• About
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   Institutional Repository Home
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Institutional Repository Home
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

    All of Institutional RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Analysis on the Potential Implications of a Terrorist Attack at U.S. Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facilities

    Favret, Derek Joe
    : https://etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/etd-07212006-152946
    http://hdl.handle.net/1803/13360
    : 2006-07-21

    Abstract

    Since September 11, 2001, the safety and security of the U.S. nuclear reactor complex has become a topic of controversy. Due to the safety features afforded to reactor vessels, most experts agree that the focus should be directed toward the lesser-protected spent fuel pools. Although designed with overlapping safety systems in structures that will withstand a variety of natural events, the ever-increasing fission product inventory in U.S. spent fuel pools may make them targets for terrorists. Some groups postulate that a terrorist attack, creating a zirconium fire in a spent fuel pool, would release levels of radionuclides much greater than released at Chernobyl. Utilizing HPAC and RESRAD modeling codes, the potential zirconium fire release are presented with a study of the resulting human health effects as comparable to the Chernobyl accident. Under study conditions, the activity of radionuclides released were generally similar to Chernobyl. Additionally, dose estimates in the contaminated areas suggest manageable long-term cancer risks. Overall, the results of this study indicate that, although significant, the effects of a zirconium fire in a spent fuel pool, as predicted by others, may be overstated.
    Show full item record

    Files in this item

    Icon
    Name:
    Thesis.pdf
    Size:
    3.156Mb
    Format:
    PDF
    View/Open

    This item appears in the following collection(s):

    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations

    Connect with Vanderbilt Libraries

    Your Vanderbilt

    • Alumni
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • International Students
    • Media
    • Parents & Family
    • Prospective Students
    • Researchers
    • Sports Fans
    • Visitors & Neighbors

    Support the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries

    Support the Library...Give Now

    Gifts to the Libraries support the learning and research needs of the entire Vanderbilt community. Learn more about giving to the Libraries.

    Become a Friend of the Libraries

    Quick Links

    • Hours
    • About
    • Employment
    • Staff Directory
    • Accessibility Services
    • Contact
    • Vanderbilt Home
    • Privacy Policy