RADIATION PROTECTION: ROLE OF DESIGN IN 500 MWE PROTOTYPE FAST BREEDER REACTOR (PFBR)

The ionizing radiation exposure to the occupational worker and radioactive release to the environment are very low in fast breeder reactors compared to the permissible limits prescribed by the regulatory authority. Radiation protection procedures have been developed with a view to minimise the occupational risk for the working environment and controlling the release of radioactivity to the external environment too. The threshold value of release of radioactivity to the environment and the general public will be of lesser magnitude compared to the occupational exposure that is permitted by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for a plant worker. The paper brings out the details of sources of radio activity in PFBR during operation phase, zoning and shielding concepts, dosimetry and the radiation protection procedures that will be followed in PFBR.