Carbon-14 discharge at three light-water reactors.

A long-term-sampling evaluation was made of the quantity, discharge pathway, and chemical form of 14C released from 2 pressurized water reactors (PWR) and 1 boiling water reactor (BWR) in the northeastern United States. For the R. E. Ginna PWR the discharge rate of gaseous 14C was 11.6 Ci/GW(e)-yr. Venting of gas decay tanks accounted for 42%, while 35% was discharged through auxiliary building ventilation and 23% through containment venting. The average chemical composition was 10% as 14CO2, 90% as 14CH4 and other hydrocarbon gases. For the Indian Point Unit 3 PWR, the discharge rate was 9.6 Ci/GW(e)-yr, primarily by pressure-relief venting and purging of the containment air. Venting of gas decay tanks accounted for about 7% of the total released. The chemical species were 26% 14CO2, 74% 14CH4 and other hydrocarbon gases. For the J. A. FitzPatrick BWR, the discharge rate was 12.4 Ci/GW(e)-yr. Approximately 97% of the release was via off-gas discharge, which was about 95% 14CO2. For all 3 reactors the quantity of 14C released with liquid and solid wastes was less than 5% of the gaseous release.