Release of Radioactive Aerosols from the Object “Shelter” during of Strong Winds
Author: Ogorodnikov B. I., Budyka A. K., Pavluchenko N. I.
Reference: Gazette “РАДИАЦИОННАЯ БИОЛОГИЯ. РАДИОЭКОЛОГИЯ“ (Radiation bioligy, radioecology), 2005
doi: 614. 876:631.039.58
ISSN: 0869-8031
Keywords: radioactive aerosol, release of aerosol, ventilation system
Abstract: Results of measurements of radionuclide and disperse compositions of aerosols in ventilation system “Bypass” of the object “Shelter” of the Chernobyl NPP are presented. The “Bypass” is used for releasing contaminated air from the destroyed reactor of Block-IV to the atmosphere. In aerosols, the experimentally found ratio of 137Cs concentration to the sum of (β-emitting radionuclides more than 1.5 times exceeds the calculated ratio for nu-clear fuel (in December, 2003). Using the data of meteorological station “Chernobyl”, which situated 15 km SE from the Chernobyl NPP, we found that the wind with mean velocity of 4-5 m/sec or more and gusts of 10-11 m/sec led to increasing the aerosol concentration in the Bypass by more than power of magnitude. With the help of filter pack technique sizes of aerosol particles – the carriers of Chernobyl’ s radioactivity – were measured. It was found that the range of activity median aerodynamical diameter (AMAD) is 2-5 microns.