14C Release in Various Chemical Forms With Gaseous Effluents From the Paks Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

We present results of airborne 14 C emission measurements from the Paks PWR nuclear power plant. Long-term release of 14 C in the form of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were simultaneously measured. The results of internal gas-proportional and liquid scintillation counting agree well with theoretical assessments of 14 C releases from pressurized water reactors. The mean value of the 14 C concentration in discharged air is 130Bqm -3 and the normalized release is equal to 740GBq/GW e · yr. > 95% of 14 C released is in the form of hydrocarbons, ca 4% is apportioned to CO 2 , and <1% to CO. Tree-ring measurements were also made and indicated a minute increase of 14 C content in the vicinity of the nuclear power plant.