume with uniform concentration in the original Briggs, 1973 reference to
lateral and vertical standard deviations of the Gaussian plume. Table 6-9 shows the correct value, 0.0015,
as reported in Griffiths, 1994.
The Tadmor-Gur and Briggs Open-Country formulations give results that are nearly the same for some
distance ranges and stability classes. However, they may differ by a factor of two or more for other
distance ranges and stability classes. The fitting constants given in the above tables, and in other
Gaussian models, are based on fitting curves to observational data of plumes released over flat grassland.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) evaluated the various sets of dispersion parameters
available with MACCS2 and GENII2 for rural terrain (Napier et al., 2011). Even though the evaluation
was performed for Savannah River Site (SRS) morphology, the general conclusions summarized below
are expected to be applicable to other DOE sites.
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1. The Tadmor and Gur formulation is not recommended for distances less than 500 m. If
Section 193
deposition is included, the results may be invalid, even for receptors beyond 500 m.
2. Except for the Tadmor and Gur set of χ/Q results for less than 500 m, the other parameterizations
yield χ/Q results that are essentially indistinguishable in the distances of interest (500 m to about
11 km) at the SRS site.
3. The χ/Q results from the Briggs Open-Country parameterization begin to diverge from the χ/Q
results using the various P-G parameterizations at distances of about 10 km.
4. Beyond 10 km, the Briggs Open-Country χ/Q results are conservative and even more so for E and
F stability classes (see Figure A-3 of Napier et al., 2011). The Briggs parameterization is
universally available with the radiological dispersion toolbox codes and the only available option
with the HotSpot code, and,
5. The χ/Q results from P-G parameterizations agree with one another out to the plotted distance of
30 km (see Figure A-3 of Napier et al., 2011).
It is not surprising that the χ/Q results from the P-G parameterizations agree with one another (except for
Tadmor and Gur results for less than 500 m) for the entire range of distances given their common origin
of the P-G curves and the Project Prairie Grass tracer data. Moreover, the divergence of the Briggs χ/Q
results at distances beyond about 10 km should not invalidate its use at these large distances. The
divergence seems to simply reflect the empirical foundation of a larger data set that includes data out to
10 km, compared to 1 km for the P-G data set.
Because the Briggs open-country dispersion parameters are partially based on elevated release data
acquired at BNL, consideration may be given to using these for atmospheric dispersion modeling of stack
releases. The SRS AXAIR code (AXAIR, 1986) uses the Briggs expressions for σz, since these
expressions were considered more appropriate for stack releases that were common at SRS at the time of
its development (Simpkins, 1994; Napier et al., 2011). Another example is the RISKIND code (Yuan,
1993), designed for potential radiological consequences from transport of spent nuclear fuel. It uses the
Eimutis and Konicek dispersion parameters if the effective release height is less than or equal to 30 m and
the Briggs dispersion parameters for higher elevated releases.
To more accurately predict atmospheric dispersion for specific conditions that differ from those
represented by the P-G and Briggs open country parameterizations, adjustment factors have been
developed to capture enhanced plume spread acting independently in a single direction, such as
horizontally for plume meander and vertically for mechanical turbulence caused by surface roughness.
These adjustment factors are discussed in Sections 6.8.1 and 6.8.2. Additionally, wakes caused by
aerodynamic effects of the building introduce enhanced dispersion in the horizontal and vertical
directions. Building wake dispersion and related modeling approaches are discussed in more detail in
Section 6.8.3.
If the nature of radiological and toxic chemical releases makes them neutrally buoyant, as in the release of
trace amounts of very fine particulates or of gases that have a molecular weight similar to that of air
(28.97 g/mole), plume dispersion approximates a Gaussian distribution in both the crosswind (lateral) and
vertical directions.
For continuous releases, the magnitude of the downwind diffusion (σx) is negligible in comparison with
the speed of the wind. However, if the release is of short duration (a puff) the mean wind speed only acts
as a transport agent and the turbulent diffusion in the downwind direction becomes meaningful.
Section 194
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Accordingly, a puff release is described by Gaussian equations in all three dimensions whereas a
continuous release is described by Gaussian equations in two dimensions (width and thickness) and a
length determined by wind speed and release duration. For a puff release, it is assumed that σx=σy.
For stability class G, NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145, Atmospheric Dispersion Models for Potential
Accident Consequence Assessments at Nuclear Power Plants, recommends using a σy value that is 2/3
that of stability class F and a σz value that is 3/5 that of stability class F. With plume meander and
building wake effects this NRC guidance recommends correction factors to σy for classes D – G,
especially for low wind speeds. For example, for Class G the correction factor varies from a factor of six
for wind speeds less than 2 m/s, down to a factor of one (no correction) for wind speeds of 6 m/s and
above.
6.5 CHARACTERIZATION OF METEOROLOGICAL AND SITE DATA
The application domain that atmospheric dispersion codes approximate establishes the types of
meteorological data needed to drive such codes. The choice of code that the analyst uses to solve a
particular application may be limited by the availability and fidelity of meteorological data. This
subsection gives a brief discussion of various meteorological data sets often used as input to atmospheric
dispersion codes.
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2 provides three options for selecting atmospheric dispersion
methodology and the resulting χ/Q and gives the following guidance for development of meteorological
data:
In the case of Option 1, follow the meteorological data guidance within NRC Regulatory Guide 1.23
Revision 1, Meteorological Monitoring Programs for Nuclear Power Plants. For Options 2 and 3, the
guidance in both Regulatory Guide 1.23 and in EPA-454/R-99-005, Meteorological Monitoring
Guidance for Regulatory Modeling Applications, are acceptable means of generating the
meteorological data upon which atmospheric dispersion is to be based. These two guidance
documents should be evaluated for their applicability to the site or facility being evaluated. In the
development of the meteorological database for Option 3, the impact of local surface roughness on the
data may have to be considered.
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2 also provides the following guidance for determination of the
Offsite χ/Q, as follows:
Regarding Option 2, DOE-approved, code-specific guidance for each toolbox code should be
consulted. This is especially true with respect to developing χ/Q values using atmospheric dispersion
models. Many of these toolbox codes allow for setting a specific parameter within the calculations.
These parameter choices may either use the conservative parameters and options established in this
section (Option 2) or reflect site-specific conditions to more accurately represent the accident scenario
(Option 3). The parameter choices presented for use in Option 2 are given to provide a simple method
for determining an appropriate χ/Q value, and the level of overall conservatism established is not
reflective of what is required via the other acceptable options.
For codes that do not contain fixed values or calculate the parameters internally, DOE-STD-3009-2014
requires the following parameters be used for ensuring conservative calculation of offsite doses in
accordance with Option 2:
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Section 195
• Non-buoyant, ground level, point source release;
• Plume centerline concentrations for calculation of dose consequences;
• Rural dispersion coefficients;
• A deposition velocity of 0.1 cm/sec for unfiltered release of particles (1-10 µm AED), 0.01
cm/sec for filtered particles, or 0 cm/sec for tritium and noble gases;
• A surface roughness of 3 cm;
• A minimum wind speed of 1 m/s;
• Plume meander may be used, consistent with the accident release duration and the
appropriate code guidance; and
• Building wake factors should not be credited in the plume dispersion, outside of those
already incorporated into plume meander.
The purpose of the required parameters for Option 2 is to produce conservative χ/Q values. Codes that
use values more conservative than the required parameter values are acceptable. For example, if a
dispersion code uses a minimum wind speed of 0.5 m/s rather than 1.0 m/s, this would result in a χ/Q
value that is more conservative than if 1.0 m/s were used. Also, “Codes that do not contain fixed values
or calculate the parameters internally” should be interpreted to mean codes that allow for the input of
parameters that are less conservative to be set to values provided. Some dispersion codes allow for the
adjustment of parameters, such as deposition velocity or surface roughness, to values less than the
required parameter values.
The wind speed in meteorological data files is generally assumed to correspond to a reference height of
10 m and represents conditions at a height of 10 m and below. The various toolbox models treat the wind
speed variability differently, as follows:
• Meteorological data read into the MACCS2 radiological dispersion software are assumed to
correspond to a reference height of 10 m. MACCS2 does not adjust the wind speed used in the
Gaussian plume equation for the height of release.55 Thus, wind speed data in the meteorological
data files are input directly into Gaussian plume model equation. The use of the 10-m wind speed
is conservative in the calculation of the χ/Q value for an elevated release;
• Meteorological data read into the GENII radiological dispersion software are assumed to
correspond to a reference height of 10 m. Wind speed data in the meteorological data files are
input directly into the Gaussian plume model equation for release heights of less than 12 m. For
releases of higher elevation, the wind profile power law is used to upwardly adjust the wind
speed;
• The user specifies the reference height for the meteorological data with HotSpot. With HotSpot
designed to read meteorological data files that are formatted for MACCS2, the reference height is
10 m. HotSpot adjusts the wind speed for any release height that differs from the reference
height. For release heights of 2 m or less, the wind speed is calculated from the wind profile
power law using a 2-m height. The user can disable the wind speed adjustment by specifying a
reference height of 2 m for the meteorological data (Homann, 2010). This allows HotSpot to
model a ground-level release using the wind speed data directly from the meteorological data files
in a way consistent with MACCS2 and GENII (Homann, 2010).
55 The algorithm in MACCS2 for determining the plume rise of a buoyant release does make use of wind speed
correction with height, but this is the only place where MACCS2 accounts for wind speed variability with height.
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6.5.1 PERSISTENCE
Section 196
The simplest models assume that constant weather conditions prevail during the accident duration,
whether unfavorable conditions or typical conditions. DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2 states that if
representative meteorological data are not available, stability Class F and 1.0 m/s wind speed may be used
for unfavorable radiological dispersion consistent with NRC’s and DOE’s long-standing practice as this
approximates the 95th percentile atmospheric dispersion condition. For perspective, Class D stability and
4.5 m/s wind speed are used for “typical” conditions.
The choice of wind speed depends on the guidance document being followed. For sites in valleys where a
high frequency of low wind speeds occur (such as Y-12), Class F stability and wind speeds less than 1.0
m/s may possibly apply. For many simple models, a meteorological data couplet of wind speed and
stability class and the distance to the receptor are the only inputs that are needed, as the release rate and
atmospheric conditions are time-invariant in Gaussian models. 56
6.5.2 JOINT FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION (JFD)
The JFD required by many atmospheric dispersion codes is the joint distribution of wind speed according
to wind direction and stability class. The JFD is organized into a matrix that gives the percent of the time
of each condition for specified numbers of wind speed groups and stability class for each of the 16 wind
direction sectors (N, NNE, NE, … NNW).
This distribution is based on an extended period of meteorological observations, five or more years if
available, in order to establish temporal representativeness since there are climate variations. DOE-STD-
3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2 requires that “For the calculation of offsite doses, five years of representative,
recent meteorological data shall be used as input to the dispersion model”, and within the past 10 years is
considered to be “recent” as used in this context. The larger number of years smooths out the decadal
climatic variations. Temporal representativeness simply means that the data base is sufficiently large to
have captured a reasonable number of climatic anomalies such that an additional year of data will not
substantively affect radiological and toxic chemical consequence calculations.
The wind speed data are sorted into bins, such as 0 - 1 m/s, 1 - 2 m/s, 2 - 4 m/s, as shown in Table 1 of
ANSI/ANS-3.11-2015, Determining Meteorological Information for Nuclear Facilities. Since calm wind
speeds cannot be used in a Gaussian plume model, the calms are redistributed into the lowest wind speed
class based on the frequency of wind directions in the lowest two wind speed classes. The choice of bins
may be dictated by the code but for some codes (such as GENII) the user chooses the number of wind
speed bins and the ranges of these bins. These would depend upon the wind conditions at the DOE site.
The number of frequency bins in this matrix can reach several hundred. For example, if six stability
classes (A–F) and six wind speed bins are chosen, the total number of frequencies would be 6 × 6 × 16 =
576. However, not all bins will be populated as stronger winds cannot simultaneously occur with Class A
and Class F stability class conditions.
A utility computer program is usually needed to generate a JFD, especially if several years of hourly
observations are being used. When a JFD matrix is being generated, the definition of wind direction used
in the code should be kept in mind. In meteorology, wind direction has traditionally been defined as the
direction from which the wind blows, which is of interest to weather forecasters. However, most
Section 197
56 An exception is that for the MACCS2 code, although a Gaussian model, the release is broken into one-hour
segments. Each segment is calculated using the stability class and wind velocity at the time the segment is released.
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computer models for atmospheric dispersion and consequence applications, such as those in the DOE
Central Registry, use wind direction to mean the direction toward which the wind blows. The downwind
(transport) direction is always 180 degrees out of phase with the direction that a meteorologist uses.
Thus, the analyst should be aware the wind direction-sector orientation of the particular code being
applied.
6.5.3 FULL DATA SET SAMPLING
An alternative to a JFD matrix that is used by MACCS2 and HotSpot is to use the data from all 8760
hours in a year, rather than discrete JFD matrix entries, to achieve the maximum temporal
representativeness and therefore highest accuracy in calculating the overall site 95th percentile
consequences or the sector-dependent 99.5th percentile consequences.
6.5.4 TREATMENT OF CALM AND VARIABLE WINDS
Industry practice for treatment of calm winds is that wind speeds that are below the threshold wind speed
of the mechanical or sonic anemometer are generally set equal to the rated threshold wind speed or wind
direction of a mechanical or sonic anemometer, whichever is lower. The threshold wind speed of a
mechanical anemometer and wind direction mechanical vane is generally 1.0 mph (0.5 m/s). Sonic
anemometers have somewhat lower threshold wind speed and wind direction capabilities and thus can
measure even lower wind speeds; inferring wind speed from differences in the speed of sound and
generally have a threshold wind speed of 0.6 mph (0.3 m/s).
However, the capability to monitor wind speed to extremely low levels is not the only consideration
relative to the treatment of calm wind speeds in plume modeling, as the application domain limitations of
the steady-state Gaussian plume model needs to also be taken into account.
• ANSI/ANS-3.11-2015, Determining Meteorological Information at Nuclear Facilities, defines a
calm as, “any wind speed below the starting threshold of the wind speed or direction sensor; or
any wind speed below that which is appropriate for input into plume models, whichever is
greater. In the US, a calm wind is defined as any speed less than 1 mph” (0.5 m/s).
• EPA-454/R-99-005, Meteorological Monitoring Guidance for Regulatory Modeling Applications,
Section 6.2.3 defines calm as “when the wind speed is below the starting threshold of the
anemometer or vane, whichever is greater,” but also states that, “…for site-specific monitoring …
a calm occurs when the wind speed is below 0.5 m/s”. EPA then recommends “to avoid
unrealistically high concentration estimates at low wind speeds (below the values used in
validations of these models - about 1 m/s) EPA recommends that wind speeds less than 1 m/s be
reset to 1 m/s for use in steady-state dispersion models.”
Section 198
The Technical Report for Calculations of Atmospheric Dispersion at Onsite Locations for DOE Facilities
(DOE/ONS, 2015), cautions on the limitations of steady-state Gaussian dispersion modeling, as this type
of model has the tendency to overpredict concentrations at the lower end of a range of conservative wind
speeds; especially calm wind speeds. This is illustrated in Figure 6-5, which shows the ratios of
normalized concentrations (χ/Q) predicted in wakes to observed concentration normalized to actual
release rate as a function of wind speed. If the errors in the predicted values were associated with the
wake, they would increase with wind speed. The authors observed that the overprediction (ratio >1.0 of
the ordinate) is largest and more numerous at very low speeds and decreases with increasing wind speed,
which indicates that the problem is underestimation of atmospheric dispersion in low wind speeds by a
Gaussian model. The authors concluded that their original premise that the enhanced dispersion was due
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to building wakes was incorrect. Instead, the apparent enhanced dispersion noted in the vicinity of
buildings at low wind speeds in wake dispersion experiments is caused by underestimation of dispersion
by the basic dispersion algorithms rather than by increased turbulence in the vicinity of buildings.
Figure 6-5. Ratios of predicted concentrations in wakes by a model without wake correction to
observed concentrations as a function of wind speed (based on McGuire et al., 2007).
(Ratios above solid line (Predicted/Observed = 1E+00) are over-predicting the concentration.)
Accordingly, Option 2 of DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2, specifies a minimum wind speed of
1.0 m/s (2.2 mph) relative to atmospheric dispersion modeling. This is consistent with generating the site
meteorological data using the above EPA recommendation. Setting the calm wind speed to the
anemometer threshold is consistent with the NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145 which relies on the NRC
Regulatory Guide 1.23 Revision 1. Either method for generating the site meteorological data (EPA-
454/R-99-005 or NRC Regulatory Guide 1.23 Revision 1) is acceptable as earlier described.
If a site’s conditions have a high incidence of low wind speeds, the site may want to consider other
atmospheric dispersion modeling approaches that addresses this condition, or the site should justify that
applying Option 2 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 will produce a conservative result when applying the
minimum 1.0 m/s (0.5 m/s) wind speed.
Unrealistically high estimates of χ/Q can be calculated under calm wind conditions, a result of the
placement of wind speed in the denominator of the Gaussian plume model equation. EPA recommends
that wind speeds less than 1.0 m/s be reset to 1.0 m/s for use in steady-state dispersion, and cautions
against overly conservative model predictions with wind speeds less than 1.0 m/s (EPA-454/R-99-005).
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DOE-STD-3009-2014 requires the use of 1.0 m/s as the minimum wind speed when using one of the
Central Registry toolbox codes. MACCS2 substitutes a value of 0.5 m/s for the wind speed whenever it
reads a wind speed value of less than 0.5 m/s from a meteorological data file, but this is allowed by DOE-
STD-3009-2014 as the 0.5 m/s is a fixed part of the code, and it produces more conservative results than
if 1.0 m/s is used. GENII allows the user to set threshold value through the input for the maximum wind
speed for calms. Hotspot considers wind speeds down to 0.1 m/s and also considers a G Stability class.
However, the analyst should set calm wind speeds to 0.5 m/sec unless there is sufficient justification to
reducing it to a lower value.
Section 199
6.6 METEOROLOGICAL DATA ADEQUACY FOR SAFETY ANALYSIS
The results from atmospheric dispersion codes can be no better than the input data and the conditions
under which it is applied. Meteorological data used for consequence assessment needs to meet applicable
DOE O 414.1D, Chg.1 quality assurance requirements. The meteorological program manager at the DOE
site is responsible for developing quality-assured data. Meteorological data quality assurance programs
are based on guidance in DOE-STD-1216-2015 and ANSI/ANS-3.11-2015. Section 5.12 of DOE-STD-
1216-2015 states that guidance in quality assurance related to meteorological measurements and
meteorological data processing may also be found in ANSI/ANS-3.2-1994 (R1999), Administrative
Controls and Quality Assurance for the Operational Phase of Nuclear Power Plants. Moreover, Section
7.5 of ANSI/ANS-3.11-2015 also references ANSI/ANS-3.2-1994 (R1999), which presents the general
quality assurance criteria for nuclear facilities with respect to meteorological data.
The accuracy of the codes is also limited by the approximations inherent in the models, with results being
more reliable nearby the release point than farther away, within the application’s domain. Inaccuracies in
the meteorological data tend to amplify uncertainty with increasing transport distance. No matter how
effective the meteorological monitoring system is, it is common that yearly data sets may have at least
some hours of missing data. Some codes (e.g., MACCS2) require an uninterrupted data set. In order to
address this issue, data substitution techniques in ANSI/ANS-3.11-2015 should be employed to complete
the data set. For other codes that use JFD data as input, uninterrupted data is not required.
Generally, data need to be input with the full accuracy of the measurements and rounding should be only
performed on the final results. Even the most comprehensive atmospheric dispersion codes in use today
will likely be uncertain by a factor of two or more, even relatively close to the release point for flat terrain
topography; DOE-STD-5506-2007 estimates a factor of four uncertainty. Therefore, one-digit accuracy,
or at most two digits, is all that should be reported in the analyst’s results, except perhaps for purposes of
comparisons of similar results. Since there are so many uncertainties in the input data streams and within
the models, the following phrase gives some perspective: “The mantissa is meaningless, while the
exponent is everything.”
The minimal set of meteorological data needed to run an atmospheric dispersion code that requires
observational data would be at least one year of wind speed, wind direction, and an indicator of stability
class. However, one year of data may not prove to be very temporally representative, as notable climatic
anomalies frequently occur on as little as an annual basis (El Niño, La Niña), and decadal climatic
anomalies have been noted.
NRC Regulatory Guide 1.194, Atmospheric Relative Concentrations for Control Room Radiological
Habitability Assessments at Nuclear Power Plants, indicates that the size of the data set used in
assessments should be sufficiently large such that it is representative of long-term meteorological trends
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at the site in question. In this Regulatory Guide, the NRC staff considered 5 years of hourly observations
to be representative of long-term trends at most sites. However, the Guide also states “With sufficient
justification of its representativeness; however, the minimum meteorological data set is one complete
year, including all four seasons, of hourly observations.”
Section 200
A basic rule of thumb is to use at least five years of meteorological data to ensure that temporal
representativeness would not be compromised. If a larger data base is available, it should be used, even if
the resulting atmospheric dispersion estimates change from prior analyses. Moreover, DOE-STD-3009-
2014 Section 3.2.4.2 requires that recent five years of data be used and requires either the directionally
independent 95th or directionally dependent 99.5th percentile value. If five years of data are not available,
justification for using a shorter period needs to be provided. A reanalysis should be performed every ten
years, as the average of meteorological parameters change relatively slowly over time even under climate
change conditions.
If onsite meteorological data is unavailable, meteorological data from a nearby weather station can be
substituted provided the terrain at that site is similar and the data is spatially representative. Guidance on
data substitution is provided in ANSI/ANS-3.11-2015.
6.7 TYPICAL AND UNFAVORABLE DISPERSION CONDITIONS
In calculating plume concentrations, or consequences to the receptor, both “typical” and “unfavorable”
dispersion conditions are of special interest in accident analyses for ground-based releases. “Typical”
would not be used to establish safety SSCs in a DSA but it is useful for Safety Goal comparison, if over
the DOE EG as discussed in Chapter 10, Hazard Control Selection and Classification.
Typical Dispersion Conditions: The median (50th percentile), the mean (average), or the mode (peak)
of a distribution could all be considered as representative of “typical.” However, the median is the
most meaningful for plume dispersion, for several reasons. It is not heavily influenced by outliers
(abnormally small or large values), as is the mean. For a bimodal distribution, which is common to
dispersion, the mean may fall between the peaks (modes) of the distribution and thus be
comparatively infrequent, which could not be considered “typical.” The median could also be
atypical in this sense but it, at least, has a relevant meaning. In addition, if mode were chosen as
“typical”, a bimodal distribution could give two valid choices if the peaks are nearly as large.
Unfavorable Dispersion Conditions: This is normally taken to be the overall site 95th percentile
dispersion of the full meteorological data set for at least one year, for which the consequences are
smaller 95% of the time and larger 5% of the time. Other dispersion conditions are sometimes used
for “unfavorable”, such as “worst case”, “near-worst case”, or specific constant-weather conditions,
such as Class F stability and 1.0 m/s wind speed. Near-worst-case conditions, which are most likely
G stability class and nearly calm winds are extremely rare and would be overly conservative for most
applications. True “worst case” is a single value, that is, the maximum value, obtained only once in
the period of interest.
For elevated releases, the above rules of thumb would not apply as they would depend on the release
height. Also, the amount of atmospheric dispersion corresponding to 50th or 95th percentile weather
depends upon the nature of the release. If the release is a trace constituent, it can be treated with a
Gaussian plume or puff model, depending upon the duration of the release. If it is a dense or heavy gas
(discussed in Section 9.5.4), it is treated with a heavy-gas model that both limits vertical dispersion due to
Section 201
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slumping, while simultaneously entraining ambient air through the sides of the plume. The amount of
dispersion for the 50th or 95th percentile conditions would likely be different for a heavy gas model.
For whatever model is used, some rules-of-thumb can be established for non-lofted plumes, and these
may be useful for “sanity checks” of results. Such rules-of-thumb at most sites would likely be similar to
the following:
95th percentile χ/Q value is about ten times larger than the median χ/Q value for any distance;
50th percentile (median) χ/Q values for ground-level releases are similar to those of
Class D and 4.5 m/s wind speed;
95th percentile χ/Q values for ground-level releases are similar to those of stability Class F and
1.0 to 1.5 m/s wind speed; and,
95th percentile χ/Q values at ground level for elevated releases are similar to those of stability Class A
and
4.5 m/s wind speed.57
For lofted plumes, no such rules-of-thumb are possible as ratios of 95th percentile χ/Q to median, or some
constant meteorological condition, χ/Q values vary with distance and the amount of lofting.
High-wind speed scenarios [such as sustained wind speeds of 45 m/s (100 mph)] are also of interest to the
analyst. This is about 10 times greater than the wind speed that corresponds to the median χ/Q. High
winds are always associated with Stability Class D, which is also the stability class associated with the
median weather conditions and represents a well-mixed atmosphere. Because the value of χ/Q varies
inversely as the wind speed (see Eq. 6-3), the high-wind speed χ/Q will therefore be about 10% of the
median χ/Q. As a rule-of-thumb, for scoping calculations, the analyst can divide the consequences (such
as dose) from exposure to radiological or other hazardous materials for median weather conditions by 10
to find the corresponding consequences for high-wind speed scenarios.
Tornados have even greater wind speeds, sometimes exceeding 200 mph (89 m/s) for Enhanced Fujita
Scale 5 tornadoes, and can cause a facility to collapse. Moreover, the rapid atmospheric pressure drop
can cause other types of releases. This NPH could soon be followed by a lower wind speed that would
result in larger dispersion parameters than during the tornado itself. If the tornado causes damage that
releases the MAR almost instantaneously, that should be modeled as high-wind dispersion, but slower
developing source terms may occur during the subsequent low-wind conditions which should be modeled
separately, and the dose consequences summed for the two contributions. Section 6.12.1, Dispersion
Under a High-Wind or Tornado Event, has a further discussion of high wind or tornado dispersion. In
addition, scenarios for environmental restoration projects involving contaminated soil where the source
term is based on EPA methods incorporating an assumed wind speed should be modeled with the same
wind speed in the dispersion analysis (a sensitivity analysis of wind speed vs. dose consequence may be
necessary to determine a conservative analysis to determine the need for safety controls).
57 For elevated releases, the worst case stability class is Class A, since σz is greatest for that stability class. In
addition, fumigation conditions represent a special worst case for elevated releases where the elevated, poorly-
dispersed plume is quickly brought down to ground level.
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6.8 SPECIAL GAUSSIAN MODELING CONSIDERATIONS58
Section 202
6.8.1 AVERAGING-TIME AND LARGE EDDY PLUME MEANDER
The diffusion magnitude expressions in the previous sections are relevant for short-duration plumes
released over relatively smooth terrain. However, plumes tend to meander for two specific reasons: (1)
when release duration is longer than some tens of minutes; and (2) under stable light wind conditions
when embedded larger eddies can dominate a relatively calm atmosphere. Large eddies, which are
present in a stable, stratified atmosphere, tend to become more dominant in this situation, and can
augment the magnitude of lateral movement. Therefore, for a receptor that remains in the plume for some
time, meandering effectively widens the plume and thus decreases χ/Q. This is accounted for in the
Gaussian equation by multiplying the plume width (σy) by a plume meander factor.
Two treatments of meander are available as an option in one or more of the toolbox codes, and both
involve adjustments to increase the magnitude of σy. One approach to plume meander is based on the
influence of averaging time and is available as an option in the two radiological consequence toolbox
codes, MACCS2 and HotSpot, and one toxic chemical consequence code, EPIcode. Figure 6-6
qualitatively shows how the plume boundaries of the time-averaged plume may differ from those
associated from a typical snapshot of the instantaneous plume. The second approach is related to the
embedded large-eddy effects that occur under very stable atmospheric conditions.
Figure 6-6. Time-Averaging Effect on Plume Boundaries.
The averaging time, also referred to as sampling time, over which the σy values were determined from
experimental data, establishes the time base, usually on the order of minutes, for the horizontal and
vertical diffusion parameters. A longer averaging time than the time base may be applied in the analysis
of receptor exposure times for plumes with longer release durations, an option of the HotSpot code. The
exposure time is assumed to equal the release duration in these analyses. A longer averaging time leads
to greater widening of the plume boundaries. Embedded large eddies also causes movement of the plume
centerline with time (the plume swings back and forth), another type of plume meander. The receptor on
the time-averaged centerline location is only exposed intermittently to the concentration of the
58 Dense gas models are applicable to chemical releases and these types of models are described in Section 9.7.
Wind direction
Instantaneous plume
Time-averaged plume
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instantaneous plume centerline due to this movement. As a result, the time-averaged centerline
concentration is lower. These effects become even more pronounced with increasing averaging time.
The formulation for the plume meander factor59 that is applied to σy based on the averaging-time concept
is given by:
Averaging-time plume meander factor = (release duration / time base)n Equation 6-11
The time base and exponent, n, are hard wired in EPIcode and HotSpot to values of 10 minutes and 0.2,
respectively. MACCS2 and ALOHA allows the user to specify the time base and to input two different
values of n to correspond to two different time ranges, the exponent is 0.2 for plume duration of one hour
or less and 0.25 for a longer duration (DOE, 2004c, ALOHA Computer Code Application Guidance for
Documented Safety Analysis: Final Report). The averaging-time plume meander factor is never allowed
to be less than unity, and the experimental basis is limited to periods of no longer than 100 hours. The
release duration can vary from a few minutes for a spill to several hours of a fire. For explosions,
deflagrations, or other short-period releases, plume meander should not be applied.
Section 203
The other type of plume meander is related to embedded large-eddy effects that occur especially under
very stable conditions with very light wind speeds and that were observed from tracer studies first
performed in the mid-1970s. After careful review of the results of the tracer studies, the NRC developed
this plume meander factor and incorporated it in NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145 for atmospheric stability
classes D, E, F, and G. The NRC also acknowledged it in several of their atmospheric dispersion models.
This Regulatory Guide also recommends not using any meander factor for stability classes A, B, or C at
any wind speeds. The NRC method is only applicable to the Pasquill-Gifford horizontal and vertical
dispersion curves.
Plume meander is also implemented in several atmospheric dispersion models such as ARCON96,
RASCAL, and Version 2.6 of MACCS2 (Napier et al., 2011). ARCON96 (NUREG-6631 Revision 1)
and RASCAL increase both the horizontal and vertical diffusion magnitudes; especially under stable
light-wind conditions. These two meander factor approaches should not be utilized at the same time.
The large-eddy plume meander factor is applied to augment σy and σz, but only for distances up to 800 m,
where its effects are damped out. Beyond 800 m, σy values reflect the augmented spreading up to 800 m
plus non-augmented spreading beyond 800 m. The large-eddy plume meander factor ranges between 1
(no meander) and 6. Figure 6-7, taken from NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145 Revision 1, graphically
displays the magnitude of the meander factor as a function of downwind distance for stability classes D,
E, F and G.
59 The plume meander factor is sometimes referred to as the plume expansion factor.
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Figure 6-7. Correction factors for σy values by stability class
(Figure 3, NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145)
The large-eddy plume meander factor actually increases for more stable conditions (from E to G stability
class) and increases as wind speeds approach calm under the same stability class.60 This dependency is
exactly opposite to the aerodynamic building wake phenomenon that is very small under these light-wind
very stable meteorological conditions, but increases significantly as the wind speeds increase and the
stability class becomes neutral or slightly unstable. The faster the winds are that encounter the building,
the stronger the flow separation becomes which yields a larger aerodynamic effect on the wind field.
6.8.2 MECHANICAL TURBULENCE DUE TO SURFACE ROUGHNESS
Mechanical turbulence is generated as wind flows over and around irregular obstacles (morphology) on
the earth’s surface. Such obstacles are both natural (topographic and vegetation) and anthropogenic
(buildings and other structures). In general, the rougher the terrain underneath the atmosphere moving
above it, the more mechanical turbulence is generated and consequently the better the diffusion. The
rougher the surface, the larger the turbulent eddies formed, mainly in the vertical, and thus the greater
vertical dispersion, as expressed by an enhancement of σz. The increase in σz is called the roughness
factor and it cannot be less than unity. Because σz is increased, the plume-centerline χ/Q is proportionally
reduced by the magnitude of the roughness factor.
Section 204
Mechanical turbulence continually persists once it is generated. The atmospheric mechanical turbulence
at a given location reflects the upwind development of the PBL and the contributing influence of upwind
surface elements that can be several hundred meters or more away. The surface roughness length (z0),
discussed earlier, is a measure of the amount of mechanical mixing introduced by the surface roughness
elements over a region. As an approximation, the roughness length is approximately one-tenth of the
actual physical height of the surface roughness elements (Hanna and Britter, 2002). In determining z0 for
60 Meander factor values of one (no widening) are associated with wind speeds of 6 m/s or larger and atmospheric
stability classes A, B, and C.
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application to plume transport modeling, surface characterization should thus include both upwind, also
known as “fetch,” and downwind regions with respect to the postulated release location.61
McElroy and Pooler first developed “urban” dispersion parameters in St. Louis Dispersion Study (1968).62
As a rough rule of thumb, vertical dispersion is increased by one stability class for urban areas due to the
additional mechanical turbulence generated by the buildings (for example, an atmospheric condition
resulting in Class F stability in rural environments becomes Class E stability in urban environments). The
concrete buildings also reradiate their heat at night resulting in local temperature increases, termed the
urban heat island, and cause additional buoyancy turbulence.
The field conditions of the Project Prairie Grass upon which the P-G dispersion parameters were
developed are characterized by a surface roughness length of 3 cm (Napier et al., 2011). To more
accurately predict dispersion for specific conditions that differ from those represented by the P-G and
Briggs open-country horizontal and vertical diffusion parameterizations, adjustment factors have been
developed for σz to reflect the enhanced mechanical turbulence caused by surface roughness.63 One
commonly used formulation that has been recommended by the American Meteorological Society (AMS)
is given below (Hanna et al., 1977).
Surface Roughness Factor = (z0/zref) n (z0 ≥ zref) Equation 6-12
where zref is the reference roughness length associated with the field experiments on which the σz curves
are based. For a P-G σz, the reference surface roughness length is 3 cm64. This formulation under-
predicts σz enhancements observed near rugged terrain (Hanna et al., 1977).
The exponent, n, of Eq. 6-12 varies between 0.1 and 0.25, with larger values associated with shorter
distances and rougher surfaces (Hanna et al., 1977; Irwin, 1980). Comparing diffusion data for surface
roughness lengths of 3 cm and 100 cm for distances up to a few kilometers, in Atmospheric Dispersion
Parameters in Gaussian Plume Modeling. Part II. Possible Requirements for Change in the Turner
Workbook Values (EPA-600/4-76-030b), Pasquill noted a roughness factor of approximately 2, which
translates to an exponent value of 0.2. In providing guidance to SRS on dispersion analysis, the PNNL-
led review team provided the recommendation that is reflected in Table 6-10 (Napier et al., 2011).
Section 205
61 For example, both the release location and receptor (such as the CW at 100 m) may be in the same open area that
may be characterized by a small value for zo. If this area is relatively small (a few hundred meters in diameter) and
is surrounded by a building complex or forest, it may be appropriate to factor in the surface elements in the
surrounding region in the determination of zo. This approach is being used at SRS.
62 For a detailed description of this study, see Venkatram et al., “The Analysis of Data from an Urban Dispersion
Experiment,” Atmospheric Environment 38: 3647–3659 (2004).
63 Note that a surface roughness correction would not be applied with the use of the Briggs urban dispersion
parameters because these parameters already reflect the surface roughness effect of large buildings in addition to the
urban heat island influence at night. A roughness length of 0.6 cm was reported by Barad (1958), based on the
Prairie Grass experiments.
64 The reference roughness length for the Briggs open country set of dispersion parameters is complicated with the
empirical basis that includes data other than that from Project Prairie Grass. Napier (2011) concluded that the P-G
value of 3 cm is also applicable to the Briggs open country set of dispersion parameters given that χ/Q results using
the Briggs dispersion parameters are essentially indistinguishable to those using P-G dispersion parameters at
distances less than 10 km. Based on this reasoning, the 3-cm value for zref for applications for distances greater than
10 km would reflect a conservative perspective given that the χ/Q results based on the Briggs dispersion parameters
are lower than those from the P-G dispersion parameters.
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Specifically, a value of 0.2 is recommended for the exponent for distances up to 5 km, and a value of 0.1
for longer distances.
Table 6-10. Surface Roughness Adjustments Recommended PNNL-led Review Team.
Downwind Distance x (km) 0.1 < x ≤ 5.0 x > 5.0
Roughness Factor Exponent 0.2 0.1
Roughness Factor (for zo = 3 cm) 1.00 1.00
Roughness Factor (for zo = 30 cm) 1.58 1.26
Roughness Factor (for zo = 100 cm) 2.02 1.42
Various methods exist to estimate the surface roughness length. It may be appropriate to assign different
values of z0 for different regions of a site or for different receptor distances (such as the 100 m CW or site
boundary distance) for the same postulated release from a given location.65 It was noted above that the
wind speed profile near the earth surface is influenced by roughness effects. This allows z0 to also be
estimated from wind profile observations, if available (Hanna and Britter, 2002).
Table 6-11. General Roughness Lengths for Various Terrain Types.
Terrain Description* z0 (cm)
Open sea, fetch at least 5 km 0.02
Mud flats, snow; no vegetation, no obstacles 0.5
Open flat terrain; grass, few isolated obstacles 3.0
Low crops; occasional large obstacles, x/H > 20 10.0
High crops; scattered obstacles, 15 < x/H < 20 25.0
Parkland, bushes; numerous obstacles, x/H ≈ 10 50.0
Regular large obstacle coverage (suburb, forest) 100.0
City center with high-rise and low-rise buildings ≥ 200.0
Note: x/H is ratio of downwind distance to obstacle height
Source: Wieringa, J. ”Updating the Davenport Roughness Classification,” Journal of Wind Engineering
and Industrial Aerodynamics,” Volume 41, Issue 1-3, October 1992, pp. 357-368.
Section 206
65 One commonly-used method for estimating the surface roughness length is based on matching site observations
with guidance tables, shown in Table 6-11. The current DOE Central Registry toolbox codes cannot accommodate
more than one roughness factor.
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The term “fetch” in Table 6-11 represents the roughness associated with the direction from which the
wind is blowing (upwind), as the characteristics of the land covered by the wind in its path to the receptor
will determine the ground roughness effects embedded in the air parcel.
An alternative approach is to use the EPA AERSURFACE software, which is based on input of 1992
National Land Cover Data (NLCD92) from the USGS (EPA-454/B-08-001). The NLCD92 data
(http://landcover.usgs.gov/natllandcover.php) utilized by AERSURFACE consists of land cover data at
spatial resolution of 30 meters, mapped using an Albers Conic Equal Area projection, and based on a 21-
category morphology classification scheme, similar to what is shown in Table 6-11. AERSURFACE can
be used to determine variations by sector, distance, and season, or an overall composite value.
MACCS2 and ALOHA allow the roughness factor to be entered as a user input that is used to scale σz.
Historically, Eq. 6-12 has been used, due to its presence in MACCS2 software documentation (DOE,
2004a; NUREG/CR-4691 Vol. 2). None of the other DOE Central Registry radiological consequence
codes allow for surface roughness adjustments to σz. The meteorological data file for GENII2, however,
does include an input value for z0, but it is not used to calculate a roughness factor. The z0 value is an
essential input for the deposition velocity calculation of GENII2.
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) recently performed a study, Roughness Lengths for the
Savannah River Site (Weber et al., 2012), where surface roughness was computed from H-Area
meteorological tower 15-minute-averaged meteorological data measured at 61 m above the loblolly pine
tree canopy using mechanical bivanes. Using the standard deviation of elevation angle and applying a
simple formula based on tree canopy height, consistent estimates for roughness around the H-Area tower
resulted in a mean value of surface roughness of 1.81 m. Application of this method for the 61-m level at
D-Area meteorological tower and N-Area meteorological tower gave mean values of 1.71 m and 1.81 m,
respectively. Since roughness results are azimuth dependent, as the fetch is different for each wind
direction sector, the results were presented as averages over compass sectors spanning 22.5 degrees
azimuth. These calculated values were compared to other methodologies that determine roughness.
Additional data was obtained from a sonic anemometer at 61-m on the H-Area tower during a period of a
few weeks in 2010 that supported the roughness calculations.
Based on the H-Area tower results, SRNL decided in 2012 to apply a surface roughness of 1.8 m in
dispersion modeling applications, as discussed in the Executive Summary of the SRS surface length study
(Weber, et al., 2012). This technique can be applied at all DOE sites to determine its site-specific surface
roughness.
6.8.3 AERODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF BUILDINGS
The calculation of plume concentrations within the cavity and wake regions of even a simple block-like
building is a very complex undertaking and generally requires Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
models to account for the all of the eddies generated by mechanical turbulence. A discussion of fluid
dynamic principles required to solve this problem is beyond the scope of this Handbook.
Section 207
Ground-level concentrations at some distance beyond the building, such as beyond five building heights,
can be approximated. Another method available is to assign a virtual point source upwind of the building
such that when this virtual plume reaches the building, the concentrations at the edges of the building are
10 percent of the centerline concentration.
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As discussed earlier, building wake effects are most pronounced under windy conditions, whereas the
plume meander effects are most pronounced under light wind conditions.
The Pasquill-Gifford and Briggs open-country dispersion parameters represent short-duration plumes
released over relatively smooth and open terrain. When the terrain is marked by natural or anthropogenic
obstacles, mechanical turbulence is generated as wind flows over and interacts with these obstacles.
Surface roughness length was introduced earlier and formulations were summarized to adjust σz for the
increased vertical dispersion from this source of mechanical turbulence. These formulations attempt to
codify the collective influence of the full spectrum of surface elements that are predominantly along the
line of plume transport66. As such, the surface roughness length concept is more applicable to long-range
dispersion. In the vicinity of the radiological and toxic chemical releases, atmospheric dispersion is more
likely to be dominated by the interaction of the plume with the wake and cavity regions of single building
or a localized cluster of buildings. Releases from vents and small stacks can be entrained behind a
building into its cavity due to the aerodynamic effect of the building on the wind field in which the
release occurs.
The building wake dispersion models that are presented in this section make use of the standard
dispersion parameters, σy and σz, plus application of additional factors to capture increased dispersion
from the wake effects. In implementing these models, the analysts should generally make use of σy and
σz values that are free from any other adjustments such as for plume meander or surface roughness
effects.67 The building wake dispersion models presented in this section are applicable to releases that are
modeled as ground-level and non-buoyant and are based on the treatment of the atmosphere as an
incompressible fluid, for mathematical simplicity.
Figure 6-8 depicts the cavity and wake zones68 behind a sharp-edged building (Hosker, 1981).69 The
aerodynamic effect of this building exerts two influences on the release. The first influence is the
entrainment of flow in the vicinity of the building into the cavity region behind the building. The second
influence is the enhancement of lateral and vertical dispersion associated with the cavity and wake
regions.
The calculation of plume concentrations within the cavity and wake regions of even a simple block-like
building is very complex and beyond the capability of most models, perhaps with the exception of CFDs.
However, the ground-level concentrations at some distance beyond the building, such as beyond five
building heights, can be approximated. Several methods have been proposed. In one, Eq. 6-5 is modified
to account for the cross-sectional building area, A:
𝝌𝝌(𝒙𝒙,𝒚𝒚=𝟎𝟎,𝒛𝒛=𝟎𝟎,𝒉𝒉=𝟎𝟎)
𝑸𝑸
= 𝟏𝟏
𝝅𝝅(𝒖𝒖𝝈𝝈𝒚𝒚𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛+𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄)
Equation 6-13
Section 208
66 The contributing influence of surface elements that are several hundred meters upwind of the release may be
important for receptors that are a short distance away.
67 The use of σz values that are adjusted for surface roughness for example, could involve the double-counting, to
some extent, of the building’s impact on diffusion. The analyst will need to technically justify any use of σy and σz
values that already incorporate other adjustments in its atmospheric dispersion modeling protocol.
68 The term wake is occasionally used in the published literature in reference to the cavity and wake zones,
collectively.
69 See also Hunt, J. C. R. et al., “Kinematical studies of the flows around free or surface mounted obstacles: (cont.)
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where c is the building shape factor, usually taken to be 0.5, and A is the smallest cross-sectional area of
the building between the source and receptor. Another method is to assign a virtual point source upwind
of the building such that when this virtual plume reaches the building, the concentrations at the edges of
the building are 10% of the centerline concentration. This corresponds to σy = width/4.3 and σz =
height/2.15, a commonly applied option used with MACCS2. The distance to this virtual point source
can then be back-calculated, using the existing wind speed and atmospheric stability class.
Both HotSpot and EPIcode codes allow for the specification of a vertical area source that can represent
the initial dispersion (σy0, σz0) associated with cavity releases. The user inputs a horizontal dimension (LH)
and vertical dimension (LV) to define the area source. From these input values, values of σy0 and σz0 are
calculated, a virtual source location, upwind of the actual source is determined, and adjusted dispersion
parameters calculated as discussed above for MACCS2.
The GENII2 software has two model options for building wake dispersion that are documented in the
software design documents (GENII Version 2 Software Design Document, Napier et al., 2009).
Figure 6-8. Schematic of Turbulent Air Flow around a Sharp-Edged Building.
(cont.) applying topology to flow visualization,” J. Fluid Mech. 86, Part I, pp 179-200, 1978; Woo, H.G.C. et al.,
“Wind Tunnel Measurements in the Wakes of Structures,” NASA CR-2806, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center,
Al, 1977.
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6.8.4 PLUME MODIFICATIONS THROUGH DECAY, DAUGHTER IN-GROWTH, AND
DEPOSITION PROCESSES
Atmospheric dilution and diffusion dominate the redistribution processes but they are not the only
processes that affect the concentration distribution of a radioactive or toxic chemical material in a plume.
With respect to radioactive materials, the concentration of a radioisotope of interest can decrease with
time through a radioactive decay process, or can increase through the decay and in-growth of another
daughter isotope.
Mass transfer processes in the atmosphere remove gases and particulates from the plume and can also
reinsert particulates back into the atmosphere. The primary removal processes are dry deposition from
gravitational settling and fallout, and wet deposition or precipitation scavenging from rain, snow, or hail.
Reinsertion of deposited material back into the atmosphere to be transported to a new location is termed
resuspension. These mass transfer processes are important in determining the ultimate fate of small
respirable particulates, as well as ingestible particulates from radioactive compounds and chemically toxic
materials.
Section 209
The parameter Q represents the rate of release of material into the atmosphere. In the following
discussion, the meaning of this parameter is extended to include other processes that change the
radionuclide abundances and quantities of the material. These include decay and in-growth, removal of
the material by dry and wet deposition processes, and resuspension of removed material. It may be noted
that in some atmospheric dispersion models, the quantity χ/Q refers to only the atmospheric dispersion
processes discussed earlier. Other models include the other processes discussed below. In NRC
Regulatory Guide 1.111, Methods for Estimating Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion of Gaseous
Effluents in Routine Releases from Light-Water-Cooled Reactors, NRC introduces the term depletedχ/Q,
which is the concentration in the plume after dry deposition processes have removed, or depleted, some
the material. NRC Regulatory Guide 1.111 also introduces the term D/Q, which is dry deposition.
Accordingly, when using atmospheric dispersion models, note which definition is being used for χ/Q.
In-growth and decay of radioactive materials immediately occurs following their release into the
atmosphere, regardless of the location of the material, whether within the plume, in materials that have
fallen to the ground, or in materials that have been resuspended into the air. Decay refers to the loss of a
given isotope through radioactive disintegration over time. In-growth refers to the build-up of one isotope
by the decay of another, that is, it is the daughter product of the decay of this other isotope, termed the
parent. The abundance of an isotope at any given time is a function of its decay rate as well as that of the
parent isotope, if any, and the time since release.
For the initial atmospheric plume, not the resuspended plume, the time, t, is the transport time, that is, the
distance (x) traveled divided by the average transport wind speed (u). For material deposited on the
ground or for a resuspended plume, the time will be longer. The concentration of isotope, I, can be
adjusted by multiplying the χ/Q by Ai(t)/Ai(0) to account for the decay and in-growth of isotope i.70 This
is not of concern for long-lived, slowly decaying isotopes, such as Pu-239, but can be important for
shorter-lived fission products from a criticality accident or from a reactor.
The rate of dry deposition is usually expressed in terms of a deposition “velocity” (Vd), a term having the
units of velocity that expresses the rate of mass-transfer from the plume to the ground at the atmosphere-
70 See Chapter 8 and Equation 8-4 for further discussion.
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ground surface interface. The deposition “velocity” is defined as a deposition flux, ωd (Bq m-2 s-1)
divided by the near surface air concentration, χ (Bq m-3):
Vd = ωd (x, y) / χ(x, y, 0) Equation 6-14
Section 210
The amount of material deposited on the ground at any particular location is the product of the deposition
flux, ωd, and the release duration. The dry deposition velocity is essentially a proportionality factor, and
although it has the same units as a velocity, it is not a true velocity. With respect to Equation 6-14, the
dry deposition velocity is evaluated at ground level. However, some codes apply a slightly higher
elevation (e.g., GENII2; at height of one meter). A variety of mechanisms contribute to dry deposition.
Gravitational settling is the dominant contributor for particles with diameters greater than or equal to 10
microns Activity Median Aerodynamic Diameter (AMAD).71 For smaller-sized particles in the respirable
range (<10 microns) other processes dominate, including turbulent diffusion, surface impaction, and
Brownian diffusion. Values of Vd are a function of numerous meteorological variables (wind speed,
atmospheric stability), impingement environment (terrain, land-use type, vegetation), and the particle size
distribution and density of the particles. Generally, values for dry deposition velocity increase with
increasing wind speeds, atmospheres that are more unstable, larger particle sizes, and terrain with higher
surface roughness values. From various field experiments conducted over many years, dry deposition
velocities are found to vary widely by several orders of magnitude, from 0.001 cm/s to 180 cm/s for
particulates and from 0.002 cm/s to 26 cm/s for gases. Regardless of how Vd is determined, there are
large uncertainties associated with it and there is currently no single accepted theoretical description of
dry deposition that covers all common natural environments. However, parameterizations exist for many
conditions of interest and are reasonably accurate for the conditions from which they were developed.
Early dry deposition models are described in “A Model for Predicting Dry Deposition of Particles and
Gases to Environmental Surfaces” (Sehmel and Hodgson, 1978), which were developed from wind
tunnel experiments. The results of this model are consistent with a wide-range of historical deposition
velocity measurements but did not take into account the effects of atmospheric stability or surface
roughness from different land-use categories that were outside the scope of the aforementioned wind
tunnel experiments. The default deposition velocity values originally recommended in the DOE
Guidance Report for MACCS2 (DOE, 2004a) were based on the Sehmel and Hodgson model.
The current generation of atmospheric transport and diffusion models estimate the deposition velocity by
analogy to electrical systems, where the deposition velocity is formulated as the inverse of the sum of
resistances. GENII2 incorporates resistance-based deposition models. In these models the deposition
velocity is calculated in time and 3-dimensional space because its value is dependent on time-varying
atmospheric conditions and 3-dimensional variable surface characteristics.
A 2010 paper entitled “Development and Validation of a Size-resolved Particle Dry Deposition Scheme
for Application in Aerosol Transport Models” presents more recent research in dry deposition modeling
(original source: Petroff, A. and Zhang, L., 2010, Geosci. Model Dev., 3, 753-769, doi:10.5194/gmd-3-
753-2010, as cited in Sugiyama et al., 2014). The research is constructed on the premise that while no
single theoretical description of deposition processes exists that is valid for all land use types, deposition
properties should be possible to parameterize over a wide range of natural environments based on
available deposition velocity measurements. This model provides one of the most complete theoretical
descriptions of deposition available and has been parameterized to match a large number of experimental
data sets covering multiple surface types and land-use characteristics. This model has not yet been
Section 211
71 Activity Median Aerodynamic Diameter is the diameter of the particle for which half the activity is associated
with particles larger than and half the activity associated with particles smaller than this size particle.
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incorporated into any widely-used atmospheric dispersion models as it requires micrometeorological
inputs that are not available from routine weather observations. However, it is used in one of the in-house
atmospheric models at the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC). These models are
summarized in Table 6-12.
The DOE Safety Software Central Registry includes atmospheric transport and diffusion models that
either internally calculate deposition velocity using a formulation of a dry deposition model or that
require the user to specify an appropriate value. For models like GENII2 that include a dry deposition
model within the code, appropriate site-specific parameters (particle size distributions, particle density)
should be specified that are representative of site-specific conditions. The analyst should follow the
accompanying DOE guidance document for inputting site-specific parameters and follow the
requirements in DOE-STD-3009-2014 for radiological consequences modeling.
Other atmospheric dispersion models, and DOE toolbox codes such as MACCS2 and HotSpot, require
that deposition velocity be specified by the user. Guidance for specifying an appropriate value is
contained within the software user’s manual or within the accompanying DOE Guidance Documents
(DOE, 2004a; 2004b; 2004c). For a more conservative simplistic analysis, it is recommended that a
default deposition velocity value be specified. The latest guidance from DOE contained in DOE-STD-
3009-2014 specifies a deposition velocity of 0.1 cm/s for unfiltered release of particles (1-10 µm AED),
0.01 cm/s for filtered particles, and 0 cm/s for tritium and noble gases. Although using 0.1 cm/s or using
0 cm/s will produce virtually the same results for close-in distances, a non-zero value acknowledges that
particulate deposition is occurring. For DOE reservations with distant site boundaries, a 0.1 cm/s dry
deposition velocity may significantly lower the dose at those distances. Also, note that the deposition
velocity depends on particle size. For the 0.3-μm particle, the recommended deposition velocity is 0.01
cm/s (DOE HSS Safety Bulletin 2011-02).
When a more site-specific value is desired to refine the analysis, the analyst may calculate a site-specific
value using an external dry deposition model (e.g. GENII2, CALPUFF, Petroff and Zhang), and then use
the calculated value as an input parameter to the code. Site-specific values are desirable when the default
value produces overly-conservative estimates of exposures. External models should be evaluated for
appropriateness for the situation being modeled. External models can be used in one of two ways:
1) executing the model after applying appropriate SQA; or, 2) performing a hand calculation or
spreadsheet using the deposition velocity model formulation. The specific model formulation can be
obtained from the model’s software design document or from the original published literature. The
analyst should also follow the guidance specified in DOE-STD-3009-2014 for using site-specific methods
and the atmospheric dispersion modeling protocol in Section 6.11.
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Table 6-12. Summary of Deposition Velocity Models of Interest
(This table was reproduced from Sugiyama et al., 2014).
Section 212
Per DOE-STD-3009-2014, wet deposition is not evaluated in DOE hazard and accident analyses,
however, this topic is addressed here for completeness to include a discussion of this phenomenology.
Wet deposition, or precipitation scavenging, is more difficult to parameterize than dry deposition, as it
depends upon cloud physics parameters that vary in time and space that are usually unavailable to the
analyst. Each type of precipitation (rain, snow, or hail), passing through the plume collects particulates
by accretion and scavenges soluble gases. The rate of depletion by wet deposition, dQ/dt, is proportional
to the amount of material in the plume (Q). Thus, the change of material in the plume (dQ/dt), can be
represented in Equation 6-15.
dQ / dt = -Λ Q Equation 6-15
where Λ represents the washout coefficient (s-1). The solution to Eq. 6-15 over a time interval ∆t gives
Q / Q0 =exp (-Λ ∆t) Equation 6-16
Q0 represents the amount of material entering this interval and Q represents the amount leaving. The
value of ∆t depends on the transport wind speed and the distance interval being evaluated. As with dry
*The Petroff and Zhang model uses a complex formulation that depends upon the dominant land-use
category, the Monin-Obukhov length, the surface friction velocity, the air temperature and the particle
size distribution as inputs.
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deposition, Eq. 6-16 would be an adjustment factor to apply to χ/Q for wet deposition occurring in the
distance interval ∆x during time interval ∆t.
The washout coefficient, Λ, is a function of the precipitation rate, the type of precipitation (rain, snow,
hail), and the type of material being scavenged (particulate or gas). For particulates in rain, the washout
coefficient can be approximated by a power law of the rainfall rate in Equation 6-17:
Λ = a I b Equation 6-17
where I is the precipitation rate (mm/hr) and a and b are dimensionless empirical coefficients that depend
upon the particle size distribution. For example, in the MACCS code (NUREG/CR-4691), the values
used are a = 9.5×10-5 and b = 0.8. For gases, the washout coefficient depends upon the solubility of the
effluent as well as the precipitation rate. Families of empirical curves have been developed for various
rainfall rates to estimate the washout coefficient. This procedure is made more complex by the spatial
variability of the rainfall. Frequently, rainfall rates vary significantly within a rainfall event, and different
washout coefficients may need to be applied to various segments of the plume as it travels to the receptor.
This is virtually impossible to do with a steady-state Gaussian model and would need to be addressed by
3-dimensional Lagrangian mass-consistent codes, which are briefly discussed in Section 9.7. The use of a
Doppler radar system to provide spatial representations of precipitation rates can assist this calculation.
An accurate estimation of washout is needed in the near-field for elevated releases because of the
efficiency of this removal process for both particulates and gases. As an example, during an unscheduled
release from the Ginna Nuclear Plant in 1980, the maximum ground-surface concentrations of 131I were
measured just beyond the containment building in the snow. In addition, larger doses from the
Fukushima Dai-Ichi release in 2011 were the result of wet deposition that occurred days after the release.
Although accurate estimations of washout are needed, most computer models treat it in only a cursory
manner, if at all.
Section 213
Plume depletion accounts for the material removed by either or both of the deposition processes, and
accordingly reduces, or depletes, the χ/Q value. Depletion of the plume by either dry or wet deposition
processes also results in soil contamination. Contaminated soil can be subsequently resuspended as a new
source term should the soil be dry coupled with windy atmospheric conditions. Resuspension is generally
higher in urban regions due to increased anthropogenic activities.
Although resuspension processes can contribute to exposure to individuals, the acute effect is small and
therefore DOE-STD-3009-2014 does not require its inclusion in a DSA analysis.
6.8.5 PRINCIPLES GOVERNING PLUME RISE AND DOWNWASH
Two physical processes can each propel a neutrally-buoyant plume vertically upward to a level higher
than that of its initial release, an effect called plume rise. The first process is termed momentum plume
rise, in which the vertical efflux velocity of the radiological or toxic chemical release propels the plume
upward, further above its elevated emission point. The second process is termed buoyancy plume rise,
which occurs if the temperature of the plume is warmer than that of the ambient air.
Accounting for stack-tip downwash of the plume is essential in either process. Downwash can occur
under high wind-speed conditions, and it can also occur if the release is from a vent or small stack into the
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wake and cavity behind the building. A brief discussion follows on both of these plume rise processes
that can be integrated into an atmospheric dispersion model to account for these effects. Most
atmospheric dispersion models calculate both momentum rise and buoyancy rise and consider that the
dominant one is the one giving the greater plume rise.
6.8.5.1 MOMENTUM PLUME RISE
The calculation of momentum plume rise requires knowledge of the vertical efflux speed and the
horizontal wind speed at the point of release, and the diameter of the stack from which the effluent is
released72; the smaller the stack diameter the greater the efflux speed for a given mass flux. As the plume
is transported downwind and away from its source of momentum, the upward momentum is gradually
dissipated and ultimately the wind bends the plume over into the horizontal plane. The amount of
momentum plume rise is a function of the ratio of the vertical efflux speed to the wind speed. Any
additional plume rise only occurs due to plume buoyancy effects.
For radioactive effluents that are released from free standing stacks whose design meet the EPA Good
Engineering Practice (GEP) stack height criteria, the entire effluent escapes the influence of the facility
structures. GEP stack height is defined as 1.5 times the height of the nearest facility structure plus either
the height or width of that structure, whichever is larger.73
For releases from structures that meet GEP stack height criteria, and under neutral or unstable stability
conditions (stability classes A – D), plume rise can be calculated from:
∆h = 1.44 d (ve / u)2/3 (x / d)1/3 – C Equation 6-18
where ∆h is the amount of plume rise (m) above the release level, ve is the efflux speed (m/s), u is the
horizontal wind speed (m/s), x is the downwind distance (m), and d is the diameter of the stack (m). This
equation shows the relationship between the two competing parameters, ve, and u. C is the downwash
correction factor and is set to zero if ve/u ≥ 1.5, or:
Section 214
C = 3 (1.5 – ve / u) d Equation 6-19
if 0 < ve/u < 1.5. Under stable atmospheric conditions (E – G stability classes), the following two
empirical equations are evaluated, and the smaller value is applied:
∆h = 4 (Fm / S)1/4 Equation 6-20
and
∆h = 1.5 S–1/6 (Fm / u)1/3 Equation 6-21
72 Momentum plume rise equations do not apply to stacks that direct the plume horizontally or downward
(“J” stacks).
73 Note that 1.5 times height of building plus height of building equals 2.5 times height of building, which matches
the NRC guidance. If the building is squat (wider than tall) “1.5 times height plus width” will exceed the “2.5 times
height” rule.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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where Fm is the momentum flux
Fm = ve
2 (0.5 d)2 Equation 6-22
S is the stability parameter
S = (g / T) (dΘ/dz) Equation 6-23
g is the acceleration of gravity (m/s2), T is the ambient temperature (K), and dΘ/dz is the potential
temperature lapse rate (K/m), which is the sum of the actual temperature lapse rate and the adiabatic lapse
rate.
For plume rise from non-GEP stacks or building vents, empirical relationships from field studies were
developed at the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant in 1978. The central result of this study is that there are
two forces acting on the plume. The efflux velocity (ve), which can be visualized as an escape velocity,
and wind speed (u), which can be visualized as a capture velocity. Accordingly, the ve/u ratio is the
driving parameter. When ve/u > 5, the vertically-directed momentum flux, which affects escape from the
building, dominates the horizontally-directed wind speed, which affects capture in the building wake, and
the release is treated as elevated. This means that although the release emanated from a short stack or a
vent, it still will fully escape the aerodynamic effects of nearby buildings due to the high momentum flux
coupled with low wind speed. The GEP stack height equations apply in this case. On the other end of the
spectrum, when ve/u < 1, the release is effectively ground-level and no plume rise occurs. Two
intermediate cases were also developed from the field study. These are the partially entrained and the
partially elevated cases and are expressed in terms of an entrainment coefficient, Et, which is the fraction
of the plume entrained into the wake and cavity behind the building. The remainder escapes entrainment.
Partially Entrained: For cases where 1.5 < ve/u < 5, a portion of the plume is entrained and the remainder
of the plume remains elevated. An entrainment coefficient can be calculated for this case as follows:
Et = 0.30 – 0.06 ve / u Equation 6-24
Partially Elevated: For cases where 1 ≤ ve/u ≤ 1.5, an entrainment coefficient can be calculated for this
case as follows:
Et = 2.58 – 1.58 ve / u Equation 6-25
In both of these cases, the elevated portion of the plume is subject to plume rise, while the entrained
portion of the plume is down-washed to ground level.
6.8.5.2 BUOYANCY PLUME RISE
The calculation of buoyancy plume rise requires knowledge of the effluent temperature or the energy
released in a fire or other energetic event and the ambient temperature at the point of release. 74 If the
plume temperature is higher, positive (upward) buoyancy occurs, while for a relatively cold plume,
negative buoyancy occurs. The stability class of the atmosphere also affects the buoyancy rise, at least
initially. Unlike momentum rise, which may take only 30 to 40 seconds, buoyancy rise may continue for
Section 215
74 For indoor fires assume no plume rise, to be conservative. The plume will cool and plate out as it exits the
facility, and as there is no way to accurately estimate the extent of cooling, assume there is no plume rise. An indoor
air temperature may be used if there is a need to quantify the exit temperature.
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many minutes due to its slower upward speed compared to momentum rise. The buoyancy rise can be
calculated in two parts. The first is the initial rise and is dependent on the stability class. The second is
the gradual rise and is independent of stability class. The larger of the two is then chosen as
representative.
The initial plume rise is independent of distance downwind, but is dependent on stability class. For
classes A – D, and buoyancy fluxes less than 55 m4/s3, the plume rise is given by (Briggs, 1975)
∆h = 21.425 Fb 3/4 u-1 Equation 6-26
where Fb is the buoyancy flux. For fluxes greater than 55 m4/s3, the plume rise is given by
∆h = 38.71 F 3/5 u-1 Equation 6-27
For classes E – G, the plume rise is given by
∆h = 2.6 [Fb / (u S)]1/3 Equation 6-28
except for calm conditions, for which it is appropriate to use
∆h = 4 Fb1/4 S-3/8 Equation 6-29
The gradual plume rise, which is independent of stability class, can be calculated from the empirical
relation
∆h =1.6 Fb1/3 x2/3 u–1 Equation 6-30
The buoyancy flux depends upon whether the release is from a stack or from a fire. For a stack release,
the buoyancy flux is
Fb = g ve d2 ∆T / (4 Ts) Equation 6-31
Where, ∆T is the stack gas temperature (Ts) minus ambient temperature. For a fire it is given by
Fb = 8.79×10-6 Ω Equation 6-32
where Ω is the rate of release of sensible heat (watts)75. Eq. 6-29 would let the plume rise indefinitely, so
it is necessary to cap the plume rise. Several methods of capping the buoyancy rise have been used. One
way of doing this is to terminate the use of Eq. 6-27 when one of the following three conditions occurs:
(1) when ∆h reaches 300 Fb/u3 (Briggs, 1975); (2) when the plume centerline has reached the height of the
top of the mixed layer; or (3), when one hour has elapsed since the plume release began.
6.8.6 PLUME IMPACTION
DOE sites that are located in mountainous terrain may need to address plume impaction of elevated
releases, especially if a large rise in the topography is nearby (see Figure 6-1). With respect to this type of
morphology, the analyst should screen any elevated releases that may have the potential for impaction
75 The total energy released in a fire can be partitioned into various forms, such as sensible heat, radiant heat, and
latent heat. Sensible heat gives rise to changes in temperature and density and thus it determines the buoyancy flux.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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using the EPA code CTSCREEN. This code is a Gaussian plume dispersion model designed as a
screening technique for plume impaction assessments in complex terrain. CTSCREEN is also a screening
version of the CTDMPLUS model. This code and its user guide can be accessed at
https://www.epa.gov/scram/air-quality-dispersion-modeling-screening-models.
6.9 DOE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGICAL DISPERSION AND
CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS CODES
Section 216
Since 2004, a collection of computer codes, including those for performing atmospheric dispersion and
radiological or toxic chemical consequence analyses, have been designated as Toolbox codes in the DOE
Safety Software Central Registry (CR) and managed by the DOE Office of Quality Assurance & Nuclear
Safety Management Programs (AU-32). While these models have widespread use and have accumulated
considerable levels of analyst understanding, they still warrant careful consideration in the preparation of
inputs and assumptions to ensure that the resulting radiological and toxic chemical consequence outputs
are technically defensible and consistent with expectations of the analysis, and that resulting safety
control sets are adequate, robust and implementable. Accordingly, every Toolbox model needs to be
independently evaluated according to the SQA principles in DOE O 414.1D, Quality Assurance, and
additional useful guidance in DOE G 414.1-4, Safety Software Guide for use with 10 CFR 830 Subpart A,
Quality Assurance Requirements (2010). Modeling techniques inherent in the toolbox software and
guidance for their use, including input requirements, are discussed below. Note that model evaluation is
not one of the 10 work activities to be considered per DOE O 414.1D, Attachment 4 nor is this topic
discussed in DOE G 414.1-4A.
Of the eight toolbox codes that comprise the DOE Safety Software Central Registry (CR), three are
applicable to radiological dispersion and consequence analysis applications (GENII, MACCS2, and
HotSpot) and two are applicable to toxic chemical dispersion and consequence analysis applications
(ALOHA and EPIcode). The other toolbox codes address fires (CFAST), in-facility transport
(MELCOR) and biological uptake (IMBA). The three radiological dispersion computer models are listed
in Table 6-13 along with their respective developing organization, toolbox version, the year designated
for the DOE Safety Software Central Registry, and current version supported by their developer.
Additional information on the DOE Safety Software Central Registry and individual atmospheric
dispersion and consequence analysis computer models is available through the website
http://energy.gov/ehss/safety-software-quality-assurance-central-registry.
Inclusion of a code into the DOE Safety Software CR provides DOE users the assurance that the SQA
level is adequate for safety analysis applications along with implementation of applicable site-specific
SQA requirements per the site’s quality assurance program. These requirements might include site
acceptance testing, user training, configuration control, and error reporting. In the case of a specific DOE
Safety Software CR computer code, the gap analysis against SQA standards and requirements and the
code guidance development process are specific to the version at the time the computer software was
designated for the Central Registry. If a later version of the computer code is being considered for use,
the DOE contractor is responsible for determining that the quality assurance level of that code version
meets applicable DOE requirements.
https://www.epa.gov/scram/air-quality-dispersion-modeling-screening-models
http://energy.gov/ehss/safety-software-quality-assurance-central-registry
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Table 6-13. Computer Models in DOE Safety Software Central Registry for
Radiological Consequence Analysis.
(Content shown is current as of publication date)
Computer
Code Lead /Developing Organization
Section 217
Version/
Year Designated for
the Toolbox
Current
Version
Supported by
the Developer
GENII Bruce Napier / Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory
V1.485 / 2004
V2.10.1 / 2013 V2.10.1
HotSpot Steve Homann / Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory V2.07.1 / 2010 V3.01
MACCS2 Nate Bixler / Sandia National
Laboratory V1.13.1 / 2004
WinMACCS
V3.7; MACCS2
V2.6.0
The codes in the CR were developed outside of DOE and in other Federal agencies (NOAA, NRC, or
EPA)]. Access to the toolbox codes or their use is subject to agreements, conditions, and restrictions
established by the code owners or Federal Agencies. The CR is currently managed by AU-32 within
EHSS and the focus of AU-32 is to work with the code developers/owners to have the Toolbox codes
updated (closing the gaps) and maintained following SQA provisions of applicable national consensus
standards such as ANSI/ASME NQA-1-2008 which is the preferred standard cited in DOE O 414.1D for
safety software.
In the preface to the DOE Central Registry, DOE states that the Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer
(DOE/HS-1, which is currently the AU-1 organization) is responsible for managing the Safety Software
Central Registry. However, the toolbox code owners are responsible for ensuring that the codes are
maintained in accordance with established DOE O 414.1D requirements. and DOE G 414.1-4A provides
additional SQA guidance.
As stated on the DOE/AU website, use of the CR toolbox codes is not mandatory. Of the three options
given in DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2 for radiological dispersion analysis, only Option 2
requires the use of a toolbox code. However, using the toolbox codes offers a number of advantages to
DOE and its contractors, which include:
• The evaluation performed provides valuable information on the code regarding application of
SQA requirements;
• The evaluation generally extends beyond the DOE safety software quality assurance criteria to
the review of the code’s capability to properly perform safety basis calculations;
• The DOE-specific guidance documents identify limitations and vulnerabilities not readily found
in other code documentation;
• Due to the established pedigree, quality assurance assessments of the toolbox code by the users
(DOE personnel and site contractors) may be reduced in scope; and
• Increase of user base and experience across the DOE complex.
ALOHA, EPIcode, GENII, MELCOR, CFAST, and MACCS2 were the original six computer codes
designated for the DOE Central Registry in 2003, and each code’s SQA, gap analysis, and code usage
guidance documents were published in 2004. The gap analyses for these six codes were completed before
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issuance of DOE O 414.1C, Quality Assurance, and the safety software guidance, DOE G 414.1-476. The
two documents provided a framework for the evolving DOE requirements for safety software. With the
release of DOE O 414.1C and DOE G 414.1-4, and subsequently DOE O 414.1D the safety software
requirements were more clearly identified (Attachment 4 to the respective Orders) and guidance for
meeting the requirements provided.
HotSpot V2.07.1 was added to the CR in 2010 after a detailed SQA evaluation that determined that the
adequacy of the HotSpot SQA program and associated documentation, with some modifications (gaps),
that met the safety SQA requirements of the DOE O 414.1D. With the available SQA documentation, the
necessity of a separate guidance document was not established. HotSpot has been recently upgraded to
Version 3.01 and further revision to the code is underway following which the code developer intends to
request a subsequent SQA evaluation by DOE/AU-33.
Section 218
More detailed discussions of the capabilities of MACCS2, GENII, and HotSpot are given below. These
cover available toolbox atmospheric transport and diffusion models for radiological analysis. The toolbox
models for toxic chemical consequence analysis, ALOHA and EPIcode, are addressed in Section 9.7.
Additional supported radiological consequence codes (e.g. RASCAL, NARAC, RSAC-8, HYRAD,
ARCON96), which have had some use at various DOE sites, should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
as to their applicability to the safety analysis that is undertaken. Should the analyst select any of these
other codes, an atmospheric dispersion modeling protocol (see Section 6.11) needs to be developed and
approved by the DOE site office.
The three radiological toolbox codes listed in Table 6-13 are briefly discussed below. The toolbox
version of these codes is available through the Radiation Safety Information Computational Center.
Table 6-14 summarizes important features of the toolbox software and serves as a roadmap to the
guidance given in this Handbook with respect to radiological consequence analysis.
76 DOE O 414.1C, and its supporting Safety Software Guide, were issued 6-17-05.
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Table 6-14. Summary Guidance on the Use of Computer Models in DOE Central Registry for Radiological Dispersion Analysis.
Model Feature GENII HotSpot MACCS2 Guidance
Prescriptive
Meteorology
Capability
Not readily available as an
option
User-defined wind
speed and stability
class can be input
via one of the
meteorological input
modes
User-defined wind
speed and stability
class can be input via
one of the
meteorological input
modes
Generally has been used for modeling
dispersion for a high wind event. Another
example is that stability class F and 1.0 m/s
wind speed may be used when site-specific
hourly meteorological data are not available.
Plume Transport
with Hourly
Meteorological
Data
One continuous plume generated
for each hour based on constant
wind direction, wind speed and
stability class
One continuous
plume generated for
each hour based on
constant wind
direction, wind
speed and stability
class
For each source term,
one continuous plume
generated for each
hour with constant
wind direction, but
wind speed and
stability class
changing after each
hour of transport; up
to 4 plumes can be
used to transport and
disperse 4 distinct
source terms
The GENII2, HotSpot and MACCS2
approaches are compliant with DOE-STD-
3009-2014.
Years of
Meteorological
Data
Up to ten years in single code
execution
Up to five years in
single code
execution
One year per code
execution – mean
value of 95th or 99.5th
percentile χ/Q from all
executions typically
determined
Five years is recommended (DOE-STD-3009-
2014, Section 3.2.4.2).
Percentile Output
for a Given
Distance Based on
Statistical
Sampling of
Meteorological
Data
95th percentile for each wind
direction sector, considering
only plumes traveling in the
given sector
95th percentile from
overall cumulative
probability
distribution from all
directions combined
95th and 99.5th
percentile from overall
cumulative probability
distribution from all
directions combined
The approach of HotSpot/MACCS2 is
conservative and accepted by DOE-STD-
3009-2014 even though not fully compliant
with NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145.
Determining the maximum sector result from
GENII2 is a conservative approach with
respect to DOE-STD-3009-2014.
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Model Feature GENII HotSpot MACCS2 Guidance
Section 219
Wind Speed
Profile
i) Reference height for
meteorological data is an
input value in first line of
meteorological input data file
ii) Wind speed is adjusted for
release heights that differ
from reference height
iii) Release heights less than
12 m are modeled using 10-
m wind speed
iv) Surface wind speed is used
together with roughness
length (z0) input in
meteorological data file for
determining friction velocity
(u*)
i) Default reference
height for
meteorological
data is 10 m, but
the user may
change it.
ii) Wind speed is
adjusted for
release heights
that differ from
reference height.
i) Reference height
for meteorological
data is always 10 m
ii) Wind speed is not
adjusted for release
heights that differ
from reference
height
The 10-m wind speed is recommended for
ground level releases. For elevated releases
above 10 m, adjustment of the wind speed is
standard practice (HotSpot, GENII2); no
adjustment is conservative (MACCS2).
Treatment of
Calm Wind
Speeds
User specifies minimum wind
speed value (any wind speed
values in meteorological data
file less than minimum value is
reset to minimum value)
Software resets any
wind speed values in
meteorological data
file less than 0.1 m/s
to 0.1 m/s
Software resets any
wind speed values in
meteorological data
file less than 0.5 m/s
to 0.5 m/s
Specifying a minimum wind speed of 1.0 m/s
is recommended (DOE-STD-3009-2014,
Section 3.2.4.2).
Dispersion
Parameter
Sets
• Eimutis and Konicek (NRC)
• Pasquill-Gifford (EPA)
• Briggs Open Country
• Briggs Urban
• Briggs Open
Country
• Briggs Urban
• Tadmor-Gur
• Briggs Open
Country
• Eimutis and
Konicek (NRC)
• Briggs Urban
Briggs Urban set not recommended. Tadmor-
Gur not recommended for distances less than
500 m. The toolbox version of MACCS2 has
a lookup table error which may limit which
dispersion parameters can be used. See
Section 6.4.2.
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Model Feature GENII HotSpot MACCS2 Guidance
G Stability Class i) Modeled explicitly with
Eimutis and Konicek (NRC)
set of dispersion parameters
ii) Modeled as F stability class
for other sets of dispersion
parameters
i) Vertical
dispersion
modeled as F
stability class
ii) Modeling of
horizontal
dispersion
specified by user
to be equivalent
modeled as any
stability class in
range of A through
F
Modeled as F stability
class
Modeling G stability class as F stability class
is recommended. Experiments have shown
that plume meander under class G yields
dispersion conditions that are no more
conservative than under Class F.
Adjustment of
horizontal
dispersion
parameter (σy) for
plume meander
No adjustment currently
modeled
Averaging time
method
i) Averaging time
method
ii) NRC method
The averaging time method is recommended;
no adjustment is conservative.
Adjustment of
vertical dispersion
parameter (σz) for
surface roughness
(zo) effects
No adjustment
(User enters zo value in
meteorological data file that is
used to define the wind speed
profile and calculate the
deposition velocity)
No adjustment User enters roughness
adjustment factor
Equation 6-12 or either Equation 6-13 or 6-14
is recommended together with one of the
methods discussed to determine zo; no
adjustment is conservative for ground-level
non-buoyant releases.
Adjustment of
initial values (at
source) for σy and
σz for building
wake effects
User inputs building dimensions
and software determines initial
σy and σz values
User inputs building
dimensions and
software determines
initial σy and σz
values
Section 220
User inputs initial
values for σy and σz
Increased dispersion from building wake
effects should only be used for ground-level
releases. No other adjustments should be
made to the dispersion parameters for plume
meander or surface roughness effects.
Ignoring building wake dispersion is
generally more conservative. Option 2 in
DOE-STD-3009-2014 does not allow for
crediting of building wake factors.
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Model Feature GENII HotSpot MACCS2 Guidance
Effective Stack
Height
User enters effective release
height
User enters effective
release height
User enters effective
release height
The use of plume rise equations in Appendix
E is recommended to determine effective
release height taking into account stack-tip
downwash and aerodynamic entrainment
effects of buildings. Assuming ground
release is generally more conservative.
Plume Buoyancy Plume rise model from stack
available as an option. Not
recommended for fire-release
modeling.
• Stack plume rise
model
• Pool-fire plume
rise model (open
field)
Plume rise model from
stack available as an
option.
The three models employ similar models for
plume rise from a stack as long as the stack
meets GEP criteria. The HotSpot pool fire
model is only applicable with an open field
release. When using MACCS2 to model
fires, the guidance of this Handbook should
be followed, including inputting the height of
the tallest co-located structure to account for
building entrainment that can inhibit plume
rise. Ignoring buoyant plume rise is
conservative.
Deposition
Velocity for
Respirable Source
Term
Software determines value for
each meteorological sample
using other input data and
algorithms in the model
User enters value User enters value
single value
The GENII2 deposition velocity model is
approved for safety analysis. When GENII2
is not used for the dispersion and consequence
analysis, the 95th percentile deposition
velocity determined from the GENII2 output
is recommended as input to either the
MACCS2 or HotSpot software.
Alternatively, the default value of 0.1 cm/s for
an unfiltered release may be used.
Resuspension Option available to user Option available to
user
Option available to
user
Resuspension does not need to be modeled
per DOE-STD-3009-2014 since that this
atmospheric redistribution mechanism
develops slowly; including this dose pathway
is conservative.
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Model Feature GENII HotSpot MACCS2 Guidance
Radioactive
Decay During
Plume Transport
Option available to user Option not available
to user
Option available to
user
Decay of radioactive isotopes in the plume is
a function of the travel time and the half-life
of each specific radionuclide that is present in
the plume. In practice, this effect is
appreciable with radioisotopes of half-life on
the same order or shorter than the time to
reach the receptor under consideration. For
non-reactor facilities, inadvertent criticality
event would be the primary accident type for
which this factor is important.
Grid Spacing User selection User selection User selection Grid spacing can have an impact on the
radiological dose calculations.
Mixing Height
Treatment
Variable depending on data
input
Seasonal, user input Seasonal, user input Mixing height represents the lid on vertical
dispersion. Once the plume reaches the
mixing lid, it reflects back to the ground.
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6.9.1 MACCS2
Section 221
The MELCOR Accident Consequence Code System (MACCS) code,77 and its successor, MACCS2,78 are
based on a straight-line Gaussian plume model. MACCS was developed originally for the NRC, whereas
MACCS2, an enhanced version, was developed to address DOE applications.
MACCS2 V 1.13.1 is a DOE toolbox code, and because it is a comprehensive and flexible code it is one
of the most widely used codes in the DOE/NNSA complex. The MACCS2 package includes three
primary enhancements: (1) a more flexible emergency response model; (2) an expanded library of
radionuclides; and (3) a semi-dynamic food-chain uptake model. The new code features allow detailed
evaluations of potential consequences to workers at nearby facilities on large DOE reservations and allow
the user to assess the potential impacts of over 800 radionuclides that could not be considered with the
earlier MACCS code.
MACCS2 requires significant user experience to set up input files which include:
• Range intervals;
• Population distribution;
• Weather scenario;79
• Release height, number, and duration of plumes;
• Radionuclides released;80
• Organ doses and health risks;
• Dose conversion factors;
• Evacuation timing and routes;
• Costs of decontamination and interdiction;
• Sensible heat;
• Radiation shielding parameters; and
• Deposition and resuspension.
WinMACCS V 3.10, a new version of MACCS2 with a Windows-based user interface, has been released,
but has not yet (as of Handbook publication) been approved as a toolbox code (McFadden et al., 2007).
MACCS2 has also been successfully used in modeling the atmospheric dispersion and consequences of a
plume of Pu-239 particulates resulting from an HE detonation, although it was not originally designed for
that purpose.
DOE Safety Advisory 2009-05, Errors in MACCS2 χ/Q Calculations, describes a problem at large
distances (greater than 2 km) with the lookup table with MACCS2 versions 1.13.1 and 2.4 (DOE Safety
Advisory 2009-05; Napier et al., 2011) and it details an approach for avoiding the error. When using this
approach, the results should be verified to ensure the error was adequately addressed. PNNL evaluated
the Safety Advisory approach and found it to be insufficient at addressing the problem (Napier et al.,
2011). This error has been fixed with MACCS2 Version 2.6. The PNNL team recommends the use of
77 NUREG/CR-4691; NUREG/CR-6059.
78 NUREG/CR-6613; NUREG/CR-6547.
79 Constant weather, various variable-weather scenarios (such as using one year of hourly averages of wind speed
and direction, stability class, precipitation), and type of weather sampling.
80 Over 800 can be specified in MACCS2, an increase of over 500 from MACCS.
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the power law approach (Tadmor and Gur dispersion parameters) that avoids this potential error when
using MACCS2 for distances greater than 500 m (Napier et al., 2011).
The toolbox version of the code (MACCS2 V1.13.1) is not strictly compliant with DOE-STD-3009-94
CN3, Appendix A calculation requirements for determination of the overall site 95th percentile χ/Q.
However, its results can be viewed as providing a reasonable approximation to this level of consequence,
and can be used for the Option 2 χ/Q method from DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2. Historically,
MACCS2 has been used to calculate the offsite 95th percentile χ/Q for DOE facilities despite the fact that
the methodology used does not take into account variations in site boundary distances. As stated in DOE-
EH-4.2.1.4:
Section 222
MACCS2 and MACCS do not comply fully with … [NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145 Position 3]
methodology for determination of direction-independent 95th percentile dose to the offsite individual.
It may be used to conservatively evaluate the 95th percentile direction-independent dose to receptors
equidistant to the source.
Given site-specific data, the 95th percentile consequence is determined from the distribution of
meteorologically-based doses calculated for a postulated release to downwind receptors at the site
boundary that would result in a dose that is exceeded 5% of the time. DOE-STD-3009 allows for
variations in distance to the site boundary as a function of distance to be taken into consideration.
Assuming the minimum distance to the site boundary applies in all directions is a conservative
implementation that is easily supported by MACCS2 and that essentially makes the calculations sector
independent.
6.9.2 GENII
The Hanford Environmental Radiation Dosimetry Software System, GENeration II (GENII), is also based
on a straight-line Gaussian plume model. GENII V1.485 (Napier et al., 1988), which is a DOS-based
toolbox code, is available from the Radiation Safety Information Computational Center as package CCC-
601. A newer, Windows-based version, GENII V 2.10.1, with a user-friendly interface (FRAMES) has
been evaluated and approved as a toolbox code.
The GENII code has been thoroughly documented and was developed under a stringent quality assurance
program based on ANSI/ASME NQA-1-2008. It has been used in consequence calculations by safety
analysts for many years.
GENII is a comprehensive and flexible code with a strong emphasis on environmental dispersion
processes beyond those of atmospheric dispersion (aquatic dispersion, groundwater transport). (See
Chapter 7.) To quote from the APAC Working Group 5 report (APAC/TEEL-5, 1998):
GENII is a radiological assessment computer code system that estimates individual and collective
doses to humans from the environmental transport of radionuclides in the atmospheric, surface water,
and other environmental media, such as biotic transport and manual redistribution to the surface from
buried waste. GENII is used for a variety of radiological assessments including 1) acute atmospheric
releases, 2) chronic atmospheric releases, and 3) residual soil contamination.
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GENII V 2.10.1 has extensive libraries of isotopes and associated dose conversion factors. It calculates
doses from inhalation, ingestion, and external radiation (cloudshine and groundshine).
The required meteorological data to drive the code consists of JFDs of wind speed and stability class for
each of the 16 wind directions, usually taken to be 22.5-degree azimuth compass directions, with the first
one centered on north. The toolbox version of the code (GENII V 1.485) is not strictly compliant with
DOE-STD-3009-94, CN3 Appendix A calculation requirements for determination of the overall site 95th
percentile dose. However, its results can be viewed as providing a reasonable approximation to this level
of consequence. Users should also recognize that the older version uses atmospheric dispersion models
that do not account for plume depletion from wet and dry deposition phenomena or resuspension.
The GENII code also allows the user to specify radionuclide concentrations in the environmental media,
as may be produced from another code or previous analysis. In this mode, GENII will calculate the
corresponding radiological doses from various pathways.
Section 223
6.9.3 HOTSPOT
The HotSpot Health Physics Codes, or HotSpot program, provides a first-order approximation of the
radiation effects associated with the atmospheric release of radioactive materials. The toolbox version of
this code is Version 2.07.1 (Homann, 2010) and, as with the other two radiological consequence codes, is
based on the Gaussian plume model. The user inputs a 95 percent meteorological condition81 and selects
various source term options and dose output options. The software is also used for safety analysis of
facilities handling radioactive material. HotSpot atmospheric dispersion model codes are a first-order
approximation of the radiation effects associated with the short-term (less than a few hours) atmospheric
release of radioactive materials.
As is true for MACCS2, HotSpot is not strictly compliant with DOE-STD-3009-2014, and for the same
reasons. HotSpot Version 3.0.1, has been released, but has not yet been approved as a toolbox code.
6.10 ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION OPTIONS IN DOE-STD-3009-2014
Three options are given in DOE-STD-3009-2014 to evaluate atmospheric dispersion and the resulting
χ/Q:
• Option 1: Follow a process based on NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145;
• Option 2: Use a DOE-approved toolbox code and apply the conservative parameters; or
• Option 3: Use site-specific methods and parameters as defined in a site/facility specific DOE-
approved modeling protocol.
All three options evaluate the χ/Q at the MOI using either a 95th percentile for a “directionally
independent” method or a 99.5th percentile for a “directionally dependent” method. NRC Regulatory
Guide 1.145 defines how to derive the “95th percentile directionally independent” and the “99.5th
percentile directionally dependent” χ/Q values. For each of these, the minimum distances to the site
boundary in 45° azimuth-wide sectors centered on 16 directions (N, NNE, …) is to be derived and the χ/Q
value for each hour during the year is to be calculated. The term “directionally independent” as used in
81 Hotspot Version 2.07.1 and Version 3.01 can also work with hourly observations.
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DOE STD-3009-2014 means that the determination of the overall site 95th percentile χ/Q is calculated by
creating a cumulative probability distribution for all sectors combined based on all the meteorological
annual data and using the actual site boundary distance for each sector, and choosing the 95th percentile
value. The “99.5th percentile directionally dependent” value is found by creating a cumulative probability
distribution for each sector using the actual site boundary distances, determining the 99.5th percentile
value for each, and choosing the maximum value.
The value of χ/Q using Option 1 can be accomplished manually using a spreadsheet. Option 3 allows the
use of software generated at the site if it follows a DOE site-approved atmospheric dispersion modeling
protocol. For Option 2, one of the toolbox codes is to be used. It should be noted that the often-used
MACCS2 software does not fully comply with NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145, as explained above, yet is
accepted by DOE as the 95th percentile value for the closest point on the site boundary is conservative.
POSTMAX V2.0 (Sartor, 2009), software developed at LANL, can be used to generate the 95th percentile
value of χ/Q from the MACCS2 output that is compliant with NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145.
POSTMAX2 has been subjected to SQA at LANL (Letellier and Ashbaugh, 2001) but it is not one of the
toolbox codes, so therefore anyone using POSTMAX2 for a DSA will need to do their own SQA.
Section 224
6.11 ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION MODELING PROTOCOL
The following 15-step modeling protocol provides additional dispersion analysis guidance beyond that of
Section A.7 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 and is applicable to both radiological and toxic chemical releases.
This modeling protocol guidance addresses evaluation of the MOI receptor, as appropriate, for submittal
to the DOE Safety Basis Approval Authority (SBAA) for approval prior to its application. Guidance for
implementing the recommendations below can be found elsewhere in this chapter and in Chapter 8
regarding radiological dose estimation, or in Chapter 9 regarding toxic chemical consequences.
The 50-mile population dose calculation is included for situations where accidents cannot be prevented or
mitigated to less than the 25-rem EG and a comparison to DOE Policy 420.1, Department of Energy
Nuclear Safety Policy, may be required; or if necessary, for evaluation of beyond DBA/EBA accidents
(Section 3.1) to provide a risk perspective of any “cliff edge” effects or insights for emergency planning.
The 100 m CW is not included in this modeling protocol since guidance has already been established in
OE-3:2015-02, Atmospheric Dispersion Parameter (χ/Q) for Calculation of Co-located Worker Dose.
Section 6.13 provides specific guidance for the CW χ/Q. Assumptions and inputs for the CW evaluation
that are different from the MOI dispersion analysis are documented in the DSA Chapter 3 hazard
evaluation methodology, or alternately, in the accident analysis methodology. The 15-step modeling
protocol worksheet looks like this:
1. Identify dispersion model and version number chosen and the basis for its selection:
a. Identify dispersion model and version number chosen, and indicate whether it is an approved
version of a toolbox code available through the DOE CR.
b. Describe the appropriateness of the modeling technique relative to the site-specific and
facility-specific application and the basis for its selection.
c. State whether the default values recommended in the DOE guidance document for the DOE
Central Registry toolbox code will be used, or technically justify the use of alternate values.
d. If a DOE CR toolbox code is not used, describe the SQA assessment has been performed, or
will be performed on the selected code.
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Note 1: Safety SQA requirements in DOE O 414.1D need to be met prior to using any code
that is not in the DOE CR toolbox.
e. In lieu of selecting a DOE CR toolbox code or other industry-accepted code, the proposed
dispersion analysis may be performed within a spreadsheet, if it is documented as an
engineering calculation that complies with applicable site SQA requirements.
Note 2: DOE sites may choose any modeling approach it deems applicable to facility-specific
phenomenology and site-specific atmospheric dispersion, as long as it is approved by the
DOE SBAA prior to its application for the DSA accident analysis. The SBAA is expected to
rely on subject matter experts experienced in dispersion analysis and/or an expert review
panel for evaluating the selected modeling approach.
2. Specify the receptors to be evaluated:
a. MOI
b. Other sensitive receptors
c. 50-mile population (when needed)
3. Describe site- and facility-specific elements:
a. Release height: Indicate the height of the release above plant grade and determine whether it
is sufficiently high to escape the aerodynamic effect of nearby buildings to become elevated.
Section 225
Note 3: If the release height is less than 2.5 times higher than nearby adjacent buildings, the
release height should be set to zero (i.e., ground-level release).
Note 4: If release is from a stack 2.5 (or more) times higher than nearby adjacent buildings,
but the stack is not seismically-qualified, it should be treated as a ground-level release.
b. Terrain profile to determine potential interactions (plume impaction): If the release height is
determined to be ground-level then terrain effects do not affect the analysis unless it is a
dense gas release that may be gravity-fed into a nearby depression. For elevated releases,
impaction of the plume on a downwind hill or mountain should be incorporated into the
analysis. If a non-toolbox code has been selected to model the impact of terrain effects on
atmospheric dispersion, describe the site’s unique terrain profile.
c. Surface roughness data source (population, terrain): Identify the surface roughness or
terrain type (i.e., urban, rural) applicable to the analysis for the site morphology and indicate
how this affects the horizontal and vertical turbulence parameters. Provide a technical basis
for the establishment of site roughness parameters inclusive of tree types, density,
configuration, topography, building locations and types, and local land use.
Note 5: Surface roughness considers both upwind (i.e., fetch) and downwind characteristics
of the release point, and the value used for the MOI could be different from that for a 50-mile
population dose calculation.
d. Population distribution within 50-mile radius: For population dose calculations, determine
the population in each of the annular sectors, the census year represented, and whether day-
night population distributions are to be applied and the justification for their application.
Note 6: Population doses are included in this Handbook since it may be of interest for special
risk assessments to compare to the DOE Safety Goal in DOE P 420.1, Department of Energy
Nuclear Safety Policy, and could be used to provide perspective should a facility have
mitigated doses to the MOI that exceed the 25 rem EG.
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e. Site map with locations of receptors of interest: Develop a map of the DOE site with DOE-
controlled property line and MOI site distances for the 16 sectors, in conformance with NRC
Regulatory Guide 1.145, and other relevant boundaries, inclusive of the Perimeter Intrusion
and Detection Alarm System or other security physical control boundaries.
f. Location of release points: Develop a map that shows the location of all release points that
are being analyzed, or describe whether the release is not associated with fixed locations
(e.g., a release in a large outdoor waste staging area).
g. Mixing Layer Height: Select the appropriate mixing layer height and justify its selection.
4. Describe release characteristics:
a. Initial plume dimensions: Should the release become entrained in the wake and cavity of a
nearby building, describe the method to calculate the initial horizontal and vertical plume
dimensions, if treated as a virtual point source.
b. Positive and negative buoyancy: If plume buoyancy occurs due to sensible heat of the
release, or its density, as in a hydrogen release, indicate its applicability to the analysis and
the analytical technique to be employed to account for it. For heavy gas (dense gas) releases,
determine if the release quantity, boiling of a cryogenic liquid, and/or density of the release,
represented by the Bulk Richardson Number, would subject it to dense gas dispersion
conditions and describe the analytical technique to be employed to account for it. See
footnote 55 with respect to indoor fires.
Section 226
c. Elevated or ground-level release: Based on the presence of a nearby or adjacent building,
determine whether the release is elevated or down-washed to ground level. For elevated
releases of gamma-emitting radionuclides, additional cloud shine dose calculations using an
appropriate finite plume model may be necessary. Describe the finite plume model to be
used.
d. Aerodynamic influence of nearby buildings: Establish the appropriate code to account for the
aerodynamic effect of the buildings on the release.
e. Energetic releases: Identify the code to be used for each energetic release situation and the
justification for its use. Releases from fires can be modeled with MACCS2 and Hotspot. For
other energetic releases (e.g., detonations, deflagrations, delayed ignition, BLEVEs), codes
other than MACCS2 or HotSpot that are better suited to assess release dynamics for energetic
events may be employed if an effective release height calculation cannot be justified for input
to an appropriate Gaussian model.
Note 7: ALOHA V 5.4.6 is a toolbox code that is designed to address detonations, delayed
ignition, radiant heat from a fire, and a BLEVE.
5. Describe source term phenomenology and characterization, as applicable to any particular accident
scenarios:
a. Particulate and Pressurized Liquid Releases: Five-Factor Formula (MAR, DR, ARF, RF,
LPF): Include a discussion whether the unmitigated and mitigated source terms, as
determined by the DOE-HDBK-3010-94 methodology, warrant any special considerations for
input to the dispersion analysis, or state why there are none.
Describe if the source term has any special physical release properties that may influence
dispersion or consequence estimates. Indicate whether it will be modeled other than as a
point source, not already addressed in the considerations above, or whether it will be modeled
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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considering momentum from the discharge velocity, or as a buoyant release due to elevated
discharge temperature of the release, fire, or explosion.
If credited in the mitigated analysis, identify LPF from building configurations and presence
or absence of HEPA filters.
b. Particulate and Pressurized Liquid Releases: Particle-Size Distribution: Since particle size
distribution spectra are very important for establishing RF, ARF, and deposition velocity,
establish the applicable particle size distribution from DOE-HDBK-3010-94, supplemented
by representative studies and experiments. If the particle size distribution is unknown,
assume a conservative distribution from available data to bound the calculation.
c. Pressurized and non-Pressurized Gaseous Releases: Release Period and Release Rate:
Determine gaseous release as a function of time for pressurized gaseous releases.
If gaseous release is constant and continuous establish a constant release rate as input to a
peer-reviewed Gaussian plume model.
If release is for a brief period (i.e., less than a minute), establish a release quantity as input to
a peer-reviewed Gaussian puff model.
d. Pressurized Liquid and Gaseous Releases: Density with respect to ambient atmosphere:
Select appropriate code to address whether positive buoyancy or negative buoyancy is
applicable.
Note 8: HPAC SCIPUFF has been used to address positively buoyant gases (e.g., hydrogen)
and ALOHA, DEGADIS, SLAB and HPAC have been used to address negatively-buoyant
gases (e.g., chlorine).
Section 227
e. Gaseous Releases: Reactivity on release to the atmosphere: Effects of atmospheric
chemistry should to be considered on releases that may undergo chemical transformation
during transport to the MOI and population (e.g., uranium hexafluoride and anhydrous
ammonia).
f. Gaseous Releases: Fire scenario chemical transformation: Oxidation of radionuclides or
toxic chemicals in fires result in new substances, depending on temperature and availability
of oxygen. Peer-reviewed literature should be consulted in the determination of the new
substances to be evaluated.
Note 9: Seek assistance from a process chemical engineer or chemist to determine the new
substances and their quantities to be evaluated.
g. Pressurized Gaseous Releases: Identify the size of the orifice and whether choked flow is
applicable. Due to the nature of this type of release, it is non-linear and the release rate
decreases with time.
Note 10: Consult technical literature for release rate characterization and if flow is choked
by speed of sound limitation.
h. Pressurized Liquid and Non-Pressurized Liquid Releases: Determine the evaporation rate of
the puddle using appropriate mass balance methodology. Unless release is confined in an
impoundment basin, an unconfined puddle depth should be justified based on the surface
type, or a depth of 1 cm may be assumed consistent with 40 CFR 68, Chemical Accident
Prevention Provisions, guidance for a worst case spill (EPA-550-B-99-005).
Note 11: ALOHA V 5.4.6 has a useful mass-balance algorithm, or manual calculation
methods presented in Appendix B can be applied.
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i. Pressurized Liquid Release: Depending on the substance and the pressure and temperature
that it is stored, the release will be in two phases. Immediate flashing results in a gaseous
puff and a puddle. The puff should be evaluated with a Gaussian puff model and the
subsequent puddle evaporation by a Gaussian plume model.
Note 12: HPAC and ALOHA Version 5.4.6 contain useful algorithms to determine flash-
aerosol-puddle quantities. Manual calculation methods presented in Section 4.3 of this
Handbook can also be applied.
j. Sensible Heat from Fire: Determine impacts of sensible heat from fire in terms of radiant
heat impacts on human skin exposure and on facility integrity.
Note 13: ALOHA V 5.4.6 contains useful algorithms to determine radiant heat impacts of
sensible heat.
k. Deflagration: Determine energetic release propagation rate. If slower than the speed of
sound, a deflagration fireball results. Select the appropriate peer-reviewed code to establish
impacts to workers, public, the environment, and SSC integrity.
Note 14: NASA fireball code (Dobranich et al., 1997) addresses this phenomenology and the
analyst may wish to consult this report for guidance.
l. Detonation: Determine energetic release propagation rate. If faster than the speed of sound,
a detonation occurs. Select the appropriate peer-reviewed code to establish impacts to
workers, public, the environment, and SSC integrity.
Note 15: ALOHA V 5.4.6 contains useful algorithms to determine overpressures from
detonations.
m. Detonation (delayed ignition): Delayed ignition detonations may occur hours after release
and depend on the mechanical turbulence generated by obstacles (trees, buildings) in its
transport path.
Note 16: ALOHA V 5.4.6 contains useful algorithms to determine overpressures from delayed
ignition detonations.
Section 228
n. BLEVE: Determine whether a fire of a tanker or container can result in a BLEVE.
Note 17: ALOHA V 5.4.6 contains useful algorithms to determine overpressures from a
BLEVE.
6. Describe meteorological data sources and assure its fidelity:
a. Onsite instrumented meteorological tower: Indicate whether an onsite source of
representative meteorological data is available and if so, indicate locations of meteorological
towers on site map with release locations. The meteorological program should monitor wind
speed, wind direction, and an indicator of atmospheric stability (e.g., temperature difference,
sigma theta, sigma phi).
b. Heights of measurement: Identify the heights of measurement for each of the meteorological
parameters that will be used in the analysis. Ideally, wind speed and wind direction data are
measured at the standard 10-meter height. If wind speed is measured at a non-standard
height, wind speed power law height adjustments should be considered. The temperature
difference minimum height should be at least 35 meters if the delta T method is used to
determine stability class.
c. Certification of data quality: Indicate whether the onsite meteorological data has been
quality assured under the guidance of Section 7.4 of ANSI/ANS-3.11-2015. Provide a
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certification from the site meteorological program manager, or other organization accountable
for the effective operation of the meteorological program.
d. Pre-processing and averaging methodology: Demonstrate that the raw meteorological data
have been appropriately pre-processed and averaged to be applicable to the assessment.
e. Missing data handling techniques: Since all meteorological data bases have some gaps due
to calibrations and instrument malfunctions and missing data needs to be addressed,
demonstrate that the data base has appropriate missing data handling as part of its quality
assurance program.
f. Offsite representative meteorological source (e.g., National Weather Service): If quality-
assured onsite meteorological data are not available, determine a surrogate data source nearby
the site and demonstrate that it is spatially representative.
7. Describe meteorological data application to dispersion assessment:
a. Applicable meteorological parameters: State which meteorological parameters will be used
in the dispersion assessment.
b. Calm wind speed threshold and handling methodology: Calm wind speed handling
methodology is very important to consequence assessments since very light wind speeds are
part of the 95% and 99.5% meteorology. Demonstrate that calm wind speeds are
appropriately handled in the data base and are tied to the threshold wind speed limitations of
the mechanical or sonic anemometry.
c. Turbulence typing methodology: Choose the technique to type turbulence and demonstrate
that the methodology selected is representative of the site’s roughness and other site-specific
and facility-specific characteristics.
d. Incorporation of surface roughness in turbulence typing: Since surface roughness affects
mechanical turbulence generation, the horizontal and vertical dispersion parameters should
reflect this. Demonstrate whether the site should be characterized as a rural or urban site by
profiling the site’s roughness. Rough rural sites can be described using rural dispersion
parameters with an applicable roughness correction but should never be classified as urban.
Section 229
e. Wind speed power law height adjustments: If wind speed and wind direction measurements
are at any height except the standard of 10 meters, appropriate wind speed height adjustment
techniques (e.g., power law) should be invoked. Power law exponents are a function of
atmospheric stability class. Indicate which power law methodology is employed and justify
why it is applicable to the site.
8. Select meteorological data period:
a. 1-5 years: At least 5 years of recent meteorological data are needed to demonstrate temporal
representativeness. Depending on completeness of the data record, consecutive years of
recent meteorological data are preferred (EPA, 2000). Identify the years of data that will be
evaluated, and explain any anomalies, such as years being excluded if not able to be certified.
If data base is shorter than 5 years, a representativeness demonstration is required to
determine any uncertainties.
b. More than 5 years: If meteorological data are available in this temporal range, use as much
as are available. The larger the data base, the less likely a climatological “Black swan” is
missed in the statistics.
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9. Select appropriate atmospheric dispersion parameters:
Demonstrate that the dispersion parameters are applicable to site characteristics. The dispersion
parameters can be taken from the following menu:
a. Pasquill-Turner-Gifford (rural terrain, hand scaling)
b. Briggs urban and rural
c. McElroy-Pooler (urban terrain)
d. Eimutis and Konicek curve fitting of the Pasquill-Turner-Gifford data
Note 18: Eimutis and Konicek are used in MACCS2. However, the analyst should be aware of
the table lookup error in the toolbox version of the MACCS2 code.
e. Tadmor and Gur curve fitting of the Pasquill-Turner-Gifford curves
Note 19: Tadmor and Gur are used in MACCS2, but are not recommended for the MOI within
500 m of the release.
f. Other dispersion parameters resulting from special site atmospheric tracer studies and/or
other peer-reviewed evaluations.
10. Select plume averaging time, if different from release duration, and demonstrate its applicability to
selected horizontal and vertical dispersion parameters.
a. If time-based meander factors are used, ensure that the time basis is consistent with the
technical basis of the selected dispersion parameters (e.g., 3 minutes for P-G-T).
11. Describe release duration and exposure period:
a. Demonstrate that the selected release duration range is applicable to the assessment.
b. Use a peer-reviewed dispersion model appropriate for the scenario in question. For Gaussian
models, use a plume code for releases longer than one minute, and for a period shorter than
one minute, use a puff code or turn off any time-based meander corrections in a plume code.
For energetic releases, use an appropriate codes other than MACCS2 or HotSpot that are
better suited to assess release dynamics for energetic events, or justify use of an effective
release height input to an appropriate Gaussian model.
12. Describe aerodynamic building effects:
a. NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145 technique: Demonstrate that this conservative plume
downwash into the lee-side cavity is applicable to the assessment.
b. Other peer-reviewed technique: Identify other peer-reviewed techniques, such as discussed
in Section 6.8.3 of this Handbook, and demonstrate that this other technique is applicable to
the assessment.
13. Describe dry deposition and plume depletion:
Section 230
a. Dry deposition technique: Indicate whether the dispersion assessment will include dry
deposition and provide justification for the site-specific methodology employed. Refer to
LLNL-TR-654366, Deposition Velocity Methods for DOE Site Safety Analysis and “Detailed
Technical Basis for Default Dry Deposition Values” in the DOE/HSS Safety Bulletin No.
2011-02 for guidance.
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Note 20: For tritium dispersion modeling, an appropriate deposition velocity is 0 cm/sec.
Deviation from this deposition velocity value needs to be justified.
b. Plume depletion technique: Indicate whether the dispersion assessment will include plume
depletion and provide justification for the site-specific methodology employed.
14. Describe χ/Q statistics and determine applicability to the assessment.
a. Direction-Independent (overall site) 95-percentile: Usual choice for conservative evaluations
of the cumulative distribution of the annual meteorological data for all 16 sectors accounting
for the distance to site boundary in each sector.
b. Direction-Dependent 99.5-percentile: Acceptable alternative to the direction-independent
95th percentile for conservative evaluations based on the maximum sector cumulative
distribution determined using actual site boundary distances for each sector.
c. Other percentile: Demonstrate applicability to the dispersion assessment of any other
percentile than those above for use in realistic analysis of Beyond Design/Evaluation Basis
Accidents, if that option will be used.
15. Provide a summary of the basis for the conclusion that the selection of the parameters and input
values, as identified above, will provide an overall radiological dose or chemical exposure
consequence that is bounding and conservative. Include a list of conservatisms below.
Note 21: Peer-reviewed models used in this protocol need to meet the SQA criteria in DOE O
414.1D and DOE G 414.1-4A.
6.12 NON-GAUSSIAN DISPERSION MODELING
6.12.1 DISPERSION UNDER EXTREME WIND OR TORNADO EVENT
Dispersion under extreme (high) wind or tornado event conditions warrants additional considerations with
respect to consequence analysis. The analysis performed for an extreme-wind/tornado event condition;
severe enough to challenge SSC integrity, should initially address the effect of the event, including its
incidence and return period, causing the release. Site-specific data may be used to characterize the
extreme meteorological conditions, using a Probabilistic Wind Hazard Analysis (PWHA). Guidance for
developing a PWHA is identified in ANSI/ANS-2.3-2011 (R2016), DOE-STD-1020-2016, Natural
Phenomena Hazards Design and Evaluation Criteria for Department of Energy Facilities, and DOE-
HDBK-1220-2017, Natural Phenomena Hazards Analysis and Design Handbook for DOE Facilities. If
the analysis determines releases are likely to occur after the initial storm impact, the assessment should
incorporate the appropriate meteorological conditions.
Once the SSC failure is established, consequences from the unmitigated release through the breached
barrier in a less-turbulent atmosphere following the event should be evaluated at locations that include the
maximum exposure point and other locations of interest. The simultaneous assumption of an extreme
wind or tornado accident scenario with minimal dispersion lends high confidence as to the conservatism
of the final result.
Section 231
Section B.3 of NRSD-2015-TD1 (2015) refers to a 1996 study by Weber and Hunter, Estimating
Dispersion from a Tornado Vortex and Mesocyclone (U), that provides a peer-reviewed technique to
determine downwind concentrations from releases caused by extreme winds or tornado that removed a
primary confinement barrier. In the specific scenario studied, the tornado damages the structure and
draws the released substance into its vortex. This scenario is comparable to an accident characterized by
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an instantaneous release and a short exposure time. The study is illustrative of the considerations for the
conditions resulting from a tornado that would first be assessed and calculated at the maximum exposure
point. A second and longer-term phase would also be included to account for a secondary release,
potentially without crediting the presence of a structure. The two receptors may be at different distances
from the source of release.
Weber and Hunter (1996) indicated that atmospheric transport and diffusion of a release from the facility
into the environment during a tornado can be modeled with a DBA dilution factor (Ψ/Q), designated for a
specific class tornado and applied for the distance from the facility to the receptor. The Ψ/Q parameter
(units of s/m3) represents the time-integrated ground-level centerline air concentration normalized by the
mass released, and is analogous to the χ/Q value that is calculated from the Gaussian plume equation for
neutrally buoyant releases. The Fujita scale (F1 to F5) is commonly used to categorize tornadoes. For
most DSAs, the tornado is assumed to be either F2 or F3. Figure 6-9 shows Ψ/Q values as a function of
downwind distance for different mean translational speeds of an F2 tornado.
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Figure 6-9. Maximum time-integrated ground-level centerline air concentration (s/m3) versus
downwind distance (km) for different mean translational speeds from 7.5 m/s to 22.5 m/s.82
The consequence analysis should select a maximum Ψ/Q for the assumed translational speed. For
example, a translational speed of 7.5 m/s leads to a maximum air concentration at approximately three
kilometers downwind. The product of the maximum Ψ/Q value and the release rate yields the ground
level air concentration at the maximum exposure point and locations of interest.
6.12.2 FINITE PLUME EXTERNAL DOSE MODELING
Chapter 8 addresses radiological dose consequences, primarily from the inhalation pathway. However,
depending on the mix of radionuclides, it is possible that inhalation doses may not be controlling,
especially if an elevated radionuclide release has a higher proportion of strong gamma-emitting isotopes
(such as Co-60, Xe-133, Cs-137). In this particular circumstance, the semi-infinite plume Gaussian
model may not be sufficient for establishing radiological consequences and a finite plume external dose
model may need to be applied. For an elevated plume, the concentration at the ground level and
concomitant inhalation dose is zero, whereas, the dose from the gamma radiation of the overhead plume
can be much greater than zero.
There are several codes available to calculate gamma shine doses, including External Dose Conversion
Factors From Finite Airborne Radioactive Plumes (Momeni, 2001) and Monte Carlo N-Particle
Transport Code System (MCNP, 1998), the latter a Monte Carlo transport code. With respect to the
finite-cloud sector-average model (Hamawi, 1976), the long-term gamma-ray dose in the atmosphere
from a sector-averaged plume may be expressed as a product of several factors multiplied by a sum of
two attenuation integrals.
Section 232
Since INL operates a reactor capable of releasing gamma-emitting fission products, it has included a finite
plume model within its radiological consequence code, RSAC-6 Radiological Safety Analysis Computer
Program (Schrader and Wenzel, 2001). The latest version of this code is RSAC-8. Although ORNL
operates a high-flux irradiation reactor, it does not employ a finite plume code in its suite of dispersion
models.
6.12.3 PLUMES FROM ENERGETIC EVENTS83
In the initial phase of an energetic event in air, a volume of gas is created that is hot and of high pressure.
Because the gas is hot, it rises through its own buoyancy and by the overpressure of the event (see Section
4.3.1). This gas expands rapidly until it equilibrates with the atmospheric pressure. These initial
processes determine the plume’s initial dimensions and height. After it reaches equilibrium with the
ambient atmosphere, conventional atmospheric diffusion processes act on this plume, carrying it
downwind as it continues to expand through turbulent diffusion.
HotSpot V 2.07.01 (Homann, 2010), includes atmospheric dispersion models for a nuclear explosion,
non-nuclear plutonium explosion, non-nuclear uranium explosion, fire, and tritium release. These models
estimate the short-range (<10 km) downwind radiological impact following the release of radioactive
82 Downdraft speed is 10 m/s and height of the cylindrical mesocyclone is 3500 m (from Weber and Hunter, 1996).
(fn. 82 cont.) CYL refers to the modeled cylindrical shape of the tornado and M DP refers to the results of another
tornado modeling study, for comparison.)
83 See Section 9.5 for additional discussion.
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material resulting from a short-term release (<few hours), explosive release, or fuel fire event. The
nuclear explosion program estimates the effects of a surface-burst nuclear weapon, which includes prompt
effects (neutron and gamma, blast, and thermal).
Virtual source terms are used to model the initial atmospheric distribution of source material following an
explosion and fire. The release is partitioned into 5 segments at varying heights up to the cloud top with
upward virtual source terms as shown in Section 9 (HotSpot Algorithms) of the HotSpot V 2.07.1 User’s
Manual, reproduced in Figure 6-10. The cloud radius is equal to 0.2 cloud top.
The non-respirable release component is the fraction of the total quantity of material involved, available
for dispersion into the atmosphere, which has a separate non-respirable deposition velocity default value
of 8 cm/sec, and is used to determine ground shine, submersion, and plume depletion.
The non-respirable release component is the fraction of the total quantity of material involved, available
for dispersion into the atmosphere, which has a separate non-respirable deposition velocity default value
of 8 cm/sec, and is used to determine ground shine, submersion, and plume depletion.
Another code has been developed expressly for this purpose, the Explosive Release Atmospheric
Dispersion (ERAD) code from SNL (Boughton and DeLaurentis, 1992). This code is a three-dimensional
numerical simulation of particle dispersion in the atmosphere and includes cloud dynamics, buoyancy
effects, and turbulent diffusion. It was designed to run on a small field-deployable computer. The details
of this model are beyond the scope of this guidebook, but to summarize, it treats particle dispersion as a
stochastic process that can be simulated with a Lagrangian Monte Carlo method. Comparisons with field
tracer data (Roller Coaster) show reasonably good agreement between the model predictions and
measurements.
Section 233
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Figure 6-10. Virtual Source Terms used in HotSpot for Explosion or Fire.
ERAD is difficult to use, in that the required array of three-dimensional meteorological data cannot be
easily obtained for code input, and the final consequence statistics cannot be easily derived. An
alternative method was therefore derived that makes use of a dispersion and consequence code that is
commonly used at DOE sites, namely, MACCS2 (see below). In this method, Plutonium Explosive
Dispersal Modeling Using the MACCS2 Computer Code (Steele, 1998), equations are derived that give the
cloud top height and the cloud radius as a function of time and amount of explosive used. Because the
plume asymptotically approaches the “final” height and size, the expressions are evaluated at three
minutes following the detonation, as the height and size are nearly the same then as their asymptotic
values. This leads to two simple expressions. The cloud top height (CTH) is given by
CTH (m) = 75 w¼ Equation 6-33
where w is the weight of the explosive in pounds of TNT equivalent. The cloud radius (R) is
R (m) = 16 w¼ Equation 6-34
These expressions are found to match observations surprisingly well. For use in MACCS2, the initial
height of the plume is set to CTH – R, and the initial cloud size is set to σy = σz = R. The resulting plume
concentrations are found to match observations about as well as ERAD did. Note that the above
discussion does not apply to indoor explosions.
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6.13 CO-LOCATED WORKER DISPERSION FACTOR
As mentioned in, Section 6.2, Key Receptors, the CW is a hypothetical individual located at a distance of
100 meters from a facility (building perimeter) or estimated release point. Unmitigated CW dose
calculations are used to evaluate whether SS controls are needed for protection of onsite workers.
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2 requires that:
A χ/Q value of 3.5 x 10-3 sec/m3 shall be used for ground-level release evaluation at the 100 meter
receptor location unless an alternate onsite χ/Q value is justified. This value may not be appropriate
for certain unique situations such as operations not conducted within a physical structure. When an
alternate value is used, the DSA shall provide a technical basis supporting the need for the alternate
value and the value selected.
The threshold for designation of SS controls is a 100 rem dose and the χ/Q value of 3.5 x10-3 s/m3 is part
of the unmitigated dose calculation for the 100-m CW receptor. New nuclear facilities or major
modifications to existing facilities apply the χ/Q value specified in the Standard; however, there may be a
limited number of situations where this value is not appropriate for the release conditions, and an alternate
value may be more appropriate. NSRD-2015-TD01 and OE-3 were issued in 2015 to establish the
regulatory basis of this χ/Q value. A discussion of this technical report and OE-3 follows.
6.13.1 TECHNICAL REPORT FOR CW Χ/Q VALUE
NSRD-2015-TD01 assesses the “default χ/Q value” and its technical and regulatory bases (DOE/ONS,
2015). The purpose of the technical report is to explore the sensitivities of the radiological χ/Q value,
previously stated is conservative. The χ/Q value in Appendix A to DOE-STD-1189-2008 was based on
NUREG-1140, A Regulatory Analysis on Emergency Preparedness for Fuel Cycle and Other Radioactive
Material Licensees, that applied Gaussian plume dispersion methodology for a 95% conservative
meteorological condition with a building size of 10 m × 36 m, and included other commonly utilized
conservative assumptions (e.g., centerline concentrations).
Section 234
Although the default χ/Q value was based on a number of conservative assumptions, the technical report
determined that atmospheric dispersion calculations were most sensitive to variations in initial plume
dimensions that were driven by the aerodynamic effects of the physical structure at the point of release.
The technical report analyzed sensitivity studies using the radiological consequence codes MACCS2 and
ARCON96 (NRC Regulatory Guide 1.194, Atmospheric Relative Concentrations for Control Room
Radiological Habitability Assessments at Nuclear Power Plants), and the toxic chemical codes ALOHA
and EPICode, to conclude that the default χ/Q value represents a conservative estimate of atmospheric
dispersion for calculating both radiological and toxic chemical exposure of the CW, where the release is
subject to aerodynamic effects from a facility building with a nominal cross-sectional area of 10 m × 36
m. However, the technical report also acknowledged that for uncommon situations where there is a
radiological or toxic chemical release from a facility smaller than that assumed in the analysis (e.g., tank
farm piping), where the enhanced turbulence from the aerodynamic effects of the facility on the wind
field would be smaller, the default χ/Q value may not provide as conservative an estimate of atmospheric
dispersion; specifically when benchmarking against Gaussian plume models such as MACCS2.
6.13.2 ALTERNATE Χ/Q VALUE JUSTIFICATION
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2, allows the application of an alternate χ/Q value as long as the
need for this alternate value is justified and its technical basis is documented in the DSA. Although
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limited, there are situations that may warrant the use of an alternate χ/Q value. As the Technical Report
demonstrates, inherent to the default χ/Q value is the assumption that the release is from a nuclear facility
with a building size of at least 10 m × 36 m. However, if the building size is smaller than 10 m × 36 m, or
if there is no building structure at all, the default χ/Q value may no longer be as conservative and an
alternate technique is justified.
Moreover, there may still be a need for using an alternate χ/Q value when the release is from a
sufficiently large building. This situation may arise when updating a DSA that was based on DOE-STD-
3009-94, CN3 or DOE-STD-3009-2014. DOE sites that already have existing CW values calculated in
their DSA should consider the need for updating their analysis to the specified value in DOE-STD-3009-
2014 and the impact that it has on control selection. If the updated analysis establishes that no change to
SS designation occurs, or no new SSCs or SACs are identified, then the DSA justification documents the
selected χ/Q value, and provides a rational that use of the alternate χ/Q value would not impact safety
control selection.
When an alternate χ/Q value is used in situations where the default χ/Q value may not be appropriate, the
DSA justification should be commensurate with the method of calculating the alternate χ/Q value. The
following two subsections discuss hand-calculation and computer code methodologies for calculating a
χ/Q value where the default value is demonstrated to not be appropriate.
6.13.2.1 HAND CALCULATIONS FOR A Χ/Q VALUE WHERE THE DEFAULT VALUE IS NOT
APPROPRIATE
Section 235
Attachment E of NSRD-2015-TD01 provides a simple approach for determining a χ/Q value in situations
where the default χ/Q value is demonstrated to not be appropriate for a conservative unmitigated analysis.
The approach applies the Gaussian plume equation methodology, basing the initial plume dimensions, σyi
and σzi, on the actual building width and actual building height that the release emanates from, as shown
in Eq. 6-35.
𝒙𝒙
𝑸𝑸
(𝒙𝒙 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏,𝒚𝒚 = 𝟎𝟎, 𝒛𝒛 = 𝟎𝟎,𝑯𝑯 = 𝑶𝑶) = 𝟏𝟏
𝝅𝝅 𝑼𝑼�𝝈𝝈𝒚𝒚𝒚𝒚+𝝈𝝈𝒚𝒚𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏��𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛𝒛𝒛+𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏�
Equation 6-35
Where:
U = Wind speed diluting the plume (m/sec);
σy100 = Standard deviation of concentration in the horizontal direction from 100 m of plume
travel (m);
σ z100 = Standard deviation of concentration in the vertical direction from 100 m of plume travel
(m);
σ yi = Standard deviation of concentration in the horizontal direction based on the aerodynamic
effects of the building width (m); and,
σ zi = Standard deviation of concentration in the vertical direction based on the aerodynamic
effects of the building height (m).
The initial plume dimensions can be calculated from Eq. 6-36.
σyi = W/4.3 and σzi =H/2.15 Equation 6-36
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Where:
W = shortest building width (m); and,
H = minimum building height (m).
The intent of this approach is to address the potential issue concerning releases emanating from locations
that either do not have a physical structure or where the building is smaller than 10 m × 36 m. For
releases from locations without any physical structure, Eq. 6-36 simply reverts to the ground-level release
equation (Eq. 6-5) for a plume that has traveled 100 m with no horizontal and vertical plume expansion to
account for the aerodynamic effects of a facility on the wind field. This simple hand calculation or
spreadsheet calculation can be quickly executed without employing an atmospheric dispersion computer
code, which is consistent with the original intent of establishing a default χ/Q value. Examples of how to
use the equation are provided in Attachment E of NSRD-2015-TD01 for different structure dimensions
and when no structure is nearby. Case 2 from Table E-1 of the technical report is replicated below for
releases from locations without any physical structure assuming that the 95 percent meteorology is
Stability Class F and 1 m/s wind speed.
NSRD-2015-TD01 Table E-1 Case 2: For stability class F at a distance of 100 m, the Eimutis-Konicek84
curve fit algorithms give the following standard deviation of concentration in the horizontal and vertical
directions without a building present.
σy = 0.0722 × 1000.9031 = 4.62 m
σz = 0.086 × 1000.74
– 0.35 = 2.25 m
χ/Q = 1 / [π × 1 m/s × 4.62 m × 2.25 m] = 3.1 x 10-2 s/m3
The above χ/Q value can be adjusted by for plume meander85 due to longer release duration. The
standard deviation of concentration in the horizontal direction (σy) is adjusted by the plume meander
factor (e.g., for a two-hour plume duration and a 3-minute time base) the plume meander factor would be
(120 min/3 min) 0.25 = 2.515, yielding σy = 11.62 m, and χ/Q = 1.2Ex10-2 s/m3.
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2 requires that the “DSA shall provide a technical basis supporting
the need for the alternate value and the value selected.” The DSA justification should explain the
rationale why the default χ/Q value is not representative for the particular situation, or other rationale for
not adopting the default value, and document how the σ yi and σ zi were calculated from structure
dimensions that affect the wind field and the resultant χ/Q value used. If a release is affected by a nearby
larger structure, the larger structure width and height should be used in the χ/Q calculation.
Section 236
6.13.2.2 COMPUTER CODE MODELING FOR A Χ/Q VALUE WHERE THE DEFAULT VALUE IS
NOT APPROPRIATE
The following guidance is provided for a conservative unmitigated analysis when site-specific modeling
is performed to estimate CW consequences at 100 m. Use of any alternate dispersion methodologies or
84 Eimutus-Konicek curve fit algorithms were selected since the Tadmor-Gur curve fit algorithms should not be used
for distances within 500 m.
85 Other computer codes evaluate plume meander differently, for example, the ARCON96 plume meander is
independent of release duration and represents meander caused by larger eddies that are present in the atmosphere
under stable light wind conditions.
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attributes discussed below needs to have a valid technical basis and should be discussed with and
approved by the DOE SBAA. The process is similar to that of documenting the proposed methodology
and input assumptions in a atmospheric dispersion modeling protocol, described in Section 6.11,
Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling Protocol. If an MOI modeling protocol is being developed, it can be
extended to include the CW for cases in which the default value is not appropriate.
Dispersion modeling inputs for unmitigated consequences for the 100 m CW is expected to generally be
the same as for the offsite atmospheric dispersion and consequence analysis if using the same computer
code, unless unique to the CW evaluation. Dispersion attributes for the CW unmitigated analysis are as
follows, and where noted, may apply to the toxic chemical dispersion analysis.
1. Use a DOE Toolbox Code and input values consistent with its guidance document such as the
DOE-EH-4.2.1-MACCS2-Code Guidance, MACCS2 Computer Code Application Guidance for
Documented Safety Analysis.
Note 1: Other site-specific developed computer codes or industry-recognized computer codes can
be considered if they have undergone appropriate validation and verification in accordance with
DOE O 414.1D SQA requirements and appropriate technical justification provided.
2. Worst case meteorological assumptions (i.e., overall site 95th percentile or sector-dependent 99.5th
percentile) can be based on local site meteorological data per Section 6.10 of DOE-STD-3009-
2014, for radiological and toxic chemical releases.
3. Surface roughness of 3 cm (rural) is assumed for radiological and toxic chemical releases, unless
an alternate site-specific value can be technically justified by peer-reviewed studies per guidance
in Section 6.8.2, Mechanical Turbulence Due to Surface Roughness.
4. Aerodynamic effects of the facility on the wind field cannot be credited unless shown to yield
more conservative or bounding results.
5. Dry deposition velocities are selected consistent with the default values provided in Section 6.8.4,
Plume Depletion through Decay, Daughter In-Growth, and Deposition Processes, unless a site-
specific value can be technically justified by peer-reviewed studies.
6. Plume buoyancy may be included when modeling outdoor fires or for fires venting through a
large breach in the facility provided that it is not credited in a non-conservative manner.
7. Dispersion parameters are applicable to site characteristics.
Note 2: Tadmor-Gur dispersion parameters are not recommended for close-in distances, under
500 meters.
8. Release duration and plume meander are consistent with the MOI atmospheric dispersion analysis
unless there is a valid reason to adopt other assumptions unique for the CW atmospheric
dispersion analysis.
Section 237
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7 AQUATIC DISPERSION AND GROUNDWATER TRANSPORT
7.1 OVERVIEW
Although a less frequent consequence of a radiological accident, a discharge of a liquid radionuclide
effluent is considered in hazard evaluation or accident analysis for DOE facilities for unique situations.
Slowly developing dose pathways from accidental releases are generally not analyzed in DSAs due to the
relatively long time for potential liquid releases from facilities to reach dose receptors, and the ability of
programmatic controls to mitigate any release or ingestion prior to a prolonged exposure period needed to
significantly contribute to the overall DBA consequence. At least one DOE site historically evaluated
water pathway release events, but only in the context of BDBAs. DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2
provides the following discussions regarding liquid releases to water pathways:
For some types of facilities such as liquid processing with the potential for significant spills to the
environment outside the facility, the surface and groundwater pathways may be more important, and
accident releases usually would be expected to develop more slowly than airborne releases. More time
would also be available for implementing preventive and mitigative measures.
However, quick-release accidents involving other pathways, such as a major tank rupture that could
release large amounts of radioactive liquid effluents to water pathways, should be considered.86
This chapter addresses potential dose consequences via surface water pathways at significant uptake
locations, that is, maximum exposure locations that could affect the unmitigated dose estimates to the CW
and the MOI. Moreover, the dose contribution from water pathways may be important to the overall 50-
yr Total Effective Dose (TED), including the airborne pathway, for the selection of SS or SC controls and
derivation of TSRs. The event may also warrant discussion in DSA Section 3.3.2.6, Environmental
Protection, as described in DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 4, to ensure that the facility design and
operational features are available to reduce the potential for large liquid effluent releases to the
environment.
Liquid effluent releases to surface water bodies can occur from accidents involving liquid process lines,
waste tanks, cooling or evaporation systems, and primary-to-secondary leakage paths, as well as from
other off-normal conditions. Such releases to surface bodies generally require relatively long periods of
time (e.g., hours to days) before the general public could be impacted. However, the availability of longer
response times enables the execution of various administrative controls, such as protective actions (i.e.,
evacuation and sheltering) and food and water interdiction countermeasures.
Dose consequences from liquid effluent releases are dependent on the volume of release, the duration of
the release, the soil characteristics in the area around the point of discharge and the configuration of
drainage and containment networks that redirect effluents away from the release location. Examples of
natural and anthropogenic drainage networks include discharge canals, sewers, viaducts, creeks, rivers,
and lakes.
For the purposes of DSA preparation, industry- accepted models, summarized in two NRC guidance
documents, should be consulted when relevant accident scenarios result in discharges to streams, rivers,
lakes, or oceans that require subsequent analysis.
Section 238
86 See also Appendix A.3 of DOE-STD-3009-94 CN3)
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7.2 NRC REGULATORY GUIDANCE ON AQUATIC DISPERSION AND DOSE
CALCULATION
The following applicable NRC regulatory guides, both issued in 1977, should be consulted:
• Regulatory Guide 1.109, Calculation of Annual Doses to Man from Routine Releases of Reactor
Effluents for the Purpose of Evaluating Compliance with 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix I; and
• Regulatory Guide 1.113, Estimating Aquatic Dispersion of Effluents from Accidental and Routine
Reactor Releases for the Purpose of Implementing Appendix I.
Regulatory Guide 1.109 describes basic features of the dosimetric calculation models and suggests
parameters for the estimation of radiation doses to man from effluent releases.
With respect to Regulatory Guide 1.113, this guidance:
• Describes the basic features of aquatic dispersion models and suggests methods of determining
values of model parameters for the estimation of aquatic dispersion of both routine and accidental
releases of liquid effluents;
• Describes general approaches for analysis of normal and accident releases into various types of
surface water bodies;
• Provides guidance on the use of calculation models and specification of accompanying parametric
values to perform aquatic dispersion of routine or accidental releases of radioactive material to a
surface body of water. Groundwater pathway models are not addressed;
• Provides additional guidance on selection of model types rather than to specify models;
Accordingly, the use of models other than those described Regulatory Guide 1.113 is acceptable;
and
• Indicates that in situ tracer studies can provide accurate site-specific predictions as an alternative
to modeling.87
7.3 DOCUMENTED SAFETY ANALYSIS APPROACH
Each liquid effluent release assessment should be evaluated applying a graded approach as described in
DOE-STD-3009, such as being commensurate to the hazard category of the facility, remaining
operational time of the facility, magnitude of potential consequences, and the complexity of the aqueous
pathways for exposure and environmental contamination. Methods for this evaluation are addressed in
the remainder of this chapter.
In addition, regarding evaluation of environmental protection in the DSA, the primary focus of the DSA
hazard evaluation or accident analysis should be on process design, SSCs, and engineered operational
controls which would preclude any potential for a large liquid effluent release to the environment. If
precluding large liquid effluent releases is not feasible, a secondary approach would be to impose
engineering controls to limit the magnitude of the loss of process liquids. These controls include sewer
networks to conduct liquids to a collection system (e.g., settlement basin and weir), or a berm or
containment basin (e.g., dike) to limit the extent of the release within the facility or site control. Should
additional preventive or mitigative controls be required, the results of the dose contribution from the
87 Although specific surface-water models are considered in Regulatory Guide 1.113, representative of models found
in the published literature at the time, the stated purpose is to use them as a framework for discussing the specific
classes of models that they exemplify.
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water pathway may provide insights on the effectiveness of these controls.
7.4 LIQUID EFFLUENT RELEASE KEY RECEPTORS
Section 239
The dose contribution from the water pathway may or may not be significant compared to the airborne
pathway dose contribution. Normally, the CW is evaluated at 100 m from the release, and the MOI is
evaluated at the site boundary. However, the aqueous release pathway may result in a higher dose at
locations beyond these distances. Therefore, the analysis should consider these farther onsite and offsite
locations if it could affect the overall unmitigated maximum dose estimates for the CW and MOI. The
CW and MOI are assumed to be located at the point of maximum concentration of the dispersed effluent
stream at an uncontrolled onsite or offsite location, respectively.
Regulatory Guide 1.113 specifies that the location of surface water users and the types of water uses, out
to a distance of 50 miles from the site, should be established to identify other important receptors for dose
pathway analyses.
7.5 LIQUID EFFLUENT RELEASE REDISTRIBUTION MECHANISMS AND
UPTAKE
Regulatory Guide 1.113 provides guidance on initial mixing, far-field mixing, deposition, and
resuspension in sediments, as well as uptake mechanisms with respect to aquatic dispersion models. The
following provides a brief summary of each physical mechanism.
7.5.1 INITIAL MIXING
The major factors in the initial mixing phase are momentum and buoyancy of the liquid effluent, the
outfall location and configuration, and receiving water characteristics; principally the current and depth.
7.5.2 FAR-FIELD MIXING
The initial mixing will result in a homogeneous plume of radionuclides which ultimately yield to
generally slower far-field aquatic transport and diffusion processes. In the far-field mixing region, much
longer distances and time frames result in an appreciable reduction of the concentration of the
radionuclide plume, as clean water further dilutes it.
The longer time frames associated with the aquatic dispersion process indicates that radiochemical
physical transformations and radioactive decay and daughter ingrowth could be important factors in the
dose calculation. Moreover, the size of the receiving water body and its overall transport behavior (e.g.,
current velocity) needs to also be considered.
Each principal water body has its own unique transport characteristics due to different boundary
conditions and flow rates. The following describe such differences on the aquatic dispersion process:
• Rivers: Advective and turbulent flows throughout with variable boundaries.
• Estuaries: Established transitional zone between distinctly different water bodies, marked by
oscillating tidal flow and weak net transport.
• Small lakes and reservoirs: Strong boundary limitations and weak transport.
• Oceans and large lakes: Large overall extent and appreciable advection of pollutants.
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Depending on the analysis, the complexity of models for estimating the radionuclide concentration at
some point in the far-field may range from simple dilution factor considerations, to solving the advection
and dispersion equations in one-, two-, or three-dimensional spaces. The latter case is particularly true for
river system discharges. The selection of the aquatic dispersion model should be based on the complexity
of the system and the requirements of the analysis.
Section 240
During surface water release events, some constituents may be present as volatilizing liquids or in a
dissolved gas form. These contaminants can be released from the liquid-air interface as pressure changes
are encountered. Equation 7-1 provides a simple approach to calculate the time-varying release rate,
assuming that the radionuclide is uniformly mixed over the vertical water column.
[dC/dt]e = K(C - Cs) Equation 7-1
Where,
[dC/dt]e = Time-varying release rate (Ci/s)
K = Depth average loss coefficient (s-1)
C = Vertically uniform gas concentration of the contaminant, with typical units for a radionuclide
gas contaminant of activity per unit volume (Ci/m3)
Cs = Saturation value (Ci/m3)
Note that the saturation value is usually set equal to zero.
As noted in Section 3.3.6 of NUREG/CR-3332, Radiological Assessment: A Textbook on Environmental
Dose Analysis, K is related to the actual surface transfer coefficient, KL, by
K = KL/H Equation 7-2
where,
KL = Surface transfer coefficient (m/s)
H = Water column height (m)
The water column height is the height of a conceptual “stack” of the water body layers receiving the
radionuclide or chemical pollutant. The water column extends from the surface to the bottom of the water
body of interest and includes all layers. Values of KL are usually determined from experimentation or
from the literature.
7.5.3 DEPOSITION AND RESUSPENSION IN SEDIMENTS
As contaminants are transported in the surface water body, adsorption processes may remove material
from the aqueous phase and incorporate material onto sediments. This is similar to the atmospheric
process of deposition. Both suspended and bed sediments may adsorb contaminants, although suspended
sediments are usually more effective on a per unit weight basis. The process is reversible and while the
initial reduction of contaminants from a water body can be pronounced, over longer periods of time these
contaminants can be resuspended.
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Examples of long-lived radionuclides that have been retained in sediments after chronic or acute release
near DOE nuclear facilities have been Cs-137 and various Pu species. A counterexample is tritium,
which due to the ubiquity of water and hydrogen in the environment, shows little to no evidence of
preferential localization in sediments.
The extent to which a radiological species can be adsorbed is referred to as the equilibrium distribution
coefficient, or Kd. The equilibrium distribution coefficient is a function of the state of the radionuclide
and its concentration, the sediment characteristics, and the nature of the water body. Kd values are
derived from field data and experimentation, and are defined as the amount of contaminant sorbed on
sediment/amount of radionuclide left in solution.
7.5.4 UPTAKE MECHANISMS
The aquatic dispersion model can also be linked to dose through human uptake mechanisms, where the
most important pathway is water ingestion. Moreover, additional uptake mechanisms may be of
importance. This includes direct food ingestion from marine foodstuffs, or indirect food ingestion
through use of contaminated irrigation water sources. External exposure is also of importance in some
situations, including aquatic recreation or shoreline exposure. The need to evaluate these other pathways
should be discussed with the DOE Safety Basis Approval Authority.
7.6 AQUATIC DISPERSION MODELS AND COMPARISONS
Section 241
7.6.1 CLASSES OF AQUATIC DISPERSION MODELS
There are 14 classes of aquatic dispersion models that have been developed for application to surface
water bodies. These are addressed in Regulatory Guide 1.113 and the model characteristics and surface
water body applications are listed in Table 7-1.
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Table 7-1. Aquatic Dispersion Model Classes.
Class of Aquatic
Dispersion Model Aquatic Dispersion Model Characteristics
Surface Water
Body Applications
Stream tube model Steady-state, two-dimensional, analytical solution Non-tidal rivers
Transient release model Transient, two-dimensional, numerical quadrature solution Non-tidal rivers
Gaussian diffusion model Steady-state, three-dimensional, analytical solution Open coastal
waters
Transient source model Transient, two-dimensional, numerical quadrature solution Open coastal
waters
Numerical model Transient, two-dimensional, numerical solution of conservation
equations of mass and momentum
Open coastal
waters
Tidally-averaged
analytical model
Steady-state, one-dimensional, analytical solution Estuaries
Tidally-averaged, short-
duration analytical model
Transient, one-dimensional, analytical or numerical quadrature
solution
Estuaries
Tidally-averaged
numerical model
Transient, one-dimensional, numerical solution of constituent
transport equation
Estuaries
Intra-tidal numerical
model
Transient, one-dimensional, numerical solution of conservation
equations of mass, momentum, and constituent concentration
Estuaries
Completely-mixed model Transient, homogeneous, analytical solution Lakes, reservoirs,
and cooling ponds
Plug-flow model Steady-state, homogeneous, analytical solution Lakes, reservoirs,
and cooling ponds
Partially-mixed model Steady-state, homogeneous, analytical solution Lakes, reservoirs,
and cooling ponds
Stratified reservoir
lumped parameter model
Steady-state, homogeneous (within stratified layer), analytical
solution
Lakes, reservoirs,
and cooling ponds
Numerical stratified
reservoir models
Transient, one- or two- dimensional, numerical solution of
conservation equations of mass, momentum, and constituent
concentration
Lakes, reservoirs,
and cooling ponds
7.6.2 AQUATIC DISPERSION MODEL ATTRIBUTES AND CHARACTERISTICS
For a release from a large body of water such as a river, aquatic dispersion models have been developed
that account for advection and dispersion effects. These models should take into account the required
complexity necessary to account for change in concentrations. In many situations, a two-dimensional
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model is sufficient.
Table 7-2 provides the analyst with the major attributes and characteristics to consider in the selection of
an aquatic dispersion model for DSA preparation with respect to release type, dimensional dependence,
contaminant transport, time dependence, solution technique and dose pathways. Overkill occurs when the
analyst uses a more sophisticated model than is warranted and NCRP Report No. 76, Radiological
Assessment: Predicting the Transport, Bioaccumulation, and Uptake by Man of Radionuclides Released
to the Environment, warns against common misuses of aquatic dispersion models.
Table 7-2. Attributes and Characteristics of Aquatic Dispersion Models.
Attribute Characteristics
Release Type Acute; Chronic
Dimensional Dependence One-dimensional; Two-dimensional; Three-dimensional
Contaminant Transport Solute; Particulate
Time Dependence Steady-state; Dynamic
Section 242
Solution Technique Finite Element; Finite Difference
Dose Pathways Water Ingestion; Food Ingestion and Longer-Term Food Chain; Submersion;
External Shine, Shoreline Exposure
7.6.3 COMPARISON OF AQUATIC DISPERSION MODELS
Several aquatic dispersion models are available and five (5) of these codes are briefly summarized. More
in-depth information may be located in the referenced model descriptions. A brief comparison of the
release types, regulatory use, model types, and output of these 5 aquatic dispersion models is presented in
Table 7-3.
7.6.3.1 LADTAP2
NUREG/CR-4013, LADTAP II: Technical Reference and User Guide, (LADTAP2) analyzes
environmental doses following routine surface water releases of radiological liquid effluents from nuclear
facilities. LADTAP2 provides a hydrological and exposure pathway and examines doses to individuals,
population groups, and biota via ingestion and external exposures. Calculated population doses provide
information for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluations and for determining compliance
with Appendix I of 10 CFR 50, Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities.
LADTAP2 selects one of four hydrological models to represent mixing in the effluent impoundment
system and receiving surface waters. The four model types are: (1) direct release to the receiving water;
(2) plug-flow; (3) partially-mixed; and (4) completely-mixed. All but the direct release model account for
radiological decay and daughter ingrowth during transit through the impoundment system. Optional
models are available to estimate aquatic dispersion in non-tidal rivers and near shore lake environments.
The exposure pathway model estimates exposure of selected groups at various water usage locations in
the environment. Water concentrations at usage locations are related to impoundment system effluent
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concentrations by a dilution factor and the transit time that allows for radioactive decay during transport.
Consequence calculations examine all potential pathways: ingestion of aquatic foodstuffs, irrigated
terrestrial food crops, drinking water (freshwater sites only), boating and swimming.
7.6.3.2 STREAM2
STREAM2 (Chen, 1998) is an aqueous release emergency response code which analyzes the transport of
pollutants from a release point to various points downstream on the Savannah River. This model is
conservative and assumes a constant river flow, no transport losses, and uniform mixing in stream cross-
sectional areas.
User input includes the time, date, type, location, calculation units, amount, and duration of the release.
Input data are used to calculate the pollutant concentrations and transport time at downstream locations,
which may be displayed in graphical and tabular form.
7.6.3.3 GENII 2.10.1
GENII Version 2.10.1 analyzes environmental contamination resulting from both far- and near-field
scenarios. Annual, committed, and accumulated doses following acute and chronic releases can be
calculated. Surface water transport is modeled using the same LADTAP2 mathematical models.
7.6.3.4 RIVER-RAD
RIVER-RAD uses a compartmental linear transfer technique to model radionuclide transport as a series of
transfers between compartments, including the water and sediment sub-compartments. Radionuclide
transfer pathways include upward volatilization from the water compartment, movement of radionuclides
with the river flow rate, deposition (settling) and resuspension.
Section 243
7.6.3.5 DISPERS
DISPERS (NUREG-0868) is a collection of mathematical models used for computing the dispersion and
fate of routinely or accidentally released radionuclides in surface water and groundwater. Five programs,
all of which are straightforward dispersion simulations, are included. These are SSTUBE, TUBE,
RIVLAK, GROUND, and GRDFLX (see NUREG-0868).
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Table 7-3. Comparison of Aquatic Dispersion Models.
Parameter
Aquatic Dispersion Model
LADTAP2 STREAM2 GENII 2.10.1 RIVER-RAD DISPERS
Release types Routine Acute Routine and
acute
Routine and
acute
Routine and acute
Regulatory
use
NEPA and 10
CFR 50
Appendix I
Emergency
response
Consequence
assessment
Dispersion
calculations
Dispersion
calculations
Model and/or
calculation
types
Direct release;
Plug-flow;
Partially and
Completely
mixed
One-
dimensional;
WASP5
calculations
LADTAP2
models
Compartmental
linear transfer
model
Two- and three-
dimensional
models
Output Dose and
Concentration
Concentration Dose and
Concentration
Concentration Concentration
7.7 GROUNDWATER TRANSPORT
7.7.1 OVERVIEW
Although radiological and chemical species release to the groundwater can be a concern for operating
nuclear facilities, the principal facilities for which groundwater release is a likely pathway are mining and
milling operations, and long-term waste disposal areas. Estimates of flow and transport in groundwater
are important in assessing the performance of a disposal system because they are probable pathways
between hazardous waste and the environment.
The concepts, models, and data development methods used in these models are outside the scope of the
guidance given here, and can be found elsewhere.88 The relative unimportance is due to the relatively
small likelihood of acute release conditions needing to be addressed in the groundwater for most DOE
facilities. Additionally, airborne and surface water pathways will tend to dominate the acute phase of
accident consideration. However, the ultimate fate of the released contaminants for EIS and other types
of safety analysis may need to address the groundwater pathway. The analyst seeking to apply a
groundwater model as a tool to assist facility safety analysis should consult other compendia listing more
detailed subject information.
7.7.2 GROUNDWATER FLOW AND CONTAMINANT TRANSPORT
Two behaviors need to be captured to model contaminant transport in groundwater media. The first is
movement of the carrier fluid and the second is the mass transport of the dissolved contaminants.
In modeling contaminant releases to the groundwater, radionuclide travel may be in the unsaturated zone
above the water table or in the zone of saturation. While flow is for the most part downward in the
88 This material is excerpted from NUREG/CR-3332.
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unsaturated region, flow is predominantly lateral in the saturated zone.
Flow can be governed by many anisotropies in the saturated region depending on the media and layers of
sedimentation. From Chapter 4 of NUREG/CR-3332, and under the assumption of a homogeneous
isotropic medium, the major flow direction can be assumed to follow Darcy’s law where the flow volume
per unit area (Vx) is shown in Equation 7-3:
Vx = -K dH/dx Equation 7-3
Where,
K = Hydraulic conductivity, dependent on fluid and medium properties, which for an
isotropic homogeneous saturated medium, determines rate at which water moves
through a porous medium for a given hydraulic gradient (cm/s)
Section 244
H = Total head, which is pressure head + elevation head (cm)
dH/dx = Hydraulic gradient in the direction of flow (cm)
This relationship assumes the gradient is constant over the increment. The actual velocity of a
contaminant would be larger than the flow volume per unit area since water is moving through pore
spaces.
It should be noted that the actual velocity of a contaminant would be larger than the flow volume per unit
area since water is moving through pore spaces. The pore or seepage velocity U may be approximated by
the effective porosity, as shown in Equation 7-4:
U = Vx / ne Equation 7-4
Where,
Vx = Volumetric flow rate per unit area in direction x (cm/s)
ne = Effective porosity, open volume for flow per unit total volume of the medium of
interest (dimensionless)
Chapter 4 of NUREG/CR-3332 provides additional information.
7.7.3 TRITIUM IN SEDIMENTS
Examples of radionuclides that have been retained in sediments after chronic or acute release near nuclear
facilities have been cesium and plutonium species. Recent work has shown that even tritium, in the form
of organically bound tritium (OBT), can be retained in sediments near sources of OBT discharge (Morris,
2006).
7.7.4 GROUNDWATER TRANSPORT MODEL CONSIDERATIONS
Recommendations for the use of groundwater models is given by the National Council on Radiation
Protection and Measurements (NCRP), which is an advisory body whose recommendations on radiation
protection matters provide the scientific basis for U.S. standards (NCRP Report No. 76). The report
summarizes both surface water and groundwater transport and dispersion models and provides general
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guidance on their use.
As the simplest and most conservative approach, the safety analyst can assume that no dispersion occurs
as the contaminants are transported in the medium of interest, and that the transport velocity is constant.
More complex treatments consider that net convection in one dimension and dispersion in all three
dimensions. Furthermore, the dispersion or velocity of transport can vary both spatially and temporally.
As the modeling complexity grows, there is a commensurate difficulty in preparing input data and
identifying the appropriate sources of information.
The transport of contaminants through the ground can be estimated using tracers, groundwater dating, or
mathematical modeling. Mathematical modeling involves solving equations of mass transport for the
water and for dissolved constituents such as radionuclides.
In applications involving high-level waste repositories, an additional equation for heat transport is
required, but models for applications of this type are outside the scope of the Handbook. Results are
obtained from the transport equations through simplifying approximations that allow analytical closed-
form solutions or through numerical methods.
Numerical solutions generally employ one of following three solution techniques: finite differences, finite
elements, or network analysis. Numerical methods generally require an extensive input data set. The
availability of this data needs to be considered by the analyst as the lack of required data may make
sophisticated numerical modeling impractical.
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8 RADIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCE ASSESSMENT
Section 245
This chapter provides guidance to the safety analyst regarding evaluation of radiological doses and health
risks. It discusses the different types of radiation and the effects these radiation types can have on the
human body, its organs, and its tissues. The factors that are considered in estimating the dose a receptor
may receive following the atmospheric release of radioactive material are covered in detail. Finally, the
health risks associated with radiological doses and the standards for radiation protection, in terms of dose
or air concentration, are discussed.
8.1 FUNDAMENTALS
Radiological doses arise from exposure to plumes of radioactive material, including deposition from
plumes, and from exposure to prompt (direct) radiation from a criticality accident. The general modes of
exposure include:
• Inhalation of radioactive material (particulates and gases) while immersed in a plume;
• Inhalation of particulates from deposited material that have been resuspended by traffic and/or by
wind;
• Ingestion of food products through meat, vegetable and fish pathways and ingestion of water
contaminated by deposition from the plume;
• Gamma radiation from the plume (cloudshine);
• Gamma radiation from particulates deposited on the ground from deposition (groundshine);
• Skin contamination from deposition;
• Prompt (direct) radiation from a criticality accident; and
• Direct radiation from a loss-of-shielding accident.
As described in Section 3.2.4.2 of DOE-STD-3009-2014, radiological consequences for the DSA accident
analysis are presented as a TED based on integrated committed dose to all target organs, accounting for
direct exposures, as well as a 50-yr dose commitment. The dose pathways to be considered are
inhalation, direct shine, and ground shine. DOE-STD-3009-2014 also states that direct shine and ground
shine from gamma emitters only need to be evaluated if they cause an upward change in the qualitative
consequence level (see Table 2-8, Consequence Thresholds). DOE-STD-3009-2014 specifies that
ingestion (except when the water pathway could significantly contribute to the overall radiological
consequences), resuspension, and skin contamination need not be included in a DSA. Accordingly,
slowly-developing dose pathways, such as ingestion of contaminated food, water supply contamination,
or particle resuspension, are not included. However, quick-release accidents involving other pathways,
such as a major tank rupture that could release large amounts of radioactive liquids to water pathways,
should be considered (See Chapter 7). In this case, potential uptake locations should be the evaluation
points for radiological dose consequences.
In the case of a criticality accident, doses arise from both the plume of fission products that may be
released and from the prompt radiation. Prompt radiation from a criticality accident is of concern
primarily for facility workers located near the accident site since effects from criticality accidents are
generally confined to the near-field. Depending on the size and duration of the criticality accident, and
evaluation of shielding provided by the structure, the prompt radiation dose contribution may also be
important for the evaluation of consequences to 100 m co-located worker. The distance of concern for
prompt radiation depends primarily upon the number of fissions in the first spike and the amount and type
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Section 246
of shielding (such as concrete walls) between the worker and the site of the criticality accident. (See
Appendix B of this Handbook for additional information on criticality.)
On the other hand, for actinide exposure, inhalation of Pu-238, Pu-239, and Pu-240 particulates is the
primary radiological concern as the body does not have effective excretory mechanisms to remove it.
According to NUREG-1140, for actinide releases, cloudshine, groundshine, skin contamination, and
ingestion doses are insignificant in comparison, with the exception of the release of significant gamma
emitters where cloudshine doses would become meaningful. Radiological dose from inhalation of
enriched uranium particulates is of lesser concern, although may still have significant consequences
warranting the need to consider SS controls. Inhalation of depleted uranium particulates is trivial by
comparison, and for depleted and natural uranium, chemical toxicity is normally of greater concern than
its radioactivity. See Section 9.4.4 for the toxicity associated with uranium compounds. Skin absorption
of tritium is a special case and should not be ignored.
8.1.1 TYPES OF RADIATION
Four types of radiation are important to consider in DSAs: alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ), and neutron.
α, β, and γ radiations are emitted from atomic nuclei during radioactive disintegration, or decay, of the
nucleus. Alpha particles are energetic helium nuclei, consisting of two protons and two neutrons, with a
charge of +289. Beta particles are energetic electrons, with a charge of -1e, or positrons, with a charge of
+1e; they have a mass about 0.01 percent that of the alpha particle. Gamma radiation consists of
electromagnetic waves or photons, and have energy similar to that of x-rays. Being photons, gamma rays
have neither charge nor mass. Gamma radiation accompanies alpha and beta radiation when an atomic
nucleus disintegrates. Neutron radiation is emitted when a nucleus fissions, or breaks into fragments,
such as during a criticality event.90 Neutron radiation consists of energetic neutrons, particles with zero
charge and mass similar to that of protons, that is, about 25 percent of the mass of alpha particles.
When any or all of these radiations strike an organ or tissue of the body, they can deposit some or all of
their energy, causing cell damage. The manner of energy deposition varies with the type of radiation.
Some types of radiation, principally alpha and beta, deposit their energy primarily through the production
of ionization. When they strike an atom, they strip off an electron, thus ionizing the atom. The two
charged particles formed, the electron and the ion, are referred to as an ion-pair. The electron that is
stripped off the atom may be sufficiently energetic that it can cause further ionization. The amount of
ionization created depends upon the mass, charge, and energy of the particle. Particulate radiation (α, β,
neutron) can also deposit its energy through the dissociation of molecules and through elastic scattering,
which causes heating.
Alpha-decay energy is on the order of several million electron volts (MeV)91. For example, plutonium,
uranium, and americium isotopes all emit alpha particles with energies on the order of 5 MeV. Because
an alpha particle is doubly charged and massive, it can ionize many atoms before exhaustion. For
example, an alpha particle traveling through air will create on the order of 50,000 ion pairs for each
Section 247
89 The basic unit of charge is that of the electron, but with a reversal of sign. The charge of an electron is
-1.60E-19 coulomb.
90 Neutrons can also be produced through (α, n) reactions, in which an alpha particle strikes the nucleus of an atom,
causing the emission of a neutron. This is generally not important for dose calculations as the additional dose from
the neutron radiation is balanced by the decreased dose from the lost alpha particle.
91 An electron volt (eV) is the kinetic energy of an electron after being accelerated through an electric potential
difference of 1 V. It is equal to 1.60E-19 Joules.
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centimeter it travels. Because it creates so much ionization, it deposits its energy quickly, and penetrates
only a short distance into a tissue.
Beta-decay energy is on the order of tens of keV to a few MeV. For example, the beta-decay energy of
Pu-241 is 21 keV. During beta decay, the emitted electron, or positron, is accompanied by an anti-
neutrino or neutrino, with which it shares the energy. The beta-decay energy is the sum of the energies of
the electron and neutrino. Thus, for Pu-241, the maximum energy the electron can have is 21 keV;
normally, it will have only a fraction of this. Because the beta particle is singly charged and not very
massive, it cannot create nearly as much ionization as an alpha particle. A beta particle traveling through
air will create on the order of 100 ion pairs for each centimeter it travels. In addition to causing
ionization, beta particles also can be scattered elastically by atomic electrons. Because a beta particle
does not lose its energy as rapidly as does an alpha particle, and because of elastic scattering, it can
penetrate more deeply into tissue. However, it travels an irregular path in tissue because of elastic
scattering. This gives rise to the emission of electromagnetic radiation called bremsstrahlung (German
for “braking radiation”), which in turn can deposit its energy in the surrounding tissue.
The energy of a gamma ray is on the order of tens of keV to a few MeV. For example, the energy of one
of the several possible gamma rays that accompanies the alpha decay of Pu-239 is 52 keV. A gamma
photon will create only about one ion-pair per centimeter in air. A gamma photon can also lose its energy
through Compton scattering from electrons and even from interactions with the nucleus of an atom;
although the latter are minor in comparison with photoionization and Compton scattering. Gamma
radiation is capable of penetrating deeply into a person’s body.
8.1.2 NUCLEAR FISSION
Nuclear fission yields two large fission fragments (nuclei of other isotopes), multiple neutrons, and other
radiation (alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays). Fission fragments are highly radioactive. To
reach a stable configuration, these fission products may continue emitting radiation for wide-ranging time
periods; from milliseconds to many years.
The energy of a fission neutron is on the order of a few keV to about 10 MeV. Because the neutron has
no charge, it will not create many ion-pairs. It loses it energy primarily through elastic scattering.
However, it can also cause nuclear transformations, especially when it has slowed, through elastic
scattering, and become a “thermal” neutron. These nuclear transformations can lead to the emission of
other radiations, such as α and γ. Neutron absorption through nuclear transformation is primarily by
hydrogen and nitrogen in the human body. Elastic scattering of neutrons is primarily by the hydrogen in
the body. Like gamma radiation, neutron radiation is very penetrating.
Section 248
Neutrons resulting from fission are categorized as either prompt or delayed.
Prompt neutrons are emitted virtually simultaneously with fission (< 1E-14 second);
whereas delayed neutrons may not be emitted for many seconds after fission.
Prompt neutrons are “born” fast and are of high energy in the 1-20 MeV range,
while delayed neutrons are born with an average energy of less than 0.5 MeV.
As an example, in the sketch to the right, a 235U nucleus absorbs a neutron,
becomes unstable, and fissions into two radioactive isotopes; 92Kr and 141Ba,
while also releasing three neutrons and multiple gamma rays (not shown).
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8.1.3 RADIOACTIVITY
Radioactive decay is the spontaneous disintegration of a radioisotope accompanied by emission of
ionizing radiation (α, β, and/or γ). It is the process by which a nucleus of an unstable atom reaches a
more stable configuration by the release of energy or mass. The activity of a radioisotope is measured in
units of rate of decay, commonly called disintegrations per second (dps). The SI unit is the Becquerel
(Bq), defined as one dps. The historical, and still commonly used, unit of activity is the curie (Ci), which
is equal to 3.7E+10 dps. Thus, 1 Ci = 3.7E+10 Bq. Lower radioisotope activities are measured in
disintegrations per minute (dpm).
Specific activity is the activity per unit mass, and is measured in units such as Bq/kg or Ci/g. The specific
activity of Ra-226 was originally defined as 1 Ci/g. The specific activity of a mixture of radionuclides is
the sum, over all the radionuclides in the mixture, of the products of specific activities and mass fractions.
The activity of a sample of any given radionuclide decreases exponentially with time, providing it is not
being created by the decay of another radionuclide. If N is the number of atoms of a specific type of
radionuclide in a sample of material, the change in this number, dN, in a small interval of time, dt, is
proportional to N and to dt. This is written
dN = -λ N dt Equation 8-1
where the negative sign is needed to show that N decreases with increasing time. The constant of
proportionality, λ, is called the decay (or transformation) constant and is measured in inverse time units,
such as s-1. The disintegration rate, or activity (A), is given by
A = -dN/dt = λ N Equation 8-2
The solution to equation (8-1) is
N = N0 e -λ t Equation 8-3
where N0 is the number of atoms at time t = 0. Thus, equation (8-2) can be written
A = A0 e -λ t Equation 8-4
where A0 = λ N0 is the activity at time t = 0.
Because the decay is exponential, the time interval to decrease the number of atoms in a sample by a
given factor is a constant. For example, the time to decrease by a factor of two, called the half-life (t½), is
obtained by inverting equation (8-3):
t½ = - (1/λ) ln (½ N0/N0) = (1/λ) ln (2) = 0.693/λ. Equation 8-5
The half-life of Pu-239, for example, is 2.44E+04 yr, while that of U-235 is 7.1E+08 yr. The specific
activity of U-235 is therefore about 30,000 times smaller than that of Pu-239, which is the main reason it
does not present as great a radiological hazard as Pu-239 for a given amount of material as it is producing
fewer decays, and therefore less energy, per unit time.
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Section 249
Instruments that measure the amount of radioactivity in a material usually present their results in terms of
counts per minute (cpm). These are then converted to disintegrations per minutes (dpm) by knowing the
efficiency of the counter and geometry of the measurement. In the case of surface contamination, the
measurements are expressed in terms of activity per unit of area, such as cpm/100 cm2, which are then
converted to dpm/100 cm2. To derive the amount of material involved, the dpm is divided by 60 to get
dps, or Bq. This activity can then be converted to the number of atoms of the radionuclide present by
dividing by the decay constant, or the number of grams present by dividing by the specific activity.
8.2 EFFECTS OF RADIATION ON THE BODY
Radiation damages the body as it deposits its energy, primarily through ionization, in organs and tissues.
Because alpha radiation can be stopped by the body’s outermost layer of dead skin cells, it poses no
external hazard to the body; rather, its primary hazard is through inhalation and ingestion. Beta radiation
can barely penetrate the skin to cause some damage; and it can also damage the eye. Like alpha radiation,
its damage comes principally from inhalation and it also comes from ingestion. Gamma radiation and
neutrons, on the other hand, can penetrate the body directly from external sources; material that emits
gamma radiation and neutrons can, of course, be inhaled or ingested, but this is not the normal mode of
exposure. Skin contamination from fallout from the plume causes tissue damage principally from β
radiation.
Both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) exposures are important. External radiation from
cloudshine, groundshine, skin contamination, or prompt radiation gives a short-term or even
instantaneous dose, whereas internal radiation from inhalation and ingestion gives a long-term committed
dose. A long-term dose can also arise from continual exposure to external radiation, as in a work place.
If a radioactive particle is inhaled or ingested, it will cause damage as long as it remains in the body,
because it contains many radioactive atoms that continue to disintegrate. An organ or tissue irradiated for
an extended time (chronic exposure) may develop cancer or suffer other deleterious effects.
8.2.1 DOSE EVALUATIONS
The effects of exposure to ionizing radiation were originally defined in terms of the amount of ionization
in air produced by gamma radiation and x-rays. The unit used was the Roentgen (R), now defined as the
ratio ∆Q/∆m, where ∆Q is the sum of all charges of one sign produced in air when all the electrons
liberated by photons in a mass ∆m of air are completely stopped in air. It is equal to 2.58 × 10-4 coulombs
produced in 1 kg of air. This is equivalent to 1.61 × 1015 ion-pairs produced per kilogram of air, or an
energy deposition of 87.3 ergs/g of air (Turner 1986). Absorption of 1 R of radiation in tissue
corresponds to about 95 ergs/g of tissue; this unit is called the rep (roentgen-equivalent, physical). The
rep is no longer used.
Today, dose is expressed as an absorbed dose, that is, the amount of energy deposited in matter, or as an
equivalent dose, a measure of damage done in tissue. The traditional unit of absorbed dose is the rad
(radiation absorbed dose) and is defined as 100 ergs absorbed in 1 g of material. The newer standard
international unit is the gray (Gy), which is defined as 1 J absorbed in 1 kg of material. Thus,
1 Gy = 100 rad. This equality applies to any type of radiation absorbed in any type of material.
Section 250
The dose of most interest in accident analysis is the equivalent dose, as this is a measure of the biological
damage. The amount of damage depends upon the type of radiation, as well as the amount of energy
absorbed. The equivalent dose HT to a particular tissue T is equal to the absorbed dose DT in that tissue
times a radiation-weighting factor wR.
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HT = wR DT Equation 8-6
where wR is a measure of the amount of damage done by the radiation. If more than one type of radiation
impacts the tissue, HT is calculated by summing over all radiation types. Table 8-1 gives the radiation
weighting factors from 10 CFR Part 20, Standards for Protection Against Radiation, for the four radiation
types considered here. This table can also be located in ICRP-60.
Table 8-1. Radiation Weighting Factors.
Type, Energy Range Radiation Weighting
Factor, wR
Alpha any energy 20
Beta any energy 1
Gamma any energy 1
Neutrons < 10 keV
10 keV to 100 keV
>100 keV to 2 MeV
>2 MeV to 20 MeV
> 20 MeV
5
10
20
10
5
The traditional unit for equivalent dose is the rem (roentgen-equivalent man). The newer international
unit is the sievert (Sv). The relation between them is the same as between gray and rad (1 Sv = 100 rem).
Sometimes the unit centisieverts (cSv) is used in place of rem.
Example: Assume a medical x ray gives the lungs an absorbed dose of 1 rad (0.01 Gy). The equivalent
dose would be 1 rem (0.01 Sv), as x-rays are similar to gamma rays and have a radiation
weighting factor of one. On the other hand, if the absorbed dose of 1 rad to the lungs were
from inhalation of plutonium, an alpha emitter, the equivalent dose would be 20 rem (0.2 Sv),
as the radiation weighting factor for alpha radiation is 20.
The radiation-weighting factor is related to the stopping power of the material, expressed as Linear
Energy Transfer (LET):
LET = dE/dx Equation 8-7
where dE is the average energy locally imparted to the medium by a charged particle traversing the
distance dx. Alpha and beta particles have high and low LET, respectively. Gamma radiation, although
not a charged particle, is considered equivalent to low LET radiation. Neutrons have a moderate to high
LET, depending upon their kinetic energy.
The definition of equivalent dose does not differentiate between short-term and long-term dose, or
between external and internal exposure. A related term is committed equivalent dose, which is the
predicted dose from internal exposures over the remaining life of the individual, normally taken to be 50
years for adults (such as workers) or 70 years for children (as in the general population); it does not
include external exposures. The committed equivalent dose is thus a subset of the equivalent dose. This
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has led to some confusion as some have incorrectly used equivalent dose exclusively for external
radiation, apparently as a counterpoint to committed equivalent dose, which is used exclusively for
internal radiation.
Doses are also calculated for the body as a whole. This is done by summing over all organs the product
of an organ weighting factor and the equivalent dose for that organ. This sum is called the effective dose,
formerly called the effective dose equivalent (EDE), a term still used. The organ weighting factors
represent the fraction of the total health risk resulting from uniform whole body irradiation that could be
attributed to that particular tissue or organ; these factors are between zero and one; their sum over all
organs and tissues is one. The weighting factors (also called tissue weighting factor) for the various
organs are shown in Table 8-2, as taken from ICRP-60, Recommendations of the International
Commission of Radiological Protection; for comparison, ICRP-26, Recommendations of the ICRP, values
are also shown, as they may still be used for existing safety analyses in nonreactor nuclear facility DSAs.
Section 251
Table 8-2. Organ Weighting Factors.
Organ Organ Weighting Factor
ICRP-26 ICRP-60
Bladder – 0.05
Bone Marrow (red) 0.12 0.12
Bone Surface (skeleton) 0.03 0.01
Breast 0.15 0.05
Colon – 0.12
Esophagus – 0.05
Gonads 0.25 0.20
Liver – 0.05
Lung 0.12 0.12
Skin – 0.01
Stomach – 0.12
Thyroid 0.03 0.05
Remainder 0.30 0.05
Example: Assume every organ listed in Table 8-2 (considering “remainder” as a single organ), receives
a dose of 1 rem each. The effective dose to the whole body would then also be 1 rem. On the
other hand, if the bone surface was to receive 100 rem (1 Sv) and all other organs received
none, the effective dose would again be 1 rem, using the ICRP-60 organ weighting factors.92
A term similar to effective dose is committed effective dose (formerly, the committed effective dose
equivalent, or CEDE, a term still used), which is the predicted dose from internal exposures over the
remaining life of the individual, normally taken to be 50 years for adults, or 70 years for children; it also
does not include external exposures. Committed effective dose is thus a subset of effective dose.
However, as with equivalent dose compared with committed equivalent dose, confusion has arisen in that
some incorrectly use effective dose to refer to only external radiation, because committed effective dose
refers only to internal radiation. A new term, total effective dose equivalent (TEDE), is now used to
indicate the sum of the external (short-term) and the internal (committed, long-term) effective doses
(10 CFR Part 20). TEDE is called the TED in ICRP-60 and current calculations are for TED.
92 This example is for illustration only as no accident would give dose to only one internal organ.
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Doses arise from both internal and external exposures, as noted above. Per DOE-STD-3009-2014, the
only internal exposures of concern consist of inhalation from being immersed in the plume, except when
the water pathway could significantly contribute to the overall radiological consequences. The external
exposures are from cloudshine, groundshine, and prompt (direct) radiation from a criticality event. These
are discussed individually below.
8.2.2 INHALATION (PLUME) DOSE
Inhalation dose from immersion in a plume to a given organ or tissue from a given isotope, i, is the
product of the amount of respirable radioactive material released, or the source term ST, atmospheric
dispersion factor χ/Q, breathing rate BR, and dose conversion factor DCFi
Dosei = STi × χ/Q × BR × DCFi Equation 8-8
assuming the receptor remains exposed for the duration of the plume passage. The total dose to the organ
or tissue is the sum over all isotopes inhaled. The source term (STi) is the product of the MAR, DR, ARF,
RF, and LPF, as discussed in Chapter 5. The χ/Q is discussed in Chapter 6 and the breathing rate and
dose conversion factors are discussed below. The breathing rates for the “reference man” for various
activities, as have been used in accident analyses for the past several years at many DOE sites, are given
in Table 8-3 (ICRP-2 and ICRP-30, Limits for Intakes of Radionuclides by Workers). ICRP-66, Human
Respiratory Tract Model for Radiological Protection, gives revised breathing for the “reference man.”93
These are also shown in Table 8-3. Still other breathing rates are appropriate for other individuals, such
as infants, the elderly, and the infirm, and for other levels of activity (ICRP-66).
Section 252
Table 8-3. “Reference Man” Breathing Rates for Various Levels of Activity.
Activity Level Breathing Rate (m3/s)
ICRP-2, ICPR-30
Chronic 2.66E-4
Light 3.33E-4
Heavy 3.47E-4
ICRP-66
Sleep 1.25E-4
Rest, sitting 1.50E-4
Light exercise 4.17E-4
Heavy exercise 8.33E-4
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2 requires a breathing rate of 3.3E-4 m3/s. This value was initially
developed for “light activity” based on data and methods from ICRP-2 / ICRP-30 DCFs, and is equivalent
to “light work” as defined in ICRP-68, Dose Coefficients for Intakes of Radionuclides by Workers, using
ICRP-66 data. ICRP-68 has revised the 8-hour day breathing rates as follows: light work is defined as
2.5 hr sitting (inhalation rate 0.54 m3/hr [1.5E-4 m3/s], breathing frequency 12/min) and 5.5 hr light
exercise (inhalation rate 1.5 m3/hr [4.17E-4 m3/s], breathing frequency 20/min). NNSA SD G 1027,
Hazard Categorization and Accident Analysis Techniques for Compliance with DOE Order 5480.23,
Nuclear Safety Analysis Reports to Address Areas in Need of Clarification and Improvement (Admin
93 The reference man is a male, 30 years old, height 176 cm (5 ft, 9 in.), and weight 73 kg (161 lb). ICRP-89
provides additional data for other factors related to breathing rate, including age, gender, and race.
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Change 1, May 2014) has added significant figures (to bring it to 3.3333E-04 m3/s), although this added
precision does not materially change the dose result.
Once radioactive material enters the respiratory tract, it begins to migrate to other parts of the body. A
portion is transferred directly to the blood and another portion to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Transfer
of the material directly from the respiratory tract into the blood depends upon where in the respiratory
tract it is deposited and how soluble it is. Material is also cleared from the respiratory tract by means of
the body’s mucociliary mechanism and then swallowed, thus entering the GI tract. The fraction f1 of the
material that passes from the GI tract into the blood, primarily from the small intestine, depends on the
solubility of the material. For some radionuclides, such as iodine, the transfer to the blood is nearly
complete (f1 = 1.0). For other radionuclides, such as plutonium, the portion transferred to the blood is
much less than 1 percent; the remainder is excreted. Once the material enters the blood, it can be carried
to any part of the body. From there, it may preferentially attach to a given organ or tissue, as determined
by the chemical properties of the radioactive material and of the organ or tissue. For example, plutonium
and americium become preferentially attached to bone surface. The amount of biological damage that
radioactive material may inflict on an organ or tissue is given by the DCF mentioned above. For
inhalation, this is expressed in units of Sv/Bq (or rem/Ci), which can be converted to Sv/g (or rem/g) by
multiplying by the specific activity. An example of tables of DCFs for a large number of radionuclides
are given in Federal Guidance Report (FGR)-11 (EPA FGR-11). The DCFs take into account the
migration of the radioisotope within the body, the decay of the radioisotope, and the formation of
daughter isotopes that may be radioactive.
Section 253
The residence time of a radioactive particle in the lungs depends in part upon the solubility of the
material. Older DSAs use the residence times from ICRP-30 whereas more recent DSAs use the
residence times from ICRP-68. Three broad categories for use with ICRP-30 or Limiting Values of
Radionuclide Intake and Air Concentration and Dose Conversion Factors for Inhalation, Submersion,
and Ingestion (EPA FGR-11) DCFs have been defined.
Y: Radionuclides in insoluble compounds remain in the lungs for a long time; these are of Solubility
Class Y (for years), also called Lung Clearance Class Y.
W: Radionuclides in moderately soluble compounds remain in the lungs for weeks; these are of
Solubility Class W (for weeks), also called Lung Clearance Class W.
D: Radionuclides in soluble compounds remain in the lungs for only a short time; these are of
Solubility Class D (for days), also called Lung Clearance Class D.
According to EPA FGR-11, plutonium compounds can be Class Y (the oxides94) or Class W (all other Pu
compounds); there are no Class D Pu compounds. Americium compounds are only Class W. Uranium
compounds can be Class Y (UO2 and U3O8), Class W (UO3, UF4, and UCl4), or Class D (UF6, UO2F2, and
UO2(NO3)2). Fission products are of all three lung clearance classes.
Should these compounds be involved in a fire, their chemical nature may change. For example, a
plutonium salt, as in certain residues, which is Class W, may change to an oxide (Class Y) in a fire.
High-fired plutonium oxide is an example of Class Y. However, conversion of a salt in a fire will
probably not be complete. Accordingly, it may be appropriate to assume that the resultant chemical form
94 Plutonium hydroxides have subsequently been added to Class Y.
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is the one that gives the largest dose. In the case of plutonium salts, for example, Class W for plutonium
salts may apply.
Newer biokinetic models of the human respiratory system (ICRP-68) give DCFs for plutonium and
americium that are notably smaller than those used in ICRP-30. The following differences can be noted
between these two databases.
1. The DCFs for fission products are similar between the two databases, but those of the actinides
are much smaller in ICRP-68 than in ICRP-30.
2. The ICRP-68 values do not use the D, W, and Y solubility classes. Instead, they use “F (Fast),”
“M (Moderate),” and “S (Slow),” which are broadly equivalent to D, W, and Y.
a. “Fast” refers to those compounds that dissolve quickly and are absorbed into the respiratory
tissue where they are initially deposited, or directly into the blood, in minutes to hours.
There is virtually no time for these compounds to be transported to other respiratory sites.
b. “Moderate” refers to those compounds that dissolve more slowly. Only a small portion
(modeled as 10 percent) is absorbed directly into respiratory tissue at the initial deposit site,
or directly into blood; the remainder is transformed (in a period of weeks) into a more
soluble compound. While in this transformed state, it can be transported to other respiratory
tissues. It eventually is dissolved into the blood and thus is available for transport to other
parts of the body.
c. “Slow” refers to those compounds that are essentially insoluble. Almost none of this
material is absorbed directly into the tissue at the initial deposit site, or directly into the
blood. It is slowly transformed into a more soluble compound (on a time scale of years).
While in this transformed state, it can be transported to other respiratory tissues. It
eventually is dissolved into the blood and thus is available for transport to other parts of the
body.
Section 254
3. The DCFs of ICRP-68 are given for two particulate size distributions, centered at 1 μm and 5 μm.
These sizes are referred to as AMAD, the median diameter of a lognormal size distribution. In
contrast, the ICRP-30 values were only for one particulate size distribution, 1-μm AMAD.
ICRP-68 recommends that the 5-μm AMAD DCFs be used unless the analyst can justify the use of the
DCFs for the 1-μm AMAD; such as the case in which the particulates had passed through HEPA
filtration. Federal agencies have accepted the use of 1 um AMAD for consequence management response
actions (e.g., Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center Assessment Manual calculations).
DCFs generally are larger for smaller particle sizes. HEPA filters are least efficient at about 0.3 -μm-
sized particles for which the DCF would be larger than for either 1 -μm or 5 -μm. On the other hand, very
small particles tend to agglomerate and stick to surfaces. The DCF chosen for a given scenario needs to
be technically justified if other than the value for 1-μm or 5-μm. Refer to ICRP-68 Annex F for assigning
lung clearance type to different compounds. ICRP-72 has a an even more detailed discussion.
ICRP-68 was developed for assessing potential doses to workers and can be used to evaluate the
postulated dose to the CW. For the MOI consequence assessment, the adult dose conversion factors from
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ICRP-72, Age-Dependent Doses to Members of the Public from Intake of Radionuclides, Part 5,95 is used
as described in DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.2.
8.2.3 CLOUDSHINE DOSE
The amount of gamma radiation (and beta, if appropriate) received by a receptor from a plume of
radioactive material depends upon the location of the receptor relative to the plume. The greatest dose
would be received by a receptor in the plume centerline and DCFs have been developed for such a
receptor. The assumptions made in deriving these DCFs are that (1) the plume is uniform and semi-
infinite96 and (2) the receptor is standing upright on the ground. The dose received from a given
radionuclide is the product of the concentration of the radionuclide and the DCF, integrated over the
duration of the plume. The doses from all the radionuclides are then be summed. The DCFs for
cloudshine are given in FGR-12, External Exposure to Radionuclides in air, Water, and Soil. Information
for ordering this report is given in the EPA internet web site http://www.epa.gov/radiation/federal/
index.html. Cloudshine DCFs are expressed in units of (Sv-m3)/(Bq-s). FGR-11 also gives DCFs for
cloudshine but these have been superseded by those of FGR-12.
The cloudshine doses calculated using the DCFs from FGR-12 are conservative because of the
assumptions that the receptor is standing upright in a uniform, semi-infinite cloud. The plume is neither
uniform nor semi-infinite, the receptor may not be at the plume centerline, the plume may be elevated, the
receptor may be sheltered, and the receptor may not be standing up; each of these factors would tend to
reduce the dose. Corrections for finite cloud size and distribution (Gaussian) and for receptor locations
off-centerline are included in several computer models of atmospheric dispersion and consequence
assessment (see Section 6.12.2). The safety analyst should also consider additional dose reduction factors
associated with sheltering.
8.2.4 GROUNDSHINE DOSE
Section 255
The amount of gamma radiation received by a receptor from radioactive material deposited on the ground
through deposition (see Section 6.8.4) depends upon the location of receptor relative to the fallout. The
greatest dose would be received by a receptor at the center of the deposition, and DCFs have been
developed for such a receptor. The assumptions made in deriving groundshine DCFs are: (1) the material
is uniformly distributed on the surface or in the soil for an infinite distance in every horizontal direction
azimuth); and (2) the receptor is standing upright on the ground. The dose received from a given
radionuclide is the product of the concentration of the radionuclide on, or in, the ground and the DCF,
integrated over the duration of the exposure (how long the receptor is present to receive groundshine).
The ground shine doses from all the radionuclides are then summed. The concentration to be used in the
calculation is either an areal concentration (Bq/m2), if the material is only on the surface, or a volume
concentration (Bq/m3), if mixed with the soil. The dose rate is the product of the concentration and DCF.
Groundshine DCFs are expressed in units of either (Sv-m2)/(Bq-s) for surface contamination, or (Sv-
m3)/(Bq-s) for soil contaminated down to a specified depth. The DCFs for groundshine are given in FGR-
95 DOE-STD-1196-2011, Appendix A includes dose coefficients for adults consistent with ICRP-72 dose
coefficients. DOE has determined that the adult dose coefficients are appropriate for hazard scenario consequence
estimates. However, in other situations such as determining collective dose to the public from a release, reference
person coefficients from DOE-STD-1196-2011 are more appropriate. That standard includes gender and age
weighted dose coefficients that are appropriate for estimating doses to the general public resulting from chronic
exposures. These dose coefficients may be appropriate when assessing doses from residual radioactive material
over the long-term.
96 “Semi” because the plume extends upward from the ground, but not downward.
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/federal/index.html
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/federal/index.html
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12. The depths of soil contamination considered in these tables are for 1-cm, 5-cm, 15-cm, and an infinite
depth. Groundshine DCFs for other depths of soil contamination can be found by interpolation among
these tables.
The groundshine doses calculated using the DCFs from FGR-12 are conservative because of the
assumptions that the receptor is standing upright on a uniformly contaminated, infinite plane. The
deposition is neither uniform nor infinite and the receptor may not be the middle of it. Furthermore,
surface morphology irregularities (uneven terrain) tend to shield the receptor, the receptor may be
sheltered, and the receptor may be elevated or more distant from the groundshine; each of these factors
would reduce the dose. The safety analyst may also wish to consider additional dose reduction factors
associated with sheltering or surface roughness/unevenness.
Section 256
In calculating groundshine doses, the time variation of the ground concentration at the receptor’s location
is considered. In the early stages of plume passage, the ground concentration is increasing; the
concentration reaching a peak at the end of plume passage. Resuspension (see Section 6.8.4) of the
particulates then erodes the amount of contamination. The DOE-STD-3009-2014 recommended exposure
duration is up to 8 hours. In calculating groundshine doses, the time variation of the ground concentration
at the receptor’s location is considered. In the early stages of plume passage, the ground concentration is
increasing; the concentration reaching a peak at the end of plume passage. Refer to the toolbox code
manuals for details of how each code treats this.
8.2.5 PROMPT (DIRECT) DOSE
Prompt doses from criticality accidents arise exclusively from neutrons and gamma rays from fissions and
fission products and capture gamma rays from fission neutrons (see Appendix B). The prompt dose
depends directly upon the number of fissions in the criticality accident, the distance to the receptor, and
the amount of intervening shielding material, such as steel, concrete, or water. NUREG/CR-6504, An
Updated Nuclear Criticality Slide Rule, gives curves of unshielded dose as a function of distance, number
of fissions, and time after the criticality accident.
Shielding is expressed in terms of the amount of intervening concrete or the equivalent if other shielding
materials are involved. Shielding dose reduction factors may be determined from the following
relationships, which are taken from NUREG/CR-6504.
Steel Dose Reduction Factor: neutrons = exp (-0.256 × steel thickness in inches)
gammas = exp (-0.386 × steel thickness in inches)
Concrete Dose Reduction Factor: neutrons, = exp (-0.240 × concrete thickness in inches)
gammas = exp (-0.147 × concrete thickness in inches)
Water Dose Reduction Factor: neutrons = exp (-0.277 × water thickness in inches)
gammas = exp (-0.092 × water thickness in inches)
Prompt doses from criticality accidents need to be compared with the Safety Significant (SS) Structure,
System, and Component (SSC) guidelines for the FW (Chapters 2 and 10). These guidelines state that
“prompt death” or “serious injury” is a high consequence. These refer to deterministic health effects, not
cancer. A prompt dose of 450-rad from a criticality accident is considered lethal to 50% of the people
within 30 days, a dose labeled LD50/30. A dose of about half of this would cause serious injury but not
death to most individuals. It is recommended that if the prompt dose exceeds 400 rad it be considered
lethal (prompt fatality or “high consequence”). A prompt dose between 200 and 400 rad would cause
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serious injury (also a “high consequence”) and a prompt dose below 200 rad would not be a serious injury
for a healthy worker. See Section 8.3. For a criticality event producing 1E+17 fissions first spike, a dose
of 400 rad would be received by an unshielded worker about three meters from the accident.
The total radiation dose from a criticality accident, including inhalation, cloudshine, and from prompt
exposure, is included in the assessment of consequences to the CW. However, the prompt dose may be
determined to not be significant based on distance and/or shielding, and not included in the total dose
estimate. The unmitigated analysis may credit shielding from passive design features such as concrete walls,
and their safety significance evaluated per the DOE-STD-3009-2014 guidance on ICs.
Section 257
8.2.6 PLUTONIUM EQUIVALENT CURIES
For simplification of accident analysis calculations it is beneficial to introduce the concept of surrogate
compositions of MAR, based on isotopic-specific DCFs. For example, the concept can be used to
establish a common inventory or tracking basis for a dose calculation. It can provide a process for
accepting new material while remaining within the bounds of the accident analyses, thus allowing
operational flexibility while complying with the safety basis and source strength administrative control
limits.
This is commonly done for materials composed of several isotopes of plutonium. For accident analysis
purposes and safety system classifications, EGs are in units of TED, which is indifferent to the dose
pathway or the kinds of radionuclides involved. The dose equivalent curie concept effectively converts
radiological consequences for individual isotopes or mixes of isotopes to the same consequences from a
corresponding amount of a base isotope. For example, for Pu-239, a plutonium equivalent curie (PE-Ci)
is defined as the summation of the curies of each isotope multiplied by its dose equivalence factor:
PE-Ci = Σ (dose equivalence factor)n × (curies)n Equation 8-9
where n is the index for the isotopes included in the mix. In the case of Pu-239, dose equivalence is a
method of normalizing the radiotoxicity of various radionuclides to Pu-239 for use in determining relative
hazard of radioactive materials. The normalization is often based on the inhalation pathway only. It is
derived from the ratio of the inhalation committed effective dose for each radionuclide to that of Pu-239.
The inhalation DCFs are based on ICRP-72 for the public receptor and are usually more conservative than
ICRP-68 DCFs which were developed for facility worker dose commitments. This ratio is the dose
equivalence factor of the isotope per curie of isotope. This approach should not be used for radionuclides
that can pose a non-negligible external dose.
8.3 HEALTH RISKS
Although not required for the DSA accident analysis, radiological doses may be converted to health risks
for other special assessments, such as comparison to the DOE Safety Goal in DOE P 420.1. For
regulatory decision-making, the linear, no threshold (LNT) risk model provides a starting point for
calculating stochastic risk factors for low-dose LET radiation. These risk factors do not apply to high
doses and have great uncertainty at low doses (less than a few Rad) and low dose rates. This may be done
by multiplying doses by stochastic risk factors for comparative purposes. However, the preferred
approach is to apply risk coefficients from FGR-13, Cancer Risk Coefficients for Environmental
Exposure to Radionuclides, directly to the radionuclide intake or exposure (DOE/EH-412/0015/0802;
ISCORS Tech. Report 1; EPA FGR-13). Latent cancer fatalities (LCFs) are the (chronic) health risks of
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most interest. The term “latent” indicates that the estimated cancer fatalities would occur sometime in the
future, within the next 50 years for adults, or the next 70 years for the general population, which includes
children. One can also estimate latent cancer occurrences (fatal plus non-fatal) or genetic effects, but
these are not normally evaluated in safety analyses. The stochastic risk factor depends upon the type of
radiation and the organ considered. The following subsections address health risks from high-LET
radiation (alpha particles) and low-LET (beta particles and gamma rays) radiation.
Section 258
8.3.1 HIGH-LET RADIATION
In the case of alpha emitters, such as plutonium and uranium, the only organs of importance for cancer
risk are the lungs, liver, and bone surface as discussed in NUREG/CR-4214, Health Effects Models for
Nuclear Power Plant Accident Consequence Analysis, Modification of Models Resulting From Addition
of Effects of Exposure to Alpha-Emitting Radionuclides. The stochastic risk factors for cancer fatalities
for these organs are shown in Table 8-4. For these three organs, the stochastic risk factors are linear and
continuous. Earlier models, based on ICRP-26, used a linear-quadratic model. The new model, based on
ICRP-60), is linear but may be discontinuous for some radionuclides. The values from NUREG/CR-4214
differ from the earlier ICRP-26 values): the lung factor is about four times larger, the bone skeleton
factor is about ten times smaller, and liver factor is about three times smaller than the earlier values. The
values in Table 8-4 are for high-LET radiation (alpha particles). Table 8-4 does not give the stochastic
risk factor for committed effective dose, as the total cancer risk should be calculated as the sum of the
individual organ cancer risks [Σ (dose × stochastic factor)]. The other organs of the body do not
contribute significantly to cancer risk from exposure to alpha radiation and have been ignored.
Table 8-4. Stochastic Risk Factors for Alpha-Emitters (NUREG/CR-4214).
Organ Risk Factor
(LCF/rem)
Bone surface 6.0E-7
Lungs 8.0E-5
Liver 1.5E-5
8.3.2 LOW-LET RADIATION
For low-LET radiation (beta and gamma radiation), the latent cancer risk may be estimated for regulatory
decisionmaking from the committed effective dose, although the individual organ cancer risks could also
be summed. ICRP-60 recommends using a stochastic risk factor of 5.0E-04 LCF/rem (5.0E-02 LCF/Sv)
for the whole population,97 or 4.0E-04 LCF/rem (4.0E-02 LCF/Sv) for adult workers, based on the
committed effective dose.98 The stochastic risk factor for the public is higher than for adult workers
because the public consists of a mixture of individuals with varying degrees of resistance to hazardous
materials, including children, the elderly, and the infirm. This factor includes the cancer risk to all
organs, unlike the treatment of alpha radiation, which considers only the three organs of Table 8-4 to be
important for cancer risk.
97 This ICRP-60 recommendation was adopted by the DOE in 1993 for the evaluations of Environmental
Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements, but was increased slightly to 6.0E-04 LCF/rem in the current
DOE guidance (DOE/ESH, 2004).
98 The ISCORS Technical Report No. 1 (ISCORS, 2002) cites a slightly higher risk factor of 6.0E-2 LCF/Sv (6.0E-4
LCF/rem) without distinguishing between the public and workers.
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8.3.3 ACUTE HEALTH RISKS
Doses received in a short time period (acute doses) may cause acute health risks, if large enough. A dose
from gamma or neutron radiation, such as from a criticality event, is the primary concern. Table 8-5
(taken from Table 3-2 of EPA-400/R-17/001, PAG Manual, Protective Action Guides and Planning
Guidance for Radiological Incidents) summarizes the health effects associated with varying levels of
gamma radiation.
Table 8-5. Acute Radiation Effects for Gamma Radiation*
Feature or
Illness
Effects of Whole Body Absorbed Dose from External Radiation or Internal Absorption,
by dose range in Rad (Gray)
0-100
(0-1 Gy)
100-200
(1-2 Gy)
Section 259
200-600
(2-6 Gy)
600-800
(6-8 Gy)
>800
(>8 Gy)
Nausea,
Vomiting
None
5-50% 50-100% 75-100% 90-100%
Time of onset 3-6 hr 2-4 hr 1-2 hr < 1 hr to
minutes
Duration < 24 hr < 24 hr < 48 hr < 48 hr
Lymphocyte
Count Unaffected Minimally
Decreased <1000 at 24 hr < 500 at 24 hr Decreases
within hours
Central Nervous
System
Function
No Impairment No Impairment
Cognitive
impairment for
6-20 hr
Cognitive
impairment for
> 20 hr
Rapid
incapacitation
Mortality None Minimal
Low with
aggressive
therapy26
High
Very High:
Significant
neurological
symptoms
indicate lethal
dose
* Percentage of people receiving whole body doses within a few hours expected to experience acute health effects.
Original source as cited in EPA-400/R-17/001: Medical Management of Radiological Casualties, Second Edition, Armed
Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, U.S. Department of Defense. Bethesda, MD, April 2003.
An acute dose from inhalation of plutonium or uranium, the dose received in a few hours or days, is
normally very small. All of the isotopes of plutonium and uranium have half-lives of many years;
therefore, the inhalation dose received by a person during the first few days following inhalation will only
be a tiny fraction of the lifetime committed dose. Accordingly, an acute health effect requires a very large
amount of plutonium or uranium to be released. For example, in order for a person at a distance of about
2 km from the release site to get a dose large enough to cause pneumonitis, the first prompt health effect
to occur, an airborne release of about 100 kg of respirable plutonium-239 would be required (Peterson,
1993). Such a large release is not physically possible. Therefore, acute health effects to the public need
not be considered for releases of plutonium or uranium isotopes.
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9 CHEMICAL DISPERSION AND CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS
9.1 INTRODUCTION
Chapter 6 discussed atmospheric dispersion analysis with its main focus on radiological releases, and
Chapter 8 discussed radiological consequence analysis. Many of the atmospheric dispersion principles
associated with radiological releases of neutrally-buoyant gases discussed in Chapter 6 are also applicable
to neutrally-buoyant toxic chemical releases. Wherever there was commonality between radiological and
toxic chemical dispersion and consequence analysis, it was so indicated in that chapter.
There are many types of toxic chemical releases that require a more comprehensive treatment than steady-
state releases of neutrally-buoyant gases. These analyses involve more specialized source term
phenomenological models and atmospheric dispersion models to address their emission into and
redistribution in the atmosphere. In addition, the human health effect metrics of toxic chemicals are far
more complex than the metrics associated with radiological health effects. Each of these differences are
identified and treated in this chapter.
As discussed in Section 2.3.3, DOE-STD-3009-2014 requires assessment of toxic chemical hazards as
part of a DSA hazard evaluation, either qualitatively or quantitatively. This chapter addresses the
quantitative analysis of toxic chemical releases applying accident analysis methodologies.
Section 260
As in Chapter 6, this chapter addresses the evaluation of releases of toxic chemicals and associated
concomitant health risks to the facility worker, CW, and the MOI. However, it also discusses the
different types of chemical release phenomenology and the factors to consider when estimating the health
effects that these toxic chemicals can have on the human body and its target organs. Once the toxic
chemical source term phenomenology is established and the appropriate atmospheric dispersion model
selected, the resultant health risks associated with each toxic chemical needs to be evaluated at each
important receptor and compared to the appropriate chemical health indicators.
NSRD-2015-TD01 concluded:
Similar to calculations for the radiological releases, the chemical release calculations showed that the
default χ/Q value is conservative for chemical releases for nearly all cases, except the situations where
the building wake cannot be credited or where a building is smaller than that assumed in NUREG-
1140. For these situations the default χ/Q value may not provide a conservative estimate of dispersion.
This chapter addresses both the atmospheric dispersion of chemical materials and their consequences in
terms of exposure concentrations to meet the requirements of Section 3.2.4.3, Chemical Source Term and
Consequence, of DOE-STD-3009-2014, once the source term (ST) either as a release rate (mg/s) or total
release quantity (mg) over a release duration (s) is estimated as described in Chapter 5. For safety
analysis purposes, the dispersion analysis is used to estimate chemical consequences in terms of a peak air
concentration that occurs any time during the duration of the release to the MOI and CW.
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The following is the general approach for the atmospheric dispersion and chemical consequence analysis:
1. From the accident scenario, as defined by applying Chapter 3 guidance, identify parameters
(ground level, buoyant, elevated stack, discharge temperature) relevant to evaluating releases to
the environment.
2. Select the appropriate dispersion methodology (e.g., DOE Toolbox code, manual spreadsheet
calculation).
3. Analyze appropriate weather data and convert to a format for the selected methodology.
4. Apply the dispersion methodology, justifying input values as affected by the accident scenario,
unique site conditions, or recommended default values from the most recent guidance documents,
such as those for the DOE Toolbox codes or this chapter.
5. Calculate the chemical concentration to the MOI and CW.
This Chapter goes through each of these steps. However, before doing so it begins with some
fundamentals of chemical consequence assessment and other topics that support the DSA analysis of
chemicals. Specifically this Chapter provides information on:
• Chemical Consequence Assessment Fundamentals;
• Chemical Screening Criteria;
• Chemical Health Effects on the Human Body;
• Toxic Chemical Release Phenomenology and Subsequent Atmospheric Transport And Diffusion;
• Meteorological Parameters Affecting Toxic Chemical Consequence Analysis;
• Toxic Chemical Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Models;
• Toxic Chemical Consequence Scoping Methodology to Exceed PAC/TEEL Values; and
• Example Toxic Chemical Calculations.
9.2 CHEMICAL CONSEQUENCE ASSESSMENT FUNDAMENTALS
Section 261
There are a number of ways in which the consequence assessment of toxic chemicals differ from that of
radioactive materials; thus requiring more comprehensive treatment. The most fundamental difference is
that unlike radiological exposures whose health effects have been normalized to a common scale of rem
measurement, each particular toxic chemical insults the human body in its own unique way; enormously
complicating the health effects evaluation portion of the assessment process. For a facility with an
inventory of many different chemicals, consequence assessment can quickly become a cumbersome
process. Accordingly, chemical hazard assessment makes extensive use of a screening process to focus
on those chemicals of sufficient quantity and toxicity to present a clear potential threat to the facility
worker, CW, MOI, and the public. Without this screening process, the amount of effort to perform
chemical consequence assessments would be untenable.
Toxic impacts of most of the chemicals of concern for this handbook are associated with a threshold dose
or concentration, usually defined for most toxic chemicals below which no adverse effects are expected.
In contrast, the effects elicited by radioactive materials on the human body addressed in this handbook are
assumed to occur over a dose continuum. Chemicals that have chronic carcinogenic, mutagenic and
teratogenic effects are similar to those of radioactive materials in that they are considered non-threshold
events but are only briefly addressed in this accident analysis handbook because those chemicals are not
within the scope of 10 CFR § 830.204(b)(3).
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Other consequence assessment differences include the physical and temporal characteristics associated
with the release phenomenology, the atmospheric characteristics of the plume, and the nature of the health
and environmental effects. For chemicals that have a higher molecular weight than that of the atmosphere
(i.e., 28.97 g/mol), density differences can produce dense gas gradients, resulting in airborne plumes that
remain near the ground and flow downhill in response to local topography. In addition, liquid pools that
are physically much colder than the environment, termed cryogenic, may also exhibit dense gas
characteristics. Lastly, the quantity of the release is another important discriminator, as the release has to
be sufficiently large to create its own dense gas dispersion environment. The Bulk Richardson number is
used by dense gas models (e.g., ALOHA) to determine the nature of the dispersion environment. NRSD-
2015-TD01 Section F.6 and Section 7.5.3 of this Handbook present additional discussion on dense gas
dispersion. Chemical reactions in contact with air and upon exposure to sunlight and atmospheric
moisture can also alter the human toxicity characteristics of a plume by changing its chemical
composition and concomitant health effects.
9.3 CHEMICAL SCREENING CRITERIA
The evaluation of toxic chemical hazards often involves the consideration of many chemical substances.
The DSA can be simplified with a negligible loss in conservatism and scientific integrity by limiting the
chemical hazard evaluation to toxic chemicals that constitute the most significant safety concerns. This
simplification can be accomplished through a systematic chemical pre-screening process. DOE-STD-
3009-2014, Section A.2, provides the most recent chemical screening guidance for DSA hazard
evaluations, such as excluding chemicals that are commonly available and used by the general public, or
small-scale use quantities of chemicals. Moreover, SIHs should also be screened out per the guidance
presented in Section 2.2.4, Exclusion of Standard Industrial Hazards and Other Hazardous Materials, of
this Handbook. The following discussions provide additional clarifications and guidance related to the
toxicity guidance addressed in DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.2.
Section 262
The factors that determine the degree of hazard that any given chemical represents include:
• Physicochemical properties that contribute to dispersibility, reactivity, and toxicity;
• Significant quantities of chemicals that may displace oxygen in the air as simple asphyxiants;
• Incompatibility with other chemicals; and,
• Conditions under which the chemical is stored and/or used, including the quantity involved.
Specific questions to determine which chemicals to include in a DSA are presented in Table 9-1 below.
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Table 9-1. Identification of Chemicals in the Prescreening Process: Baseline Criteria.
A) Is a particular chemical on any of the following lists? This is the first level of screening in or screening
out of any chemical. Note that the TPQ and RQ values should not be used for quantitative screening.
• EPA list of extremely hazardous substances and threshold planning quantities (TPQs) (40 CFR §
355)
• EPA list of hazardous substances and reportable quantities (RQs) (40 CFR § 302)
• OSHA list of highly hazardous chemicals, toxic chemicals and reactive chemicals (29 CFR §
1910.119 Appendix A)
• EPA list of regulated substances and thresholds for accidental release prevention Threshold
Quantities (40 CFR Part 68)
B) Is there any indication that the particular chemical exhibits significant toxic properties in Safety Data
Sheets (SDSs), required by OSHA Hazards Communication, 29 CFR § 1910.1200?
C) Have any short-term acute exposure limits been derived for a particular chemical?
• EPA Acute Exposure Guideline Limits (AEGLs)
• AIHA Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs)
• DOE/NA-41 PAC/TEELs
D) Does a particular chemical have a National Fire Protection Association Health Hazard Rating of 2, 3 or
4? See DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.2.
E) Is a particular chemical extremely reactive or flammable?
F) Is a particular chemical in close physical proximity to other incompatible chemicals, which could result
in the release of toxic reaction products in an accident?
G) Is a particular chemical readily volatilized (i.e., having a high vapor pressure) upon release to the
atmosphere?
H) Does a particular chemical generate toxic combustion products?
I) Does a particular chemical act as a simple asphyxiant which reduces the available oxygen below 19.5
percent, per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A? Additional simple asphyxiant guidance is provided in
ANSI Z88.2-1992 and DOE-HDBK-1046-2016.
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10629
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SDSs are required from chemical manufacturers to meet hazard communications requirements in OSHA’s
rule 29 CFR § 1910.1200. These SDSs also provide valuable chemical exposure health effects
information relative to chemical screening, as follows:
• Section 2: Hazards identification inclusive of target organs, routes of entry, acute effects, chronic
health effects, carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects
• Section 10: Stability and reactivity
• Section 11: Toxicological information
All chemicals that are not screened out are evaluated in the DSA hazard evaluation as discussed in
Section 2.3.2.
9.4 CHEMICAL HEALTH EFFECTS ON THE HUMAN BODY
The following subsections address chemical concentration, exposure modes and exposure time, and the
various PAC/TEELs99 to establish acute human health effects from toxic chemicals. Toxicity is defined as
the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism.
DSAs only require the assessment of the acute effects of toxic chemicals. Therefore, chronic chemical
exposure effects are only briefly addressed in Section 9.4.5.
Section 263
9.4.1 CHEMICAL CONCENTRATIONS AND EXPOSURE TIME
9.4.1.1 CHEMICAL EXPOSURE TIME
Chemical exposure concentrations may be expressed in either units of mg/m3 or parts per million volume
(ppmV). The latter represents a volume ratio of parts of toxic chemical per million parts of clean air,
while mg/m3 units are commonly used for aerosol (i.e., particulates or droplets of non-volatile liquid)
release evaluations. For releases involving gases or vapors from volatile liquids, units of mg/m3 can be
used but ppmV units are more commonly used. Equation 9-1, which is based on the equation of state of
an ideal gas, can be used to convert concentrations in units of mg/m3 to units of ppmV, assuming a
standard pressure of one atmosphere (101,325 N/m2) and an ambient temperature of 25°C; the latter
recommended in 40 CFR § 68.22.
𝑪𝑪[𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑] = 𝑪𝑪�𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 𝒎𝒎𝟑𝟑(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)⁄ � × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟔𝟔�𝒎𝒎𝟑𝟑(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂) 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟔𝟔𝒎𝒎𝟑𝟑(𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)⁄ �× � 𝑹𝑹×𝑻𝑻
𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴×𝑷𝑷×𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
� �𝒎𝒎𝟑𝟑 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎⁄ � Equation 9-1
Where,
106 = ppmV conversion factor [units of m3(air)/106⋅m3(air)]
99 PAC/TEEL values for emergency planning for chemical release events are based on the following exposure limits, given in terms of
airborne concentration, expressed as ppm or mg/m3:
1. AEGL values published by the EPA.
2. ERPG values produced by AIHA.
3. TEEL values developed by the DOE Subcommittee on Consequence Assessment and Protective Actions (SCAPA).
AEGLs, ERPGs, and TEELs have three common benchmark values for each chemical (i.e., PAC/TEEL-1, -2, and -3).
Each successive benchmark is associated with an increasingly severe effect that involves a higher level of exposure. The DOE policy for its
facilities and activities established irreversible health effects (the “-2” level) as the protective action criterion benchmark for chemical releases in
Table 1 of DOE-STD-3009-2014. ERPGs refer to exposure durations of 1 hour (with shorter periods for some chemicals). While AEGLs are
developed for five time periods the PAC database includes the AEGL one-hour value. TEELs have been standardized to one-hour. PAC values
are developed to take into account all factors potentially causing a human health affect caused by exposure to the defined chemical. Refer to
https://sp.eota.energy.gov/pac/.
https://sp.eota.energy.gov/pac/
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R = Universal gas constant [8.314 N⋅m/gmol⋅K]
MW = Molecular weight [g/gmol]
P = Standard atmospheric pressure [101,325 N/m2]
T = Temperature [K]
1000 = Mass conversion factor [units of “mg/g”]
The term enclosed by the large brackets represents the specific volume (reciprocal of density) of the
chemical, which is directly proportional to ambient temperature.
Chemical health impacts are based on total exposure, which is a function of both the chemical
concentration at the receptor and the exposure time at this concentration. Ten Berge, et al., (1986)
developed a technique to account for exposure time on dose, and the ALOHA toolbox code has an
algorithm that calculates dose as a function of exposure time using Ten Berge’s equations. According to
Ten Berge, if the concentration varies during the exposure period, this dose factor may be expressed as
[c(t)]ndt], where c(t) is the concentration as a function of time during exposure and n is a chemical-
specific dimensionless exponent:
[𝑐𝑐(𝑡𝑡)] 𝑛𝑛 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 Equation 9-2
Ten Berge presents values of the exponent, n, for 20 specific chemicals. For n=1, the effects are assumed
to be a function of dose. The developers of AEGL values, which vary from 10-minute to 8-hour exposure
times, used empirical data to evaluate the exponent n.
Section 264
For toxic chemical aerosols and gases with a density approximately that of air, standard Gaussian
atmospheric dispersion may be used to estimate chemical consequences. If the toxic material is released
at some average rate over some period of time, the peak concentration at the receptor is obtained directly
from the definition of the steady state χ/Q
C = Q′ � χ
Q′
� Equation 9-3
Where,
C = peak concentration (mg/m3)
Q’ = toxic material release rate (mg/s)
χ/Q = relative concentration (s/m3)
Note that in plume dispersion modeling, χ represents the concentration in the atmosphere, while
for determining health effects, C denotes concentration of the chemical species.
Equation 9-3 represents a single, steady-state concentration that can be compared to the PAC/TEEL
values presented in Section 9.4.1.2. In some cases, the release rate may be temporally variant, and needs
to be evaluated as changing over time throughout the duration of the accident. This will result in
concentrations at the receptor changing over time, creating a need to modify the time-varying
concentration into a single value so it can be compared to the PAC/TEEL values. This can be
accomplished using the time weighted average (TWA) concept. The toxicity characteristics of the toxic
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chemical and duration of the plume exposure both factor into the time basis for the TWA as discussed in
Section A.2 of DOE-STD-3009-2014. The plume exposure duration is generally assumed to be the same
as the release duration of the source term.
Some consequence assessment dispersion codes will calculate the desired maximum 15-minute average
concentration directly by allowing the analyst to specify the averaging period. To determine the average
concentration manually, the following equation may be used:
TWA = C1T1+C2T2+⋯+C𝑛𝑛T𝑛𝑛
T1+T2+⋯+T𝑛𝑛
Equation 9-4
Where:
C = Concentration (ppmV or mg/m3)
T = Time period of exposure (min)
n = Number of time segments
For short-duration releases (e.g., less than 15 minutes), the concentration at the receptor may be
calculated as the TWA over the release period, but for no less than 1 minute. Since concentration varies
with time due to the time-dependent release rate (Q’) and long-wave atmospheric turbulence (i.e., plume
meander), concentrations based on one-minute segments do not credit plume-meander; consistent with the
concept of determining a peak TWA that is not smeared by time averaging effects.
For release durations longer than 15 minutes, the peak 15-minute average concentration during the
duration of the release is used. For the peak 15-minute TWA, the 15-minute period of maximum
exposure (concentration) is selected and input as 15, one-minute segments, into Equation 9-4. For
exposure periods of less than 15 minutes, the product of CxTx may equal zero during the exposure period.
Individual time intervals less than one minute are not appropriate for use in the numerator of the above
formula for calculating the TWA. This assumption is conservative for “instantaneous” types of releases
(e.g., container puncture of powders, over-pressurization of container). However, the use of a shorter
averaging duration than 15 minutes, such as the actual exposure period but not less than one minute, may
be warranted depending on the acute toxicity of the chemical of interest and the peak concentration
observed.
Section 265
If sufficient physiochemical information is available, the release rate of a toxic chemical can be directly
calculated based on the phenomenology of the release and the properties of the chemical. For example,
the rate of evaporation from a pool of a spilled chemical may be directly estimated, as discussed in
Sections 9.5.4, 9.8.2, 9.9.3 and 9.9.4 of this handbook.
9.4.1.2 PROTECTIVE ACTION CRITERIA FOR RELEASES OF A SINGLE CHEMICAL
Section A.2 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 establishes the need for chemical PACs. Exposure to an air
concentration greater than the toxic chemical PAC/TEEL criteria for safety SS control selection is
assumed to confer a certain health detriment to the exposed individual. Although a duration of exposure
is implicit in the PAC/TEEL definitions, shorter exposures to higher concentrations of some chemicals
can have comparable effects. Accordingly, averaging the concentration from a short-duration release
over 30 or 60 minutes may significantly under-predict the hazard. On the other hand, averaging over a
very short time (e.g., a minute or two) represents the peak concentration more conservatively; however,
the validity of any comparison between the calculated “peak” concentration PAC/TEEL value is
questionable. It is therefore useful to calculate a TWA concentration at the receptor location for some
period less than that implied by the PAC/TEEL definition but long enough that the results can be viewed
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as having relevance to the criteria.
To address both concerns, TWA concentration at the receptor location is usually calculated for some
period less than that implied by the PAC/TEEL definition, but long enough that the results can be
accepted as having some relevance to the criteria. For example, EPA-550-B-99-009 which specifies
ERPG-2 values (one of the human health criteria for establishing the PAC/TEEL-2) as primary toxic
endpoints for their evaluation, assumes a 10-minute release averaging time in its determination of
distance to the endpoint for worst-case analyses of toxic chemicals even though the ERPG-2 values are
based on 60 minutes.
The DOE PAC/TEEL concentrations are based on different durations as defined by their concentration
limit definitions from EPA or the chemical industry. To standardize releases from gases, liquids, and
particulates, the hazard evaluation and/or accident analysis may assume a peak 15-minute, TWA chemical
concentration for comparison to the PAC/TEEL values for SS control designation. There is no
adjustment of the PAC/TEEL value or the calculated concentration to account for differences between the
recommended 15-minute exposure time and the exposure time implicit in the definition of the
PAC/TEELs.
9.4.1.3 PROTECTIVE ACTION CRITERIA FOR RELEASES OF MULTIPLE CHEMICALS
For chemical mixtures and concurrent releases of different substances, consequences are assessed using
the (CMM) “Hazard Index” approach recommended by the DOE Office of Emergency Management,
SCAPA Chemical Mixtures Working Group.100 A brief explanation of this approach and the published
journal article are available on the SCAPA website, https://sp.eota.energy.gov/EM/SitePages/SCAPA-
CMM.aspx, under Health Code Numbers. The link also provides access to the CMM Wizard that
automates the implementation of the approach for up to 30 chemicals. Although not in the Central
Registry toolbox, this capability has undergone a rigorous SQA process. Even so, the analyst should
check that this modeling tool is acceptable for use on a particular project by checking the approved
software list for that project, or determine what site-specific QA requirements may apply.
Section 266
Concurrent releases should be analyzed if a plausible scenario exists by which quantities of different
substances could be released from the same location at the same time. Concurrent releases of dissimilar
substances that, because of separation by distance or physical barriers, could result only from catastrophic
events (such as major fires, aircraft crashes, severe NPHs) should be analyzed in accordance with the
guidance for DBA scenarios. Concurrent releases of dissimilar substances caused by extreme malevolent
acts need not be analyzed.
9.4.2 MODES OF EXPOSURE AND ROUTES OF ENTRY OF TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT
RESULT IN HEALTH EFFECTS
Acute health effects from short-term exposures to toxic chemicals differ with respect to mode of exposure
or route of entry into the human body. Since the inhalation pathway is also considered the most impactful
for toxic chemical exposures, most toxic chemical consequence assessments focus on inhalation
exposures. Other chemical exposure pathways (e.g., skin absorption) generally result in less severe health
effects than the inhalation pathway. Accordingly, for aerosol-type releases, an inhalation only analysis
should be adequate using conservative parameters; thus precluding any unnecessary analyses of alternate
100 SCAPA: DOE Subcommittee on Consequence Assessment and Protective Actions. SCAPA has several working
groups, which include the Chemical Exposures Working Group that developed the PAC/TEELs, and the Chemical
Mixtures Working Group that developed the CMM.
https://sp.eota.energy.gov/EM/SitePages/SCAPA-CMM.aspx,
https://sp.eota.energy.gov/EM/SitePages/SCAPA-CMM.aspx,
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pathway exposure. Impacts from chemical ingestion are generally chronic in nature and can be prevented
by water and food interdiction management measures or mitigated by chelation processes.
DOE-HDBK-1046-2016, Temporary Emergency Exposure Limits for Chemicals: Method and Practice,
provides an excellent discussion on all modes of exposure and routes of entry and also discusses each
pathway inclusive of inhalation, skin absorption, inter-peritoneal, and ingestion, associated with acute
effects of chemicals on human health. These form the toxicological basis for the PAC/TEELs. This
Handbook also provides an excellent discussion on which organs are targeted by specific chemicals from
the Health Indices and Health Code Numbers of the CMM. The CMM can be used if the analysis
involves the release of up to 30 different chemicals.
9.4.3 TOXIC CHEMICAL ACUTE EXPOSURE LIMITS
There are three types of PACs available to the analyst:
(1) AEGLs for five different exposure periods developed by EPA for about 300 specific chemicals;
(2) ERPGs for about 150 chemicals for an approximate one-hour exposure period developed by the
AIHA; and
(3) PAC/TEELs developed by the DOE Office of Emergency Response and Policy Implementation
(DOE/NA-41) for 3386 specific chemicals.
The following briefly discusses each of these toxic chemical human health criteria.
9.4.3.1 EPA ACUTE EXPOSURE GUIDELINE LEVELS
EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances established the National Advisory
Committee for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (NAC/AEGL) for hazardous substances to develop
AEGLs. They are intended to assist Federal and State Agencies and private sector organizations with
their needs for short-term hazardous chemical exposure information.
Section 267
Final and interim AEGLs for about 300 chemicals have been published by EPA and are essentially
comparable to ERPGs. Unlike ERPGs, AEGLs are calculated for five relatively short exposure periods
(10 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, four hours, and eight hours) dictated by the severity of the toxic
effects caused by the exposure, with all levels based above which it is predicted that the general
population could experience, including susceptible individuals. The levels are based on the following
health effects resulting from exposure to a chemical substance:
• AEGL-1: Notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic non-sensory effects. However,
the effects are not disabling and are transient and reversible upon cessation of exposure.
• AEGL-2: Irreversible or other serious, long-lasting adverse health effects or an impaired ability
to escape.
• AEGL-3: Life-threatening health effects or death.
The principle advantage of AEGLs is that they have been established for eight exposure times ranging
from 10 minutes to 8 hours. AEGLs have a high technical pedigree, since the AEGL process involves an
exhaustive search for data, careful analysis, thorough documentation, and expert review. The
disadvantage is that they are available for only a limited number of chemical substances. It should be
noted that only the one-hour AEGL is used in accident analysis.
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9.4.3.2 AIHA EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING GUIDELINES
The AIHA began developing ERPGs for use in evaluating the health effects of accidental chemical
releases on the general public. These ERPGs are developed and published annually through a rigorous
peer review process conducted by the AIHA Emergency Response Planning (ERP) Committee. The
ERPG development process results in high-quality community exposure limits that are recognized and
used both nationally and internationally.
For specific chemicals, ERPGs are estimates of concentration ranges above which acute exposure would
be expected to lead to adverse effects.
• ERPG-1: The maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all
individuals could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing other than mild transient
adverse health effects or perceiving a clearly defined objectionable odor.
• ERPG-2: The maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all
individuals could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing or developing irreversible or
other serious health effects or symptoms that could impair their abilities to take protective action.
• ERPG-3: The maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all
individuals could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing or developing life-threatening
health effects.
9.4.3.3 DOE PAC/TEELS
Many of the toxic chemicals of interest at DOE/NNSA sites lack ERPGs and AEGLs. In response to this
need, the DOE Office of Emergency Response and Policy Implementation developed a TEEL
methodology in 1992 to provide interim guidance for chemicals of interest. TEELs estimate the
concentrations at which most people will begin to experience health effects if they are exposed to a
hazardous airborne chemical for a given duration. TEELs are used for emergency management in similar
situations as the one-hour AEGLs and one-hour ERPGs.
TEEL-1, TEEL-2, and TEEL-3 have similar definitions as the equivalent ERPGs and one-hour AEGLs.
A chemical may have up to three TEEL values, each of which corresponds to a specific tier of health
effects. The three TEEL tiers are defined as follows (PAC, 2016):
Section 268
• TEEL-1 is the airborne concentration (expressed as ppm or mg/m3) of a substance above which it
is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, when exposed for more
than one hour, could experience notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic, non-
sensory effects. However, these effects are not disabling and are transient and reversible upon
cessation of exposure.
• TEEL-2 is the airborne concentration (expressed as ppm or mg/m3) of a substance above which it
is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, when exposed for more
than one hour, could experience irreversible or other serious, long-lasting, adverse health effects
or an impaired ability to escape.
• TEEL-3 is the airborne concentration (expressed as ppm or mg/m3) of a substance above which it
is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, when exposed for more
than one hour, could experience life-threatening adverse health effects or death.
The methodology for assigning TEELs was originally based on hierarchies of commonly available
published and documented concentration-limit parameters, particularly occupational exposure limits, later
expanded to include other published concentration limits and then further expanded to include the use of
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published toxicity parameters. The current TEEL hierarchy, taken from Table 3.1 of DOE-HDBK-1046-
2016 and presented in Table 9-2 is based on 9 concentration exposure indicators and 6 toxicity indicators
from 11 technical sources. DOE-HDBK-1046-2016 not only documents the process of how the
PAC/TEELs were developed, but provides insights as to how the analyst should apply them to chemical
consequence assessments.
Table 9-2. TEEL Data Selection Hierarchy.
TEEL-i TEEL Data Data Source
TEEL-3 EEGL (30-min)
IDLH (1990 values)
Other
LC50
LCLO
LD50
LDLO
NRC
NIOSH
Various
HSDB/SAX/RTECS
HSDB/SAX/RTECS
HSDB/SAX/RTECS
HSDB/SAX/RTECS
TEEL-2 EEGL (60-min)
LOC
TLV-C
WEEL-C
PEL-C
REL-C
MAK-C
Other
TCLO
TDLO
NRC
EPA
ACGIH
AIHA
OSHA
CDC
GRF
Various
HSDB/SAX/RTECS
HSDB/SAX/RTECS
TEEL-1 TLV-STEL
WEEL-STEL
PEL-STEL
REL-STEL
MAK-STEL
Other
ACGIH
AIHA
OSHA
CDC
GRF
Various
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TEEL-i TEEL Data Data Source
TEEL Concentration Exposure Indicators TEEL Toxicity Indicators
C – Ceiling Limit LC50 - Lethal Concentration that kills 50% of population
EEGL - Emergency Exposure Guidance Level LCLO – Lowest reported lethal concentration
IDLH – Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health LD50 - Lethal Dose that kills 50% of population
LOC – Level of Concern LDLO – Lowest reported lethal dose
MAK – Maximale Arbeitsplatz-Konzentration TCLO – Toxic Concentration Lowest
PEL – Permissible Exposure Level TDLO – Toxic Dose Lowest
REL – Recommended Exposure Level
STEL – Short-Term Exposure Limit
TLV – Threshold Limit Value
WEEL - Workplace Environmental Exposure Limit
TEEL Data Sources
Section 269
ACGIH – American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists
AIHA – American Industrial Hygiene Association
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
GRF – German Research Foundation
HSDB – Hazardous Substances Data Bank
NIOSH – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NRC – Nuclear Regulatory Commission
OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
RTECS – Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances
SAX – Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials
As can be seen from ubiquity of Table 9-2, the PAC/TEELs represent the current most comprehensive
compendium of acute exposure guidelines. Revision 29 (PAC, 2016), issued in May 2016 can be
accessed at http://sp.eota.energy.gov/pac. ERPG values for various substances are revised annually by
the AIHA ERP Committee. The newly published ERPG values for a particular chemical will replace its
PAC/TEEL values. EPA is no longer developing AEGLs. If EPA resumes its AEGL development effort,
when an AEGL value for a particular chemical is newly published, it will replace ERPG or TEEL values.
Accordingly, the PAC/TEEL database will be periodically updated and presented in a subsequent revision
which can be accessed in the aforementioned link. Safety analysts are encouraged to consult that link
prior to completing their chemical consequence analyses to ensure that they use the latest PAC/TEEL
values.
For chemicals that are not toxic, but can act as simple asphyxiants at high concentrations that reduce
ambient oxygen to levels where human health can be compromised, the PAC/TEELs for that chemical
establishes concentrations that will result in various levels of human health insult and incapacitation:
• PAC/TEEL-1 represents a concentration where oxygen levels are reduced to 19.5%; the OSHA
limit for respiratory protection.
• PAC/TEEL-2 represents a concentration where oxygen levels are reduced to 16%. At this level, a
threshold is reached for the onset of impaired coordination, perception, and judgment; sufficient
to compromise a person’s ability of self-protection and escape.
• PAC/TEEL-3 represents a concentration where oxygen levels are reduced to 12.5%, the threshold
for causing very poor judgment and coordination, followed by unconsciousness and death.
Elemental uranium and its compounds are radiological hazards that are evaluated for radiological
consequences using the techniques in Section 6. However, elemental uranium and its compounds also
pose a significant toxicological risk to the MOI, CW, facility worker and the public and accordingly, its
chemical consequences are also evaluated. In some cases, uranium toxicological risks exceed its
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radiological risks. Table 9-3 presents the Revision 29 PAC/TEELs for uranium and its compounds that
are the health endpoints an analyst should be informed of when performing a uranium toxic chemical
consequence assessment.
Table 9-3. Uranium Compound PAC/TEELs.
Chemical CASRN# PACs (mg/m3)
Sodium uranium oxide monohydrate; (Sodium
urinate (VI) monohydrate)
10135-92-9 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
0.82 6.8 41
Uranium 7440-61-1 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
0.6 5 30
Uranium hexafluoride; (Uranium fluoride) 7783-81-5 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
3.6 9.6 36
Uranium hydride; (Uranium (III) hydride) 13598-56-6 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
0.61 5 30
Uranium oxide; (Triuranium octaoxide) 1344-59-8 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
Section 270
0.71 10 50
Uranium telluride 12138-37-3 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
1.2 10 62
Uranium telluride (U3Te4) 12138-37-3a PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
1 8.5 51
Uranium trioxide 1344-58-7 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
0.045 0.5 3
Uranium dioxide; (Uranium(IV) oxide) 1344-57-6 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
0.68 10 30
Uranyl acetate; (Uranium oxyacetate) 541-09-3 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
0.98 5.5 33
Uranyl fluoride; (Uranium oxyfluoride) 13536-84-0 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
0.78 4.3 26
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Chemical CASRN# PACs (mg/m3)
Uranyl nitrate (solid); (Bis(nitrato-O,O’)
dioxouranium)
10102-06-4 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
0.99 5.5 33
Uranyl nitrate (yellow salt) 36478-76-9 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
0.99 5.5 33
Uranyl nitrate hexahydrate 13520-83-7 PAC/TEEL-1 PAC/TEEL-2 PAC/TEEL-3
1.3 7 42
9.4.4 CHEMICAL MIXTURE METHODOLOGY
Effects from exposure to multiple chemicals can be addressed by using the CMM, also developed by the
DOE Office of Emergency Response and Policy Implementation. The CMM approach determines
whether effects of multiple chemicals are synergistic or antagonistic on various target organs.
The CMM provides recommended default emergency exposure guidelines for mixtures of chemicals. The
CMM makes extensive use of HCNs to examine the additive impact that each chemical component in a
chemical mixture may have on specific target organs. The CMM is a more realistic predictor of potential
human health impacts than can be obtained using the:
(1) Non-conservative method of separately analyzing the consequences of each chemical component;
or
(2) Overly-conservative method of adding the exposures from each chemical together regardless of
the human organ targeted by the chemical.
The CMM is recommended for potential use in emergency planning hazards assessments, DSAs, and in
emergency response circumstances. The CMM and its workbook can be downloaded from
https://sp.eota.energy.gov/EM/SitePages/SCAPA-CMM.aspx .
The CMM approach that involves adding all exposures from each chemical, regardless of the target-organ
effects of the chemicals, tends to overestimate impacts and therefore be over-conservative. The health
impacts from chemicals that target different organs are often not simply additive to all target organs.
When using the CMM, a hazard index (HI) is calculated for each component of a chemical mixture at the
chosen receptor point. The “HIi” is the concentration of chemical “i” (Conci) divided by the
concentration limit for chemical “i” (Limiti), as shown in Equation 9-5:
HIi = Conci/Limiti Equation 9-5
A HIi < 1 means that the limit for that single chemical “i” has not been exceeded. However, if the hazard
indices for all chemicals in a mixture are summed, and the cumulative HI is greater than one, then an
unacceptable condition may exist and mitigating strategies may need to be considered. Unless the health
effects of the components are known to be independent, the toxic consequences of all components should,
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as an initial step in an assessment, be considered to be additive. This represents the most conservative
upper-bound approach for assessing exposures to mixtures. If this upper-bound approach produces
unacceptable results, the next step is to classify the chemicals in the mixture according to their toxic
consequences. The toxicological classification of specific chemicals can be accomplished using the
HCNs established for each chemical.
Section 271
HCNs are used in the CMM to identify the target-organ effects of each chemical in the mixture. Any
chemicals that targets the same or similar organs or operates by the same acute or chronic mode of
toxicity should be considered additive to that target organ or by that same mode of toxicity. Target-organ
effects and modes of toxicity are considered simply as target organ effects.
HCNs are similar to medical diagnostic codes in that they are code numbers that identify a particular
target organ or health effect to enable classification of chemicals by target organ toxicity. Summation of
HIs for all chemicals in a mixture having the same toxic consequences (same or similar HCNs) enables
determination of the acceptability or unacceptability of exposure to any specific mixture of chemicals
using this more realistic approach.
HCNs also offer a convenient way of performing this exposure addition by numerically “binning”
identical or similar target organ effects. All of the individual exposure HIs that are binned into the same
or similar HCN bin are added together to yield an “HI sum” for that target organ bin. Any of the
individual HI sums that exceed a value of 1.0 indicate that the exposure limit has been exceeded and that
some kind of mitigating action should be taken to reduce the exposure to that specific target organ below
the applicable limit.
The latest version of the CMM Workbook, which can process up to 30 chemicals in a given mixture, is in
CMM Revision 29.
9.4.5 CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS OF TOXIC CHEMICALS ON THE HUMAN BODY:
CARCINOGENICITY, MUTAGENICITY, AND TERATOGENICITY
Although DOE has a few large inventories of carcinogenic chemicals, DOE DSAs do not evaluate
carcinogenic effects but focus on documenting consequences of chemicals with acute exposure effects.
The evaluation of cancer effects from chemical releases is not required by DOE-STD-3009-2014 or DOE-
STD-1189-2016. The DOE Safety Goal related to LCFs for radiological releases is with respect to 50-
mile radius population doses and not to the facility worker, CW, or MOI. There is no analogous DOE
Safety Goal associated with carcinogenic chemicals. The following provides some information on where
to obtain chronic chemical health effect information should there be a need for a qualitative evaluation.
Dose-response curves for non-carcinogenic chemicals are characterized by the existence of threshold
exposure levels below which no toxic effects will be observed. Due to a fundamental difference in the
mechanism of action, the dose-response curves for carcinogens are considered as LNT representations.
Known or suspected human carcinogens are identified in the EPA data bases Integrated Risk Information
System and Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables, the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, and International Agency for Cancer Research
publications.
Per 1986 EPA guidance, confirmed or suspected human carcinogens are treated differently from those
compounds eliciting only acute toxic effects. Incremental cancer risk (ICR) can be calculated using the
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Integrated Risk Information System database values for the chemical-specific slope factor.
9.5 TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE PHENOMENOLOGY AND SUBSEQUENT
ATMOSPHERIC TRANSPORT AND DIFFUSION
Section 272
Unlike radiological releases, which are generally assumed to be continuous and of the same magnitude
throughout the accident sequence, there are a large number of variables that need to be accounted for to
characterize toxic chemical releases and their effects on the facility worker, CW, and the MOI. Although
most chemical releases are associated with complex phenomenology, some of them are continuous
steady-state and thus chemical health effects can be determined by simple atmospheric dispersion models.
It should be noted that radiological releases can also be subjected to the same phenomenology, but in
practice, analysts do not commonly take this into consideration. Phenomenological releases, as described
in Chapter 5, and special atmospheric transport and diffusion considerations that are specific to the release
of toxic chemicals include, but are not limited to:
• Temperature, pressure, and state of the chemical in its storage container;
• Type of storage container (tank, vessel, pipe);
• Density, temperature and quantity of the substance released that determines whether it will
disperse as a positively-buoyant gas, neutrally-buoyant gas, or a dense/heavy gas;
• Phenomenology of release (e.g., guillotine pipe break, small hole);
• Speed of chemical leaving its container through an orifice relative to the speed of the sound
(choked flow versus non-choked flow);
• Energy associated with the release, such as thermal energy of a fire;
• Chemical transformations resulting from the effects of fire or reaction with water vapor in the
atmosphere (e.g., uranium hexafluoride release into a humid atmosphere); and
• Synergistic and antagonistic effects of a multiple chemical release and the cumulative effects on
target organs (see Section 7.4.4).
The following subsections present a discussion on toxic chemical release phenomenology.
9.5.1 PRESSURIZED LIQUIDS: TWO-PHASE FLOW TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE
Pressurized liquid releases are the most complex of non-energetic single chemical releases, as two-phase
flow needs to be accounted for. The initial portion of the liquid release flashes to a gas, due to its rapid
depressurization at the point that it encounters the atmosphere. The flashed portion of this type of release
is usually of short duration (a puff) which requires a three-dimensional Gaussian puff model to determine
its fate and transport.
The remaining chemical that does not flash forms a liquid puddle, or gaseous area source for a
sublimating chemical (e.g., carbon dioxide). The liquid puddle evaporates as a non-pressurized sub-
cooled liquid release behind the puff requiring a conventional two-dimensional Gaussian code similar to
what would be used on a liquid release that evaporates. This evaluation may also need to be performed in
an iterative manner since the source term varies with time.
Pressurized liquid releases from a tank through a pipe adds one additional level of complexity as the rapid
depressurization of the chemical when it reaches the atmosphere at the point of the pipe break causes a
choked flow condition, discussed in Section 9.5.2, upstream of the pipe. Thus, the flashing of the liquid
occurs inside the pipe before discharge, and this choked flow limits the mass release rate. Analysis of this
phenomenology is a highly complex time-dependent process as the fluid near the discharge experiences a
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Section 273
pressure drop and flashes, while the fluid upstream does not sense the break and stays in liquid form.
Therefore, an oblique pressure wave travels upstream resulting in a greater fraction of the liquid flashing
inside the pipe. For this type of chemical release, the vapor mass fraction needs to be calculated in an
iterative manner to determine the time-varying chemical source term. Therefore, the analyst accounts for
the phenomenology of pressurized liquid releases using techniques such as those in Section 9.5.1.1.
The Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability (HPAC) ITRANS source term module provides a
comprehensive methodology to establish chemical release quantities; especially for pressurized liquid
chemical releases. HPAC has dense gas modeling capabilities, and a sub-code, Second-Order Closure
Integrated PUFF (SCIPUFF) (Sykes, 1998), that can also address positively-buoyant gases quantifying its
liftoff after release.
The following subsections provide the analyst with some of the complex equations associated with
pressurized liquid releases to calculate the flashing fraction and aerosol formation, and for two-phase
release of chlorine from a pipe.
9.5.1.1 FLASHING FRACTION AND AEROSOL FORMATION
Section 9.5.1 discusses the complex phenomenology associated with the release of pressurized liquids to
the atmosphere. The initial portion of the liquid release flashes to a gas, due to its rapid depressurization
at the point that it encounters the atmosphere. The flashing fraction may be calculated by means of a heat
balance across the outlet orifice where the decrease in latent heat of vaporization and increase in heat
capacity are accounted for as the initial temperature approaches the critical temperature. This fraction is
expressed as shown in Equation 9-6.
𝒇𝒇 = 𝟏𝟏 − 𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆−𝟐𝟐.𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 𝑪𝑪𝒍𝒍(𝑻𝑻𝒃𝒃)
𝑳𝑳(𝑻𝑻𝒃𝒃)
(𝑻𝑻𝒄𝒄 − 𝑻𝑻𝒃𝒃) �𝟏𝟏 − �(𝑻𝑻𝒄𝒄−𝑻𝑻𝒍𝒍)
(𝑻𝑻𝒄𝒄−𝑻𝑻𝒃𝒃)�
𝟎𝟎.𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑
� Equation 9-6
Where,
f = flashing fraction (dimensionless);
Cl(T ) = liquid heat capacity at temperature T (J/kg °K);
L(T ) = latent heat of vaporization at temperature T (J/kg);
Tc = critical temperature (°K);
Tb = liquid boiling temperature at one atmosphere pressure (°K); and,
Tl = liquid temperature (°K).
Generally, a superheated liquid jet or spray needs to be present to achieve significant quantities of liquid
droplets suspended in the initial cloud. As the discharge pressure decreases, some of the liquid will flash
immediately to vapor, while the remaining non-flashed liquid will either be suspended as liquid droplets
(i.e., finely distributed aerosols), or fall to the ground forming a pool that will boil or evaporate over time.
The distribution of droplet sizes is required before the rainout fraction can be calculated. Kitamura et al.,
1986 and Bettis et al., 1987 have experimentally observed that the droplet sizes are log-normally
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distributed, as shown in Equation 9-7.
𝒑𝒑(𝒅𝒅) =
𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒1 2⁄ �[𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍(𝒅𝒅)−𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍(<𝒅𝒅>)]/𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍 (𝝈𝝈𝒈𝒈)
�𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍�𝝈𝝈𝒈𝒈�𝒅𝒅
Equation 9-7
Where,
d = random droplet diameter (m);
p(d ) = probability distribution as a function of drop diameter d (dimensionless);
σg = geometric variance (dimensionless) (assume σg=1.3; Iannello et al., 1989); and,
<d> = mean droplet diameter (m).
The mean droplet diameter may be estimated by means of the Nukiyama-Tanasawa equation (see Tilton
and Farley, 1990), as shown in Equation 9-8.
< 𝒅𝒅 > 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 �𝝈𝝈𝒍𝒍
𝒖𝒖𝒆𝒆�𝝆𝝆𝒍𝒍
Equation 9-8
Where,
Section 274
σl = liquid surface tension (dyne/cm);
ρl = droplet liquid density (kg/m3); and,
ue = axial spray velocity at end of discharge region (m/s),
where the droplet diameter is μm units. Using the values for each of the salient parameters germane to
anhydrous chlorine yields, a droplet diameter distribution is obtained.
Since an instantaneous release directly into the ambient wind field is postulated for this analysis, the axial
spray velocity is assumed identical to the ambient wind speed. The criterion for droplet rainout is
satisfied when the inclination of the droplet trajectory, βd, with respect to the vertical direction is greater
than the half angle of jet expansion at the start of entrainment. The subsequent droplet settling velocity
(Vd) may be calculated by solving the balance equation expressing the equality between the force of
gravity on the droplet and the upward-acting viscous and drag forces, as depicted in Equation 9-9.
𝝅𝝅
𝟔𝟔
𝒅𝒅𝟑𝟑�𝝆𝝆𝒍𝒍 − 𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈�𝒈𝒈 = 𝑪𝑪𝒅𝒅 𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈
𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅
𝟐𝟐
𝟐𝟐
�𝝅𝝅
𝟒𝟒
𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐� Equation 9-9
With,
𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈 = vapor density after expansion (kg/m3); and,
𝑪𝑪𝒅𝒅 = friction factor including both viscous and drag losses (dimensionless).
Where, Equations 9-10 and 9-11 show:
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𝑪𝑪𝒅𝒅 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐
𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝒅𝒅
+ 𝟔𝟔
𝟏𝟏+�𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝒅𝒅
+ 𝟎𝟎.𝟒𝟒 Equation 9-10
𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝒅𝒅 = 𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
𝝁𝝁𝒈𝒈
Equation 9-11
Where, μg denotes the viscosity of vapor in units of Pa⋅s.
Therefore, the final expression, which Vd satisfies, is given by Equation 9-12:
𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝒅𝒅
⎣
⎢
⎢
⎢
⎡
𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝝁𝝁𝒈𝒈
𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
+ 𝟔𝟔
𝟏𝟏+�
𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
𝝁𝝁𝒈𝒈
+ 𝟎𝟎.𝟒𝟒
⎦
⎥
⎥
⎥
⎤
− 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒�𝝆𝝆𝒅𝒅 − 𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈�𝒈𝒈 = 𝟎𝟎 Equation 9-12
The critical droplet diameter (dc) satisfies the criterion in Equation 9-13:
𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝜷𝜷𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄 = 𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄
𝑼𝑼𝒆𝒆
= 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝜷𝜷𝒆𝒆 Equation 9-13
Any droplet trajectory possessing an angle of inclination, βd, with respect to the horizontal that is greater
than the spray half-angle, βe, will drop out of the vapor-aerosol plume and rainout onto the ground surface
to form a pool. Observing that as Vd increases, tan βd also increases for ue>0 fixed, and the solution is
therefore unique and given by Equations 9-14 and 9-15:
𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄 = 𝑼𝑼𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝜷𝜷𝒆𝒆 Equation 9-14
𝒇𝒇′(𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄) = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄
⎣
⎢
⎢
⎢
⎡
− 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝝁𝝁𝒈𝒈
𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄
𝟐𝟐 +
𝟑𝟑�𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄
�𝝁𝝁𝒈𝒈𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄 �𝟏𝟏+�
𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄
𝝁𝝁𝒈𝒈
�
𝟐𝟐
⎦
⎥
⎥
⎥
⎤
− 𝟒𝟒�𝝆𝝆𝒅𝒅 − 𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈� − 𝒈𝒈 Equation 9-15
Finally, the solution to dc may be obtained using Newton’s method by way of the two functional
relationships in Equation 9-16:
𝒇𝒇(𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄) = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄
⎣
⎢
⎢
⎢
⎡
− 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝝁𝝁𝒈𝒈
𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄
+ 𝟔𝟔
𝟏𝟏+�
𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄
𝝁𝝁𝒈𝒈
+ 𝟎𝟎.𝟒𝟒
⎦
⎥
⎥
⎥
⎤
− 𝟒𝟒𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄�𝝆𝝆𝒅𝒅 − 𝝆𝝆𝒈𝒈�𝒈𝒈 = 𝟎𝟎 Equation 9-16
Using a model for a spherical droplet in laminar flow, which is not to be confused with turbulent jet flow
during droplet formation, a critical drop diameter, dc, can be calculated.
Droplets possessing a diameter exceeding this value experience a sufficiently large gravitational force to
induce the beginning of rainout. Using a value of βe=9.1° (Wheatley, 1987), the critical drop diameter
has been determined to be 25 microns. The fraction of liquid that rains out, f, is then calculated implicitly
from Equations 9-17 and 9-18.
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𝒇𝒇𝒑𝒑 = 𝟏𝟏 − ∫ 𝝆𝝆𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄
−∞ (𝝃𝝃)𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 = 𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐
[𝟏𝟏 − 𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆(𝑿𝑿𝒄𝒄 𝟐𝟐⁄ )] Equation 9-17
Where,
𝑿𝑿𝒄𝒄 =
𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍(𝒅𝒅𝒄𝒄)− 𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍(< 𝒅𝒅 >)
𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍�𝝈𝝈𝒈𝒈�
;
𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆(𝒙𝒙) =
𝟐𝟐
√𝝅𝝅
�𝒆𝒆−𝝃𝝃𝟐𝟐
𝒙𝒙
𝟎𝟎
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
Equation 9-18
Section 275
In this case, since fp=0.05, essentially all of the aerosol component remains airborne and evaporates right
above the pool as the aerosol particles are transported downwind.
It should be noted that a great deal of uncertainty lies in the estimate of exactly how much of the non-
flashed liquid is entrained into the air as a suspended aerosol. Large-scale experiments indicate that the
mass of aerosol produced is very roughly equal to the mass of superheated liquid which immediately
flashed to vapor when the flashing fraction is less than one-third (Lees, 1996). Since the flashing fraction
is below one-third for the chlorine release, the initial aerosol mass is assumed to be equal to the mass of
liquid flashed to vapor.
When the release initially results in a dense gas slumping cloud, note that the dispersing medium within
the dense gas cloud consists only of the sub-cooled vapor (i.e., vapor evaporated from the pool)
component. No clear causal relationship exists between the dense cloud and droplets of liquid raining out
of the cloud. Therefore, the model treats these two phenomena separately; specifically the mass fraction
of the release which remains suspended as aerosol, and that which falls onto the ground to form a boiling
or evaporating pool. A portion of the remaining liquid will either be suspended as liquid droplets or
finely distributed aerosol. Any liquid entrained into the vapor cloud as a suspended aerosol is
characterized in terms of the liquid mass evaporation rate and temperature as a function of time.
The suspended liquid aerosol droplets evaporate as the ambient air flows past them. The computational
model of Papadourakis et al., 1991, is applied to determine the rate at which a droplet of 1000-micron
diameter would evaporate in an ambient wind of 5 mph (2.22 m/s) and a temperature of 100°F (37.8°C),
using an initial spray velocity of approximately 12 m/sec. A 1,000-micron diameter particle was selected
since it represents a 95 percent confidence bound on aerosol particulate size. Only five percent of aerosol
droplets formed are expected to have a diameter greater than 1,000 microns for a typical droplet spectrum.
Details of the underlying equations in the model describing the conservation of mass, energy, and
momentum are not included in this discussion as they are beyond the scope of this discussion. The final
numerical results demonstrate that the entire droplet mass undergoes complete evaporation within 12.25
m of the liquid release point. Therefore, as a conservative and bounding simplifying assumption, the
analyst can assume that all-aerosol component evaporates in the near vicinity of the residual liquid pool
with no initial dilution and the mass of vapor is then added to the vapor source term.
9.5.1.2 TWO-PHASE RELEASE OF CHLORINE FROM A PIPE
In this specific example, there is conversion of some of the chlorine liquid to vapor within the pipe itself.
This change in upstream composition subsequently causes a reduction in the mass release rate and an
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increase in outflow velocity.
The variation in these release parameters can be calculated from Equation 9-19, which is the Fauske
equation found in Loss Prevention in the Process Industries (Lees, 1996):
𝑮𝑮 = 𝑨𝑨𝒆𝒆 �
−𝒌𝒌
𝑻𝑻𝟏𝟏+𝑻𝑻𝟐𝟐+𝑻𝑻𝟑𝟑
�
𝟏𝟏 𝟐𝟐⁄
Equation 9-19
Where,
𝑻𝑻𝟏𝟏 = (𝟏𝟏 − 𝒙𝒙 + 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌)𝒙𝒙𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒈𝒈/𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 Equation 9-20
𝑻𝑻𝟐𝟐 = �𝒗𝒗𝒈𝒈(𝟏𝟏 + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 − 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐) + 𝒗𝒗𝒍𝒍�𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 − 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 − 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 + 𝒌𝒌𝟐𝟐��𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅/𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 Equation 9-21
Section 276
𝑻𝑻𝟑𝟑 = 𝒌𝒌�𝟏𝟏 + 𝒙𝒙(𝒌𝒌 − 𝟐𝟐) − 𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐(𝒌𝒌 − 𝟏𝟏)�𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝟏𝟏/𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 Equation 9-22
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅⁄ = −(𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒇𝒇 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅⁄ + 𝒙𝒙𝒙𝒙𝒙𝒙𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅⁄ )/𝒉𝒉𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇 Equation 9-23
Where,
G = release rate (kg/s);
Ae = effective area of the orifice (m2);
x = mass fraction of vapor in the mixture (dimensionless);
vg = specific volume of the gas (m3/kg);
vl = specific volume of the liquid (m3/kg);
k = (vg/vl)1/2
P = saturation pressure (Pa);
hf = enthalpy of the saturated liquid (cal/g); and,
hfg = latent heat of vaporization (cal/g).
The equation was evaluated using an Antoine equation (Antoine, 1888) for saturated vapor pressure and
ideal gas conditions were assumed. Table 9-4 presents the results, which show the percentage of gas
mass fraction. The percentage of liquid mass fraction is defined as 1 - gas mass fraction.
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Table 9-4. Calculated Variation of Chlorine Jet Release Parameters
as a Function of Upstream Gas Mass Fraction (Mills And Paine, 1990).
Gas Mass
Fraction
Mass Release
Rate (kg/s)
Release
Velocity (m/s)
Initialization
Temperature
(degrees K)
Density
(kg/m3)
Effective
Droplet
Diameter
(mm)
0.1 81.8 71 239 11.8 0.352
0.2 63.3 101 239 9.2 0.295
0.3 51.8 120 239 7.5 0.270
0.4 43.8 134 239 6.3 0.256
0.5 38.0 144 239 5.5 0.247
0.6 33.6 152 239 4.8 0.241
0.7 30.1 158 239 4.3 0.236
0.8 27.3 163 243 3.9 0.233
0.9 24.9 167 243 3.6 0.231
The table shows that the mass release rate is inversely proportional to the gas mass fraction and the
release velocity is proportional to the gas mass fraction. As the fraction of the fluid in the pipe that
flashes from liquid to gas at the outlet increases, choked flow upstream in the pipe results, and the
resultant mass release rate decreases. This is a very interesting case where pressurized liquid two-phase
flow from a pipe also exhibits pressurized gas choked flow characteristics.
The aforementioned equations in Sections 9.5.1.1 and 9.5.1.2 are limited to the assumptions in their
derivation and/or the conditions under which they were developed. Prior to employing these equations to
determine the phenomenology of a specific system or process, the analyst should demonstrate that the
application domain of the equations is not exceeded.
9.5.2 PRESSURIZED GASES: CHOKED FLOW TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE
The release of pressurized gases is either under choked flow or non-choked flow depending on the
internal pressure and the size of the orifice; both of which affect the speed at which the gas escapes
through the orifice.
Pressurized gaseous non-energetic single chemical releases (e.g., hole in a cylinder containing gas stored
at several atmospheres pressure) also cannot be addressed by steady-state Gaussian models since the
source term is never steady-state; always varying with time. This is the result of the internal pressure
decreasing with time as the gas escapes through the orifice and the remaining unreleased gas undergoing
Joule-Thompson cooling, which affects its temperature and volume. As the internal pressure decreases
with time, the release rate will decrease accordingly.
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For highly-pressurized gases that are released through a very small orifice, additional complexities
associated with choked flow need to be accounted for. Choked flow occurs when the released gas
attempts to exit its storage container at a rate that exceeds the speed the sound, which itself is a function
of ambient temperature. Accordingly, a gas cannot travel outside of its containment at a speed greater
than the speed of sound, which is a physically limiting factor. Therefore, the analyst needs to account for
choked flow until the internal pressure is reduced to a subsonic level, where the flow becomes and
remains non-choked. Pressurized gases escaping through an orifice at speeds less than the speed of sound
will do so under non-choked flow.
Section 277
ALOHA Version 5.4.6 incorporates LEAKR algorithms (Belore and Buist 1986) to establish the release
rate of gases from orifices, holes and short pipes. It initially determines whether gas flow will be
supersonic (choked) or subsonic (unchoked) from the ratio of tank to atmospheric pressure, ratio of hole
width to tank length, and critical pressure ratio for sonic flow. Should the pressure difference be large
enough, ALOHA models flow as supersonic until the pressure drops to the point at which flow reaches
subsonic speeds. From that point onward, ALOHA computes a subsonic release rate tank pressure, which
has been reduced to atmospheric pressure. The estimated rate of gas release gets smaller over time since
tank or pipe pressure is expected to drop as gas exits and adiabatic expansion from Joule-Thomson
cooling, cools the tank contents, further reducing pressure. To account for the phenomenology of
pressurized gas releases, use techniques such as those presented in Sections 9.5.2.1 through 9.5.2.5.
The following subsections provide the analyst with some of the complex equations associated with
pressurized gas releases to calculate vapor outflow from a pipeline, spherical tank, cylindrical tank, and
other type of vessel. Guidance provided by the EPA (EPA-550-B-99-005, Section 8.1.1, Equation 11)
offers a method for estimating the maximum emission rate for an unmitigated release of gas from a
vessel.). The expression does not account for the decrease in the release rate as the pressure in the tank
decreases. A method for determining the time-dependent mass release rate from a pressure vessel is
presented in Section 9.5.2.1.
9.5.2.1 TIME-DEPENDENT VESSEL GAS BLOW DOWN MODEL
In the case where the onset of gas release occurs under choked, or sonic, flow conditions, the time-
dependent mass release rate is given by
𝒘𝒘(𝒕𝒕) = 𝒘𝒘𝝄𝝄[𝑭𝑭(𝒕𝒕)](𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏)/(𝜸𝜸−𝟏𝟏) Equation 9-24
Where,
t time [s];
w sonic mass release rate [kg/s];
wo is the initial sonic mass release rate [kg/s] given by
𝒘𝒘𝝄𝝄 = 𝑪𝑪𝒅𝒅𝑨𝑨𝒅𝒅�𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝝄𝝄𝑷𝑷𝝄𝝄[𝟐𝟐 (𝜸𝜸 + 𝟏𝟏⁄ )](𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏)/(𝜸𝜸−𝟏𝟏) Equation 9-25
Cd coefficient of discharge [dimensionless];
Ad outlet (orifice) area [m2];
g specific heat ratio [dimensionless];
ro initial fluid density inside the vessel [kg/m3];
Po initial fluid pressure inside the vessel [Pa].
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The time dependent function in the relationship, F(t), is given by Equation 9-26, below:
F(t) = 1/(1+At) Equation 9-26
Where,
𝑨𝑨 = 𝒘𝒘𝝄𝝄(𝜸𝜸− 𝟏𝟏)/𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝝄𝝄 Equation 9-27
and,
mo represents the initial mass inside the vessel (kg).
Equation 9-26 is valid only for the conditions of choked (sonic) flow, namely when the internal system
pressure, Po, exceeds a physical constant referred to the critical pressure Pcritical defined as:
𝑷𝑷𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 = 𝑷𝑷𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂 �
𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐
�
𝜸𝜸/(𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏)
Equation 9-28
Where, Pambient is the ambient pressure outside of the vessel.101
Although most of the tank inventory will be discharged in sonic flow, it is possible to calculate the time at
which the flow becomes subsonic or unchoked. Assuming ideal gas behavior, the initial mass release rate
from the vessel under unchoked (sub-sonic/sub-critical) flow conditions when Po≤Pcritical is given by
Equation 9-29, taken from Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook (Eighth Edition) (Green and Perry,
2007):
𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝟎𝟎) = 𝑨𝑨𝒅𝒅𝑪𝑪𝒅𝒅 �𝟐𝟐
𝑷𝑷𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂
𝟐𝟐 𝜸𝜸⁄
𝑷𝑷𝝄𝝄
𝟏𝟏−𝟐𝟐 𝜸𝜸⁄ 𝝆𝝆𝒗𝒗
𝜸𝜸
𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏
�𝟏𝟏 − �𝑷𝑷𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂
𝑷𝑷𝝄𝝄
�
(𝜸𝜸−𝟏𝟏)/𝜸𝜸
��
𝟏𝟏/𝟐𝟐
Equation 9-29
Where,
Section 278
mr(0) = gas mass release rate at time zero [kg/s];
Mw = gas molecular weight [kg/kg⋅mole]; and,
Po = gas pressure upstream of the orifice [Pa].
Where, rv denotes the vapor density [kg/m3] at standard temperature and pressure. Again, Equation 9-29,
just as in the case of wo appearing in Equation 9-26, is an expression of the maximum mass release rate
under their respective release regimes.
Alternatively, the following time-dependent expression for the mass outflow may be used to obtain the
average mass release rate:
𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝒕𝒕) = 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄𝑪𝑪𝝄𝝄𝑷𝑷𝝄𝝄
𝒁𝒁 𝑹𝑹 𝑻𝑻𝝄𝝄
�𝟏𝟏 + 𝝉𝝉 �𝜸𝜸−𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐
� � 𝟐𝟐
𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏
�
𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐(𝜸𝜸−𝟏𝟏)�
𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐/(𝟏𝟏−𝜸𝜸)
Equation 9-30
101 Pcritical should not be confused with the critical pressure, Pc, associated with the critical point on a temperature-
volume diagram for a particular substance.
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Where,
𝝉𝝉 = 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄
𝑽𝑽
(𝜸𝜸 𝑹𝑹 𝑻𝑻𝝄𝝄)𝟏𝟏 𝟐𝟐⁄ 𝒕𝒕 Equation 9-31
and,
t = time following the beginning of unchoked flow [s],
Z = compressibility factor [dimensionless];
R = gas constant [8314.39 N/m⋅kg-mole⋅K];
To = gas temperature upstream of the orifice [K];
V = internal tank volume [m3].
The average vapor release rate, E {mr (t)} in the time period [0,T] is then computed by evaluating
Equation 9-32.
𝑬𝑬{𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝒕𝒕)} = 𝟏𝟏
𝑻𝑻∫ 𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝒕𝒕)𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 = 𝟐𝟐 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄𝑪𝑪𝝄𝝄𝑷𝑷𝝄𝝄
𝒁𝒁 𝑹𝑹(𝟏𝟏+𝜸𝜸)𝑻𝑻𝝄𝝄
𝑻𝑻
𝝄𝝄 �𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐
�
𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐(𝜸𝜸−𝟏𝟏) �𝟏𝟏 − �𝟏𝟏 +
𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄
𝑽𝑽
(𝜸𝜸𝑹𝑹 𝑻𝑻𝝄𝝄)𝟏𝟏 𝟐𝟐⁄ 𝑻𝑻�𝜸𝜸−𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐
� � 𝟐𝟐
𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏
�
𝜸𝜸+𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐(𝜸𝜸−𝟏𝟏)�
𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐/(𝟏𝟏−𝜸𝜸)
� Equation 9-32
The expressions presented above for the vapor mass rate of outflow are applicable only to tanks where the
inner diameter is much greater than the diameter of the outlet orifice. If the analysis involves leakage
from a length of process pipe, then the model described below should be used to estimate the vapor mass
outflow rate.
9.5.2.2 VAPOR OUTFLOW FROM BREACH OF A PIPELINE
𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝒕𝒕) = 𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝟎𝟎)
𝟏𝟏+𝜶𝜶𝑷𝑷
𝒆𝒆
− 𝒕𝒕
(𝜶𝜶𝑷𝑷
𝟐𝟐𝜷𝜷𝑷𝑷) + 𝑾𝑾𝝄𝝄
𝜷𝜷𝑷𝑷
𝒆𝒆− 𝒕𝒕𝜷𝜷𝑷𝑷 Equation 9-33
The time-varying release rate of gas or vapor from a pipeline rupture is estimated using the following
expression (Bell, 1978; Wilson and Angle, 1979):
Where,
mr(t) = gas mass release rate at time t [kg/sec];
t = time since the pipeline rupture [sec];
Wo = total mass of gas in the pipe length [kg]; and,
bp = a constant expressed as
𝜷𝜷𝑷𝑷 = 𝟐𝟐(𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸)𝟏𝟏 𝟐𝟐⁄ 𝑳𝑳𝟑𝟑 𝟐𝟐⁄ 𝟑𝟑𝒗𝒗𝝄𝝄𝑫𝑫𝟏𝟏 𝟐𝟐⁄⁄ Equation 9-34
f = pipe friction factor [dimensionless];
D = pipe diameter [m];
L = pipe length [m]; and,
vo = speed of sound in the pipeline gas [m/s]
𝒗𝒗𝝄𝝄 = �𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝑻𝑻𝒇𝒇 𝑴𝑴𝒘𝒘⁄ �𝟏𝟏 𝟐𝟐⁄ Equation 9-35
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Tf = final temperature of gas release just after leaving the orifice [°K];
ap = dimensionless parameter given as:
𝜶𝜶𝒑𝒑 = 𝑾𝑾𝝄𝝄 �𝜷𝜷𝒑𝒑𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝟎𝟎)�⁄ Equation 9-36
Wo = total initial mass of gas [kg] given by
𝑾𝑾𝝄𝝄 = 𝝅𝝅 𝑫𝑫𝟐𝟐 𝑷𝑷𝝄𝝄 𝑳𝑳𝑴𝑴𝒘𝒘 (𝟒𝟒 𝑹𝑹 𝑻𝑻𝝄𝝄 )⁄ Equation 9-37
The variable Tf represents the final temperature of the gas as it first accelerates towards the sonic velocity
at the orifice, and then decelerates after passing into the atmosphere. If the gas is assumed to exhibit ideal
behavior, there will be no Joule-Thompson cooling; hence Tf = To.
To calculate the average vapor release rate, E {mr (t)}, in the time period [0,T], use Eq. 9-38 below.
𝑬𝑬{𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝒕𝒕)} = 𝟏𝟏
𝑻𝑻∫ 𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝒕𝒕)𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 = 𝒎𝒎𝒓𝒓(𝟎𝟎)𝜶𝜶𝒑𝒑𝟐𝟐𝜷𝜷𝒑𝒑
𝑻𝑻�𝟏𝟏+𝜶𝜶𝒑𝒑�
�𝟏𝟏 − 𝒆𝒆
− 𝑻𝑻
�𝜶𝜶𝒑𝒑𝟐𝟐𝜷𝜷𝒑𝒑��+ 𝑾𝑾𝝄𝝄
𝑻𝑻
𝑻𝑻
𝝄𝝄 �𝟏𝟏 − 𝒆𝒆
− 𝑻𝑻
𝜷𝜷𝒑𝒑� Equation 9-38
Section 279
When loss of liquid containment results from a localized breach in a self-contained storage vessel, the
mass flow rate of liquid out of the orifice may be computed as a function of the upstream pressure. This
time-dependent pressure term, in turn, depends on:
• Vapor partial pressure;
• Hydrostatic head above the leak; and
• Pressure head induced externally by a mechanical device such as a compressor.
Assuming that the system pressure input to the code, Psys, reflects the pressure head from the compressor,
the first two pressure terms may be calculated. An upper bound on the release duration may be obtained
by neglecting terms (1) and (3), which permits some reasonable values for the time intervals to be
established.
9.5.2.3 OUTFLOW FROM A CYLINDRICAL TANK
The time-dependent mass flow rate of an incompressible fluid out of an upright cylindrical tank can be
derived. Beginning with the Bernoulli equation expressed in the form:
𝜟𝜟𝒖𝒖𝒃𝒃
𝟐𝟐
𝟐𝟐
+ 𝒈𝒈𝒈𝒈𝒈𝒈 + 𝜟𝜟𝜟𝜟
𝝆𝝆
= 𝟎𝟎 Equation 9-39
Where, in the MKS system, gc becomes (kg)(m)/(N)(sec2) or gc≡1, and g denotes the local value for the
acceleration of gravity. The variables ub, z, r, and P represent the fluid bulk speed, fluid free surface
elevation above ground level, fluid density, and pressure experienced at the orifice centerline,
respectively.
Note: ∆z denotes the distance between the fluid free surface level within the tank and the orifice elevation
above ground, and by the convention chosen, the D operator represents the difference in going from the
interior of the vessel to the outer ambient environment. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that
internal and external pressure terms remain constant throughout the release duration. Therefore:
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𝜟𝜟𝒖𝒖𝒃𝒃 = 𝒖𝒖𝒃𝒃𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊 − 𝒖𝒖𝒃𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐
𝜟𝜟𝜟𝜟 = 𝒛𝒛 − 𝒛𝒛𝝄𝝄
𝜟𝜟𝜟𝜟 = 𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊 − 𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐 = 𝒑𝒑𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 + 𝒑𝒑𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗 − 𝒑𝒑𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂 Equations 9-40 through 9-42
with the orifice elevation denoted by zo and the system pressure, saturated vapor pressure, and ambient
pressure represented by Psystem, Pvapor, and Pambient, respectively.
Further assuming that ub within the tank as well as all pressure terms are constant with respect to time,
Equations 9-40 through 9-42 may be cast into a differential form with respect to time t:
−𝒖𝒖𝒃𝒃
𝒅𝒅𝒖𝒖𝒃𝒃
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
+ 𝒈𝒈𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= 𝟎𝟎 Equation 9-43
Where, ub now represents the bulk fluid outflow speed.
𝒅𝒅𝒎𝒎𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= 𝝆𝝆 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄𝒖𝒖𝒃𝒃 −
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒃𝒃
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= 𝟏𝟏
𝝆𝝆𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐𝒎𝒎𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐
Equation 9-44
The quantity of greatest interest is the total mass outflow mo as a function of time. In order to recast the
equation as a differential equation in mo, the first step is to recognize that the mass release rate dmo/dt may
be expressed in terms of the instantaneous flow velocity, as shown in Equation 9-44, with Ao representing
the cross-sectional area of the orifice. Once an expression is obtained for dz/dt in terms of differentials of
mo, the equation may be cast into the form of an ordinary differential equation.
Equation 9-45 represents the formula for computing the volume of liquid inventory remaining in the tank
at time t:
𝑽𝑽𝒍𝒍(𝒕𝒕) = 𝝅𝝅𝑫𝑫𝟐𝟐𝒛𝒛𝒍𝒍(𝒕𝒕)
𝟒𝟒
= 𝒎𝒎𝒍𝒍
𝝆𝝆
− 𝒅𝒅𝒛𝒛𝒍𝒍
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= − 𝟒𝟒
𝝆𝝆𝝆𝝆𝑫𝑫𝟐𝟐
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒍
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= 𝟒𝟒
𝝆𝝆𝝆𝝆𝑫𝑫𝟐𝟐
𝒅𝒅𝒎𝒎𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
Equation 9-45
Where, Vl(t) and ml(t) represent the volume and mass inventory of liquid remaining inside the tank,
respectively, at time t while r and D denote the liquid density and diameter of the tank. Substituting this
last expression obtains:
Section 280
𝟏𝟏
𝝆𝝆𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄𝟐𝟐
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐𝒎𝒎𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐
− 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒
𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝅𝟐𝟐
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= 𝟎𝟎 Equation 9-46
𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐𝒎𝒎𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐
= −𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 𝝆𝝆 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄𝟐𝟐
𝝅𝝅𝑫𝑫𝟐𝟐
Equation 9-47
Final reconfiguration of this equation yields Equation 9-47.
In order to solve the above second order differential equation, two initial conditions are required. One
condition is that at time zero, mo (t=0) = 0. The other condition is derived by solving the Bernoulli
equation directly for the special case at time zero since z (t=0) = zi representing the initial liquid level
above the outlet centerline axis is given, yielding:
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𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝝄𝝄(𝒕𝒕)
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
�
𝒕𝒕=𝟎𝟎
= 𝝆𝝆 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄�𝟐𝟐 �𝒈𝒈(𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒊 − 𝒛𝒛𝝄𝝄) − 𝜟𝜟𝜟𝜟
𝝆𝝆
� Equation 9-48
Now that the two initial conditions to the second order linear ordinary differential equation are known, the
unique solution is given by Equations 9-49 and 9-50.
𝒅𝒅𝒎𝒎𝝄𝝄(𝒕𝒕)
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= −𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 𝝆𝝆 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄𝟐𝟐
𝝅𝝅𝑫𝑫𝟐𝟐
𝒕𝒕 + 𝝆𝝆 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄�𝟐𝟐 �𝒈𝒈(𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒊 − 𝒛𝒛𝝄𝝄) − 𝜟𝜟𝜟𝜟
𝝆𝝆
� Equation 9-49
𝒎𝒎𝝄𝝄(𝒕𝒕) = −𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝝆𝝆 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄𝟐𝟐
𝝅𝝅𝑫𝑫𝟐𝟐
𝒕𝒕𝟐𝟐 + 𝝆𝝆 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄�𝟐𝟐 �𝒈𝒈(𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒊 − 𝒛𝒛𝝄𝝄)− 𝜟𝜟𝜟𝜟
𝝆𝝆
� 𝒕𝒕 Equation 9-50
Only times for which dmo/dt>0 are physically relevant, and since dmo/dt is monotone decreasing we have
the duration of the release given by t=tmax satisfying
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝝄𝝄(𝒕𝒕)
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
�
𝒕𝒕=𝒕𝒕𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎
= 𝟎𝟎 Equation 9-51
Solving for tmax in the Equation above yields:
𝒕𝒕𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 = 𝝅𝝅𝑫𝑫𝟐𝟐
𝟒𝟒 𝒈𝒈𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄
�𝟐𝟐 �𝒈𝒈(𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒊 − 𝒛𝒛𝝄𝝄)− 𝜟𝜟𝜟𝜟
𝝆𝝆
� Equation 9-52
9.5.2.4 OUTFLOW FROM A SPHERICAL TANK
Although a spherical tank is a seemingly benign perturbation away from a simple cylindrical tank, this
particular geometry results in a much more complicated expression for the mass flow rate of liquid out of
the vessel. The volume of liquid inventory as a function of liquid free surface elevation is given by:
𝑽𝑽𝒍𝒍(𝒕𝒕) = 𝟐𝟐
𝟑𝟑
𝝅𝝅𝑹𝑹𝟑𝟑 ∫ 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝝋𝝋𝜶𝜶
𝟎𝟎 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 + 𝟏𝟏
𝟑𝟑
𝝅𝝅𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐(𝒛𝒛 − 𝑹𝑹) = 𝟐𝟐
𝟑𝟑
𝝅𝝅𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐𝒛𝒛 + 𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝅(𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐− 𝒛𝒛)(𝒛𝒛 − 𝑹𝑹) Equation 9-53
Where
𝜶𝜶 = 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄−𝟏𝟏(𝟏𝟏 − 𝒛𝒛 𝑹𝑹⁄ )
(𝟎𝟎 ≤ 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄−𝟏𝟏(𝒙𝒙) ≤ 𝝅𝝅)∀𝒙𝒙 Equation 9-54
and R, z, and d represent the tank radius, elevation of the liquid free surface above the bottom of the tank,
and one half the chord length of the liquid free surface, or
𝒅𝒅 = �𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐 − (𝑹𝑹 − 𝒛𝒛)𝟐𝟐 = �𝒛𝒛(𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐− 𝒛𝒛) Equation 9-55
The change in liquid level, z, can be related to the mass outflow rate using the time derivative of Equation
9-53:
𝒅𝒅𝑽𝑽𝒍𝒍(𝒕𝒕)
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= −𝟏𝟏
𝝆𝝆
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= −𝝅𝝅�𝟑𝟑𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐 − 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 + 𝟒𝟒
𝟑𝟑
𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐� 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
Equation 9-56
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or equivalently
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
= �𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝅�𝟑𝟑𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐 − 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 + 𝟒𝟒
𝟑𝟑
𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐��
−𝟏𝟏 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝝄𝝄(𝒕𝒕)
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅
Equation 9-57
Finally, substituting Equation 9-57 and Equation 9-44 into Equation 9-43, yields
𝟏𝟏
𝝆𝝆 𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄𝟐𝟐
𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐𝒎𝒎𝝄𝝄
𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝟐𝟐
− 𝒈𝒈
𝝅𝝅�𝟑𝟑𝒛𝒛𝟐𝟐−𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔+𝟒𝟒𝟑𝟑𝑹𝑹
𝟐𝟐�
= 𝟎𝟎 Equation 9-58
By noting that the mass of outflow at time t is expressed as mo=mtot - rVl(t) where mtot is the total mass of
liquid inventory inside the vessel at time t=0 and inspecting the form of the expression for Vl(t) given in
Equation 9-53, mo is a cubic polynomial in the variable z and hence a closed-form analytic solution exists
for z as a function of mo.
Therefore, Equation 9-58 can be recast into an ordinary differential equation in the one dependent
variable, mo. The resulting equation, however, is complicated, highly nonlinear in mo, and does not lend
itself to a solution without the use of rather involved numerical techniques.
Section 281
An alternate approach is to compute an average flow rate by simply taking the total mass of liquid that
can flow out of the vessel and divide by the time tmax required for the liquid level to fall from the initial
elevation zi to the elevation of the discharge orifice, zo. This time is expressed in Equation 9-59.
𝒕𝒕𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 = 𝝅𝝅
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝑪𝑪𝝄𝝄𝑨𝑨𝝄𝝄
�𝟐𝟐(𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒊−𝒛𝒛𝝄𝝄)
𝒈𝒈
�𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒊 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝒛𝒛𝝄𝝄 − 𝟑𝟑𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒊𝟐𝟐 − 𝟒𝟒𝒛𝒛𝒊𝒊𝒛𝒛𝝄𝝄 − 𝟖𝟖𝒛𝒛𝝄𝝄𝟐𝟐� Equation 9-59
See Hart and Sommerfeld (1993) for additional details of this derivation.
The aforementioned equations in Sections 9.5.2.1 through 9.5.2.4 are limited to the assumptions in their
derivation and/or the conditions under which they were developed. Prior to employing these equations to
determine the phenomenology of a specific system or process, the analyst should demonstrate that the
application domain of the equations is not exceeded.
9.5.2.5 OUTFLOW FROM PROCESS VESSELS OF OTHER VARIOUS SHAPES
Equations for the drainage time of vessels for other geometrical shapes are presented in Lee and
Sommerfeld (1994). This is a starting point for safety analysts in establishing techniques for this type of
problem.
9.5.3 DENSE GAS TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE AND DISPERSION
Toxic chemical releases are dense or heavy gas releases when their molecular weight is greater than that
of air (28.97 g/mol for dry air), or the gas is cryogenic or very cold. Dense gas releases can potentially
also occur with gases that have sufficient aerosol content. However, a gas with a molecular weight
greater than that of air and/or exhibiting cryogenic properties does not always result in dense gas
behavior. To exhibit dense gas behavior, the dense gas blanket needs to be of a sufficient volume to
generate its own turbulence field. Therefore, the determination of whether a released material establishes
a dense gas flow pattern requires the knowledge of a key parameter, the calculated Bulk Richardson
number, which is a relative measure of the potential energy of the cloud with respect to the mechanical
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turbulent energy of the atmosphere. The Bulk Richardson number is the critical parameter that provides
the benchmark for dense gas behavior. The criterion for dense gas dispersion is that the Bulk Richardson
number has to be greater than 50; which is a function of volume, temperature and molecular weight of the
gas relative to the gases in the atmosphere.
Initially, a dense gas cloud of material will be undiluted (not mixed with air) and will drop to the ground
and flow along the topography downhill or in the direction of the wind, for the most part, although a small
part of it may flow uphill or upwind as well, because of gravitational slumping. For this reason, an
accurate depiction of the near-field local topography is extremely important to ensure meaningful results
from dense gas modeling. Vertical dispersion will be severely restricted for a dense gas, due to
gravitational effects, and ambient air will be entrained through the sides of the plume. Thus, the plume
shape will take on a pancake-like appearance; further distorted by local topographic anomalies.
Early models of heavy or dense gas dispersion used the Gaussian Line Source model, in which the
material was assumed to spread out from a line-source (i.e., formed into a plume), with a Gaussian
distribution in the vertical and horizontal directions. The σy and σz values were assumed the same as
given above. These models ignored many important physical phenomena, were generally unsatisfactory,
and quickly fell into disuse. More modern models (e.g., DEGADIS, SLAB, HPAC, and HGSYSTEM)
took into account phenomena that were not included in the Gaussian Line Source model. These
phenomena include:
Section 282
• Gravitational slumping of the heavy or dense gas and accompanying lateral spreading;
• Stratification of the heavy or dense gas, which tends to dampen turbulence and air entrainment;
and
• Heat exchange between the cloud of gas and the ground, which may also cause phase changes.
A more exhaustive discussion of the equations describing the heavy gas model and their use is beyond the
scope of this Handbook. Due to the complexity of dense gas dispersion, these codes should not be used
as a “black box” without a thorough understanding of the phenomena governing dense gas flows.
The analyst is recommended to use one of the standard computer codes for evaluation of heavy gas
dispersion, inclusive of ALOHA Version 5.4.6. The dense gas dispersion calculations used in ALOHA
are based on the DEGADIS model (Havens and Spicer 1985, EPA-450/4-89-019). DEGADIS, in turn, is
an adaptation of the Shell HEGADIS model described by Colenbrander (Colenbrander 1980,
Colenbrander and Puttock 1983). It also incorporates some techniques used by van Ulden (van Ulden
1974, 1983). ALOHA incorporates a decision algorithm to choose between the dense gas and neutrally-
buoyant Gaussian models, using the critical Richardson Number as the criterion for distinguishing
between passive or non-passive dispersion. The critical Richardson Number is a function of the density
of the pollutant, the wind speed, and the release rate. Therefore, the release needs to be of significant
magnitude to exhibit dense gas characteristics. As the dense gas plume is dispersed downwind, neutrally-
buoyant ambient air begins to mix in, and when the critical Richardson Number decreases to below 50,
the plume begins dispersing as a neutrally buoyant gas; that is, entrainment of ambient air as the plume is
transported downwind leads to the dense gas plume becoming a neutrally buoyant plume. ALOHA then
switches to the neutrally-buoyant Gaussian model. Since the entrainment of air in the sides of the plume
generates significant turbulence, dense gas dispersion is actually greater than neutrally buoyant dispersion
at 95-percentile meteorological conditions of F stability and 1 meter/second. This is discussed in more
detail in the Technical Report NRSD-15-TC01. Section F.8 of this report presented the following
conclusions relative to the CW:
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1. The ALOHA χ/Q values, considering the building wake effects, are consistent with the default
radiological χ/Q value specified in DOE-STD-1189-2008.
2. The aerodynamic effect of buildings on dispersion is approximately an order of magnitude
larger, and is much larger than the dry deposition effect;
3. The dispersion from negatively-buoyant, dense gas releases under light wind stable
meteorological conditions is greater than neutrally-buoyant releases; and
4. The default χ/Q value is not sensitive to release durations.
Some dense gas models (e.g., HGSYSTEM, HPAC) can be used for area sources (e.g., pools) as well as
line source applications.
9.5.4 NON-PRESSURIZED LIQUID RELEASE
Section 283
Source term determinants from liquid releases (e.g., evaporation rate, aerosolization rate) have been
addressed in detail in Chapter 3 and Chapter 5. For non-pressurized, non-energetic liquid chemical
releases, it can be reasonably assumed that all aerosols immediately liquefy into a sub-cooled liquid
puddle. For cryogenic non-pressurized liquids, dense gas dispersion principles still apply. The non-
varying source term is commonly based on an evaporation rate, which is a function of wind speed,
ambient temperature, solar insolation and an assumed puddle depth of 1 cm. This puddle depth is used in
all chemical transport and diffusion codes that have evaporation algorithms and is considered a reasonable
assumption by the technical community. Thus, the puddle surface area determines the amount of
chemical available to be evaporated for subsequent atmospheric transport and diffusion, and this release
continues until the puddle is totally evaporated.
Controls can be used to reduce the source term from this type of release. Impoundment basins allow the
chemical depth to increase, thus reducing the surface area of the puddle and subsequent evaporation rate.
Floating balls in such impoundment basins have also been used to further reduce the puddle surface area.
Non-pressurized, non-energetic liquid chemical releases with varying release rates cannot be as easily
addressed by conventional Gaussian models since the source term can vary with time as the parameters
that control evaporation may vary. However, an iterative technique can be applied through successive
time steps to account for varying evaporation rates while keeping the atmospheric conditions that affect
transport and diffusion constant.
ALOHA Version 5.4.6 has the capacity to calculate toxic chemical consequences from non-pressurized
liquid releases, employing one of two methods for finding the evaporation rate depending upon whether
or not the puddle is close to its boiling point. It applies Brighton’s formulation (Brighton 1985) when the
average puddle temperature is sufficiently below its boiling point, and an energy balance method when
the puddle approaches its boiling point. ALOHA also allows puddles to transition from boiling to non-
boiling, or non-boiling to boiling. It constantly compares the evaporation rate calculated with the boiling
puddle model with the evaporation rate calculated with Brighton’s model at its temperature limit, and then
selects the method that yields the larger evaporation rate.
ALOHA calculates the magnitude of six energy sources to establish puddle temperature. These include:
• Net short wave solar flux into the puddle;
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• Long wave radiation flux down from the atmosphere;
• Long wave radiation flux upward into the atmosphere;
• Heat exchanged with the substrate by thermal conduction;
• Sensible heat flux from the atmosphere; and,
• Heat lost from the puddle by evaporative cooling.
An example scenario for a tank release is provided in the ALOHA technical documentation (Example 1,
Part 1, ALOHA, August 2013).
Section 9.5.1 discusses the complex phenomenology associated with the release of pressurized liquids to
the atmosphere and this section discusses non-pressurized liquid releases. Both phenomenologies involve
the evaporation of liquid from a pool. In the event of a boiling liquid pool, two simple expressions for
obtaining a first-order conservative approximation to the mass evaporation rate are presented, namely,
convective boiling and conductive boiling.
Section 284
The following subsections provide the analyst with some of the complex equations to account for the
phenomenology of the evaporation of a puddle formed by pressurized and non-pressurized liquid releases.
In addition, various evaporation rate calculations are presented for nitric acid and carbon tetrachloride to
emphasize the complexities of accurately assessing evaporation rates.
9.5.4.1 CONVECTIVE BOILING
Equation 9-60 presents a technique to calculate the mass evaporation rate (mv) due to convective boiling:
𝒎𝒎𝒗𝒗 = 𝒌𝒌𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂
𝑨𝑨𝒑𝒑
𝑳𝑳𝒑𝒑
𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑳𝑳
(𝑻𝑻𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂−𝑻𝑻𝒃𝒃)
𝑯𝑯𝒗𝒗
Equation 9-60
Where,
mv = mass evaporation rate (kg/m2 s);
kair = thermal conductivity of air (kJ/m °K);
Ap = pool surface area (m2);
Lp = pool effective diameter in the wind direction (m);
Pr = 𝜇𝜇𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎/𝑘𝑘𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
μair = viscosity of air at ambient temperature (poise);
cpair = heat capacity of air at constant pressure (kJ/kg °K);
Tair = air temperature (°K);
Tb = liquid ambient boiling temperature (°K); and,
Hv = liquid latent heat of vaporization (kJ/kg).
and,
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𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑵𝑳𝑳 = � 𝟎𝟎.𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝟏𝟏 𝟑𝟑⁄ 𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑳𝑳
𝟏𝟏 𝟐𝟐⁄ 𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇 𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑳𝑳≤𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑,𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝟏𝟏 𝟑𝟑⁄ (𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑳𝑳
𝟎𝟎.𝟖𝟖−𝟏𝟏𝟓𝟓𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐)𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇 𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑳𝑳>𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑,𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
� Equation 9-61
9.5.4.2 CONDUCTIVE BOILING
Equation 9-62 presents a technique to calculate the mass evaporation rate (mv) due to conductive boiling:
𝒎𝒎𝒗𝒗 = 𝒌𝒌𝒔𝒔𝑨𝑨𝒑𝒑(𝑻𝑻𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂−𝑻𝑻𝒃𝒃)
𝑯𝑯𝒗𝒗√𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝅
Equation 9-62
Where,
ks = thermal conductivity of ground surface (kJ/m °K);
Ap = pool surface area (m2);
t = time s;
Tair = air temperature (°K);
Tb = liquid ambient boiling temperature (°K); and,
Tg = ground surface temperature (°K);
ε = ks/(ρscps)
ρs = density of ground surface (kg/m3);
cps = heat capacity of ground surface at constant pressure (kJ/kg °K); and
Hv = liquid latent heat of vaporization (kJ/kg).
Conductive boiling, or conductive heat transfer from the ground, is generally the dominant driving
mechanism for boiling in the case of most chemical liquids. However, in the case of some cryogenic
releases (e.g., sub-cooled anhydrous ammonia, chlorine), the ground conduction is dramatically reduced if
there is moisture present in the substrate since a layer of ice has a thermal conductivity much lower than
that of most ground surface substances and it quickly forms at the base of the pool. Furthermore, a thin
vapor film frequently forms at the interface between the ground surface and the pool, which further
reduces the effective conductivity in that region and limits the amount of heat transfer into the pool.
Therefore, Equation 9-62 is generally quite conservative during the majority of the boiling regime and
most accurately reflects true vaporization conditions at the first instant that the liquid comes into contact
with the ground surface. Conversely, Equation 9-60 is more representative of the steady-state
vaporization of a pool once the ground surface temperature drops below the boiling temperature of the
liquid.
9.5.4.3 NITRIC ACID AND CARBON TETRACHLORIDE POOL EVAPORATION RATES
An alternative correlation that is commonly used in estimating pool evaporation rates and that has been
demonstrated to provide lower estimates of pool evaporation rate for a nitric acid and carbon tetrachloride
spill is presented. Furthermore, example hand calculations have been provided for the same two releases
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Section 285
based on simple models of heat and mass transfer and compared to the experimental correlations to obtain
even a less conservative estimate for the pool evaporation rate.
The following calculations employ a relatively simple means of assessing the accuracy of the pool
evaporation source term calculations. Illustrative examples are given that assume liquid nitric acid and
liquid carbon tetrachloride spill onto the ground surface and form a pool that will be subject to
evaporative sub-cooling. The mass evaporation rate is determined by the following factors:
1. Molecular diffusion and mass transport;
2. Conductive heat transfer;
3. Radiative heat transfer;
4. Convective heat transfer;
5. Bulk liquid heat transfer; and
6. Internal heat content.
The following detailed source term calculations treat provide an upper bound on the potential impact of
an evaporating pool in the case that all six evaporation source term factors were considered.
9.5.4.3.1 Nitric Acid Pool Evaporation
Vapor is entrained by air flowing over the surface of the pool. The rate of mass transfer is expressed in
Equation 9-63:
𝒎𝒎𝒗𝒗 = −𝒌𝒌𝒎𝒎 𝑷𝑷𝒕𝒕 𝑴𝑴𝒘𝒘
𝑹𝑹𝑻𝑻𝒔𝒔
𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍 �𝟏𝟏 − 𝑷𝑷𝒗𝒗
𝑷𝑷𝒕𝒕
� Equation 9-63
Where,
km = mass transfer coefficient (m/s);
Pt = sum of atmospheric pressure and partial pressure of chemical vapor (Pa);
Mw = molecular weight of chemical (kg/mole);
R = ideal gas constant = 8.31424 J/mole⋅K;
Ts = pool surface temperature (K);
Pv = chemical vapor pressure at temperature Ts (Pa).
Kulmala (1988) and Barrett and Clement (1988) provide detailed derivations of this expression and
Studer et al., 1988 provide a technique for practical use of this expression in the context of pool
evaporation.
Equation 9-63 is a specific instance of the mass transfer due to diffusion through a transpired boundary
layer. A more general form is presented in Kays and Crawford (1987). While the transpired boundary
layer model is not needed for the low vapor pressure associated with HNO3, CCl4 evaporates much more
rapidly and therefore the transpired boundary layer model is necessary. This will be shown in Section
9.5.4.3.2. It is convenient, then, to operate with the single model for CCl4 and apply it to HNO3 as a
degenerate case. Mass evaporation equations are part of standard diffusion boundary layer literature and
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can be found in numerous texts (see Kays and Crawford, 1987; Bergman et al., 2001).
The mass transfer coefficient may be related to the Sherwood number (Sh), coefficient of diffusivity of
the chemical in air (Dba) and the effective path length of air flowing over the pool, which is usually the
effective diameter of the pool (L), as shown in Equation 9-64:
𝒌𝒌𝒎𝒎 = 𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑫𝑫𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃
𝑳𝑳
Equation 9-64
The diffusion coefficient may be approximated by a group contribution method attributed to Fuller et al.
(Reid et al., 1987), as shown in Equation 9-65:
𝑫𝑫𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 =
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟑𝟑𝑻𝑻𝒂𝒂𝟏𝟏.𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝑴𝑴𝒘𝒘𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂
𝟏𝟏/𝟐𝟐
𝑷𝑷𝒂𝒂�(∑𝒗𝒗)𝒂𝒂
𝟏𝟏 𝟑𝟑⁄ +(∑𝒗𝒗)𝒃𝒃
𝟏𝟏 𝟑𝟑⁄ �
𝟐𝟐
Equation 9-65
where, the sums apply to the atomic diffusion volumes for each component in the chemical molecule and,
𝑴𝑴𝒘𝒘𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂 =
𝑴𝑴𝒘𝒘𝒂𝒂+ 𝑴𝑴𝒘𝒘𝒃𝒃
𝑴𝑴𝒘𝒘𝒂𝒂 𝑴𝑴𝒘𝒘𝒃𝒃
Equation 9-66
The subscripts b and a, refer to the chemical species and air, respectively. In particular, Mwb and Mwa
denotes the molecular weight of nitric acid and air, respectively.
Assuming the air temperature is 40 degrees °C (313.15 °K) and Mwb=63.02 g/mole, Mwa=28.97 g/mole,
(∑v)a = 20.1 and,
Section 286
(∑𝝂𝝂)𝒃𝒃 = 𝝂𝝂(𝑯𝑯) + 𝝂𝝂(𝑵𝑵) + 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑(𝑶𝑶) = 𝟏𝟏.𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 + 𝟓𝟓.𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 + 𝟑𝟑(𝟓𝟓.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒) = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 Equation 9-67
and substituting the above values into Equation 9-65 yields Equation 9-68 for the diffusion coefficient
and Equation 9-69 for the maximum pool length.
𝑫𝑫𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 = 𝟏𝟏.𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟔𝟔 𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐/𝒔𝒔 Equation 9-68
𝑳𝑳𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 = �𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒(𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑𝒑 𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂)
𝝅𝝅
Equation 9-69
Instead of using the effective length (L), conservatively take L to be the diameter of the pool and assume
a pool area of 91 m2; Lmax becomes 10.8 m.
The Sherwood number may be expressed as in Equation 9-70:
𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺 = 𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎�𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑳𝑳𝟎𝟎.𝟖𝟖 − 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏�𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝟏𝟏 𝟑𝟑⁄ Equation 9-70
Where, the Schmidt number (Sc), and the Reynolds number (ReL) are expressed in Equations 9-71 and
9-72:
𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺 = 𝝁𝝁𝒗𝒗
𝝆𝝆𝒗𝒗𝑫𝑫𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃
Equation 9-71
𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑳𝑳 = 𝝆𝝆∞𝒖𝒖∞𝑳𝑳
𝒖𝒖∞
Equation 9-72
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With,
ρ∞ = main stream density (kg/m3);
u∞ = main stream ambient wind speed (m/s); and,
μ∞ = main stream viscosity (poise).
The Schmidt number arises when considering a laminar boundary layer on a flat plate in which the
diffusion was occurring as a result of some mass-transfer condition at the surface. The concentration and
velocity profiles will have the same shape when the dynamic viscosity ν∞ = μ∞/ρ∞ satisfies ν∞=Dba or
ν∞/Dba=1.
The Schmidt and Reynolds numbers are many times calculated with the fluid properties at infinity in
boundary layer coordinates rather than vapor properties (see Bergman et al., 2011). Occasionally one will
find the fluid properties calculated at the average of the infinity and wall values. Using the outer fluid
properties will significantly affect the resultant value for the Sherwood number in the case of cryogenic
spills, for instance, where the thermodynamic properties are sensitive to small changes in ambient
conditions.
The above correlation for the Sherwood number in Equation 9-70 only holds true for Re>15,200.
Furthermore, the mixed boundary layer, the Sherwood number correlation is not valid for Sc<0.6 (see
Bergman et al., 2011). Although Equation 9-70 expression for the Sherwood number is commonly
quoted in analyses studying the evaporation of liquids, it was derived from studying the heat transfer
coefficient of a dry body. Therefore an alternative, and presumably more appropriate empirical technique
to express for the Sherwood number in the event of a liquid spill based on the work of Smolsky and
Sergeyev in the area of heat and mass transfer from free surfaces of liquids into a heated turbulent stream
is shown in Equation 9-73:
𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺 = 𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝟎𝟎.𝟖𝟖𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝟎𝟎.𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝟎𝟎.𝟐𝟐 Equation 9-73
Where,
𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 = 𝑻𝑻∞−𝑻𝑻𝒘𝒘
𝑻𝑻∞
Equation 9-74
Gu denotes the Guhmann number with T∞ and Tw denoting the mainstream and liquid surface
temperature, respectively.
This expression is based on experimental studies of the heat and mass transfer from the free surfaces of
various liquids into a heated turbulent air stream. Equation 9-74 is therefore recommended as the more
appropriate estimate of the Sherwood number in the case of an evaporating pool. However, estimates of
the Guhmann number are vulnerable to high degrees of uncertainty. In an effort to circumvent this issue,
the Sherwood number should be estimated using Equation 9-70 with the dynamic viscosity evaluated as
the average of the main steam (i.e., air) and boundary layer vapor (i.e., chemical) dynamic viscosities in
the definitions of the Schmidt (Sc) and Reynolds (Re) numbers, as depicted in Equations 9-75 through 9-
77:
Section 287
𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹����𝑳𝑳 = 𝒖𝒖∞𝑳𝑳
𝒗𝒗�
Equation 9-75
𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺��� = 𝒗𝒗�
𝑫𝑫𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂
Equation 9-76
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𝒗𝒗� = 𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐
�𝒗𝒗𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂 + 𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗� Equation 9-77
Applying a nitric acid vapor density of 2.18 kg/m3, u∞=5 m/s and, due to limited data on HNO3,
approximating the vapor viscosity by the gas viscosity for nitrous oxide at the pool surface temperature of
20oC given to be 1.46E-2 cp or 1.46E-5 kg/m⋅s yields vvapor= 6.7E-6 m2/s. The outer fluid properties make
use of vair=1.72E-5 m2/s, for air at 313K and standard atmospheric pressure, and the pool diameter length
scale Lmax = 10.8 m, the averaged Schmidt (Sc) and Reynolds (Re) numbers are recalculated as shown in
Equation 9-78.
𝒗𝒗� = 𝟏𝟏.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟓𝟓
𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺��� = 𝟕𝟕.𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐
𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹����𝑳𝑳 = 𝟒𝟒.𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟔𝟔 Equation 9-78
Finally, substituting all the above intermediate results into Equation 9-70 obtains:
𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺 = 𝟏𝟏.𝟒𝟒 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒 Equation 9-79
The mass transfer coefficient therefore becomes the following from Equation 9-64.
𝒌𝒌𝒎𝒎 = 𝟐𝟐.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟑𝟑𝒎𝒎/𝒔𝒔 Equation 9-80
Therefore, the mass transfer rate is estimated to be the following value as calculated from Equation 9-81:
𝒎𝒎𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 =
−�𝟐𝟐.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟑𝟑𝒎𝒎 𝒔𝒔⁄ �(𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷+ 𝟒𝟒𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟑.𝟐𝟐 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷)(𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎⁄ )
(𝟖𝟖.𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝑱𝑱 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎⁄ °𝑲𝑲)(𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏°𝑲𝑲) 𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍 �𝟏𝟏
−
𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒.𝟐𝟐 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷�
= 𝟐𝟐.𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟓𝟓𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐𝒔𝒔 ⁄
= 𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎/𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐𝒔𝒔 Equation 9-81
The total mass transfer rate is simply the product of mtran and the pool area of 91 m2, as shown in Equation
9-82:
𝒎𝒎𝒗𝒗(𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝟑𝟑) = 𝟐𝟐.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎/𝒔𝒔 Equation 9-82
9.5.4.3.2 CARBON TETRACHLORIDE POOL EVAPORATION
The diffusion coefficient can be estimated by means of the group contribution method detailed above,
with
Mwb=153.83 g/mole, Mwa=28.9 g/mole, (Σv)a=20.1 and
(∑𝒗𝒗)𝒃𝒃 = 𝒗𝒗(𝑪𝑪) + 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒(𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪) = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟓𝟓 + 𝟒𝟒(𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟓𝟓) = 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗.𝟓𝟓 Equation 9-83
Finally, substituting the above values into Equation 9-65 yields Equation 9-84.
𝑫𝑫𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 = 𝟖𝟖.𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟔𝟔𝒎𝒎/𝒔𝒔 Equation 9-84
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Assuming a pool area of 73 m2, the length scale Lmax becomes 9.64 m from Equation 9-69. Assuming a
CCl4 vapor density of 5.32 kg/m3, u∞=5 m/s, and the vapor viscosity at the pool surface temperature of
20oC determined to be 9.66E-3 cp or 9.66E-6 kg/m⋅s yields vvapor=1.82E-6 m2/s.
The outer fluid properties, vair=1.72E-5 m2/s for air at 313K and standard atmospheric pressure, the
averaged fluid properties Schmidt (Sc) and Reynolds (Re) numbers are calculated to be what is shown in
Equation 9-85.
𝒗𝒗� = 𝟗𝟗.𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟔𝟔
𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺��� = 𝟏𝟏.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹����𝑳𝑳 = 𝟓𝟓.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟔𝟔 Equation 9-85
Substituting all the above intermediate results into Equation 9-70 yields:
𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺 = 𝟖𝟖.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟑 Equation 9-86
The mass transfer coefficient therefore becomes:
𝒌𝒌𝒎𝒎 = 𝟕𝟕.𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟑𝟑𝒎𝒎/𝒔𝒔 Equation 9-87
Therefore, the mass transfer rate is estimated to be what is shown in Equation 9-88.
𝒎𝒎𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 =
−�𝟕𝟕.𝟓𝟓 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟑𝟑𝒎𝒎 𝒔𝒔⁄ ��𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷 + 𝟐𝟐 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷�(𝟎𝟎.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎⁄ )
(𝟖𝟖.𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝑱𝑱 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎⁄ °𝑲𝑲)(𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏°𝑲𝑲) 𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍 �𝟏𝟏
−
𝟐𝟐 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟒𝟒 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷
� = 𝟏𝟏.𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟐𝟐𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐𝒔𝒔⁄
= 12.7𝑔𝑔/𝑚𝑚2𝑠𝑠 Equation 9-88
Using a pool area of 73 m2, the total mass transfer rate is simply the product of mtran and the pool area, as
shown in Equation 9-89:
𝒎𝒎𝒗𝒗(𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝟒𝟒) = 𝟎𝟎.𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗/𝒔𝒔 Equation 9-89
Section 288
In contrast to nitric acid, the boiling temperature of CCl4 is closer to that of ambient temperature and the
effects of bulk liquid heat transfer and internal heat content play a more important role in the overall mass
evaporation rate. Both of these factors serve to mitigate the release rate to some extent. However,
because of the greater volatility of CCl4, solar radiation and convective heat transfer have a significant
effect in terms of increasing overall mass evaporation rate.
No simple correlation has the capabilities of accurately incorporating all the various thermal phenomena
taking place in the event of a volatile liquid release. However, a simple correlation can provide a
reasonable conservative estimate of the true evaporation rate.
Compare the evaporation correlation used in the CEI guidelines (TNO, 1979), as shown in Equation 9-90.
𝒎̇𝒎 = 𝟗𝟗 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟒𝟒𝑨𝑨𝒑𝒑𝟎𝟎.𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 (𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴)𝑷𝑷𝒗𝒗
𝑻𝑻+𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐
Equation 9-90
Where,
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ṁ = pool evaporation rate (kg/hr);
Ap = pool area (m2);
MW = chemical molecular weight (g/mole);
Pv = vapor pressure of the chemical at the characteristic temperature (kPa); and
T = characteristic pool temperature (oC).
with a similar closed-form expression described by Clewell (1983), as shown in Equation 9-91:
𝒎̇𝒎 = 𝟖𝟖 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟐𝟐𝒖𝒖𝟑𝟑 𝟒𝟒⁄ 𝑨𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒁𝒁�𝟏𝟏+ 𝟒𝟒.𝟑𝟑 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟑𝟑𝑻𝑻𝟐𝟐� Equation 9-91
Where, Z is the volatility factor of species x with respect to hydrazine expressed as such in Equation 9-92.
𝒁𝒁 = (𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴)𝒙𝒙𝑷𝑷𝒗𝒗𝒙𝒙
(𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴)𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉 𝑷𝑷𝒗𝒗𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉
Equation 9-92
Predicted evaporation rates for nitric acid and carbon tetrachloride at various ambient temperatures with a
fixed pool surface area of 1 m2 and an ambient wind speed of 5 m/s are provided in Figure 9-1 and Figure
9-2, respectively.
In the turbulent boundary layer, the mass transfer coefficient is proportional to u0.8 and L1.8, while in the
TNO correlation, the mass transfer coefficient is proportional to u0.8 and L1.9. Accordingly, the TNO
expression will be become progressively more conservative as the pool area increases and as the laminar
region, where Sh is proportional to Re1/2, increases.
As for the additional modes of heat transfer, evaporative cooling offsets heating effects due to ground
conduction and solar radiation. For volatile liquids such as CCl4, Clewell suggests a pool temperature
decrease of 10-20 oC is not unreasonable due to evaporative cooling (Clewell, 1983). By setting the pool
temperature equal to the air temperature, a conservative evaporation rate is maintained. This is equivalent
to assuming a very large convective heat transfer coefficient between the pool and the air.
The standard turbulent boundary layer calculation also suffers from lack of data as the diffusion
coefficients for CCl4 vapor is calculated based on the chlorine diffusion volume, which, according to
Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook (2008), is based on very little data. No data was found to directly
compare to the calculated diffusion coefficients for HNO3 as well.
Table 9-5 compares the results for the hand calculations, the TNO model, and the Clewell model in the
case of the nitric acid and carbon tetrachloride evaporation rates. Although there is relatively good
comparison among all three models in the case of nitric acid, there is a disparity among results in the case
of carbon tetrachloride. The hand calculation is in itself conservative, but even after allowing for pool
cooling and other mitigating features, the question as to whether simple correlations can be relied upon to
yield conservative results for a wide class of chemicals remains unanswered.
Section 289
The aforementioned equations in Sections 9.5.4.1 through 9.5.4.3 are limited to the assumptions in their
derivation and/or the conditions under which they were developed. Prior to employing these equations to
determine the phenomenology of a specific system or process, the analyst should demonstrate that the
application domain of the equations is not exceeded.
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These examples were chosen to dramatize the point that one should never blindly place faith in
experimental correlations based on limited data.
Table 9-5. Comparison of Results for Three Evaporation Models
as Applied to HNO3 and CCl4.
Model HNO3 Evaporation Rate (g/sec) CCl4 Evaporation Rate (g/sec)
Hand Calculation 2.08 928
TNO 1.53 342
Clewell 2.82 606
Figure 9-1. Comparison of Evaporation Rate Predictions for 60 Percent Solution
of Nitric Acid with a 1 m2 Pool Surface Area.
HNO3 Pool Evaporation Rates
Wind Speed = 5 m/s, Pool Area Normalized to 1 m2
Pool Bulk Temperature (oC)
0 10 20 30 40 50
M
as
s E
va
po
ra
tio
n
R
at
e
(g
/s)
0.00
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.10
0.11
TNO
Clewell
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Figure 9-2. Comparison of Evaporation Rate Predictions for
Carbon Tetrachloride with a 1 m2 Pool Surface Area.
CCl4 Pool Evaporation Rates
Wind Speed = 5 m/s, Pool Area Normalized to 1 m2
Pool Bulk Temperature (oC)
0 10 20 30 40 50
M
as
s E
va
po
ra
tio
n
R
at
e
(g
/s
)
0
5
10
15
20
TNO
Clewell
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9.5.5 ENERGETIC EVENTS: FIRES, DEFLAGRATIONS, DETONATIONS, DELAYED
IGNITION EXPLOSIONS, AND BLEVES
For toxic chemical dispersion and consequence energetic events analysis, the initial phase of such an
event releases a volume of hot gases under high pressure. Hot gases rise through its’ own buoyancy and
expand rapidly until reaching equilibrium with atmospheric pressure, determining the plume initial
dimensions and effective height of release. After reaching equilibrium with the ambient atmosphere,
conventional atmospheric redistribution processes act on this plume, carrying it downwind as it continues
to expand through turbulent diffusion in the horizontal and vertical planes.
Energy associated with the release, which includes a fire, deflagration, detonation, delayed ignition
detonation, and BLEVE, require special analytical treatment. A BLEVE occurs during a fire event where
the contained liquid in a vessel expands due to the sensible heat transfer to the inside of the vessel and
eventually reaches a point where the internal pressure from the expanding vapor in the vessel exceeds the
vessel’s structural integrity and a violent explosion occurs.
Few atmospheric dispersion codes in common use at DOE facilities model atmospheric dispersion from
energetic events. ERAD, applicable to radionuclide releases from HE, has been discussed in Chapter 6.
Special techniques and codes have been developed to determine the radiant heat and other impacts
resulting from fires, deflagrations, and detonations. Deflagrations differ from detonations in that for
deflagrations the pressure wave expands at less than the speed of sound. When chemical fires propagate
at a speed that exceeds the speed of the sound, the propagation causes an overpressure in the atmosphere,
which essentially moves the ambient atmosphere at a faster speed to a point downwind than it would
normally move causing a compression wave, or overpressure. The detonation overpressure, which is
measured in atmospheres, can be quite destructive. Detonations can be an immediate phenomenon, or can
result hours after the release of a flammable gas when the chemical disperses to a concentration between
its upper and LFLs and encounters an ignition source. The effects of overpressures on the CW, MOI and
the public from either a delayed ignition detonation or immediate detonation are a function of its
overpressure magnitude, the distance from the detonation (i.e., attenuation), and other mitigating factors
(e.g., shielding from buildings).
Section 290
Hydrogen is a by-product of radiolysis, and build-up of this lighter-than-air gas can lead to either
deflagrations or detonations. Given this complexity, determination of the physics underlying hydrogen
deflagrations or detonations has undergone much research. Table 4-2 and Section 4.3 provide some
guidance on determining whether the hydrogen-air mixture is explosive, whether the propagation speed is
sufficient to become a detonation, calculation of its energy and peak Chapman-Jouget pressure, and the
consequences of a hydrogen detonation on SSC integrity and the health and safety of the facility worker,
CW and the public. MELCOR and FLUENT codes can be employed to establish initial conditions and
gas distribution of the detonation calculations.
ALOHA Version 5.4.6 and other peer-reviewed techniques and codes are required to determine the
overpressures from a delayed ignition detonation, an immediate detonation, or a BLEVE. This version of
ALOHA is in the DOE Central Registry and is capable of addressing the energetic events discussed in
this subsection. It has the capacity to calculate toxic chemical consequences from pool fires, BLEVEs,
flash fires or vapor cloud explosions, and jet fires.
ALOHA Version 5.4.6 only models combustion reactions and estimates the blast wave from unconfined
vapor cloud explosions (e.g., fast deflagrations, detonations). Confined vapor cloud explosions generally
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produce more damaging blast waves than unconfined or partially confined explosions.
The overpressure calculation utilizes the Baker-Strehlow-Tang (BST) model (Pierorazio et al. 2005),
employing non-dimensional, empirically-derived blast curves to establish overpressure. Overpressure
magnitude is a function of the flame front propagation speed and the mass of fuel involved in the reaction.
ALOHA Version 5.4.6 also models flame hazards associated with the combustion of liquids and gases.
However, fire scenarios involving chemicals with flashpoints exceeding 300°F cannot be modeled. Two
types of combustion are addressed in ALOHA: (1) a fuel mixed with air to form a cloud with
concentrations within the flammability range; and (2) an overly-rich core of fuel that burns at its outer
edges. Different methodologies are applied for estimating the threat zones for these two types of
combustion events. ALOHA Version 5.4.6 employs solid flame models to compute thermal radiation
hazards from fireballs, jet fires, and pool fires, where the flux of thermal radiation emitted from the
surface of the flame is computed and the radiation impinging upon a distant target is determined.
ALOHA Version 5.4.6 has a BLEVE-fireball model based on studies of fireballs resulting from BLEVEs
(CCPS, 1994). A fire thermally stresses a vessel causing the internal pressure to rise beyond the capacity
of pressure relief valves, leading to a tank explosion. The tank contents are rapidly released and quickly
flash boil as they depressurize, and both liquid droplets and gas ignite. Since the substance is too rich to
burn; a fire burns at the surface where sufficient air can mix with the fuel resulting in a fireball that burns
for tens of seconds. The flux of thermal radiation emitted from the burning surface is computed, and the
radiation impinging upon a distant target is determined.
Example scenarios for pool fires (Example 1 Part 2), BLEVEs (Example 2 Part 1), flash fires or vapor
cloud explosions (Example 2 Part 2), and jet fires (Example 2 Part 3) are provided in ALOHA Example
Scenarios.
Section 291
If a small quantity of chemical is spilled or released in a fire or explosion, the resultant plume can be
approximated with the Gaussian plume model, as long as the additional plume buoyancy and explosion
overpressures are addressed in other codes. EPIcode has an explosion sub-model that addresses this type
of release, calculating a virtual point of release in three-dimensional space before applying Gaussian
modeling techniques.
Other complicating factors, such as chemical reactions and chemical transformations within the plume,
should be addressed on a case-by-case basis using the dispersion modeling protocol in Section 6.1.9. See
Section 4.3 on explosions for additional information on energetic release phenomenology, chemical
reactions, and chemical transformations.
Section A.2 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 states that the DSA does not evaluate decomposition of chemicals
from accidental fires, nor establishes SSCs or SACs based on the hazards of these toxic products.
Accordingly, this technical area is not included in this Handbook.
9.6 METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS AFFECTING TOXIC CHEMICAL
CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS
The discussions in Section 6 on the meteorological parameters of wind speed, wind direction, sigma theta,
temperature, and precipitation are also applicable to toxic chemical releases. For these meteorological
variables, the atmosphere does not operate any differently whether the release is a radionuclide or toxic
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chemical, or a combination of both. Turbulence typing for chemical dispersion and consequence analysis
is the same as for radiological releases that was also described in Section 6. In calculating plume
concentrations, both “typical” and “unfavorable” dispersion conditions are of special interest in accident
analyses.
Several meteorological variables, namely temperature and humidity, are specific to analyzing the
consequences of toxic chemical releases. A brief discussion on each follows.
9.6.1 TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
The atmospheric variables of temperature and moisture (e.g., relative humidity, wet-bulb temperature) do
not directly affect the magnitudes of the atmospheric dilution and diffusion for radionuclide release
evaluations. However, for releases of toxic chemicals, these variables play a significant role in
determining the thermodynamics in establishing rates of flashing, aerosolization, and puddle evaporation.
Section 9.5.4 provides a discussion of puddle evaporation algorithms and heat balance including
conduction from the ground surface. It also provides a discussion of impoundment basins and how they
limit the surface area of the puddle and therefore reduce evaporation rate.
9.6.2 RELATIVE HUMIDITY EFFECTS
Uranyl hexafluoride (UF6) is a special case due to its disassociation into hydrofluoric acid (HF) and
uranyl fluoride (UO2F2) in a humid environment. A special code developed by Hanna in the 1980s,
HGSYSTEM-UF6, and a recent version of the NRC code, RASCAL, has an algorithm to model the
conversion rate of UF6 to UO2F2 and HF over time and subsequently disperses both compounds.
Some chemical releases are also sensitive to ambient relative humidity; especially chemicals that are
deliquescent and absorb water. An interesting situation is the release of ammonia (NH3) in a dry
environment, where it remains as a positively buoyant gas; while in a humid environment it becomes
ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), which behaves as a dense gas.
Section 292
The release of elemental tritium is also very sensitive to the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere at
the time of release as it will convert to tritium oxide rapidly in a moist environment. There are significant
differences in the DCFs between elemental tritium and tritium oxide.
9.7 TOXIC CHEMICAL ATMOSPHERIC TRANSPORT AND DIFFUSION
MODELS
Many codes are available for evaluating toxic chemical releases, atmospheric dispersion, and concomitant
consequences to the CW, MOI, and the public. It has been estimated that in the 1980s, there were as
many as 250 atmospheric dispersion modeling codes available both internationally and within the private
and public sectors of the United States. However, codes need to be maintained and improved in order to
remain viable, so this number has decreased with time.
In 1995, SCAPA published “Atmospheric Transport Modeling Resources” (Mazzola and Addis, 1995), in
which information about various aspects of 94 distinct atmospheric transport models were catalogued and
presented in an easy-to-use format. In March 1999, the Office of the Federal Coordinator for
Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (OFCM) published a much more comprehensive
version of this document for 64 frequently used atmospheric dispersion models. This latter work is
available electronically by accessing the technical documents section of the OFCM web page
(www.ofcm.gov). In addition, the APAC Methodology Evaluation Program analyzed 15 radiological
http://www.ofcm.gov)/
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dispersion models (Working Group 5) (APAC5, 2003) and 25 chemical dispersion models (Working
Group 6) (APAC6, 1997) in significant detail.
Some models have undergone extensive SQA inclusive of verification and validation. Other codes are
available and may be more appropriate for some applications but were not included in those summaries
because they are not commonly accessible or require specialized knowledge for their proper use.
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.2.4.3 states: “Atmospheric dispersion for hazardous chemicals may be
modeled in a manner similar to radioactive material dispersion where the material transport characteristics
are similar.” As indicated in Section 6.1.10, three options are given in DOE-STD-3009-2014 to evaluate
atmospheric dispersion and the resulting χ/Q:
• Option 1: Follow a process based on NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145;
• Option 2: Use a DOE-approved toolbox code and apply the conservative parameters; or
• Option 3: Use site-specific methods and parameters as defined in a site/facility specific DOE-
approved modeling protocol.
Since Option 1 is only applicable to radiological consequences, for toxic chemical releases, use either
Options 2 or 3. The Section 6.11 dispersion modeling protocol is applicable to both radiological and
toxic chemical releases.
9.7.1 NEUTRALLY-BUOYANT GAUSSIAN MODELS
Gaussian models, due to their relative simplicity and ease of application, are the most common
atmospheric dispersion models employed by analysts to determine consequences from toxic chemical
releases. There are two chemical dispersion models (e.g., ALOHA, EPIcode) in the DOE CR, ALOHA
meets all DOE O 414.1D and DOE G 414.1-4A SQA guidance, and although EPIcode does not, it is still
determined to be adequate for safety analysis. The codes and their latest version in the CR are listed
below.
• Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) Version 5.4.6, an EPA and National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-sponsored code (ALOHA, 2013); and,
Section 293
• Emergency Prediction Information code (EPIcode), Version 8.0.2 (EPIcode, 2015).
ALOHA is the more versatile of the two toolbox codes as it contains both dense-gas and neutrally-
buoyant dispersion models, and it can address various chemical release phenomenology and energetic
events. During an ALOHA neutrally-buoyant dispersion model execution, the code selects one model
based on the environment in which the release is occurring, the nature of the release, the toxic chemical
being analyzed and the source-receptor distance of interest. For dense gas releases, ALOHA calculates
the dispersion within the dense gas “blanket” and with each succeeding time step, evaluates whether the
plume, which is gradually entraining ambient neutrally-buoyant air, still will disperse as a dense gas.
Once the plume parameters no longer support the definition of a dense gas as it moves further downwind,
ALOHA switches to the neutrally-buoyant Gaussian model. In contrast, EPIcode is based only on the
neutrally-buoyant atmospheric dispersion model, but allows the user to vary the release time and
deposition velocity, as well as implement a building wake effect model.
9.7.1.1 ALOHA
The ALOHA code was jointly developed by EPA and the hazardous materials division of NOAA. It is
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part of the Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) suite of codes and is used
primarily for emergency response situations and for training. As such, it is user-friendly, allowing easy
data input and convenient output of areal maps with contours of concentration of toxic chemicals using
the MARPLOT feature. Many of the internal features of the code are hidden from the user in order to
make it more user-friendly. The full suite of ALOHA modeling capabilities can be referenced in NOAA
Technical Memorandum NOS OR&R 43, ALOHA technical documentation (ALOHA, 2013).
Unlike some radiological dispersion codes (e.g., MACCS2, GENII, Hotspot), ALOHA does not have the
capability to incorporate hourly, site-specific meteorological data and calculate 95th percentile levels
consequences based on meteorological variability. EPIcode Version 7.0 has been recently upgraded to
execute with hourly meteorological data files. For ALOHA applications, a single combination of
atmospheric stability and wind speed is input instead of hourly meteorological data files. For dispersion
analysis, 40 CFR § 68.22(b) specifies that poor dilution and diffusion conditions of 1.5 m/sec wind speed
and F atmospheric stability class should be assumed.102 Related conditions of ambient temperature and
relative humidity, as may be needed, are recommended from the prescription also identified in 40 CFR §
68.22(b).103
ALOHA is intended for the evaluations of the consequences of toxic chemical releases. If the chemical
released is a heavy gas, a heavy-gas model (i.e., a stripped-down version of DEGADIS) is used;
otherwise, a neutrally-buoyant Gaussian model is used. ALOHA computations represent a compromise
between accuracy and speed: it has been designed to produce good results quickly enough to be of use to
first responders.
ALOHA Version 5.4.4 has the following attributes:
• Since evaporation of volatile chemicals is especially time-variant, ALOHA can calculate the
time-dependent evaporation source term and resulting plume concentration;
• It can determine the extent of dense gas behavior and the distance of transition to neutrally
buoyant gas behavior;
Section 294
• It can predict the rates at which chemical vapors may escape into the atmosphere from broken gas
pipes, leaking tanks, and evaporating puddles;
• It can address energetic events such as BLEVEs, vapor cloud explosions, detonations, delayed
ignition detonations, and radiant heat effects of flash fires and jet fires;
• Its chemical library contains information about the physical properties of about 3,000 common
toxic chemicals;
102 Wind speed and atmospheric stability class. “For the worst-case release analysis, the owner or operator shall
use a wind speed of 1.5 m per second and F atmospheric stability class. If the owner or operator can demonstrate
that local meteorological data applicable to the stationary source show a higher minimum wind speed or less stable
atmosphere at all times during the previous three years, these minimums may be used. For analysis of alternative
scenarios, the owner or operator may use the typical meteorological conditions for the stationary source” (40 CFR
§68.22(b)).
103 Ambient temperature and relative humidity. “For worst-case release analysis of a regulated toxic substance,
the owner or operator shall use the highest daily maximum temperature in the previous 3 years and average humidity
for the site, based on temperature/humidity data gathered at the stationary source or at a local meteorological station;
an owner or operator using the Risk Management Program Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance may use 25 °C
and 50 percent humidity as values for these variables. For analysis of alternative scenarios, the owner or operator
may use typical temperature/humidity data gathered at the stationary source or at a local meteorological station” (40
CFR §68.22(c)).
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• It has a Site Acquisition of Meteorology (SAM) option, where an instrumented meteorological
tower can provide input directly to the code; and
• It permits changes in the wind direction parameter every fifteen minutes when the SAM
component is applied. This is known as the segmented Gaussian plume. When used in this
mode, changes in wind direction allow the plume to bend in the downwind direction.
ALOHA Version 5.4.4 has the following limitations:
• It does not calculate plume rise for ground level releases, so it cannot realistically account for the
enormous buoyancy effects of fires and energetic releases;
• It only addresses pure chemicals and consequently is not capable of analyzing the complexities of
atmospheric chemistry associated with chemical reactions and mixtures of chemicals;
• It does not have any algorithms that account for dry deposition, wet deposition, plume depletion,
and resuspension. Therefore, it does not do particularly well for releases that contain particulates;
• It is a segmented Gaussian plume model, which limits its ability to address complex flows
associated with topography; and
• Like all Gaussian models that are steady-state by definition, is not reliable for very low wind
speeds, for very stable atmospheric conditions, for shifting winds and terrain-steering situations,
or for concentration patchiness.
9.7.1.2 EPICODE
EPIcode was originally developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to provide
emergency response personnel and emergency planners with a software tool to help evaluate downwind
concentrations from atmospheric releases of toxic substances. It can also be used for safety analysis
planning purposes for facilities handling toxic chemicals.
Section 295
EPIcode has many similarities to ALOHA, in that it is a straight-line Gaussian model with an extensive
chemical library. However, unlike ALOHA, it can only address direct and evaporating puddle chemical
release situations since it does not contain pipe and tank sub-models.
The version of EPICode that is in the DOE Central Registry is EPICode Version 7.0. Attributes and
limitations of a more recent version are presented below:
EPIcode Version 8.0.2 (EPIcode, 2015) has the following attributes:
• It can assess area releases, fire releases, and explosion releases; but not the energetics associated
with these accidents;
• Its chemical library is slightly smaller than that in ALOHA, but it still addresses more than 600
specific chemicals;
• It has algorithms for dry deposition;
• It allows fast estimation and assessment of chemical release scenarios associated with accidents
from industry and transportation;
• It is menu-driven and user friendly, requiring minimal user training;
• It contains a good graphics package; and
• Its User Manual also contains 11 case studies showing how the code can assess a wide range of
chemical accident scenarios.
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EPIcode Version 8.0.2 has the following limitations:
• It has a very simple evaporation rate algorithm.
• It only addresses pure chemicals and consequently is not capable of analyzing the complexities of
atmospheric chemistry associated with chemical reactions and mixtures of chemicals;
• It does not have any algorithms that account for wet deposition and resuspension;
• It is a straight-line Gaussian model, which limits its ability to address complex flows associated
with topography; and
• Like all Gaussian models that are steady-state by definition, is not reliable for very low wind
speeds, for very stable atmospheric conditions, for shifting winds and terrain-steering situations
or for concentration patchiness.
9.7.1.3 CHEMICAL DISPERSION ANALYSIS WITH ALOHA AND EPICODE
A parametric study from a very limited data set, provides insight to important sensitivities related to
modeling evaporative chemicals with earlier versions of ALOHA and EPIcode and analysis of the
concentrations at a 100-m distance (Thoman et al., 2006). This study, summarized in Table 9-6, yielded
the following conclusions for ALOHA:
• Class F stability at 1 m/s wind speed for a rural region of transport is bounding relative to urban
conditions for both EPIcode and ALOHA. The same conclusion holds for the results comparing
the Class D stability at 2 m/s results; and
• ALOHA dense gas results for Class D stability at 2 m/s wind speed bounds the Gaussian
neutrally-buoyant gas results for both rural and urban regions of transport, and the rural terrain
dense gas results for Class D stability at 2 m/s wind speed are bounding relative to the urban
terrain dense gas results.
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Table 9-6. ALOHA Results for Evaporative Releases of Four Selected Chemicals.
Chemical
Released
Dispersion
Model104
Region of
Transport
Stability class/
wind speed
(m/s)
Release rate
(g/s)
Concentration at
100 m (mg/m3)
Nitric Acid GNB Rural F/1 5.3 2.3 E2
DG Rural F/1 5.3 8.8 E1
GNB Urban F/1 5.3 4.8 E1
DG Urban F/1 5.3 6.1 E1
Nitric Acid GNB Rural D/2 9.1 3.2 E1
DG Rural D/2 9.1 7.3 E1
GNB Urban D/2 9.1 1.3 E1
DG Urban D/2 9.1 4.9 E1
Chlorine GNB Rural F/1 2100 2.1 E4
DG Rural F/1 2100 3.0 E3
GNB Urban F/1 2100 4.4 E3
DG Urban F/1 2100 1.5 E3
Section 296
Chlorine GNB Rural D/2 2800 2.4 E3
DG Rural D/2 2800 2.6 E3
GNB Urban D/2 2800 9.5 E2
DG Urban D/2 2800 1.6 E3
Benzene GNB Rural F/1 9.6 4.3 E2
DG Rural F/1 9.6 1.3 E2
GNB Urban F/1 9.6 9.0 E1
DG Urban F/1 9.6 9.1 E1
Benzene GNB Rural D/2 17 4.9 E1
DG Rural D/2 17 1.1 E2
GNB Urban D/2 17 2.0 E1
DG Urban D/2 17 7.4 E1
Ammonia GNB Rural F/1 400 6.9 E3
DG Rural F/1 400 7.6 E2
GNB Urban F/1 400 1.4 E3
DG Urban F/1 400 6.7 E2
Ammonia GNB Rural D/2 540 8.6 E2
DG Rural D/2 540 1.3 E3
GNB Urban D/2 540 3.5 E2
DG Urban D/2 540 8.7 E2
For the same chemical release under evaporative conditions, the neutrally-buoyant Gaussian model
ALOHA results for the F stability conditions and 1 m/s wind speed for a rural region of transport bounds
104 GNB = Gaussian neutrally-buoyant; DG = Dense Gas or heavy gas
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all other dense gas results in both rural and urban regions of transport and all other neutrally-buoyant
Gaussian model results. For example, the Gaussian neutrally-buoyant nitric acid result of 230 mg/m3 for
F stability and 1 m/s wind speed bounds the other seven chlorine results obtained using the ALOHA
model. Chemical release concentrations for the three other toxic chemicals also showed the same
bounding value for Class F stability conditions and 1 m/s wind speed for a rural region of transport.
Both EPIcode and ALOHA allow the evaporative source term and dispersion calculations to be coupled
such that the plume exposure time reflects the time over which the evaporation release occurs. For
EPIcode, an evaporation rate that is constant with time is modeled. ALOHA calculates a time–varying
evaporative release rate that is reflected in downwind concentrations that are observed to vary with time
as shown in Figure 9-3.
Figure 9-3. Example of ALOHA concentration output from an evaporative pool of hydrogen
chloride.
It should be emphasized that this parametric study is based on a limited data base and its results should
not be overly generalized.
9.7.2 DENSE GAS DISPERSION MODELS
Practically all of the hazardous chemicals that are stored and/or used at DOE facilities have densities
greater than dry air. Some exceptions include anhydrous ammonia, nitric oxide and carbon monoxide.
Several heavy gas or dense gas codes have been developed to analyze the slumping effects of an
accidental release of a dense gas. Each of these codes has been recommended for application in a broad
range of safety basis documentation by APAC Working Group 6 (APAC6, 1997).
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9.7.2.1 ALOHA
ALOHA can also be executed in heavy gas mode, if not bypassed by the user, for a release of a chemical
with a molecular weight of greater than the molecular weight of dry air (28.97 g/mol) given that the
critical Bulk Richardson number criterion is fulfilled during release conditions. ALOHA contains a
stripped down version of the DEGADIS code to address the effects of heavy gases.
ALOHA can be run in Gaussian mode or dense gas mode. For dense gas applications, the dense gas
model operates until the critical Bulk Richardson number is reached as the dense gas plume gradually
entrains ambient air into the blanket. Once sufficient ambient air is within the dense gas blanket, it
becomes neutrally-buoyant and ALOHA switches to the Gaussian model.
NSRD-2015-TD01 concluded:
The ALOHA neutrally-buoyant Gaussian model results for a rural region of transport bounds all other
dense gas results in both rural and urban regions of transport, as well as all other neutrally-buoyant
Gaussian model results.
Section 297
This is applicable to ground-level chemical releases and the health impact at a CW at 100 m for
meteorological conditions of 1.0 m/s and F stability class.
9.7.2.2 DEGADIS
Version 1 of the Dense Gas Dispersion (DEGADIS) model was developed by the University of Arkansas
for the United States Coast Guard and the Gas Research Institute in 1985. In 1988, Havens (1988)
interfaced Ooms’ 1974 jet model to develop Version 2.0. The present Version 2.1 was established in
1989 through the work of Spicer and Havens (EPA-450/4-89-019).
EPA lists DEGADIS as an “Appendix B” refined air quality model that may be considered for individual
regulatory applications on a case-by-case basis. It presently manages the maintenance of the model
(EPA-450/4-88-006a; EPA-450/4-89-019). Updates can be accessed through the EPA Support Center for
Regulatory Atmospheric Modeling bulletin board: http://www.epa.gov/scram001/tt22.htm#degadis.
Although the model is relatively easy to run, the analyst should take special care to fully understand the
user options and the data input requirements, for example, distinctions between isothermal and non-
isothermal simulations.
DEGADIS has the following attributes:
• It can address the transport and diffusion of many types of dense gas releases and account for a
variety of surface roughness elements; and
• It can also simulate atmospheric transport and diffusion of pure chemical releases in passive-
dispersion flow regimes.
DEGADIS has the following limitations:
• It does not have a front-end chemical library that the ALOHA and EPIcode models have.
Correspondingly, the analyst should couple the DEGADIS dispersion results with chemical
source terms generated from other models; and
http://www.epa.gov/scram001/tt22.htm%23degadis
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• It cannot address buoyant plumes, although it is usually chosen for application for cases where
the plume slumps due to its own density.
9.7.2.3 HGSYSTEM
Heavy Gas (HG) SYSTEM was developed for the American Petroleum Institute in 1990. Its current
version, 3.0, was released in 1994.
Unlike DEGADIS and SLAB, HGSYSTEM is able to generate its own chemical source terms and
therefore does not need to be supplied with an additional modeling technique.
HGSYSTEM has the following attributes:
• It can efficiently handle time-dependent dispersion by an internal automated selection of
advection and averaging time; and
• It can also treat multi-component mixtures and vapor-aerosol generation.
HGSYSTEM has the following limitations:
• Proper training is needed. Although not as complex as a research-grade model, the user needs
prior experience and familiarity with the code’s features since there are a large number of
alternative options available that need to be fully understood; and
• It also has had difficulty in appropriately quantifying evaporation under low exit velocity release
conditions and very stable low wind speed meteorological conditions.
A specially designed HGSYSTEM-UF6 model has been developed for use in the accident analysis of Oak
Ridge facilities to quantify the chemical consequences from a release of uranium hexafluoride.
9.7.2.4 SLAB
SLAB was developed from basic research involving experiments with chemical releases at China Lake,
CA and the Nevada Test Site in the early 1980s (Ermak, 1990).
SLAB has the following attributes:
• It is not only easy to use, but it can be applied to a wide range of chemical release scenarios.
These include application to jets released at any angle to evaporative area sources to
instantaneous sources.; and
Section 298
• It also contains a unique averaging time algorithm that allows application of the model to time-
varying source emissions.
SLAB has the following limitations:
• Like DEGADIS, it does not have a front-end chemical library that the ALOHA and EPIcode
models have;
• The analyst should couple the SLAB transport and diffusion results with chemical source terms
generated from other models; and
• SLAB cannot address buoyant plumes.
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9.7.3 VARIABLE TRAJECTORY DISPERSION MODELS
The frame of reference of all steady-state two-dimensional Gaussian-type models is Eulerian, meaning
that the receptor is on a fixed coordinate system and receives no impact until the plume front reaches it.
For sites that are located in regions that experience three-dimensional flows due to complex terrain (such
as valley-mountain wind regimes) or due to temperature differences at land-water interfaces (such as sea
breezes, lake breezes), the application domain of Eulerian codes is severely limited.
For the evaluation of chemical releases at locations with complex air flows, three-dimensional Lagrangian
mass-consistent codes, (e.g., codes developed at NARAC) need to be considered for toxic chemical
releases. Since the distance to the CW is sufficiently close enough where airflow trajectory reversals
have not yet begun to occur, there is no practical need to be concerned with these complex terrain effects
for this application. However, since the public is usually far enough away to experience the effects of
airflow trajectory reversals, which are common at some DOE sites (Y-12, ORNL, NNSS, LANL,
Hanford, INL), for that evaluation, a three-dimensional Lagrangian mass-consistent variable trajectory
model would provide more accurate results than a Gaussian model that provides more bounding results.
Several models have been developed to characterize atmospheric dispersion in regions of complex terrain.
A few of these models that can be applied to address the effects of chemical as well as radiological
releases in mountain-valley and sea breeze topographic settings include:
• NARAC codes;
• HYSPLIT;
• HYRAD;
• AERMOD; and
• CTDMPLUS.
9.7.4 RESEARCH-GRADE DISPERSION MODELS
Several research grade atmospheric dispersion models are applicable to chemical consequence analysis.
The APAC Working Groups reviewed several of these codes, which include:
• HOTMAC/RAPTAD;
• FEM3C;
• SCIPUFF;
• VDI; and
• VLSTRACK.
The analyst is referred to the APAC Working Group 6 (APAC6, 1997) report for further information
regarding the applicability of any of these codes to specific problem solving.
9.8 TOXIC CHEMICAL CONSEQUENCE SCOPING METHODOLOGY TO
EXCEED PAC/TEEL VALUES
As discussed in Section 2.3.2, Chemical Hazard Evaluation and Section 9.3, Chemical Screening Criteria,
chemical hazards are screened for further hazard evaluation by applying criteria such as in Section A.2 of
the DOE-STD-3009-2014. For some of those hazards that are not screened out, a qualitative evaluation
of toxic chemical consequences is generally sufficient to provide a basis for comparison to the qualitative
consequence thresholds in Table 2-8, Consequence Thresholds, of this Handbook. However, for some of
those hazards that are not screened out, a quantitative evaluation may be necessary to determine impacts
to CWs, the MOI, and the public, when the toxic chemical hazards have the potential to exceed the SS
control selection criteria.
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Section 299
This section provides a simplified quantitative scoping methodology for determination of toxic chemical
quantities that are sufficient to challenge the screening criteria. This scoping methodology is based on
EPA-550-B-99-009 for liquid evaporation, and from a 2007 calculation, “Chemical Threshold Quantities
for Safety Basis Categorization,” for gas, powder, and solid releases. PAC/TEEL-2 and PAC/TEEL-3
values were adjusted for Revision 29 values (PAC, 2016). Note that this is only one type of methodology
receiving a positive review. Other equivalent methodologies may be acceptable.
This scoping methodology is applied to the following toxic chemical releases:
• Gas, powder, and solid release (Section 9.8.1); and
• Evaporation of a liquid release (Section 9.8.2).
Section 9.8.3 compares the scoping methods to applicable PAC/TEEL values for the MOI high
consequence case.
9.8.1 GAS, POWDER, AND SOLID RELEASE MODEL
For all of the cases presented, the downwind toxic chemical concentration, C(x), in mg/m3, can be
described by Equation 9-93:
𝑪𝑪(𝒙𝒙) = 𝑸𝑸′ × 𝝌𝝌/𝑸𝑸(𝒙𝒙) Equation 9-93
Where,
Q’ = release rate (mg/s)
χ/Q (x) = atmospheric dispersion factor at receptor of interest distance (x) (s/m3)
The distinction between powders and solids is based on how they are treated in the DOE-HDBK-3010-94,
and Chapter 5 of this Handbook. For gas, powder, and solid releases, the model to calculate the release
rate, (Q’) of a toxic chemical (i.e., MAR) that will exceed applicable PAC/TEEL values is calculated by
Equation 9-94:
𝑸𝑸′ = 𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺/𝒕𝒕 Equation 9-94
Where,
ST = source term released to air (mg)
t = release duration (s)
Assume 900 s for 15-min (900 s) TWA as discussed in Section 9.4.1.1, Chemical Exposure Time.
The five-factor ST formula from Equation 5-1 can be reduced to ST = MARxARF based on a
conservative assumption for the unmitigated analysis that all of the MAR is released or spilled (DR =
1.0), all released MAR is of respirable size (RF = 1.0)105, and all of the airborne release within a facility is
released to the environment (LPF = 1.0)106. Combining this conservative ST equation with Equations 9-
105 EPA-550-B-99-009 allows <100 µm fraction with 1.0 ARF for powders released over 10 minutes. However, this
is not used in this screening calculation
106 EPA-550-B-99-009 allows a LPF = 0.55 for in-facility deposition. However, this is not used in this screening
calculation.
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93 and 9-94, the MAR quantity released or spilled is presented as a function of the concentration, release
duration, ARF, and atmospheric dispersion factor in Equation 9-95:
𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴 = [𝑪𝑪(𝒙𝒙) × 𝒕𝒕]/[𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨× 𝝌𝝌 𝑸𝑸(𝒙𝒙)⁄ ] Equation 9-95
For this scoping calculation, estimates of ARF based on a similar logic applied for nuclear hazard
categorization determinations, are assumed to be bounding for particular chemical and potential accident
stresses being evaluated as follows:
ARF = 1.0 for a gas
ARF = 0.01 for a powder
ARF = 0.001 for a solid107
9.8.2 LIQUID EVAPORATION SCOPING CALCULATION MODEL
This EPA technique is for a 15-minute average evaporation rate. Should the analyst need to address time-
varying evaporation, this technique is not recommended, as the application domain of the EPA model is
insufficient. More comprehensive techniques which were presented in Section 9.5.4 are recommended.
Section 300
For sub-cooled liquids, where no heated correction factor is required, the evaporation model used to
calculate the release rate, Q’, is from EPA-550-B-99-009, Equation D-1 (see the EPA reference for its
derivation and English to metric unit conversions that are reflected in the constants in the Equation 9-96),
which is based on surface area and volume of the spill, density, vapor pressure, and molecular weight of
the liquid; and wind speed; as shown in Equation 9-96:
𝑸𝑸′ = �𝟎𝟎.𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 × 𝒖𝒖𝟎𝟎.𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 × 𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝟐𝟐 𝟑𝟑⁄ × 𝑨𝑨 × 𝑽𝑽𝑽𝑽�/[𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 × 𝑻𝑻] Equation 9-96
Where,
Q’ = release rate (lb/min)
U = wind speed (m/s)
Assume U = 1.0 m/s, Class F Stability to be consistent with 95th percentile χ/Q.
MW = molecular weight
A = V/h = unconfined surface area of pool (1 cm depth per EPA-550-B-99-005),
converted to ft)
h = dike height for confined pool (ft)
V = MAR/ρ = volume of liquid spilled (ft3)
ρ = density of liquid = specific gravity × 1.0 g/cm3
VP = vapor pressure at ambient temperature (mm Hg)
𝑽𝑽𝑽𝑽 = [𝑽𝑽𝑽𝑽𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 𝑻𝑻𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅⁄ ] × 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐°𝑲𝑲 [𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐℃] Equation 9-97
T = liquid temperature (K)
107 EPA-550-B-99-009 evaluates powder in solution, or solids in molten form, with different methods.
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Equation 9-97 is based on the method from the calculation that adjusts the VP for temperatures other than
25°C108 by the Ideal Gas Law.109 VP is the most sensitive parameter for application of Equation 9-96,
and can be obtained from the PAC/TEEL website for pure chemicals, or for lesser concentrations, can be
obtained from chemical references such as Green and Perry (2007). As an alternate method to Equation
9-96, Figure 9-4 illustrates how the vapor pressure varies as a function of the liquid temperature for a 70
wt% nitric acid water solution. The vapor pressure data are from Table 3-16 of the Chemical Engineers’
Handbook (Green and Perry, 2007), and from EPIcode predictions from a site-specific evaluation.
Figure 9-4. Comparison of Vapor Pressure Data vs. EPIcode Fit for 70 wt% Nitric Acid.
A recommended release rate correction factor (CF) to account for liquids with high vapor pressure at
ambient T of 298°K (25°C) is shown in Eq. 9-98.
𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪 = −[𝑷𝑷𝒂𝒂 𝑽𝑽𝑽𝑽⁄ ] × [𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍(𝟏𝟏 − 𝑽𝑽𝑽𝑽 𝑷𝑷𝒂𝒂⁄ )] Equation 9-98
108 That calculation was based on 20°C, which has been revised to 25°C per the EPA methodology used for this
scoping calculation.
109 According to the linear function from zero at 0° K to the tabulated vapor pressure and temperature from a
chemical reference.
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Where,
Pa = 760 mm Hg ambient pressure @ Standard Temperature and Pressure, or local ambient Pa
For liquids with high vapor pressures, the corrected release rate (mg/s) becomes:
𝑸𝑸′′ 𝑨𝑨⁄ = 𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪 × �𝟎𝟎.𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 × 𝒖𝒖𝟎𝟎.𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 × 𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝟐𝟐 𝟑𝟑⁄ × 𝑽𝑽𝑽𝑽�/[𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 × 𝑻𝑻] Equation 9-99
Section 301
The spill temperature, T, should be selected considering the range of possible liquid temperatures,
consistent with the storage/operating temperature or the temperature of the environment. For common
operational spills of liquids, not resulting from fire events, if conditions differ significantly from the
default 25°C (77 °F) from EPA-550-B-99-009, the spill temperature should be selected as the greater of:
(1) the maximum storage/operating temperature; or, (2) the highest maximum daily temperature for the
previous three years (40 CFR § 68.25(d)(2)). The EPA-550-B-99-009 guidance assumes meteorological
conditions for the worst-case scenario of Class F (stable atmosphere) and wind speed 1.5 m/s (3.4 mph),
which is roughly equivalent to the 95th percentile dispersion condition required by DOE-STD-3009. For
this conservative dispersion condition, EPA also allows use of an ambient air temperature of 25 °C (77
°F) for the worst case scenario when applying Equation 9-99, even if the maximum temperature at the site
in the last three years is higher. However, an exception is provided if other methods and codes are being
used). As an alternative, the analyst could consider whether an ambient temperature for conservative
dispersion conditions consistent with their 95th percentile χ/Q calculation is a sufficiently conservative
assumption for the spill temperature.
For spills of liquids under fire conditions where the fire is of sufficient size to cause bulk boiling of the
spilled liquid, the spill temperature should be selected as the normal boiling point of the spilled material.
Otherwise, the spill temperature should be selected as discussed above. Other corrections (such as VP,
density) are also required as recommended in EPA-550-B-99-009.
The time to evaporate the entire MAR spilled or released, tevap, is:
𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆 = [𝝆𝝆 × 𝒉𝒉]/[𝑸𝑸′′ 𝑨𝑨⁄ ] Equation 9-100
Using Equations 9-99 and 9-100 with Equation 9-95, the quantity of toxic chemical MAR to exceed a
specified concentration for high vapor pressure liquids, at a downwind distance can be calculated as
shown in Equation 9-101:
𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴 = [𝑪𝑪(𝒙𝒙) × 𝝆𝝆 × 𝒉𝒉] [𝑸𝑸′′ 𝑨𝑨⁄ × 𝝌𝝌 𝑸𝑸(𝒙𝒙)⁄ ]⁄ × �𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎⁄ �𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆,𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗�� Equation 9-101
Note that the last term of Equation 9-101 adjusts for rapid tevap < 900 s, or makes no adjustment for slow
evaporation > 900 s. Thus, for evaporation that takes place over a >900 sec period, the last term is unity.
Lastly, the tevap term can be modified by multiplying by % weight fraction of chemical concentration for
liquids with impurities using Raoult’s Law (Smith, J. M., et al., 2005).
9.8.3 SCREENING METHOD FOR MAXIMALLY-EXPOSED OFFSITE INDIVIDUAL (MOI)
HIGH CONSEQUENCE
Since the release is assumed to be at ground-level, the MOI will be at the site boundary. For the MOI, the
relevant inputs to Equations 9-95 and 9-101 are:
C (site boundary) =PAC/TEEL-2 (PAC, 2016)
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χ/Q (site boundary) = normalized dispersion at site boundary for MOI (s/m3)
The MOI MAR quantity of toxic chemical to exceed PAC/TEEL-2 is determined for high VP liquid
releases and other releases applying Equations 9-102 and 9-103, respectively.
High VP liquid releases:
𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴 = [𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷 𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻⁄ − 𝟐𝟐 × 𝝆𝝆 × 𝒉𝒉] [𝑸𝑸′′ 𝑨𝑨⁄ × 𝝌𝝌 𝑸𝑸(𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃)⁄ ]⁄ ×
�𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎⁄ �𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆,𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗�� Equation 9-102
Other liquid releases:
𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴 = [𝑷𝑷𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 −⁄ 𝟐𝟐 × 𝒕𝒕] [𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨× 𝝌𝝌 𝑸𝑸(𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃)⁄ ]⁄ Equation 9-103
Section 302
To estimate the MAR that could exceed the MOI moderate consequence threshold, the high consequence
MAR can be multiplied by the PAC/TEEL-1/PAC/TEEL-2 ratio, or alternately, can be scaled by the
moderate CW consequence MAR by the χ/Q (100 m)/χ/Q(site boundary) ratio.
The site-specific overall 95th percentile sector independent χ/Q or 99.5th percentile sector dependent χ/Q
as determined by Section 6.1.10 of this Handbook, is applicable. Alternately, the following conservative
assumptions can be made using the Tadmor-Gur rural dispersion factors for Class F stability and wind
speed of 1 m/s, with a 3 cm surface roughness factor assumed in the modeling protocol. Note that this is
the same as the reference value from the original experiments.
For illustration purposes, a minimum distance to the site boundary of 1 km is used in the following
equations and in Section 9.9.
𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛(𝒙𝒙) = 𝟎𝟎.𝟐𝟐 × 𝒙𝒙𝟎𝟎.𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 × (𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑⁄ )𝟎𝟎.𝟐𝟐 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 Equation 9-104
𝝈𝝈𝒚𝒚(𝒙𝒙) = 𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎× 𝒙𝒙𝟎𝟎.𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑.𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 Equation 9-105
𝝌𝝌 𝑸𝑸⁄ (𝒙𝒙) = �𝝅𝝅 × 𝒖𝒖 × 𝝈𝝈𝒚𝒚(𝒙𝒙) × 𝝈𝝈𝒛𝒛(𝒙𝒙)�−𝟏𝟏 = 𝟔𝟔.𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 𝑬𝑬 − 𝟒𝟒𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒎𝟑𝟑⁄ 𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 Equation 9-106
9.9 EXAMPLE TOXIC CHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
Four example calculations, presented in Sections 9.9.1 through 9.9.4 representing a range of plausible
release types and liquid release vapor pressures, are provided in the following subsections:
• Ammonia gas;
• Aluminum oxide powder;
• Liquid 70% nitric acid evaporation (unconfined spill); and
• Liquid 55% hydrofluoric acid evaporation (confined spill into a diked area).
These are based on the CW method, exceeding the PAC/TEEL-3 threshold. As previously indicated,
these results can be scaled to estimate the quantity to exceed PAC/TEEL-2 moderate consequence for the
CW or to exceed the MOI high PAC/TEEL-2 threshold or moderate PAC/TEEL-1 threshold. The last
calculation in Section 9.9.4 looks at unmitigated and mitigated analyses for the CW and MOI for two
PAC/TEEL criteria.
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9.9.1 EXAMPLE 1: CALCULATE AMMONIA GAS QUANTITY THAT EXCEEDS
PAC/TEEL-3 AT THE CW
Equation 9-103, modified for the CW χ/Q (100m) = 3.5E-3 s/m3, applies to this example with the
following inputs and assumptions:
C (100 m) = PAC/TEEL-3 at 100 m = 770 mg/m3 [PAC, 2016] for ammonia CASRN 7664-41-7
t = 900 s [15 min TWA]
ARF = 1.0 for gaseous release
χ/Q (100m) = 3.5E-3 s/m3
MAR = [PAC/TEEL-3 × t]/[ARF × 3.5 E-3 s/m3]
MAR (100 m) = [(770 mg/m3)(900 s)] / [(1.0)(3.5E-3 s/m3)] × [lb/453.6 g × g/1,000 mg]
Conclusion: MAR = 4.37E+2 lb or greater of ammonia gas, needs to be released to exceed
PAC/TEEL-3 at the CW.
9.9.2 EXAMPLE 2: CALCULATE ALUMINUM OXIDE POWDER QUANTITY THAT
EXCEEDS PAC/TEEL-3 AT THE CW
Equation 9-103, modified for the CW χ/Q (100m) = 3.5E-3 s/m3, applies to this example with the
following inputs and assumptions:
C (100 m) = PAC/TEEL-3 at 100 m = 990 mg/m3 [PAC, 2016] for aluminum oxide, CASRN 1344-
28-1
t = 900 s [15 min TWA]
ARF = 0.01 for powder release
χ/Q (100m) = 3.5E-3 s/m3
MAR = [PAC/TEEL-3 × t]/[ARF × 3.5E-3 s/m3]
MAR (100 m) = [(990 mg/m3)(900 s)] / [(0.01)(3.5E-3 s/m3)] × [lb/453.6 g × g/1,000 mg]
Conclusion: MAR = 5.6E+4 lb or greater of aluminum oxide, needs to be spilled to exceed
PAC/TEEL-3 at the CW.
9.9.3 EXAMPLE 3: CALCULATE LIQUID 70% NITRIC ACID QUANTITY THAT
EXCEEDS PAC/TEEL VALUES AT 1 KM SITE BOUNDARY
Section 303
Eq.9-102, modified for the CW χ/Q (100m) = 3.5E-3 s/m3, applies to this example with the following
inputs and assumptions: 70% nitric acid is a high vapor pressure release, and spill occurs at sea level
under Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP) conditions. Note that ARF is not applicable to a liquid
evaporation release, and the duration (t) is the evaporation time if less than the 15-min as used for the
TWA calculation. References for the input data are included in [brackets].
PAC/TEEL-3 = 92 ppm = 240 mg/m3 [2.58 mg/m3/ppm from PAC, 2016] for nitric acid, CASRN 7697-
37-2.
MW = 63.01 g/mol
VP = 4.49 mm Hg @ 26.4°C (299.4°K) [data provided by vendor specifications]
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VP = [VPdata /Tdata] × 298°K
VP = (4.49 mm Hg)/(299.4°K/298°K) = 4.47 mm Hg @ 25°C (298°K)
SpG = 1.4134 @ 20°C (293°K)
ρ = 1.4134 g/cm3
T = temperature of liquid = ambient 25°C = 298°K
Pa = 760 mm Hg @ ambient STP
h = 1.0 cm; depth of unconfined puddle (EPA-550-B-99-005)
u = 1.0 m/s; wind speed [consistent with χ/Q wind speed assumption for Class F stability]
Q’ = [0.284 × u0.78 × MW2/3 × A × VP]/[82.05 × T]
Q’/A = [0.284 × u0.78 × MW2/3 × VP]/[82.05 × T]
Q’/A = [0.284 × (1 m/s) 0.78 × (63.01)2/3 × (4.47 mm Hg)]/[82.05 × 298K] = 8.22E-4 lb/min/ft2
CF = - [Pa /VP] × [ln (1 – VP/Pa)]
CF = - [(760 mm Hg)/(4.47 mm Hg)] × [ln (1 – (4.47 mm Hg)/(760 mm Hg)] = 1.003
Q’’/A = CF × [0.284 × u0.78 × MW2/3 × VP]/[82.05 × T]
Q’’/A = (1.003)(8.22E-4 lb/min/ft2) = 8.24E-4 lb/min/ft2
Q’’/A = (8.24E-4 lb/min/ft2)(453.6 g/lb)(min/60 s)(0.0328 ft/cm)2 = 6.71E-6 g/s/cm2
tevap = [ρ × h]/[Q’’/A]
tevap = [(1.4134 g/cm3) × (1.0 cm)]/[(6.71E-6 g/s/cm2)] = 2.1E+5 s (min/60 s) = 3.5E+3 min > 15 min
(no adjustment =1).
MAR = [PAC/TEEL-3 × ρ × h]/[Q’’/A × 3.5E-3 s/m3] × [900/minimum (tevap, 900)]
MAR = [(240 mg/m3)( 1.4134 g/cm3)(1.0 cm)] / [(6.71E-6 g/s/cm2) × (3.5E-3 s/m3)] × [1] ×
(lb/453.6 g) × (g/1,000 mg)
Conclusion: MAR = 3.2E+4 lb or greater of 70% nitric acid needs to be spilled, to exceed
PAC/TEEL-3 at the CW.
For perspective, a spill of 3.2E+4 lb of 70% nitric acid translates to:
Volume spilled = 2,666 gal
Puddle area = 81,271 ft2
Puddle diameter = 322 ft
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To exceed High MOI consequences at 1 km, Equation 9-102 applies with the following inputs:
PAC/TEEL-2 = 62 mg/m3 [PAC, 2016]
χ/Q (site boundary) = 6.73E-4 s/m3
MAR = [PAC/TEEL-2 × ρ × h]/[Q’’/A × χ/Q (site boundary)] × [900/minimum (tevap, 900)]
MAR = [(62 mg/m3)(1.4134 g/cm3)(1.0 cm)]/[(6.71E-6 g/s/cm2)(6.73E-4 s/m3)] × [1] ×
(lb/453.6 g) × (g/1,000 mg)
Conclusion: MAR = 4.28E+4 lb or greater of 70% nitric acid needs to be spilled, to exceed
PAC/TEEL-2 at a site boundary distance.
9.9.4 EXAMPLE 4: CALCULATE LIQUID 55% HYDROFLUORIC ACID QUANTITY THAT
EXCEEDS PAC/TEEL VALUES AT 1 KM SITE BOUNDARY
Equation 9-102, modified for the CW χ/Q (100m) = 3.5E-3 s/m3, applies to this example with the
following inputs and assumptions: 55% hydrofluoric acid is a high vapor pressure release, and spill
occurs at sea level under STP conditions. ARF is not applicable to a liquid evaporation release, and the
duration (t) is the evaporation time if less than the 15-min as used for the TWA calculation. References
for the input data are included in [brackets].
PAC/TEEL-3 = 36 mg/m3 [PAC, 2016] for hydrofluoric acid, CASRN 7664-39-3.
MW = 20.01g/mol
VP = 50 mm Hg @ 25°C [data provided by vendor specifications]
VP = [VPdata / Tdata] × 298°K
Section 304
VP = (50 mm Hg)/(298°K/298°K) = 50 mm Hg
ρ = 100,000 lb /1,353 ft3 = 73.91 lb/ft3 [based on vendor specifications for design of a dike]
= 73.91 lb/ft3 × 453.6 g/lb / 28,317 cm3/ft3= 1.184 g/cm3
T = temperature of liquid = ambient 25°C = 298°K
Pa = 760 mm Hg @ ambient STP
h = 92.7 cm depth in dike [see liquid depth data]
u = 1.0 m/s wind speed [consistent with χ/Q wind speed assumption for Class F stability]
Q’ = [0.284 × u0.78 × MW2/3 × A × VP]/[82.05 × T]
Q’/A = [0.284 × u0.78 × MW2/3 × VP] / [82.05 × T]
Q’/A = [0.284 × (1.0 m/s) 0.78 × (20.01)2/3 × (50 mm Hg)]/[82.05 × 298K] = 4.3E-3 lb/min/ft2
CF = - [Pa /VP] × [ln (1 – VP/Pa)]
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CF = - [(760 mm Hg)/(50 mm Hg)] × [ln (1 – (50 mm Hg)/(760 mm Hg)] = 1.034
Q’’/A = CF × [0.284 × u0.78 × MW2/3 × VP]/[82.05 × T]
Q’’/A = (1.034) (4.3E-3 lb/min/ft2) = 4.4E-3 lb/min/ft2
Q’’/A = (4.4E-3 lb/min/ft2)(453.6 g/lb)(min/60 s)(0.0328 ft/cm)2 = 3.6E-5 g/s/cm2
tevap = [ρ × h]/[Q’’/A]
tevap = [(1.184 g/cm3) × (92.7 cm)]/[(3.6E-5 g/s/cm2)] = 3.05E+6 s (min/60 s) = 5.08E+4 min > 15 min
(no adjustment =1).
MAR = [PAC/TEEL-3 × ρ × h]/[Q’’/A × 3.5E-3 s/m3] × [900/minimum (tevap, 900)]
MAR = [(36 mg/m3)(1.184 g/cm3)(92.7 cm)]/[(3.6E-5 g/s/cm2) × (3.5E-3 s/m3)] × [1] ×
(lb/453.6 g ) × (g/1,000 mg)
Conclusion: MAR = 6.9E+4 lb or greater of 55% hydrofluoric acid, needs to be spilled to exceed
PAC/TEEL-3 at the CW.
For perspective, a spill of 6.9E+4 lb of 55% hydrofluoric acid translates to about 7E+3 gal for a density
around 74 lb/ft3.
To exceed High MOI consequences at 1 km, Equation 9-102 applies with the following inputs:
PAC/TEEL-2 = 20 mg/m3 [PAC, 2016]
χ/Q (site boundary) = 6.73E-4 s/m3
MAR = [PAC/TEEL-2 × ρ × h]/[Q’’/A × χ/Q (site boundary)] × [900/minimum (tevap, 900)]
MAR = [(20 mg/m3)(1.184 g/cm3)(92.7 cm)]/[(3.6E-5 g/s/cm2)(6.73E-4 s/m3)] × [1] ×
(lb/453.6 g) × (g/1,000 mg)
Conclusion: MAR = 2.0E+5 lb or greater of 55% hydrofluoric acid, needs to be spilled to exceed
PAC/TEEL-2 at a 1 km site boundary distance.
10 HAZARD CONTROL SELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION
Hazard controls are those engineered and administrative measures that act to prevent or mitigate hazards
to workers, the public, or the environment. The primary purpose of the hazard and accident analysis is to
select appropriate hazard controls and classify their importance to safety.
The initial identification of selection of hazard controls typically occurs as part of the HA process and is
captured in the hazard evaluation table where potential means for preventing or mitigating the hazardous
conditions (or hazard scenarios as described in Chapter 2) are listed. Identification of hazard controls
should start during the hazard identification phase and carry through the end of the hazard evaluation or
into the accident analysis phase.
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Depending on the scope of the HA, hazard controls may be selected from existing controls or proposed as
new controls. For design of a planned facility or major modification to an existing facility, the HA may
be used to propose controls for the facility. For an existing facility, the HA may be used to evaluate the
existing controls for the facility or recommended controls that may be needed.
In DSAs prepared for DOE HC-2 and -3 nuclear facilities, control selection is based on the unmitigated
evaluation of hazardous conditions and accidents scenarios110. An unmitigated consequence potential
above a predetermined level identifies events for which SS or SC controls may be needed. The mitigated
evaluation involves the functioning of designated preventive and/or mitigative hazard controls that reduce
consequence, likelihood, or both.
Section 305
The control selection methodology depends in part on the 10 CFR Part 830 Subpart B “safe harbor”
methodology being applied for the development of the DSA or other safety basis document. There are
differences between the guidance from DOE-STD-3009-94 CN3, and its successor document, DOE-STD-
3009-2014, and these also are different from other safe harbor methods such as the DOE-STD-1120-2016.
Also, DOE-STD-5506-2007 identifies preferred and alternate controls for a range of hazardous conditions
or DBA/EBAs that exist in many types of facilities that handle or dispose of TRU waste. Nonetheless,
the guidance herein is general enough to apply to most control selection applications; where specific
guidance from a safe harbor method is invoked, the appropriate reference is provided.
10.1 HAZARD CONTROL SELECTION
10.1.1 HAZARD CONTROL SELECTION PROCESS
The control selection process facilitates selection of those hazard controls that are relied on to prevent or
mitigate a potential hazardous condition or accident, based on formal hazards and accident analyses. The
process organizes and evaluates the initial identification of hazard controls from the hazard evaluation
portion of the HA then provides supplemental or specific controls that are effective in preventing or
mitigating postulated accidents from the formal accident analysis. The output is a compilation of controls
that are essential for protection of the public, for CWs and facility workers, and for defense in depth.
10.1.1.1 HAZARD AND ACCIDENT ANALYSIS INPUT TO CONTROL SELECTION
The hazard evaluation includes the initial identification of hazard controls that is an integral element of
most hazards evaluation techniques (see Section 2.8). There are several types of hazard controls
(engineered, administrative) that may be designated as part of the hazard evaluation process and various
ways to organize the information.
The potential severity of each hazard or hazardous condition identified in the hazard evaluation is
estimated as part of the process. Control selection as described in this section is not necessary for
accident scenarios that do not meet the criteria requiring SC or SS controls (i.e., are of low consequence
and/or likelihood). For such low-risk events, it is sufficient to confirm that the hazard is adequately
addressed by an implemented Safety Management Program, applicable regulatory requirements, and
engineering features. After attributing controls to low-risk events, the controls should be reviewed and
provided consideration as defense-in-depth or as a major contributor to defense-in-depth.
110 The term “accident” as used in this chapter may include “hazardous conditions” and “hazard scenarios” unless it
is specifically referring to DBA/EBA scenarios.
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Once the hazard scenarios are identified, the HA team identifies potential controls that are available for
these events and to identify candidate controls that are available to prevent or mitigate the postulated
accident scenarios. The list below details common practices for organizing information:
• A typical approach is to organize information into the bounding and/or representative hazardous
conditions such that a common set of controls may be effective for the conditions defined. The
bounding conditions facilitate the level of importance of the control set (e.g., SC); the
representative conditions provide a basis for selecting the minimum set of controls that will
address a common set of hazardous conditions.
Section 306
• It is usual that unique conditions exist that are not completely represented by a common
hazardous condition. This means that the candidate control set may be inadequate as well. In
that case, those unique conditions should be evaluated as single events for which hazard controls
will be determined.
• For a broad type of hazardous condition (e.g., fire events), it may be useful to represent different
magnitude conditions as separate events. In this case, smaller-scale conditions may be bounding
in frequency space, while larger-scale events may be bounding in consequence, or magnitude
space. It is appropriate to represent both events, as the candidate controls may be different for
each. For example, the smaller event may rely on preventive measures (e.g., ignition source
control) to preclude ignition of combustibles, while the larger event may rely on mitigative
measures (e.g., fire-rated barriers) to reduce the consequences of a major fire.
From the initial identification of hazard controls and throughout the process, the focus is to determine
those controls that are most effective and practicable in controlling a particular hazard in the conditions
analyzed. The HA team makes a final selection of controls that are relied on to perform or maintain a
safety function, including controls required to protect assumptions. Effective control sets generally
follow the recommended hierarchy111 from DOE-STD-3009-2014, Appendix A:
1. Engineered controls112 that are preventive and passive;
2. Engineered controls that are preventive and active;
3. Engineered controls that are mitigative and passive;
4. Engineered controls that are mitigative and active;
5. Administrative controls that are preventive; and
6. Administrative controls that are mitigative.
While this hierarchy is preferred, it may be determined that a hazard control lower in the hierarchy is
more effective, reliable, or appropriate for the facility in question and for a given scenario. In such cases,
a supporting basis should be developed for the selected hazard control.
The identification of hazard controls incorporates a defense-in-depth approach that builds layers of
defense against a significant release of radioactive or other hazardous materials such that no single layer
of defense is completely relied upon. This does not mean that all identified Safety Management Program
or other hazard controls are part of the selected set of hazard controls. The control selection process
evaluates the available pool of candidate controls from the hazard and accident analyses by considering
the hierarchy of controls described above. Other control selection considerations are further discussed in
Section 10.1.2, such as whether they are effective, efficient, reliable, and implementable.
111 According to DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section A.8, an exception to this hierarchy is confinement of radioactive
materials. In such cases, active confinement ventilation is preferred over passive confinement systems.
112 Engineered controls are described as “structures, systems, and components (SSCs)” in DOE-STD-3009.
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Bounding, representative and unique hazardous conditions are candidates for formal accident analysis
(see Chapter 3, Accident Analysis). The accident analysis evaluates phenomenology associated with the
various accident types as they apply to the specific facility or operations being analyzed. Hazard controls
from the hazard evaluation are further evaluated in the accident analysis (based on the insights from the
quantitative evaluation of accident conditions) to determine their safety classifications, as discussed later
in this chapter.
Section 307
10.1.1.2 HAZARD CONTROL TYPES
Controls selected are passive or active, preventive or mitigative, can be engineered or administrative, or
serve to protect initial conditions or crucial assumptions in the analysis. Each is discussed below.
Preventive Control: Prevents an accident scenario or accident from happening or decreases its
likelihood (frequency of occurrence). Preventative control approaches may act to prevent the initiation of
an accident scenario or to interrupt an accident scenario before it leads to a hazardous condition.
Prevention may also involve actions by an operator to shut down a process, close a valve, or take some
other protective action. Operator actions should be sparingly relied on as a control strategy, due to
inherent risk of inaction or error and overall less reliability than an engineered control. Preventive
controls are functional prior to the initiation of an event, but are not required to survive the event provided
the preventive function has been performed. The identification of such features is made without regard to
any possible pedigree of the feature, such as procurement level or existing safety classification. Note that
the elimination of a hazard (e.g., through substitution of a non-hazardous material) is not typically
considered a “preventive” measure, but such action falls within the definition of a hazard control, and so
should be documented when performed.
Mitigative Control: Decreases the potential consequences of the hazard scenario. It acts to reduce the
severity of the hazard scenario or accident by providing barriers to an uncontrolled release of radioactive
and other hazardous material or energy, such as confinement or shielding. Mitigation may also involve
action by facility workers to self-protect from hazardous conditions by evacuation or sheltering, even
though the accident sequence may continue uninterrupted (see Section 2.5.1, Qualitative Consequences,
for determination of unmitigated consequences). Note that some hazardous conditions may not provide
enough time to permit self-protective actions by workers, even if detection or monitoring capability
exists.
Some controls are purely mitigative, others are purely preventative, and still others are both mitigative
and preventative. Examples include:
• HEPA filtration is purely mitigative.
• The administrative control of preventing the entry of explosives into a nuclear facility is purely
preventive.
• Fire suppression sprinklers can be both preventive and mitigative, but not for the same scenario
(unless both functions are evaluated in an event tree analysis):
- Suppression of the size of the fire and associated radiological or hazardous material reduces
the consequence of the event (mitigative);
- Failure of the sprinkler system may be credited to reduce the likelihood of a large fire
(preventive) that has a larger radiological or hazardous material consequence than if it were
credited to suppress or control the fire; or
- Success of the sprinkler system may be credited to prevent any radiological or hazardous
material release (preventive).
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In practice, sprinklers are often considered preventive, that is, the controls are based on the preventive
feature of sprinklers, not the mitigative, and are credited to reduce the scenario likelihood due to the
failure of sprinklers, however, this is a site- or facility-specific decision.
Section 308
In some cases, systems or features can serve different safety functions to different receptors. For
example, shield walls are mitigative for the CW but may be preventive to facility workers by keeping
them out of a high radiation area.
Engineered Control: SSCs that perform a safety function by preventing or mitigating a postulated
hazardous condition or accident sequence. Engineered controls may be active or passive systems
designed to function in the postulated accident environment. Active engineered controls may require one
or more support systems or utilities to assure performance of their safety function. Failure mechanisms of
active controls should be evaluated to identify support systems whose failure could defeat the safety
function of the control. If an active control is found to not fail in a safe condition upon the loss of a
support system, that support system also becomes a hazard control. Passive design features are generally
more reliable than active systems when their design can withstand imposed loads or other environmental
conditions postulated by the hazardous condition or accident.
When developing an engineered system, the analyst should be aware of limitations of the system and
components taking into account the possibility that the event scenario may disable the functionality of the
candidate control. For example, consider the limitations of a detection system. A detection system may
be credited to lower a likelihood or consequence under some conditions, such as response to an alarm
may be credited to reduce the potential that a small fire may become a large one and thus limit the total
inventory involved. The analyst should take into account the possibility that the event scenario may
disable the functionality of the candidate detection system. Necessary protective measures to prevent the
loss of an engineered control due to the specific accident scenario progression will may also need to be
credited as part of the hazard control.
Administrative Controls (ACs): Controls that are dependent on human actions. These controls are
identified from the hazard evaluation and are designated as SACs, ACs, or are encompassed in safety
management programs as committed to by a general TSR AC requirement. ACs also include (a)
site/facility programs such as configuration management, (b) program elements such as control of
combustible materials, and (c) safety requirements such as criticality safety limits.
DOE-STD-3009 provides a listing of safety management programs for consideration. SMPs are designed
to ensure a facility is operated in a manner that adequately protects workers, the public, and the
environment. By definition (10 CFR §830.3), SMPs are programs that cover topics such as quality
assurance, maintenance of safety systems, personnel training, conduct of operations, criticality safety,
emergency preparedness, fire protection, waste management, and radiological protection of workers, the
public, and the environment. Where SMPs are selected as controls, the HA team should identify the most
important elements of the program being relied upon (see DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 4 [7.X.3]). The
HA team should also determine if additional safety management programs are required based on the
specific hazards present (e.g., explosives).
Section 309
Depending on the situation, some ACs that perform specific preventive or mitigative functions for
accident scenarios may be credited in the hazards evaluation or accident analysis. These are more
specific functions than implied by general commitments to SMPs, and they may need to be raised to a
higher importance level. Some of these ACs may have critical importance similar to or the same as those
that would be classified as SC or SS, if the safety functions or objectives were performed by engineered
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safety systems. These are called SACs. SACs are selected to provide a preventive or mitigative function
for specific accident scenarios, and having a safety importance equivalent to a safety SSC. A SAC may
replace or augment a safety SSC when an engineered feature is not available or not practicable. SACs
may also provide a limit or boundary condition for the hazard or accident analysis, such as a radioactive
material inventory limit. Refer to DOE-STD-1186-2016, Specific Administrative Controls, for discussion
of SAC types and examples, and to DOE-STD-3009-2014 discussions in Sections A.11 and A.12
regarding SMPs and SACs, respectively.
ACs and SACs may also protect initial conditions or assumptions made that provide the bounding
conditions in which hazard or accident scenarios are evaluated. Initial conditions and assumptions should
be explicitly identified in the event one or more of them constitute a hazard control to be further evaluated
for safety classification (see Chapters 2 and 3). Controls that protect assumptions are not credited for
either frequency or consequence reductions but need to be protected for basic assumptions used in the
analysis (e.g., MAR) to remain valid.
10.1.1.3 USE OF RISK MATRICES FOR CONTROL SELECTION
A method to supplement control selection uses a “risk matrix” approach, encouraged by DOE-STD-3009
and DOE-STD-5506-2007. This approach begins with unmitigated risk estimates (frequency and
consequences) and follows a risk ranking process to identify higher risk hazardous events and provide a
qualitative tool for enhancing the selection of hazard controls. The degree to which a given hazard
control is judged to be effective in performing its preventive or mitigative safety function is illustrated in
the risk matrix by the movement to lower frequency and/or consequence bins as controls are applied.
Although these estimates are judgment-based, consistent application provides a sound basis for
comparison.
The risk ranking process bins the results of unmitigated hazard and accident analysis for the public (via
the MOI receptor), CWs onsite, and optionally, for the facility workers. Table 10-1 (an adaptation of
Table 2-10 from Chapter 2) establishes risk ranking bins that consider the consequence rankings from
Chapter 2 Table 2-8 together with the postulated accident likelihoods defined in Table 2-9. Based on
these factors, an accident is ranked as Risk Class I through IV.
Table 10-1. Typical Risk Class Matrix.
Beyond
Extremely
Unlikely
Extremely
Unlikely
Unlikely Anticipated
High III II I I
Moderate IV III II II
Low IV IV III III
Likelihood Bins
I = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of major concern
II = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of concern
III = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of minor concern
IV = Combination of conclusions from risk analysis that identify situations of minimal concern
Section 310
C
on
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ce
B
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DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Risk Class I events for the public are addressed by hazard controls that are designated as SC SSCs or
SACs, and by associated TSRs (see Section 10.2, Safety Classification of Controls) for radiological
consequences or SS SSCs or SACs for chemical exposures. 113 Operational accidents resulting in high
offsite radiological consequences from the hazard evaluation are moved forward into accident analysis for
determination of safety classification, without consideration of likelihood. High consequence NPH DBAs
as defined by DOE-STD-1020 and external events with likelihood greater than 1E-6/yr are also moved
forward into accident analysis for determination of safety classification. SS controls may also be
warranted for protection of the public as discussed in Section 10.2.2.
Risk Class I events for the CW are addressed by hazard controls that are designated as SS, SSCs, SACs,
and by associated TSRs. Risk Class II events for all receptors, are addressed by hazard controls for which
consideration as SS SSCs, SACs, and by associated TSRs should be made. The consideration of a SS
hazard control is based on the effectiveness and feasibility of the controls along with the identified
features and layers of defense in depth. Risk Class II events resulting in high offsite radiological
consequence are included in subsequent accident analysis for determination of safety classification,
without consideration of likelihood.
In essence, controls are considered for any unmitigated Risk Class I/II events. Preventive controls
applied to the initial unmitigated Risk Class I/II event may suffice to prevent the event. Mitigative
controls applied to the initial unmitigated Risk Class I/II event should reduce the event consequence to an
acceptable value below the EG. In some cases, more than one control may be required to reduce the
consequence and/or likelihood from Risk Class I/II to Risk Class III or IV depending on its reliability or
efficiency.
Risk Class III – Consider defense in depth hazard controls or safety management programs to reduce risk
to Risk Class IV. Risk Class III events are generally addressed by SMPs or other Administrative
Controls. However, they may require further evaluation of the need for SS controls for high-consequence
operational events judged to be beyond extremely unlikely. Use of qualitative risk binning does not
negate the need to designate safety SSCs and/or SACs for plausible operational accidents using the
consequence thresholds established in DOE-STD-3009. These events may also be considered for
defense-in-depth SSCs in unique cases.
Risk Class IV – No additional hazard control measures apply that are explicitly credited with a SC/SS
designation as identified in the DSA, but may still be identified in a hazard evaluation table.
As stated above, facility workers may or may not be evaluated for control selection purposes using the
risk matrix approach. If included, the above risk guidelines for protection of the CW are applied for
selection of controls to protect the facility worker. If the facility worker is not evaluated using the risk
matrix approach, facility workers exposed to a high consequence event (as defined on Table 2-8,
Consequence Thresholds) may require an SS SSC or SAC. Consequences below high generally are dealt
with using an SMP or other administrative control.
Section 311
When the risk matrix approach is not used, the designation of hazard controls as SC, SS, or SACs follow
the guidance provided in Section 10.2 without the enhancement of a risk ranking to demonstrate control
effectiveness.
113 Per DOE-STD-3009-2014 Sections 3.3.1 and 3.3.1, SC SSCs, SACs, and TSRs are established for radiological
events that exceed or challenge the 25 rem Evaluation Guideline (regardless of frequency).
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10.1.2 HAZARD CONTROL SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
The hazard controls compiled from the hazards and accident analyses form the basis for control selection.
Candidate hazard controls should receive specific considerations from operations, engineering,
maintenance, and safety basis staff. These considerations should include the following matters.
Effectiveness
• Does the control function in the accident environment postulated? Are specific qualifications
needed?
• Is the control most effective in reducing risk?
• How far from the hazard are the controls located? 114?
• Where is the control on the control hierarchy? Is the selection justified?
Efficiency
• Is the control effective for several accidents or hazardous conditions? Does it provide defense in
depth or worker safety for multiple events?
• Is the control dependent on support systems or utilities? Are these also qualified for their
environment?
• Does the control minimize the number of active or supporting safety features?
• Does the control provide functional diversity or redundancy?
• Is the control cost-effective?
Implementation & Reliability
• Does the control preclude the need for compensating measures or features?
• Is the control simple or straightforward to establish, surveil, and maintain?
• Is the control insensitive to random failure or false indication?
• Does the control provide advance notification of trouble (accident does not initiate upon failure)?
• Does the control incorporate human factors to ensure reliable performance or to facilitate
surveillance and maintenance?
• Is implementation of the control practicable in terms of impact on the primary process and the
cost of installation and operation?
Functional and environmental requirements should be defined with due consideration of the hazard
analysis, accident analysis, and design engineering processes. To develop the performance specifications
for equipment relied upon in mitigating or preventing the accident under conditions existing during and
following the accident scenario, consider the following.
• The time-dependent temperature and pressure at the location of the equipment during the most
severe DBA/EBA.
• The humidity during the accident scenario.
• Chemical effects especially if the composition of the chemicals can be affected by equipment
malfunctions.
• The radiation environment associated with the DBA/EBA during which the equipment is required
to remain functional.
• Aging of equipment could cause degradation which can have an effect on the functional
capability of the equipment.
114 In some scenarios, the closest controls may be more effective.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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• Synergistic effects are to be considered when these effects are believed to have a significant
effect on equipment performance.
• Interactions of the system with other environmental stresses of the accident environment, such as
filter loading or water spray from fire sprinkler activation.
Selected hazard controls should reflect a robust, defense in depth approach to postulated accident
scenarios. Redundancy and overlap are encouraged.
Section 312
10.2 SAFETY CLASSIFICATIONS OF CONTROLS
10.2.1 SAFETY CLASS DESIGNATION
DOE-STD-3009 defines an EG of 25 rem TED to the public and requires designation of SC SSC to
mitigate the dose to below the EG. The dose estimates to be compared to it are those received by a
hypothetical MOI or public receptor at the site boundary from a DBA or EBA causing an unmitigated
release of radioactive material that challenge the EG (see DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.3.1 regarding
MOI unmitigated doses exceeding 5 rem TED that may challenge the EG). The control selection process
of DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 8.1 will result in the identification of hazard controls that will prevent
or mitigate DBA/EBA consequences to less than the EG. Additional controls to further reduce
consequences to well below the EG or to provide defense in depth may be candidates for SS designation
as discussed in DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 8.2.2.
10.2.2 SAFETY SIGNIFICANT DESIGNATION
The designation of SS SSC is based on the criteria from Section 3.3 of DOE-STD-3009-2014 for
selecting SS controls are based on four criteria: (1) protecting CWs at 100m that receive an unmitigated
dose of 100 rem TED; (2) protection of the public from releases of hazardous chemicals; (3) protecting
facility workers from significant injury or fatality, or from exposure to radioactive or hazardous material
(not including standard industrial hazards, see Section 2.2.4); or (4) determined to be a major contributor
to defense in depth that provides additional protection of the public and the environment. These four
criteria are more specific than the criteria of DOE-STD-3009-94, CN3.
10.2.3 CLASSIFICATION OF OTHER HAZARD CONTROLS
The hazard evaluation process could identify preventive or mitigative controls that do not rise to the level
of SC or SS controls but still enhance the safety of the facility. These controls are identified in the hazard
evaluation table and may be determined to be important to defense in depth or worker safety, but not
explicitly credited with a SC or SS designation. See guidance on defense in depth in DOE-STD-3009-
2014, and in the DOE Guide DOE G 420.1-1A, Nonreactor Nuclear Safety Design Guide for Use with
DOE O 420.1C, Facility Safety. Such controls are maintained in accordance with SMPs or other ACs and
the Unreviewed Safety Question process (which includes consideration of equipment important to safety
as described in the DOE G 424.1B, Implementation Guide for Use in Addressing Unreviewed Safety
Question Requirements).
Specific controls may be required by DOE in its Safety Evaluation Report. (See DOE-STD-1104-2016,
Review and Approval of Nuclear Facility Safety Basis and Safety Design Basis Documents, for further
guidance.) These controls will be designated SC or SS if so directed in the SER.
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10.3 EVALUATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES WITH MITIGATED OFFSITE
CONSEQUENCE ESTIMATES OVER THE EVALUATION GUIDELINE
There is a special case if the MOI consequences cannot be prevented or effectively reduced to below the
EG. This “Over the EG” evaluation is required for all existing DOE facilities with mitigated offsite
consequence estimates over the EG, regardless of the safe harbor used. This “Over the EG” evaluation is
expected to be rarely applied. The following additional guidance and methods are provided for effective
implementation, when used.
Section 313
DOE-STD-3009-2014, Section 3.3.1, establishes requirements for existing facilities with mitigated offsite
consequence estimates over the EG where the EBA is not prevented. In addition, the DOE review and
approval of the DSA includes DOE requirements and guidance for this situation, as described in the
DOE-STD-1104-2016, Review and Approval of Nuclear Facility Safety Basis and Safety Design Basis
Documents, Section 4.9, Existing Facilities with Mitigated Offsite Consequence Estimates over the EG.
The requirements and guidance from both standards are summarized on Table 10-2, along with additional
clarifications and guidance.
Table 10-2. Over the EG Evaluation.
DOE-STD-3009-2014
Section 3.3.1, SC
Controls
DOE-STD-1104-2016 Section
4.9, Existing Facilities with
Mitigated Offsite Consequence
Estimates over the EG
Additional Clarifications and Guidance
In circumstances where no
viable control strategy
exists in an existing facility
to prevent or mitigate the
consequence of one or
more of the accident
scenarios from exceeding
the EG, the following
information shall be
provided in the DSA, or an
attachment to the DSA:
This section provides specific
approval bases for rare situations
where safety class controls are not
provided to prevent or mitigate
offsite doses below the EG.
For proposed changes to an
existing facility safety basis
where no viable control strategy
exists in an existing facility to
prevent or mitigate the
consequence of one or more of
the accident scenarios from
exceeding the EG, DOE shall
verify that information is included
in the proposed safety basis
change that addresses the
requirements described in Section
3.3.1 of DOE-STD-3009-2014.
The following criteria should be
used to judge technical adequacy
of DSA information:
The DSA Section [3.4.3.X.5], Summary of SC
and SS SSCs, SACs, and TSR Controls, may
be an appropriate location to document the
“Over the EG” evaluation, or depending on its
complexity, an appendix may be more suitable
that is referenced in this section of the EBA
evaluation. An executive summary of this
evaluation should be included in the DSA
Section [E.6], Safety Analysis Conclusions.
• Identification of the
accidents that cannot be
mitigated or prevented,
including the likelihood
of the events and the
mitigated consequences
associated with the
events, based on
• Accidents that cannot be
mitigated below the EG or
prevented, are explicitly
identified, including the
likelihood of the event and the
mitigated consequences
associated with the event.
Accidents that cannot be mitigated below the
EG or prevented, are explicitly identified in
the DSA accident analysis of the EBA and
further evaluated. An example of an EBA that
cannot be prevented or mitigated below the
EG could be a collapse of the structure from a
DOE Order O 420.1C design basis earthquake
that has a greater magnitude due to a 10-year
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DOE-STD-3009-2014
Section 3.3.1, SC
Controls
DOE-STD-1104-2016 Section
4.9, Existing Facilities with
Mitigated Offsite Consequence
Estimates over the EG
Additional Clarifications and Guidance
calculations following
the methodology
described in this
Standard.
• Accidents likelihood and
consequences are determined
in accordance with the DSA
safe harbor methodology (e.g.,
Section 3.2 of DOE-STD-
3009-2014). This includes
source term estimates,
dispersion analysis
methodology, and dose
consequence assumptions.
Section 314
updated assessment of seismic hazards that is
being evaluated for an existing facility.
Accident likelihood and consequences are
summarized from information that is already
part of the DSA accident analysis for the EBA
such as Sections [3.4.3.X.1] Scenario
Development, [3.4.3.X.2] Source Term
Analysis, and [3.4.3.X.3] Consequence
Analysis
• A discussion of the
credited controls,
including their
reliability and adequacy,
and an analysis ….
• The reliability and adequacy of
credited controls is addressed
consistent with DOE-STD-
3009-2014 system evaluation
requirements for SC SSCs.
This should include identifying the safety
function of the credited control to prevent or
mitigate the EBA as described in the DSA
Chapter 4 along with a description on how
they prevent the event, or reduce its likelihood
or consequences. The reliability and
adequacy of credited controls should be
described, along with discussions of potential
failure modes of these credited controls, and
any compensatory measures established. This
information is already part of the DSA
Chapter 4 and is summarized in the “Over the
EG” evaluation. Significant contributors to
uncertainty in both the likelihood and
consequence evaluations associated with the
credited controls should be identified and
characterized.
• A discussion of the
available controls60 that
could reduce the
likelihood and/or
consequences of the
associated accidents,
including their potential
failure modes, their
potential impact on
accident mitigation, any
relevant cost/benefit
results, and the reasons
why they are not
selected as credited
controls to reduce the
consequences to below
the EG.
____________
60 Controls considered but
not identified as SC
controls include existing
controls that were not
elevated to SC status, as
• Controls considered (SSCs and
SACs) but not identified as SC
that could further reduce the
likelihood and/or consequences
of the associated accidents are
described in the DSA. The
impact of these controls on
accident mitigation, as well as
the rationale for not classifying
these controls as SC should be
presented. Discussions of
potential failure modes of
SSCs and any relevant
cost/benefit results are
included.
Footnote 60 clarifies other available or new
controls that were considered, which could
include additional MAR restriction,
operational restrictions, and/or additional
compensatory measures. Those existing
controls (SSCs and ACs) considered but not
identified as SC are identified and described,
including their impact on accident mitigation
or further reduction in the likelihood. The
rationale for not crediting and classifying
these controls as SC should be provided.
Some examples include lack of reliability of
the SSC that cannot be augmented with
compensatory measures to provide a SC
safety function, effectiveness of the control,
human factors considerations to implement
the AC as a SAC, and feasibility of
implementing a new control. Discussions of
potential failure modes of these potentially
available controls and any relevant
cost/benefit results should be included in the
discussion. This section addresses controls
that were consider that can be readily
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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DOE-STD-3009-2014
Section 3.3.1, SC
Controls
DOE-STD-1104-2016 Section
4.9, Existing Facilities with
Mitigated Offsite Consequence
Estimates over the EG
Additional Clarifications and Guidance
Section 315
well as new controls that
could have been
established through
changes to the facility or
to its operations. This
includes controls to
reduce the radiological
source term. Controls
can include SSCs and
ACs.
implemented rather than those additional
controls that are being committed to and
identified in the next section on planned
operational or safety improvements.
• A discussion of any
planned operational or
safety improvements,
including potential
facility modifications,
reductions in MAR,
and/or additional
compensatory measures,
and associated
schedules, to further
reduce the likelihood
and/or mitigate
consequences of an
accident. Note: Where
DOE has accepted a
path forward, the path
forward may be used to
support this discussion.
• Planned operational or safety
improvements are presented
and include potential facility
modifications, removal of
MAR, packaging of MAR into
containers, operational
restrictions, and/or additional
compensatory measures, and
associated schedules, to further
reduce the likelihood and/or
mitigate consequences of an
accident.
This section addresses additional measures
that are being committed to, including new
preventive or mitigative controls that can’t be
readily implemented, and are identified as
planned operational or safety improvements.
The STD-1104 guidance identifies some of
the potential improvements, and discussion of
associated schedules. Where compensatory
measures that are not readily implementable
will be provided, these should be clearly
identified and summarized.
• A discussion of … an
analysis of the expected
likelihood and mitigated
offsite consequence
estimates of the
associated accidents.
The analysis should
include a discussion of
the significant
contributors to
uncertainties in both the
likelihood and
consequence
evaluations. The
analysis should compare
the risk (i.e., likelihood
and consequences)
based on calculations
performed per Section
3.2 of this Standard to
the risk calculated using
• Mean or best estimate values
used for source-term and
dispersion input parameters
that are part of comparative
analyses (as described in DOE-
STD-3009-2014, Section 3.3.1,
bullet #2) have a valid
technical basis that includes
logical assumptions that are
based on experiments, tests, or
sound engineering judgment.
The analysis describes the
significant contributors to
uncertainties in both the
likelihood and consequence
evaluations. The mean or best
estimate calculation is used to
provide perspective regarding
the degree of conservatism that
is imbedded in the
consequence calculation.
A more realistic risk assessment of the EBA
provides an important perspective for the
contractor and DOE acceptance of risk
associated with not preventing or mitigating
the EBA to below the EG. This section
should present any quantitative or qualitative
evaluations of the risks and document the
basis for risk acceptance.
DOE Policy 420.1, Nuclear Safety Policy,
establishes two goals (not requirements) for
public protection:
1) The risk to an average individual in the
vicinity of a DOE nuclear facility for
prompt fatalities that might result from
accidents should not exceed one-tenth of
one percent (0.1%) of the sum of prompt
fatality risks resulting from other accidents
to which members of the population are
generally exposed. For evaluation
purposes, individuals are assumed to be
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DOE-STD-3009-2014
Section 3.3.1, SC
Controls
DOE-STD-1104-2016 Section
4.9, Existing Facilities with
Section 316
Mitigated Offsite Consequence
Estimates over the EG
Additional Clarifications and Guidance
mean or best estimate
values for source-term
and dispersion input
parameters (with
supporting technical
basis).
• A qualitative or semi-
quantitative comparison
of the facility risk from
the identified scenarios
and total facility risk
(i.e., cumulative risk
estimate for facility
accidents) with the
quantitative safety
objectives provided in
DOE Policy 420.1.
Discuss the level of risk
and the basis why this
risk is acceptable, taking
into account an
evaluation of available
alternatives, the benefits
to the public of the
alternatives, and the
costs to the public of the
alternatives.
• A qualitative or semi-
quantitative comparison of the
facility risk from identified
scenarios and cumulative
facility risk (for all facility
operations) estimate for facility
accidents (including the results
in response to the second
bullet) is presented along with
a comparison to the
quantitative safety objectives
provided in DOE Policy 420.1.
A discussion of the level of
risk and the basis why this risk
is acceptable is provided,
taking into account an
evaluation of available
alternatives, the benefits to the
public of the alternatives, and
the costs to the public of the
alternatives.
located within one mile of the site
boundary.
2) The risk to the population in the area of a
DOE nuclear facility for cancer fatalities
that might result from operations should not
exceed one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of
the sum of all cancer fatality risks resulting
from all other causes. For evaluation
purposes, individuals are assumed to be
located within 10 miles of the site boundary
Site-specific or locality-specific quantitative
data should be used whenever available. For
the DOE Policy 420.1 risk perspectives, the
risk from the facility includes the full-
spectrum of operations, including normal
operations, operational accidents, external
events, and NPH events. Other
accidents/events could be presented for
perspective, such as risk of a prompt fatality
or latent cancer fatalities from aircraft crashes,
dam failures, fires, explosions, chlorine
releases, and natural phenomena events as
previously evaluated for the nuclear reactor
industry.
The level of detail for the
analysis above may be
implemented on a graded
approach that considers the
remaining operating life of
the facility and the extent
of deviation from the EG.
For example, where the
remaining lifetime of the
facility is less than five
years, a detailed analysis
using mean values and
making comparisons to the
DOE Policy 420.1 safety
goals is not necessary, but
a discussion of available
controls considered and
planned safety
improvements and
associated schedules is
expected.
The level of detail for the analysis
above may be graded based on
the remaining operating life of the
facility and the extent of deviation
from the EG. The DOE review
should consider the best available
mission statements related to
facility operations and determine
whether there is a high likelihood
that projected estimates of
remaining operational life are
supported and commensurate with
details provided in the DSA.
Likewise, the extent of deviation
from the EG for mitigated
consequences estimates should be
explicitly addressed by the DOE
review team and discussed in the
SER as part of the approval basis.
Planned operational or safety
improvements, including
compensatory measures, should
be pursued where the deviation
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
Section 317
367
DOE-STD-3009-2014
Section 3.3.1, SC
Controls
DOE-STD-1104-2016 Section
4.9, Existing Facilities with
Mitigated Offsite Consequence
Estimates over the EG
Additional Clarifications and Guidance
from the EG is significant (such
as where the mitigated offsite
dose estimate is more than two to
three times greater than the EG),
the remaining life is significant
(such as more than 1-3 years), and
the likelihood is significant (such
as more often than 1 in 106 years).
Compensatory measures should
be commensurate with the
significance of the deviation from
the EG, the likelihood of
accidents, and the length of time
needed to resolve the condition.
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APPENDIX A: HAZARD ANALYSIS TABLE DEVELOPMENT
This appendix provides examples of the documentation of hazard analysis (HA) results to support
development of a safety design basis document. Although other formats may be used to capture this
information, a table format has been selected to capture the requirements. This table is prepared with
columns or sections corresponding to the headings of sections A.1 through A.10 of this appendix. Those
sections describe the content of the corresponding column of the table for each HA hazard scenario. This
format can be used to document the Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) developed during the conceptual
design, or the hazard evaluation at the process level developed during the preliminary or final design. It
should be updated as the design matures through final design and transition to operations.
Section 332
As this documentation is a central element of the safety basis, it is maintained after project transition to
operations as a basis document for the final Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) or a supporting
document for the DSA. Although alternate formats such as a database may be used to capture and
retrieve this information, the material identified in this appendix is required to be developed for projects
subject to DOE-STD-1189-2016, Integration of Safety into the Design Process or its predecessor, DOE-
STD-1189-2008. The appropriate HA technique is selected that will be sufficiently detailed to provide a
comprehensive examination of the hazards associated with the facility given the complexity of the
operation and degree of design maturity and develop the information required by this appendix. See
Chapter 2, “Hazard Analysis,” for further discussion of the hazard evaluations.
A.1 SCENARIO DESCRIPTION
Describe each postulated hazard scenario that could lead to the release of radioactive and hazardous
materials or energy. The description should appropriately describe the mechanisms that lead to the
release. Examples include spills, over-pressurization, deflagration, fire, and similar mechanisms. This
description should be as complete as possible for the current design stage to facilitate use in developing
controls and their functional and design requirements, as well as support unreviewed safety question
determinations during operation.
The description should also include an explicit description or reference to the Material at Risk (MAR),
chemical or radiological, as appropriate, involved with or potentially affected in the scenario. As
appropriate, describe the effect that the initiating event has on the major facility structures, systems, and
components (SSCs), primarily those that could release energy or radioactive/hazardous material.
Scenarios identified during the PHA process for conceptual design will be facility-level or major MAR
location events for the facility. The objective in conceptual design is to review the release mechanisms
for the major MAR inventory locations sufficiently to ensure that high-cost safety functions have been
identified and included in the project design and cost estimates.
A.2 INITIATING EVENT FREQUENCY
Provide the conservatively assigned likelihood or frequency of the initiating event of the hazard scenario,
where a series of events contribute to a release of material, such as fire events or a natural phenomena
hazard (NPH) followed by spill or fire. The goal is to qualitatively bin the event likelihood (Anticipated,
Unlikely, Extremely Unlikely, and Beyond Extremely Unlikely) sufficiently to aid in event prevention
and mitigation strategy selection. The initiating event frequency should be consistently applied as the
initiator frequency.
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A.3 UNMITIGATED CONSEQUENCE EVALUATION
Describe the radioactive and hazardous material or energy release with respect to facility workers in each
unique location, co-located workers, and offsite public that are affected.
Identify the consequence to each receptor for the event. Although detailed knowledge may not be
available, qualitative conservative determinations of dose consequences are needed so that the safety
control selection is also conservative. When available, quantitative information should be used as a guide
for consequences due to chemical or radioactive material releases based on bounding assumptions.
However, binning into defined ranges is preferred and specific values are not required. This is especially
true for facility worker consequences, which are intended to be qualitative, but also applies to qualitative
estimates of co-located worker and public consequences.
Section 333
Assumptions established as a part of the consequence determination should be identified, in order to
provide the technical basis for parameters of interest. Particularly, the radioactive or hazardous material
inventory, airborne release fraction (ARF), and damage ratio (DR) and their bases should be described.
Reference appropriate calculations that support the identified consequence, when they have been
performed.
While an assessment of the level of hazard scenario consequences is necessary to determine the need and
safety classification of SSCs providing protection of facility workers, these assessments should be, at
most, “back of the envelope” calculations, to give a sense of the order of magnitude of the doses. In the
case of facility worker consequences, especially immediately involved workers, the assumptions that
could be made in the course of any more definitive calculations could easily affect the results by orders of
magnitude. Thus, such calculations, if used to apply a numerical criterion, would divert attention from
good safety decisions to arguments about the calculations and assumptions during the review.
A.4 SAFETY FUNCTIONS
Within an operating facility, or during the preliminary and final design phases of a new facility, controls
(SSCs or ACs) are already identified to perform a generic preventive or mitigative safety function.
However, during the conceptual design phase of a new facility, generic safety functions are first defined
instead of the controls themselves. The next entry in the hazard analysis table is a list of these generic
safety functions needed to prevent or mitigate any release event. The safety function is a qualitative
statement of a function that prevents an initiating event or release, or that mitigates the outcome. The
safety function is the desired result from an SSC or administrative action and should be stated in a general
way, while still describing the preventative or mitigative action.
For conceptual design, the safety function in this entry should not specify a SSC or otherwise state how
the safety function is satisfied. This has two purposes: (1) it provides flexibility in SSC selections; and
(2) it ensures that the specific functional and design attributes for a selected SSC fulfill the defined
higher-level safety function identified for the event. Additional considerations in defining safety
functions are as follows:
• The safety function statement during the conceptual design phase serves as a link between the
HA and the safety SSCs that are later identified to fulfill safety functions, thus defining the
overall objective and top-level functional requirements for the SSC. The top-level functional
requirements are those performance parameters of special importance because they are
specifically relied upon in the safety analysis.
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• Safety functions should not be predicated on the SSCs or Specific Administrative Controls
(SACs) that may be chosen to provide the function. The opportunity for novel and improved
solutions is reduced when the solution drives the requirement.
• The generic safety function statement at this stage should be sufficiently specific to enable
assigning appropriate supporting SSCs or SACs to fulfill the needed safety function
completely.
• Safety functions should include the following:
o situations and any general hazard scenario or accident types during which the function is
Section 334
required to be met;
o specific functional needs that prevent, detect, or mitigate an event; and
o sufficient description to enable clear functional requirements and later, design requirements
and performance criteria for those SSCs ultimately chosen to meet the top-tier safety function
described.
A.5 PREVENTIVE FEATURES (DESIGN AND ADMINISTRATIVE)
List all SSCs and administrative controls (ACs) that have the potential to prevent the release or the event
initiator, or reduce the frequency of accident progression. This should be consistent with the approach
used to determine the likelihood (see Section A.2 above). In the early stages of the conceptual design
process, this listing may include SSCs that are currently not part of the conceptual design; but, if selected,
would be added to the conceptual design. Initiating events that cannot be prevented, such as NPH events
that lead to a release, should be listed as not applicable (N/A).
This listing will be used to select the suite of safety systems, important to safety systems, and/or defense
in depth SSCs for the release events. When complete at Critical Decision-1, only SSCs actually present
in the conceptual design should be included.
A.6 METHOD OF DETECTION
Identify all SSCs and administrative functions that could detect the event. This would include SSCs that
may or may not be selected, as well as direct observation by the operators. In the early stages of the
conceptual design process, this listing may include SSCs that are currently not part of the conceptual
design.
A.7 MITIGATIVE FEATURES (DESIGN AND ADMINISTRATIVE)
List all SSCs and ACs that potentially could mitigate the event by limiting the consequences after the
event has happened. In early stages of the conceptual design process, this listing may include SSCs that
are not currently part of the conceptual design. Consideration of the following mitigative systems and
design features should be included:
• Fire suppression/detection;
• Confinement ventilation;
• Emergency power;
• Nuclear criticality design features and/or alarms, consistent with DOE-STD-3007-2017;116
• Seismic design, including addressing level of confinement for primary confinement system
(building structure); and
116 If the facility is expected to contain a critical mass of fissionable material.
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• Flammable gas controls.
A.8 SSC SAFETY CONTROL SUITE AND SAFETY FUNCTIONS
Summarize the suite of hazard controls, including safety SSCs that will be relied upon to detect, prevent,
or mitigate each event. The requirements in DOE O 420.1C, Facility Safety, are essential inputs to the
identification of the safety control suite selected, the functional classification of selected SSCs, and the
NPH requirements.
The hazard controls identified in the conceptual design PHA are preliminary until later safety analysis
confirms their need and validates that they are the correct and adequate controls for the event. The
identification of the hazard controls should be conservative to establish an appropriate cost and schedule
basis for the project. The selection of hazard controls is iterative. If, after selecting one or more of the
available controls, the mitigated consequence still exceeds the applicable threshold criteria, additional
controls are selected or identified and classified accordingly. In some cases, it may be prudent to use
multiple controls where only one may be required to effectively prevent or mitigate the event. Where
SACs are included in lieu of an SSC, an explanation should be provided. The final list of selected
controls should be provided in the PHA tables.
Section 335
A.9 MITIGATED CONSEQUENCES
Estimate the consequences for the identified receptor after crediting the hazard controls. During
conceptual design, the quantitative results for the unmitigated events may not be known. In this case, the
mitigated results are qualitatively estimated based on a reduction factor on the unmitigated consequences.
Once the design basis accident (DBA) analysis is performed, this section will be updated with the results
of this quantitative analysis. If the preventive controls eliminate the hazard or terminate the hazard or
accident scenario and prevent a release of radioactive or other hazardous materials, this result is reported
in the mitigated consequence column as “prevented.” The result is input to the overall control suite of the
safety design basis.
A.10 PLANNED ANALYSES, ASSUMPTIONS AND RISK/OPPORTUNITY
IDENTIFICATION
List remaining analysis or assumption validations and risk/opportunities associated with the selected
strategies. The bounding events that require further analysis are identified in the PHA. The events
selected are grouped into DBAs that are representative of the hazardous conditions and accident
categories. The DBAs are defined in such a way as to predict the consequences so as to be bounding for
all similar events with the same control suite. Other events, for which the need for hazard controls (or the
functional classification or NPH criteria) was not obvious, should also be evaluated in more detail
(potentially quantitatively) later in the preliminary design phase. This will ensure that the selection for
each safety control has a firm basis and that the assigned functional classifications and design criteria are
also based on objective determinations.
Assumptions used in the PHA process need to be verified as the design matures. As an example, the
facility MAR used in the hazards analysis may have been based on a highly conservative assessment of
tank volumes and concentrations. When the final documents and process and instrumentation drawings
are issued in preliminary design, the actual tank volumes should be used in the DBA analyses. Other
assumptions concerning the event progression, such as impact to SSCs, are also verified. Remaining
evaluations to be performed are identified.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Potential risks and opportunities should be fed into the Risk and Opportunity Assessment as the safety
control suite is constructed. The presentation of risks and opportunities associated with the strategies are
essential elements of risk-informed decision-making in the authorization for the project to proceed to
preliminary design.
A.11 HAZARDS EVALUATION TABLE
Construct the final hazard evaluation table. This table includes the items discussed above and portrays the
hazard scenarios associated with the facility and the safety systems that will detect, mitigate, or prevent
unacceptable MAR and energetic releases. The table should present the logical binning of events
evaluated. In essence, these scenarios are those from which the DBAs for the facility are selected. The
table provides valuable information to be included in the risk and opportunities analysis and needed
studies to validate fundamental assumptions. This table portrays the functional safety attributes for the
facility safety systems that are to be incorporated into the conceptual design and cost estimates. The final
table will be used as the foundation for development of the safety basis design documents, which will
describe the events evaluated and the safety control suite in a format that can be used as the foundation
for a final DSA for the facility.
Section 336
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APPENDIX B: CRITICALITY ACCIDENTS
B.1 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this appendix is to provide guidance for the quantitative estimate of radiological doses to
support the qualitative assignments of consequences for the DSA hazard evaluation as discussed in
Section 2.3.2, Nuclear Criticality Hazard Evaluation, of this Handbook. As discussed in Section 2.3.2,
criticality hazards are those associated with process operations, not nuclear reactors or sub-categories of
nuclear reactors, such as critical experiments. The general approach to evaluate a dose from a criticality
accident is:
1. Determine the fission yield (i.e., power history).
2. Determine the direct (prompt) dose at the appropriate distance.
3. Determine fission product quantities.
4. Determine the source term for inhalation dose. This includes the determination of nuclides present
in the released cloud at the time of exposure, including the effects of decay during transport.
5. Determine external beta and gamma doses from the cloudshine and groundshine.
Section B.2 provides a brief overview of current regulatory requirements, recommendations, and
guidance. Guidance for the first two these steps is provided in Section B.3 on determining fission yields,
and in Section B.4 on direct (prompt) dose. The last three steps are briefly addressed in Section B.5 on
the source term analysis of fission product inventories, airborne release fractions (ARFs) and respirable
fractions (RFs), and radiological dose assessments.
Criticality accident hazards are unique to nuclear facilities and even then only to a subset of these
facilities. This subset has a fissile material inventory that is significant, generally defined as exceeding
the single parameter subcritical mass limits given in ANSI/ANS-8.1-2014, Nuclear Criticality Safety in
Operations with Fissionable Materials Outside Reactors, and requiring specific criticality controls to
reduce the likelihood of a criticality accident to an acceptable level. This acceptable level is generally one
that results in the accident likelihood being judged to be incredible.
Commonly accepted terminology, as used in the criticality safety discipline, is found in report LA-11627-
MS (Paxton, 1989). In particular the following two terms are important to the discussions in this
Appendix:
Criticality Accident: The release of energy as a result of accidentally producing a self-sustaining
or divergent fission chain reaction.
Criticality Safety: Protection from the consequences of a criticality accident, preferably by
prevention of the accident. Encompasses procedures, training, and other precautions in addition to
physical protection.
Criticality accidents outside of reactors (such as process criticality accidents) are the subject of this
Appendix. Criticality accidents associated with reactors, including critical experiments, are considered
and analyzed under the umbrella of Reactor Safety, a separate discipline.
Process criticality accidents have been few, both in the US and worldwide, 7 and 22, respectively; and
fatalities have been similarly infrequent, 2 and 9, respectively (LA-13638, McLaughlin et al., 2000). The
most recent US criticality accident was in 1978 and worldwide in 1999. No accidents have resulted in
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any significant mechanical energy release, and radiation exposure is the only significant hazard. From
criticality accidents seen to date, significant doses have only been associated with nearby facility workers,
with insignificant exposures to co-located workers (CWs) outside the facility, the public, or the
environment.
Section 337
When criticality accident likelihoods are judged to be non-trivial in a facility, then it is almost always
concluded that a criticality accident alarm system is an appropriate safety system for consequence
mitigation, in accordance with ANSI/ANS-8.3-1997 (R2012), Criticality Accident Alarm System.
Competing risks associated with the response to false alarms may rarely modify the decision as to when a
criticality accident alarm should be installed.
B.2 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDANCE
DOE O 420.1C, Facility Safety, and 10 CFR Part 830, Subpart B, both address the process analysis
requirement from ANSI/ANS-8.1 Section 4.1.2:
Before a new operation with fissionable material is begun, or before an existing operation is
changed, it shall be determined that the entire process will be subcritical under both normal and
credible abnormal conditions.
Credible accidents, including credible criticality accidents, are analyzed in the Documented Safety
Analysis (DSA). It is assumed that controls for the prevention of criticality accidents are, or will be, in
place. It is also assumed that the need for criticality alarms will be determined, and alarms installed, if
required by the ANSI/ANS-8.3 evaluation. This Appendix also assumes that enough fissionable material
is being handled in a manner such that any potential criticality accident is identified by the hazards
evaluation. If the fissionable quantities are below the minimum subcritical limits in the appropriate ANS-
standard (ANSI/ANS-8.1-2014 or ANSI/ANS-8.15-2014, Nuclear Criticality Safety Control of Selected
Actinide Nuclides) analysis of a criticality accident may not be needed, and in this instance would not be
identified in the hazard evaluation.
In addition to the guidance provided in this Appendix, ANS-8 Standards that are particularly pertinent to
accident analysis include ANS-8.1; ANS-8.3; ANS-8.10 and ANS-8.23. Additional DOE guidance is
found in DOE-STD-3009-2014 and in DOE-HDBK-3010-94.
B.2.1 UNMITIGATED ANALYSIS
DOE-STD-3009 provides guidance on unmitigated accident analysis. In essence, unmitigated analysis
means that controls intended to prevent or mitigate an accident are assumed not to function. In the case of
a criticality accident, this means, in part, that the accident is assumed to happen with no mitigative
features taken into account. An exception to this is that passive safety features that can be shown to
survive the initiating event may be considered in the analysis. For example, if a seismic event causes a
criticality accident in a shielded area (including building walls), and the shield can be shown to survive
the event, then the effectiveness of the shield in mitigating worker accident doses can be accounted for in
the unmitigated analysis. Passive features assumed to perform their safety functions are evaluated per
DOE-STD-3009 for designation as safety class or SS SSCs and protection as TSR controls.
For the analysis of criticality accidents that have the potential for lasting longer than an initial pulse, the
accident duration should be limited to two (2) hours, except for scenarios that are slow to develop and
complete. In those cases, the accident duration should be limited to eight hours (based on guidance from
DOE-STD-3009). These analyses should be based on bounding scenarios. If able to be estimated, the
dose integration time should be based on the power history of the postulated accident scenario.
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Section 338
DOE-STD-3009 requires the analysis of unmitigated accidents to determine the class of needed controls,
that is, safety class or SS. For purposes of this Appendix, the need for safety class controls is based on
the unmitigated consequences to the public at the site boundary, and the need for SS controls is based on
the unmitigated consequences to the co-located worker. The co-located worker is 100 meters from the
criticality accident for direct exposure calculations. For atmospheric dispersion, the co-located worker is
100 m from the building emission point. DOE-STD-3009 also has requirements related to selecting SS
controls based on other criteria; however, these criteria are not addressed in this Appendix. In general
terms, if the dose to the public at the site boundary is less than 0.05 Sv (5 rem), safety class controls are
not needed, and if the unmitigated dose exceeds 0.25 Sv (25 rem) then safety class controls are required.
If the dose to the co-located worker at 100 meters is less than 1 Sv (100 rem), SS controls are not needed.
For the analysis of criticality accidents, Chapter 6 of DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Change Notice 1, provides
values for fission yields, and is a recognized source for other accident analysis parameters. ANSI/ANS-
8.23 requires evaluation of bounding, operational-specific accidents, including locations, yields, and dose
determinations. Further, for solution or solution-like criticality accidents, Appendix C of ANSI/ANS-
8.23 presents data directly useful for estimating bounding first-spike and time-integrated fission yields.
As with any accident parameter, fission yields should be justified and shown to be applicable to the
accident situation.
A bounding criticality accident that requires further evaluation in the DSA hazard evaluation is one that
would be expected to have the highest unmitigated potential radiological consequences to the co-located
worker or public, and is selected from similar types of criticality accidents evaluated in the criticality
safety evaluations. For example, the bounding solution criticality accident would generally involve the
largest volume in a hydrogenous, liquid environment coupled with making the conservative assumption
that the system reaches the prompt critical state such that the information in Figure B-1 as discussed in
Section B.3.1 would be applicable. This would lead to the largest number of fissions and thus be
“bounding,” which is viewed as the maximum “credible or plausible” accident yield rather than the most
probable yield. Rare, extenuating circumstances such as larger accidents that are more remote or in
shielded areas may result in a “bounding” accident that does not coincide with the largest number of
fissions.
For both existing and new facilities the DSA or safety design basis document should provide information
as to planned operations and facility layouts and features such as wall compositions and thicknesses. This
information should be used with the techniques discussed in Section B.3 to estimate bounding,
unmitigated fission yields.
B.3 ACCIDENT FISSION YIELDS
As with many known hazards, the understanding of, and thus the control of, the criticality accident hazard
has improved dramatically since this hazard was first introduced in the 1940s with the advent of the
production of significant quantities of plutonium and enriched uranium. Both the causes, largely human
factors, and the personnel effects, localized to within a few to several meters of the accident location, are
now well understood. Nevertheless, risks will never vanish and a thorough hazards analysis (in this case,
a criticality safety evaluation) should always be performed. For operations with credible criticality
accident likelihoods, fission yield determination, and, as needed, follow-on consequence analysis should
be conducted.
Section 339
B.3.1 FISSION YIELDS OF SOLUTION AND SOLUTION-LIKE SYSTEMS
History has shown that process criticality accidents have occurred almost exclusively in (hydrogenous)
liquid media. The most common medium was fissile material in nitric acid, followed by organic solutions
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and then suspensions/slurries. The hydrogenous nature of the medium results in relatively slow fission
excursions and insignificant likelihoods of mechanical (destructive) energy releases. The liquid nature of
the medium results in a combination of instantaneous bubble generation and thermal expansion as the
major feedback mechanisms for limiting the first-spike yield (fissions) of the excursion. Flooded solids
such as metal fines and powders also fall into this category since the water is the dominant factor in
determining the fission yield (although they have not been associated with any known criticality
accidents).
ANSI/ANS-8.23, Appendix C, provides a comprehensive summary of data from criticality accident
simulations in controlled environments and the application of this data to estimating accident yields, both
the first spike and the steady-state fission rate should the accident not immediately self-terminate. The
data cover broad ranges of important parameters, most importantly the solution volume and the reactivity
insertion rate.
Two figures from reference documents, reproduced in ANSI/ANS-8.23, Appendix C, are also reproduced
here. Figure B-1 shows the variation in the specific yield of the first spike for prompt critical excursions
from the literature data. As is shown, for all but very rapid excursions the specific, first-spike fission
yield is ~1 x 1015 fissions/liter.
Some of the process criticality accidents did not even reach the prompt critical state and thus had much
smaller specific yields. However, this value of ~1 x 1015/liter is judged to be a practical upper bound for a
first spike yield for the purpose of accident analysis. None of the process accidents exhibited specific
yields statistically greater than this value. The data in the figure for the very short period excursions, <10
ms, that do show larger specific yields resulted from reactivity insertion rates that are likely not credible
during process accident conditions. During the accident analysis for postulated accidents the scenario
development will necessarily include information that enables estimates of the reactivity insertion rate
and the related reactor period.
Figure B-2 shows a curve judged to be a practical bounding envelope of the integrated specific fissions
during the first 10 minutes subsequent to a prompt critical excursion that is neither self-terminating nor
otherwise terminated. Application of the information in Figures B-1 and B-2 enables a conservative
upper estimate to be made of both the first-spike and the integrated total number of fissions from a
postulated process accident. It also enables the analyst to estimate the dose rate at various locations in
order to make decisions as to immediate evacuation zone boundaries and appropriate muster locations.
Finally, if this 10-minute time window is consistent with site emergency plans and procedures, then the
fission yield curve in Figure B-2 would be appropriate for determining bounding co-located worker and
public exposures prior to possible further personnel relocations/evacuations. To take credit for
emergency response actions being a mitigating factor, a SAC may be required per DOE-STD-3009.
Section 340
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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Figure B-1 – Specific fissions in first spike as a function of reactor period.
Reactor period is the time required for power to increase by Euler’s number (Napier’s constant)
(Extracted from Figure C.1 of American National Standard ANSI/ANS-8.23-2007 (R2012)
with permission of the publisher, the American Nuclear Society)
Figure B-2 – Maximum specific fission yield resulting
from criticality solution excursions in CRAC and Silene
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(Extracted from Figure C.2 of American National Standard ANSI/ANS-8.23-2007 (R2012)
with permission of the publisher, the American Nuclear Society)
For an unmitigated accident with an 8-hour duration there is scant data upon which to base total
fission/liter estimates. The Hanford (1962), Novosibirsk (1997) and Tokai-Mura (1999) accidents are the
only reported process accidents to have continued fissioning for at least 8 hours. No accident simulations,
such as the CRAC series, were allowed to run for more than minutes. Based on these three accidents and
the reality that the fission rate is (theoretically) expected to decrease over time, and did in these three
accidents, one can only estimate the ratio of the 8-hour fissions to first-spike fissions as perhaps a factor
of 30.
The information contained in Figure B-2 has also been incorporated into the Nuclear Criticality Slide
Rule that may also be used to estimate bounding fission yields (NUREG/CR-6504). Similar results will
be attained.
B.3.2 FISSION YIELDS OF NON-SOLUTION-LIKE SYSTEMS
As the world-wide accident history shows, non-solution accidents are rare. From a review of the
circumstances leading up to the one reported non-solution accident, it is apparent that this accident was
enabled by a long-standing working environment that condoned significant procedural violations in the
interest of expediency. It also had , as a contributing factor, a significant, negative human factors aspect.
This human error situation was that the container in which the accident occurred could both accommodate
a larger than critical volume/mass of metal and the contents could not be readily seen by the operator.
The following should assure that similar breakdowns of operational discipline at DOE facilities be quite
rare.
1. Application of DOE O 420.1C, Chg.1, Facility Safety, requirements;
2. A well-considered implementation of ANSI/ANS nuclear criticality safety standards; and
3. Effective oversight by both the contractor and DOE.
With well-developed Conduct of Operations programs in DOE facilities, criticality accidents in non-
solution environments, be they metals, compounds/powders, or storage operations, will be rare events and
may well be shown as not credible per a comprehensive application of ANSI/ANS-8.1 and DOE-STD-
3007-2017, Preparing Criticality Safety Evaluations at Department of Energy Nonreactor Nuclear
Facilities.
The non-solution fissile material types and forms discussed in the following paragraphs are those
mentioned in DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Section 6.2.3, and originally documented by Woodcock, 1966. The
fission yields discussed in DOE-HDBK-3010-94 are based exclusively on critical experiment experience
and Woodcock’s professional judgments for operations at his facility more than 50 years ago in England.
In summary, the fission yields that are presented as “judged or considered to be bounding” in DOE-
HDBK-3010-94, Section 6.2.3, have no technical basis when applied to process operations.
Section 341
B.3.2.1 METALS/SOLIDS – ONE OR A FEW LARGE PIECES
Bounding first-spike yields with uranium or plutonium in metal/alloy form consistent with known
accidents, are 1 x 1018 and 1 x 1016 fissions, respectively. For these large, judged to be bounding, first-
spike yields prompt shutdown due to mechanical shock would be expected. For lesser first-spike yields a
delayed-critical fission reaction is bounding and judged to produce maximum 8-hour yields of 1 x 1019
and 1 x 1018 fissions respectively. Radiation exposures from metal critical experiment accidents are
known to be essentially all from direct neutrons and gamma rays with insignificant fission product
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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releases. For fissile material operations conducted inside typical facilities with thick concrete walls that
can be credited as passive design features if protected by Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs) as
discussed in Section B.2.1, there would be minimal exposures to co-located workers or the MOI from
these bounding fission sources.
B.3.2.2 DRY, UNMODERATED SOLIDS – NUMEROUS SMALL PIECES, AND LARGE ARRAYS
There is no accident history associated with either process or critical experiments for systems such as
these (e.g., metal fines, loose oxide powders) that would be dominated by fast neutron fissions. This is
judged to be primarily due to the very large critical masses that would be associated with such low-
density configurations. For large arrays such as vault storage operations, Woodcock speculated on a
fission yield but it is not possible to analyze such an event and relatively easy to protect against the
accident by appropriate packaging of individual items. For both of these accident types the Criticality
Safety Evaluations (CSEs) have been able to document no credible accident sequences.
B.3.3 FISSION YIELDS OF AUTOCATALYTIC ACCIDENTS
This deals with a criticality accident where the reactivity initially increases as the fission reaction
progresses, conceptually due to the effects of temperature and pressure causing material rearrangement
within the fissioning medium. One early estimate of excursion yields in a specific facility postulated an
unusual accident whose reactivity initially increased due to the initial energy release (Woodcock, 1966).
This type of event has not been observed in accident history. However, if the accident being evaluated
has the potential for self-propagation, this should be considered.
B.4 EVALUATION OF DIRECT RADIATION DOSES
The prompt dose depends only upon the number of fissions in the criticality accident, the distance from the
accident site to the receptor, and the amount of intervening shielding material, such as self-attenuation
within the fissioning medium or building walls, that can be credited as passive design features if protected
by TSRs as discussed in Section B.2.1. The Nuclear Criticality Slide Rule gives curves of unshielded dose
as a function of distance, number of fissions, and time after the criticality accident. There is also
information on the shielding effect of typical construction materials. See discussion in Section 8.2.5, Prompt
(Direct) Dose.
B.5 CRITICALITY ACCIDENT SOURCE TERMS
Chapter 5, Source Term Analysis, covers source term estimation in detail depending on the accident stress
on the material. For criticality accidents, however, the source term is fundamentally defined by the
number of fissions occurring. This specialized subject will therefore be covered as part of this Appendix.
Section 342
There are two main contributors to the criticality accident source term: fission products generated by the
excursion, and releases of neutrons and gamma rays from the fission process itself. From the fission
products, the major components of concern have historically been the noble gases (i.e., isotopes of
krypton and xenon) and isotopes of iodine, due to their propensity to become airborne and escape
filtration. However, decay products also have to be accounted for in analyzing criticality accidents.
B.5.1 FISSION PRODUCT INVENTORIES
A criticality accident generates the same types of fission products generated in spent nuclear reactor fuel.
These are the primary fission product isotopes along with the subsequent decay of the initial fission
products into other radioactive isotopes that, in turn, continue the decay chain. The typical pattern for
DOE-HDBK-1224-2018
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total fission product activity in a criticality accident is a decrease in activity by orders of magnitude in the
first 30 seconds after the criticality accident terminates. This is due to the loss of high-energy, short half-
life isotopes that decay almost immediately. The activity then continues to decrease at a slower rate, with
the contributions from various elements and classes of elements changing due to the ongoing decay
process.
In withdrawn Regulatory Guides 3.33, 3.34 and 3.35, the NRC provided an estimate of “the radioactivity
of significant nuclides released” for fuel reprocessing solutions, uranium solutions, and plutonium
solutions. The criticality accident assumed had a 1 x 1018 fissions initial burst followed by 47 bursts of
1.9 x 1017 fissions each over the next 8 hours for a cumulative total of 1 x 1019 fissions. This particular
scenario has not often been justified in a technical document. The significant nuclides noted were
isotopes of krypton, xenon, and iodine. Their activity levels were based on the cumulative yield for the
fission energy spectrum, an assumption noted as “very conservative” since it did not consider decay
schemes for these nuclides.
Historical practice for DOE DSAs has been to use the information in the withdrawn Regulatory Guides
3.33, 3.34, and 3.35 for all criticality accidents, simply scaling the results to reflect total fission yields less
than 1 x 1019 fissions (and eliminating the 8-hr duration for single spike criticality accidents). With the
availability of modern code systems and cross sections, it is entirely feasible to calculate the fission
products from a postulated criticality accident.
B.5.2 PARTICULATE RELEASE AND HEALTH RELATED PARAMETERS
As presented in Chapter 5 of this Handbook and in Chapter 6 of Handbook 3010-94, the ARFs and RFs
are major parameters in determining the amount of radioactive or other hazardous material released in an
accident. These parameters are normally evaluated by comparing a given phenomenology to available
experimental data such as boiling of solutions or oxidation of metal. Unfortunately, no direct criticality
accident release experiments have ever been conducted. Furthermore, the fission yields assigned are
intended to bound fission product formation of noble gases and radioiodines, as opposed to estimating the
physical changes experienced by the fissionable/fissile material and how many particulates may become
airborne.
Section 343
Accordingly, criticality accident release fractions have been developed only in a general sense without
attempting to extrapolate them back to detailed phenomenological modeling of different accident stresses.
The majority of the effort expended in developing them has also focused on the fission product release of
noble gases and radioiodines. However, as related to release of particulates due to melting of metal,
boiling of a solution, heating of powders, or energetic dispersal of a powder, the recommended bounding
ARFs and RFs are based on experimental data for those types of changes in the materials based on the
accident stresses discussed in Chapter 5.
As presented in Chapter 8, Radiological Consequence Assessment, the dose a person might receive from
the fission products released by a criticality accident depends on many factors such as half lives and dose
conversion factors. The primary pathways of interest from a criticality accident to receptors outside the
facility are inhalation, cloudshine, and groundshine; prompt (direct) radiation may be significant for the
100 m CW, but generally not for the offsite public (MOI) due to the longer site boundary distance. These
pathways are discussed in Chapter 8. Dose conversion factors for these pathways are discussed in ICRP-
68, Dose Coefficients for Intakes of Radionuclides by Workers, and in ICRP-72, Age-Dependent Doses to
Members of the Public from Intake of Radionuclides, Part 5.
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Release estimates for solution criticality accidents derive from the now withdrawn NRC Regulatory
Guides 3.33, 3.34, and 3.35 (see Chapter 6 of Handbook 3010-94). In these guides, the NRC established
three assumptions. First, all noble gases are assumed to be released from solution and subsequently leave
the facility. Second, it assumed that 25 percent of radioiodine ultimately escapes from the facility, either
because only that much escapes from solution or because only that much of this element does not react
with physical surfaces within the facility. Third, it was generically assumed that the criticality accident
terminates when 25 percent of the available solution evaporates. The bounding ARF for boiling liquid is
2 x 10-3 (see Chapter 5). Applying the 25 percent factor to this ARF yields an effective release fraction of
5 x 10-4, which the NRC originally applied to the base matrix of fissile plutonium in solution in
Regulatory Guide 3.35.
However, the numerous experiments associated with the data in Figures B-1 and B-2 and 20 of the 21
known solution criticality accidents produced negligible evaporation since the boiling temperature was
not reached. For those that did not shut down quickly, but fissioned for many hours, such as Tokai-Mura,
the fission energy deposition was easily removed by convection cooling from the exterior of the vessel at
temperatures well below the boiling point, such that no measurable evaporation occurred. Therefore, the
2 x 10-3 ARF/RF assumption of particulate releases from vigorous boiling (which was based on 90%
evaporation of the solution) and its 25% reduction factor (effective 5 x 10-4 ARF/RF) may be an over-
estimate, and a 3 x 10-5 ARF/RF for heating of solution in flowing air without surface rupture of bubbles
(i.e., no visible surface disruption) from DOE-HDBK-3010-94 Section 3.2.1.1, Heating of Shallow Pools,
may be an appropriate conservative estimate. This heating value bounds the experimental data from two
experiments reported in DOE-HDBK-3010-94 Section 3.2.1.2, Heating of Pools, which exhibited
simmering of the solution and a maximum ARF of 4.5 x 10-6 was measured.
Section 344
The values cited above have been reiterated in NUREG/CR-6410, which also formally extended the 5 x
10-4 release fraction to the seven significant isotopes (Sr-91, Sr-92, Ru-106, Cs-137, Ba-139, Ba-140, and
Ce-143). That document further noted that the 5 x 10-4 value is considered “applicable to all non-volatile
compounds in the liquid.” The portion of the actinides released is assumed to be proportional to the mass
of actinides in the solution as the actinides are released through the spray caused by the bursting bubbles
that reach the surface of the solution. The mass of the actinides depends upon their concentration in the
solution. A more detailed discussion of this phenomenology and estimating particulate source terms is
provided in DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Section 6.3.1, Solutions.
B.6 CRITICALITY ACCIDENT EXAMPLE
This example assumes that there is a fissile solution that inadvertently and very rapidly accumulates in a
150-liter vessel/volume and that the system just reaches the prompt critical state as the vessel becomes
full. Thus, conservatively assuming that the prompt critical state is reached and that the system remains
critical, and then applying the information from Figure B-2, the first spike, 10-minute, and 2- and 8-hour
fissions can be calculated as:
First spike yield = 150 liters x 1 x 1015 fissions/liter = 1.5 x 1017 fissions.
10-minute yield = 150 liters x 1.5 x 1016 fissions/liter = 2.25 x 1018 fissions.
2-hour yield = 1.5 x 1017 x 20 = 3.0 x 1018 fissions
8-hour yield = 1.5 x 1017 x 30 = 4.5 x 1018 fissions.
Once the total fission yield is known, a fission product inventory is determined as discussed in Section
B.5.1, and estimates of particulate releases are determined as discussed in Section B.5.2. With these
criticality source terms, a DOE Toolbox dispersion and radiological dose assessment code can be used to
calculate the doses to the CW at 100 m and the offsite public (MOI) at the site boundary. If important,
the prompt (direct) dose can be calculated as discussed in Section B.4.
ACRONYMS
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
1.2 Outline
2 HAZARD ANALYSIS
2.1 Elements of Hazard Analysis
2.2 Hazard Identification and Characterization
2.2.1 Hazard Data Gathering
2.2.2 Hazard Data Recording
2.2.3 Hazard Summary Development
2.2.4 Exclusion of Standard Industrial Hazards and Other Hazardous Materials
2.3 Initial Hazard Evaluation Development
2.3.1 Overview
2.3.2 Nuclear Criticality Hazard Evaluation
2.3.3 Chemical Hazard Evaluation
2.4 Hazard Evaluation methods
2.4.1 Commercial Industry Methods and DSA Hazard Evaluations
2.4.2 Method #1: What-If?
2.4.3 Method #2: Hazard and Operational Analysis
2.4.4 Method #3: Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
2.4.5 Method #4: Event Trees and Fault Trees
2.5 Initial Development of a DSA Hazard Evaluation Table
2.6 Likelihood, Consequence, and Risk Methods
2.6.1 Qualitative Consequences
2.6.1.1 Receptor Consequence Levels
2.6.1.2 Facility Worker Consequences
2.6.1.3 Standard Industrial Hazard Consequences to Facility Worker
2.6.2 Qualitative Likelihood
2.6.3 Qualitative Risk
2.7 Unmitigated and Mitigated Hazard Evaluations
2.8 Hazard Evaluation Presentation in DSA
3 ACCIDENT ANALYSIS
3.1 Accident Type Selection
3.2 Accident Analysis Process
3.3 Analysis Inputs and Assumptions
3.4 Beyond Design/Evaluation Basis Accidents
3.5 Software Quality Assurance
4 EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF MAJOR ACCIDENT TYPES
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Information from Accident Analysis to Include in the DSA
Section 345
4.2 Fire Scenario Analysis
4.2.1 Fire Scenarios
4.2.2 Fire Analysis
4.2.2.1 Example Analytical Methods
4.2.2.1.1 Heat Release Rate
4.2.2.1.2 Pool Fire Heat Release Rate
4.2.2.1.3 Pallet Fire Heat Release Rate
4.2.2.1.4 Flame Height
4.2.2.1.5 Enclosure Fire Dynamics
4.2.2.1.5.1 Pre-flashover
4.2.2.1.5.2 Flashover
4.2.2.1.6 Solid Fuel Ignition and Radiant Heating
4.2.3 Source Term Calculation for Fire Scenarios
4.2.3.1 Effect on Hazardous Material
4.2.3.1.1 Determining MAR for the FIRE Event
4.2.3.1.2 Determining DR and ARF/RF for the Fire Event
4.2.3.2 Thermal Effects
4.2.3.3 Smoke Damage
4.3 Explosion Scenario Analysis
4.3.1 Explosion Event Types and Scenarios
4.3.2 Explosions Analysis
4.3.2.1 Pressure Vessel Burst
4.3.2.1.1 Blast Effect from Pressure Vessel Burst
4.3.2.1.2 Fragmentation from Pressure Vessel Burst
4.3.2.1.3 Thermal Effects from Pressure Vessel Burst
4.3.2.2 BLEVE
4.3.2.2.1 Blast Effect from BLEVE
4.3.2.2.2 Fragmentation from BLEVE
4.3.2.2.3 Thermal Effects from BLEVE
4.3.2.3 Vapor Cloud Explosion
4.3.2.3.1 Vapor Cloud Deflagration
4.3.2.3.2 Vapor Cloud Detonation
4.3.2.3.3 VAPOR CLOUD Deflagration AND Detonation PRACTICAL DIFFERENCES
4.3.2.3.4 Blast Effect from Vapor Cloud Explosion
4.3.2.3.5 Fragmentation from Vapor Cloud Explosion
4.3.2.3.6 Thermal Effect from Vapor Cloud Explosion
4.3.2.4 Flash Fire
4.3.3 Consequences of Explosions BEYOND RELEASES OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
4.3.3.1 Damage Caused by Overpressure (Detonations and Deflagrations)
4.3.3.2 Damage Caused by Fragmentation
4.3.3.3 Damage Caused by Thermal Effects to Facility workers
4.3.3.4 Damage Caused by Thermal Effects to SSCs
4.3.4 Source Term Calculation for Explosion Scenarios
4.3.4.1 Explosion MAR
4.3.4.2 Explosion Damage Ratio (DR)
4.3.4.3 Explosion ARF/RF
4.3.4.4 Explosion Release Duration
4.3.5 Case: Source Term Calculation for Hydrogen Explosion
4.3.5.1 GAS Explosion source term (ST)
4.3.5.2 Gas deflagration Source Term (ST)
4.4 Spills
4.4.1 Types of Loss of Confinement/Spills and Scenarios
4.4.2 Analysis of Spills
4.4.2.1 Glovebox Spills
4.4.2.2 Material Handling and Waste Container Accidents
4.4.2.3 Over-pressurizations
4.4.2.3.1 Pressurized Powder Releases
4.4.2.3.2 Pressurized Liquid Releases
4.4.2.4 Aerodynamic Entrainment
4.5 Analysis of Chemical Reactions
4.5.1 Organic-based Ion Exchange Resin Reaction
4.5.1.1 Reactions of Nitric Acid with Organic Materials
4.5.1.2 Composition and Reactions of Ion Exchange Resins
4.5.1.3 Chemical Degradation of Ion Exchange Resins
4.5.1.4 Radiation Effects on Ion Exchange Resins
4.5.1.5 Incidents Involving Chemical Reactions of Resins
4.5.1.6 Discussion of Accident Conditions
4.5.2 “Red Oil” Reaction
4.5.2.1 Background and Prior Red Oil Incidents
4.5.2.2 Discussion of Red Oil Accident Conditions
4.5.2.3 Approach to Preventing Red Oil Accidents
4.5.2.4 Preventive Controls
4.5.3 Organic Reaction Event
4.5.3.1 Background and Discussion
4.5.3.2 Analytical and Test Methods
4.5.3.3 Prevention and Mitigation
4.5.4 Hydroxylamine Nitrate Reaction
4.5.4.1 Prevention and Mitigation
4.5.5 Chemical Reactions Accident Analysis
4.6 Natural Phenomena Hazard Events
4.6.1 NPH Event Types
4.6.2 NPH Event Analysis Overview
4.6.2.1 Accident Analysis for A New Nuclear Facility or Major Modification of an existing nuclear facility
4.6.2.2 Accident Analysis for Existing Nuclear Facility DSA
4.6.2.3 General Methodology
Section 346
4.6.3 Seismic Events
4.6.4 Extreme Wind Events
4.6.5 Flood and Precipitation Events
4.6.6 Lightning Events
4.6.7 Volcanic Eruption and Ashfall Events
4.6.8 Wildland Fires
4.6.8.1 Wildland Fire Event Description and Analysis
4.6.8.2 Example: Wildland Fire Facility/Structure Hazard ASSESSMENT
4.7 Man-Made External Events
4.7.1 Aircraft Crashes
4.7.1.1 Screening Analysis
4.7.1.2 Aircraft Crash Damage Assessment
4.7.2 Vehicle Crashes
4.7.2.1 Vehicle Crash into Facility
4.7.2.2 Onsite Transportation Accident
4.7.3 Loss of Power to Safety-related SSCs
5 SOURCE TERM ANALYSIS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Radiological Source Term Components
5.2.1 Material at Risk
5.2.1.1 Overview of Requirements, Guidance, and Practices for
Identifying MAR
5.2.1.2 Examples for Identifying MAR
5.2.2 Determining the Damage Ratio (DR)
5.2.2.1 Overview of Requirements, Guidance, and Practices
5.2.2.2 Examples
5.2.3 Airborne Release Fraction and Respirable Fraction
5.2.3.1 Overview of Requirements, Guidance, and Practices for Determining ARF/RF
5.2.3.2 Examples for Determining ARF/RF
5.2.4 Airborne Release Rate
5.2.5 Leakpath Factor
5.2.5.1 Filtration LPF
5.2.5.2 LPF Modeling
5.3 Chemical Release Source Terms
5.4 Appropriateness of Source Terms
5.4.1 Adequate Technical Basis to Depart from Default or Bounding Values
6 ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Key Receptors
6.3 Meteorological Parameters Affecting Dispersion
6.3.1 Wind Speed, Wind Direction, and Wind Direction Standard Deviations
6.3.1.1 Wind Speed
6.3.1.2 Wind Direction
6.3.1.3 Wind Direction Standard Deviations
6.3.2 Wind Speed Profile with Height
6.3.3 Mixing Layer Height
6.3.4 Vertical Temperature Profiles
6.3.5 Precipitation
6.3.6 Temperature and Relative Humidity
6.4 Gaussian Plume Model for Neutrally Buoyant Plumes
6.4.1 Basic Gaussian Equations
6.4.2 Gaussian Plume Widths and Depths
6.4.2.1 Atmospheric Stability Classes
6.4.2.2 Methods of Calculating Stability Classes
6.4.2.3 Additional Stability Classification Techniques
6.4.2.4 Methods of Calculating Plume Width and Plume Thickness
6.5 Characterization of Meteorological and Site Data
6.5.1 Persistence
6.5.2 Joint Frequency Distribution (JFD)
6.5.3 Full Data Set Sampling
6.5.4 Treatment of Calm and Variable Winds
6.6 Meteorological Data Adequacy for Safety Analysis
6.7 Typical and Unfavorable Dispersion Conditions
6.8 Special Gaussian Modeling Considerations57F
6.8.1 Averaging-Time and Large Eddy Plume Meander
6.8.2 Mechanical Turbulence Due to Surface Roughness
6.8.3 Aerodynamic Effects of Buildings
6.8.4 Plume Modifications Through Decay, Daughter In-Growth, and Deposition Processes
6.8.5 Principles Governing Plume Rise and Downwash
6.8.5.1 Momentum Plume Rise
6.8.5.2 Buoyancy Plume Rise
6.8.6 PLUME IMPACTION
6.9 DOE Central Registry of Radiological Dispersion and Consequence Analysis Codes
6.9.1 MACCS2
6.9.2 GENII
6.9.3 HOTSPOT
6.10 Atmospheric Dispersion Options IN DOE-STD-3009-2014
6.11 ATMOSPHERIC Dispersion Modeling Protocol
6.12 Non-Gaussian Dispersion Modeling
6.12.1 Dispersion under Extreme Wind or Tornado Event
6.12.2 Finite Plume External Dose Modeling
6.12.3 Plumes from Energetic Events82F
6.13 Co-located Worker Dispersion Factor
6.13.1 Technical Report for CW χ/Q value
6.13.2 Alternate χ/Q Value Justification
6.13.2.1 Hand Calculations for a χ/Q Value Where the Default Value is Not Appropriate
6.13.2.2 Computer Code Modeling for a χ/Q Value Where the Default Value is Not Appropriate
Section 347
7 AQUATIC DISPERSION AND GROUNDWATER TRANSPORT
7.1 Overview
7.2 NRC REGULATORY GUIDANCE ON AQUATIC DISPERSION AND DOSE CALCULATION
7.3 Documented Safety Analysis Approach
7.4 Liquid Effluent Release Key Receptors
7.5 Liquid Effluent Release Redistribution Mechanisms and Uptake
7.5.1 Initial Mixing
7.5.2 Far-Field Mixing
7.5.3 Deposition And Resuspension In Sediments
7.5.4 Uptake Mechanisms
7.6 Aquatic Dispersion Models and Comparisons
7.6.1 Classes of Aquatic Dispersion Models
7.6.2 Aquatic Dispersion Model Attributes and Characteristics
7.6.3 Comparison of Aquatic Dispersion Models
7.6.3.1 LADTAP2
7.6.3.2 STREAM2
7.6.3.3 GENII 2.10.1
7.6.3.4 RIVER-RAD
7.6.3.5 DISPERS
7.7 Groundwater Transport
7.7.1 Overview
7.7.2 Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport
7.7.3 Tritium in Sediments
7.7.4 Groundwater Transport Model Considerations
8 RADIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCE ASSESSMENT
8.1 Fundamentals
8.1.1 Types of Radiation
8.1.2 Nuclear Fission
8.1.3 Radioactivity
8.2 Effects of Radiation on the Body
8.2.1 Dose Evaluations
8.2.2 Inhalation (Plume) Dose
8.2.3 Cloudshine Dose
8.2.4 Groundshine Dose
8.2.5 Prompt (Direct) Dose
8.2.6 Plutonium Equivalent Curies
8.3 Health Risks
8.3.1 High-LET Radiation
8.3.2 Low-LET Radiation
8.3.3 Acute Health Risks
9 CHEMICAL DISPERSION AND CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Chemical Consequence Assessment Fundamentals
9.3 Chemical Screening Criteria
9.4 Chemical Health Effects on the Human Body
9.4.1 Chemical Concentrations and Exposure Time
9.4.1.1 Chemical Exposure Time
9.4.1.2 Protective Action Criteria for Releases of a Single Chemical
9.4.1.3 Protective Action Criteria for Releases of Multiple Chemicals
9.4.2 Modes of Exposure and Routes of Entry of Toxic Chemicals that Result in Health Effects
9.4.3 Toxic Chemical Acute Exposure Limits
9.4.3.1 EPA Acute Exposure Guideline Levels
9.4.3.2 AIHA Emergency Response Planning Guidelines
9.4.3.3 DOE PAC/TEELs
9.4.4 Chemical Mixture Methodology
9.4.5 Chronic Health Effects of Toxic Chemicals on the Human Body: Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, and Teratogenicity
9.5 Toxic Chemical Release Phenomenology and Subsequent Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion
9.5.1 Pressurized Liquids: Two-Phase Flow Toxic Chemical Release
9.5.1.1 FLASHING FRACTION AND AEROSOL FORMATION
9.5.1.2 TWO-PHASE RELEASE OF CHLORINE FROM A PIPE
9.5.2 Pressurized Gases: Choked Flow Toxic Chemical Release
9.5.2.2 VAPOR OUTFLOW FROM BREACH OF A PIPELINE
9.5.2.3 OUTFLOW FROM A CYLINDRICAL TANK
9.5.2.4 OUTFLOW FROM A SPHERICAL TANK
9.5.2.5 OUTFLOW FROM PROCESS VESSELS OF OTHER VARIOUS SHAPES
9.5.3 Dense Gas Toxic Chemical Release And Dispersion
9.5.4 Non-Pressurized Liquid Release
9.5.4.1 Convective Boiling
9.5.4.2 Conductive Boiling
9.5.4.3 Nitric Acid and Carbon Tetrachloride Pool Evaporation Rates
9.5.4.3.2 Carbon Tetrachloride Pool Evaporation
9.5.5 Energetic Events: Fires, Deflagrations, Detonations, Delayed Ignition Explosions, and Bleves
9.6 Meteorological Parameters Affecting Toxic Chemical Consequence Analysis
9.6.1 Temperature Effects
9.6.2 Relative Humidity Effects
9.7 Toxic Chemical Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion Models
9.7.1 Neutrally-Buoyant Gaussian Models
9.7.1.1 ALOHA
9.7.1.2 EPIcode
9.7.1.3 Chemical Dispersion Analysis with ALOHA and EPIcode
9.7.2 Dense Gas Dispersion Models
9.7.2.1 ALOHA
9.7.2.2 DEGADIS
9.7.2.3 HGSYSTEM
9.7.2.4 SLAB
Section 348
9.7.3 Variable Trajectory Dispersion Models
9.7.4 Research-Grade Dispersion Models
9.8 Toxic Chemical Consequence Scoping Methodology to Exceed PAC/TEEL Values
9.8.1 Gas, Powder, and Solid Release Model
9.8.2 Liquid Evaporation Scoping Calculation Model
9.8.3 Screening Method for Maximally-Exposed Offsite Individual (MOI) High Consequence
9.9 Example Toxic chemical Calculations
9.9.1 Example 1: Calculate Ammonia Gas Quantity that Exceeds PAC/TEEL-3 at the CW
9.9.2 Example 2: Calculate Aluminum Oxide Powder Quantity that Exceeds PAC/TEEL-3 at the CW
9.9.3 Example 3: Calculate Liquid 70% Nitric Acid Quantity that Exceeds PAC/TEEL Values at 1 Km Site Boundary
9.9.4 Example 4: Calculate Liquid 55% Hydrofluoric Acid Quantity that Exceeds PAC/TEEL Values at 1 Km Site Boundary
10 HAZARD CONTROL SELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION
10.1 Hazard Control Selection
10.1.1 Hazard Control Selection Process
10.1.1.1 Hazard and Accident Analysis Input to Control Selection
10.1.1.2 Hazard Control Types
10.1.1.3 Use of Risk Matrices for Control Selection
10.1.2 Hazard Control Selection Considerations
10.2 Safety Classifications of Controls
10.2.1 Safety Class Designation
10.2.2 Safety Significant Designation
10.2.3 Classification of Other Hazard Controls
10.3 Evaluation of Existing Facilities with Mitigated Offsite Consequence Estimates Over the Evaluation Guideline
11 REFERENCES
APPENDIX A: Hazard Analysis Table Development
A.1 Scenario Description
A.2 Initiating Event Frequency
A.3 Unmitigated Consequence Evaluation
A.4 Safety Functions
A.5 Preventive Features (Design and Administrative)
A.6 Method of Detection
A.7 Mitigative Features (Design and Administrative)
A.8 SSC Safety Control Suite and Safety Functions
A.9 Mitigated Consequences
A.10 Planned Analyses, Assumptions and Risk/Opportunity Identification
A.11 Hazards Evaluation Table
APPENDIX B: Criticality Accidents
B.1 Introduction
B.2 Regulatory Requirements, Recommendations and Guidance
B.2.1 Unmitigated Analysis
B.3 Accident Fission Yields
B.3.1 Fission Yields of Solution and Solution-Like Systems
B.3.2 Fission Yields of Non-Solution-Like Systems
B.3.2.1 Metals/Solids – One or a Few Large Pieces
B.3.2.2 Dry, unmoderated Solids – Numerous Small Pieces, and Large Arrays
B.3.3 Fission Yields of Autocatalytic Accidents
B.4 Evaluation of Direct Radiation DoseS
B.5 Criticality Accident Source Terms
B.5.1 Fission Product Inventories
B.5.2 Particulate Release and Health Related Parameters
B.6 Criticality Accident Example