Article

Real-time use of inverse modeling techniques to assess the atmospheric accidental release from a nuclear power plant

IRSN − Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, PSE-SANTE, SESUC, BMCA, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France

^* Corresponding author: olivier.saunier@irsn.fr

Received: 29 August 2019
Accepted: 20 March 2020

Abstract

The assessment of the source term including the time evolution of the release rate into the atmosphere and its distribution between radionuclides is one of the key issues in the understanding of the consequences of a nuclear accident. Inverse modeling methods, which combine environmental measurements, and atmospheric dispersion models have been proven to be efficient in assessing the source term due to an accidental situation. We developed our own tool, which has been applied to the Fukushima accident by using dose rate measurements and air concentration measurements. The inverse modeling tool has been implemented and tested during exercises implying fictitious radioactive releases with the aim of testing this method for emergency management. The exercises showed the relevance of the inverse modeling tool and it is a rewarding experience, which helped us to identify the required developments for the purpose of an operational use.