General Containment Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants - A Model for Discussion

Abstract

Current U.S. containment criteria apply only to water-cooled nuclear power plants of certain design. A new generation of reactor designs is emerging. Many of these advanced designs use new concepts for the containment of radioactive materials. While there is a general agreement that safety functions should be designed into these plants rather than added later, the designers are presently at a disadvantage in not having established and approved containment design criteria. This paper proposes a set of general containment design criteria to stimulate further discussion on the subject. The proposed criteria provide for adequate protection of the public, are based on the defense-in-depth principle, are applicable to all reactor types and are practical for use by both designers and regulators. The criteria address the number of barriers required, the integrity of the barriers, leak-tightness of the barriers and limits on the release of radioactive materials. There is no restriction on the type of barriers the designer might use. In addition to design basis accident requirements, the criteria also include specific requirements for very low probability events.