Radiation Physics and Engineering
A peer-reviewed journal published by K. N. Toosi University of Technology

Calculation of neutron/gamma dose rates’ distributions inside TRR neutron diffraction facility laboratory using computational method

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Zohreh Gholamzadeh

Reactor and nuclear safety, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/rpe.2024.464691.1199
Abstract
Neutron scattering facilities are widely applied to study the properties of materials. A beam of monochomatic neutrons or a widespread wavelength band of neutrons is used to irradiate the sample which is going to be analyzed at the scattering laboratory. Shielding of incident neutrons also the scattered ones from the sample should be definitely done to decrease the laboratory dose rates. Also, mapping of the dose rate distributions helps to the laboratory users to avoid high neutron/gamma exposures. The present study uses a computational method to simulate neutron and gamma dose rates’ distributions inside TRR diffraction facility laboratory. Not only the simulation method helps to design the laboratory boundary or the laboratory walls so that behind its walls the personal exposures remain as low as possible, but also gives warnings to the facility users about the high dose regions around the beam exit when the facility is under operation. The carried-out work showed after the laboratory boundary, summation of the neutron and gamma dose rates are less than 3 μSv.h-1. In addition, the carried-out benchmark studies by using experimental data in this work confirms the simulations with less than 20% relative discrepancy.

Highlights

  • Neutron diffraction laboratories are one of the most important applications of research reactors.
  • Computational methods help to estimate neutron/gamma dose rates before high cost designs.
  • Neutron/Gamma dose rate should be mapped to provide awareness for neutron laboratory users.
  • Measurements help to benchmark the carried out simulations.

Keywords

Neutron dose rate
Gamma dose rate
Diffraction laboratory
MCNPX code
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Radiation Physics and Engineering
Volume 6, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 45-51

  • Receive Date 25 June 2024
  • Revise Date 06 October 2024
  • Accept Date 06 October 2024

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