Analysis of undesired event that leads to the initiation of early warning system of Kartini reactor

Abstract

The identification analysis of physical parameters that might provide indication for the emergency condition of the Kartini nuclear research reactor operation, have been done. The aim of this research is to determine the key parameters that needed for early warning system (EWS) of Kartini reactor. The method used is a failure mode and effect analyses to identify the postulated initiating event which can lead to the release of radioactive substances, then event tree and fault tree analyses to determine the probability of radioactive release. The plume stack pattern of the Kartini reactor is then also analysed. The analysis result shows that the initiating event that can lead to a release of radioactive substance from Kartini reactor to the environment is a failure of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) handling system. The probability of radioactive release is in order of 10-6 event/year. The fission product isotopes which have a great probability to be released into the environment in the form of gas are among others: Kr, I and Xe isotopes. The effective distance of radiation monitoring for EWS is in the range: 200 m up to 1000 m.