Introducing PCTRAN as an evaluation tool for nuclear power plant emergency responses

Protecting the public from radiation exposure is important if a nuclear power plant (NPP) accident occurs. Deciding appropriate protective actions in a timely and effective manner can be fulfilled by using an effective accident evaluation tool. In our earlier work, we have integrated PCTRAN (Personal Computer Transient Analyzer) with the off-site dose calculation model. In this study, we introduce PCTRAN as an evaluation tool for nuclear power plant emergency responses. If abnormal conditions in the plant are monitored or observed, the plant staffs can distinguish accident/incident initiation events. Thus, the responsible personnel can immediately operate PCTRAN and set up those accident/incident initiation events to simulate the nuclear power plant transient or accident in conjunction with off-site dose distributions. The evaluation results consequently help the responsible organizations decide the rescue and protective actions. In this study, we explain and demonstrate the capabilities of PCTRAN for nuclear emergency responses, through applying it to simulate the postulated nuclear power plant accident scenarios.

► PCTRAN is integrated with an atmospheric dispersion algorithm.
► The improved PCTRAN acts as an accident/incident simulator and a data exchange system.
► The software helps the responsible organizations decide the rescue and protective actions.
► The evaluation results show the nuclear power plant accident and its off-site dose consequences.
► The software can be used for nuclear power plant emergency responses.