Dose rate calculations at beam tube no. 5 of the JSI TRIGA mark II research reactor using Monte Carlo method

Anže Jazbec; Bor Kos; Klemen Ambrožič; Luka Snoj

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109510

Dose rate calculations at beam tube no. 5 of the JSI TRIGA mark II research reactor using Monte Carlo method

Appl Radiat Isot. 2021 Feb:168:109510. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109510. Epub 2020 Nov 17.

Authors

Anže Jazbec¹, Bor Kos², Klemen Ambrožič², Luka Snoj³

Affiliations

¹ University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
² Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
³ Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: luka.snoj@ijs.si.

PMID: 33223443
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109510

Abstract

Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code accelerated by AutomateD VAriaNce reducTion Generator (ADVANTG) code was used to simulate neutron and prompt gamma particles emitted from TRIGA research reactor during operation. Firstly, the method was validated by measuring dose rates around open beam port number 5 was unplugged. Neutron and gamma dose rates inside the reactor hall in the vicinity of the beam port were calculated and compared to the measurements. Due to the satisfactory agreement, the method was later used to design external shielding for the same beam port when it was upgraded - special mechanism was installed that allows irradiation of larger samples. Computational analysis of the proposed shielding configuration provided acceptable dose rate levels inside the reactor hall. When the shield was constructed, calculated dose rates were confirmed by the actual measurements. No modifications were needed.

Keywords: ADVANTG; Dose rate simulation; MCNP; TRIGA reactor.