Isotopic signature of atmospheric xenon released from light water reactors

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• 作者：Martin B. Kalinowski and Christoph Pistner
• 关键词：Atmospheric radioactivity ; Noble gas ; Reactor emissions ; Isotopic ratios ; Environmental monitoring ; CTBT
• 刊名：Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
• 出版年：2006
• 期刊代码：45_0265931x
• 类别：env
• 出版时间：2006
• 卷：88
• 期：3
• 页码：215-235
• 文件大小：402 K

摘要

A global monitoring system for atmospheric xenon radioactivity is being established as part of the International Monitoring System to verify compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The isotopic activity ratios of ¹³⁵Xe, ^133mXe, ¹³³Xe and ^131mXe are of interest for distinguishing nuclear explosion sources from civilian releases. Simulations of light water reactor (LWR) fuel burn-up through three operational reactor power cycles are conducted to explore the possible xenon isotopic signature of nuclear reactor releases under different operational conditions. It is studied how ratio changes are related to various parameters including the neutron flux, uranium enrichment and fuel burn-up. Further, the impact of diffusion and mixing on the isotopic activity ratio variability are explored. The simulations are validated with reported reactor emissions. In addition, activity ratios are calculated for xenon isotopes released from nuclear explosions and these are compared to the reactor ratios in order to determine whether the discrimination of explosion releases from reactor effluents is possible based on isotopic activity ratios.