Chemical Consequence Analysis and Atmospheric Dispersion Coefficients under DOE-STD-3009-2014 Nuclear Safety Analysis
During preparation of non-reactor nuclear facility documented safety analyses (DSAs), chemical consequence analysis is an important contributor to correctly identifying and classifying nuclear safety controls. The Department of Energy (DOE) recently-issued DOE-STD-3009-2014, which increases the focus on chemical hazards within non-reactor nuclear facilities, and imposes additional requirements. Chemical consequence analysis can be significantly more complicated than radiological consequence analysis. Specifically, atmospheric dispersion factors used in chemical consequence analysis must consider several additional factors, such as the energy of the release, buoyancy, and initial chemical concentration. This paper describes the overall requirements of chemical consequence analysis under DOE-STD- 3009-2014, and provides specific guidance for determining an applicable atmospheric dispersion coefficient for use in chemical consequence analysis.