Re: Dispersal of Spent Fuel -Reply

[John Harvey <harveyj@mcmail.CIS.McMaster.CA>]

The scenario was part of a security exercise.

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John Harvey                            | McMaster University
Senior Health Physicist                | NRB-110
(905) 525-9140 ext 24226               | 1280 Main St. W.
harveyj@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca         | Hamilton, Ont Canada L8S 4K1

On Tue, 27 Aug 1996, Charles Willis wrote:

> John Harvey asked "what happens to a spent MTR fuel element when exploded."  I do not
> believe that data have been generated to answer that question, largely because there has
> been no concern about the explosion of a MTR fuel element.  Accidental out-of-core criticality
> is possible, of course, but the fuel element would not explode.   If a fuel element is overheated,
> by whatever mechanism, some of its radioactive material can be released.  It the mechanism
> were accidental criticality, however, the available evidence indicates that the direct radiation
> would be the dominant radiological hazard.  I wonder what scenario gives rise to the question.
> 
>