Research on Wastewater Source Term in High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor and the Environmental Impact at Inland Sites

Abstract High-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) is paid more attention in terms of inherent safety, high efficiency, and less liquid radioactive waste. The research on the source term of wastewater and the discharge methods of liquid effluent from HTGR can not only reduce the possible radiation risk to the environment and the public, but also promote the construction of inland nuclear power plants (NPPs), and improve the public acceptance of inland nuclear facilities. In this paper, calculation of activated corrosion products (ACPs) in the cooling water systems have been done in HTR-PM (High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Pebble-Bed Module) under normal operation conditions. Besides, the discharge methods of liquid effluent from inland NPPs without receiving water or with poor dilution conditions are studied. The calculation results indicate the cooling water of the heat removal system and shielded and component cooling water system needs to be changed once during the 40-year lifespan. The cooling water of the reactor support cooling system does not need to be changed. The annual effective dose resulting from liquid effluent through liquid-to-gas discharge using the data from a typical inland NPP site in China is less than direct discharge into the receiving water. The liquid-to-gas discharge is suitable for inland NPPs without receiving water or with poor dilution conditions.