Investigation of under-containment gamma dose after total core uncovering accident in Tehran Research Reactor

The occurrence of core uncovering following a loss of coolant accident is conceivable and should be taken into account for its significant possible consequences. Source terms are calculated using ORIGEN 2.1 code, and the gamma dose of the uncovered core is calculated for three different normal and anticipated accidents scenarios. Under containment gamma dose rates have been calculated analytically as well as using MCNPX 2.6.0 code. The uncovered core of the Tehran research reactor is supposed to operate in nominated power of 5 MW for 30 days. The results illustrated that the under-containment dose rate of gamma in some locations would be about 200 Sv.h−1, far from the annual occupational exposure limit of 50 mSv. For preventing this occurrence, it would be possible to use an emergency make-up tank as an engineered safety feature, with functions of the avoidance of damaging fuel after the loss of coolant accident as well as controlling exposure from the core.