Tritium and Carbon-14 in Releases of Nuclear Reactor Facilities of Various Types

Abstract

The production of electricity by European nuclear power plants with various types of reactor installations in the period from 1995 to 2017 was considered. For each nuclear power plant in Europe, the median specific emission indicators of tritium and carbon-14 (GBq/GWh) were calculated. Depending on these indexes, all stations were divided into 3 types: with the best, stable and the worst emission practices. A conservative estimate of the contribution of various reactor facilities to the activity of tritium and carbon-14 in the atmosphere was made. To assess the activity of tritium and carbon-14 entering the atmosphere as a result of emissions from the research nuclear reactor an experimental stand was developed.