Considerations for the Risk-Informed Performance-Based Regulatory Treatment of Non-Core Sources of Radioactivity for Advanced Reactors

Abstract

The recently published ASME/ANS Non-LWR Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Standard, which has been endorsed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in RG 1.247, allows the incorporation of all radioactive sources at the site into the plant PRA. This includes non-core sources of radioactivity, such as fuel storage, purification systems, and fuel processing systems. For those non-LWR vendors who are utilizing risk-informed performance-based (RIPD) licensing approaches, such as the Licensing Modernization Project (LMP), there is an opportunity to include the non-core sources of radioactivity within the RIPB licensing framework for regulatory decision-making. This work explores the use of a RIPB approach for the licensing of regulated material under 10 CFR parts 30-35, 40, 70, and 72, including an assessment of regulatory criteria and available guidance compared with those utilized in the LMP approach. Synergies and potential challenges are identified as part of this crosswalk and recommendations, along with items for future development, are described.