Tritium dispersion analysis using HotSpot code: a comparative study across reactor types and environmental...

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Health Physics

Background:

• Kenya plans nuclear power, necessitating tritium monitoring for severe accidents.
• Tritium (3H) poses risks due to mobility and biological relevance, especially with limited data.
• Developing nations require robust radiological assessment for nuclear safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess tritium dispersion and radiological dose in Kenya under severe accident scenarios.
• To model atmospheric tritium spread using site-specific data and various reactor types.
• To inform emergency preparedness and regulatory frameworks for nuclear power in Kenya.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the HotSpot health physics code for atmospheric dispersion simulation.
• Incorporated 2024 meteorological data, release heights, and accident scenarios (containment bypass, LOCA).
• Modeled tritium (HT, HTO, H(M)) dispersion across Kilifi County for four reactor types (HWR, PWR, BWR, AGR).

Main Results:

• Highest total effective dose (TED) and ground deposition occurred at 2 m/s wind velocity.
• Ground contamination extended to 162 km² under low rainfall conditions.
• Heavy Water Reactors (HWR) showed the highest potential dose, exceeding ICRP limits initially but decreasing with distance.

Conclusions:

• Wind velocity is a key factor in tritium dispersion.
• Rural terrain and specific atmospheric conditions (stability class F) increase radiological dose.
• Findings are crucial for emergency planning, exclusion zone design, and nuclear safety regulations in Kenya and emerging nuclear states.