Means of radiation monitoring in nuclear power plants in Vietnam

According to Article 68 of Circular No. 30/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam: “Equipment shall be provided to monitor radiation in operational states and design basis accidents. If possible, equipment shall be provided to monitor radiation beyond design basis accidents. Stationary dose rate meters shall be provided for monitoring local radiation dose rates at plant locations that are routinely accessible by personnel, and where the changes in radiation levels in operational states allow the access of personnel for certain specified periods of time.”

In which, the stationary dose rate meter shall:

- Display the radiation levels at the necessary plant locations in accident conditions;

- Provide sufficient information in the control room and control positions so that personnel can intervene if necessary.

The stationary radiation monitors shall be capable of measuring the activity of radioactive substances in the atmosphere in areas routinely occupied by personnel and where the radioactivity might be such as to necessitate protective measures. The detected concentration of radionuclides shall be displayed in the control room and other necessary positions. Radiation monitors shall be installed areas subject to possible contamination as a result of equipment failure or other unusual circumstances.

Moreover, stationary equipment and laboratories shall be provided for promptly determining the radiation concentration in fluid process systems, in gas and liquid samples taken from plant systems or from the environment in operational states and in accident conditions. Stationary equipment shall be provided for monitoring radioactive effluents and effluents with possible contamination during discharges from the plant to the environment. Instruments shall be provided for measuring surface contamination. Stationary monitors, including portal radiation monitors, hand and foot monitors, shall be provided at the exits from controlled areas and supervised areas to control the radiation for operating personnel and equipment. Facilities shall be provided for monitoring exposure and radioactive contamination of operating personnel, for the purposes of assessing and recording the cumulative doses to personnel over the period of working at the nuclear power plant.

The exposure and other radiological impacts in the vicinity of the plant shall be assessed by observing the dose rates or environmental radioactivity, with particular reference to:

- Exposure pathways to people, including the food chain;

- Radiological impacts, if any, on the local environment;

- The possible accumulation or radioactive substances in the environment;

- The possibility of unauthorized radioactive releases.

View details at Circular No. 30/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, effective from February 11, 2013.

Le Vy

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