ALARA Overview System at Crystal River Unit 3 Nuclear Station

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Engineering
• Health Physics
• Radiation Safety

Background:

• Nuclear power plants require extensive health physics coverage during refueling outages.
• High-dose areas pose significant radiation exposure risks to personnel.
• Traditional methods often involve direct personnel presence in high-radiation zones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of remote video and audio monitoring for health physics coverage during a nuclear refueling outage.
• To reduce radiation exposure for health physics personnel.
• To assess the feasibility of implementing such technology in nuclear operations.

Main Methods:

• Installation of eight cameras with audio interfaces linked to a remote control center.
• Utilizing the system for real-time monitoring of steam generator and refueling activities.
• B&W Nuclear Technologies managed system setup, maintenance, and decontamination.

Main Results:

• The remote monitoring system allowed health physics personnel to observe critical activities from a low-dose area.
• Radiation dose was significantly reduced, effectively cut in half compared to the previous outage.
• The system facilitated efficient oversight of steam generator and refueling operations.

Conclusions:

• Remote video and audio technology is a viable and effective tool for enhancing radiation safety during nuclear refueling outages.
• Implementing such systems can substantially decrease personnel radiation exposure.
• This approach offers a practical solution for maintaining health physics coverage in high-dose environments.