• Home »
• Radiological Safety Analysis Computer Program

RSAC 5.2
Radiological Safety Analysis Computer Program

D.R. Wenzel

Calculates the radiological consequences of a release of radioactive material to the atmosphere

The Radiological Safety Analysis Computer Program (RSAC-5) calculates the consequences of the release of radionuclides to the atmosphere. Using a personal computer, a user can generate a fission product inventory from either reactor operating history or nuclear criticalities. RSAC-5 models the effects of high-efficiency particulate air filters or other cleanup systems and calculates decay and ingrowth during transport through processes, facilities, and the environment. Doses are calculated through the inhalation, immersion, ground surface, and ingestion pathways. RSAC+, a menu-driven companion program to RSAC-5, assists users in creating and running RSAC-5 input files.

This user's manual contains the mathematical models and operating instructions for RSAC-5 and RSAC+. Instructions, screens, and examples are provided to guide the user through the functions provided by RSAC-5 and RSAC+. These programs are designed for users who are familiar with radiological dose assessment methods.

The Radiological Safety Analysis Computer Program (RSAC-5) calculates the consequences of the release of radionuclides to the atmosphere. Using a personal computer with a math co-processor, a user can generate a fission product inventory; decay and ingrow the inventory during transport through processes, facilities, and the environment; model the downwind dispersion of the activity; and calculate doses to downwind individuals.

A fission product inventory can be calculated from the reactor operating history or to simulate a nuclear criticality accident. Radionuclide inventories can also be directly input into RSAC-5 if desired. Source term modeling allows for complete progeny ingrowth and decay during all accident phases. RSAC-5 release scenario modeling allows fractionation of the inventory by chemical group or element. RSAC-5 also models the effects of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or other cleanup systems. RSAC-5's meteorological capabilities include Gaussian plume diffusion for Pasquill-Gifford, Hilsmeier-Gifford, and Markee models. RSAC-5 possesses the unique ability to model Class F fumigation conditions. Optionally, users can supply plume standard deviations or atmospheric diffusion to the code as input data. RSAC-5 also includes corrections for plume rise and building wake. Doses are calculated through inhalation, immersion, ground surface, and ingestion pathways, and cloud gamma dose from semi-infinite plume model and finite plume model. A fifty-mile population dose, including Regulatory Guide 1.109 modeling, is also available.

RSAC+, a menu-driven companion program to RSAC-5, assists users in creating and running RSAC-5 input files. RSAC+ is written in a fourth generation database language and runs on any personal computer that supports the RSAC-5 code. With RSAC+, a user can modify input files easily. It also allows the user to insert, edit, add, copy, move, or delete sets of instructions in RSAC-5. RSAC+ stores each problem set in a separate file, distinguished by a unique file extension. RSAC+ checks all fields to ensure that data are in an appropriate range for the variable and that there is consistency in an input series.