The optimization of radiation protection composition

• Main Authors: O.L. Tashlykov, S.Ye. Shcheklein, V.Yu. Lukyanenko, A.F. Mikhaylova, I.M. Russkikh, Ye.N. Seleznev, A.V. Kozlov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI) 2016-03-01
• Series: Nuclear Energy and Technology
• Subjects: Exposure dose; Optimization of radiation protection; Homogeneous radiation protective material; Attenuation ratio; Nuclear research reactor
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452303816300097

The purpose of the study is to develop an algorithm for designing the composition of homogeneous radiation protective materials (RPM) for the radiation protection optimization. Homogeneous radiation protective materials of the Abris type were used in the studies, the manufacturing technology for which makes it possible to obtain the required concentrations of filling agents. The attenuating capacity of a radiation protective material with the barite, lead and tungsten concentrations of 20–80% was estimated using high-precision codes. Experimental studies into the protective properties of the Abris material with different concentrations of filling agents were conducted to verify the calculation results. For the experiment, five sources of gamma radiation (60Co, 58Co, 198Au, 54Mn, 24Na) with typical radiation energies were generated in the IVV-2M research reactor. A dedicated facility and a DKS-AT1123 measuring device were also used. As the result of an integrated research, calculated dependences of the attenuation factors have been obtained for the radiation produced by typical radiation sources, and for different RPM compositions and thicknesses. This data forms the input for the optimization of radiation protection. The design of the homogeneous RPM composition is highly promising in terms of the approach to radiation protection optimization. As follows from a comparison of the investigation results for the γ-radiation dose attenuation factors for homogeneous protective materials of the Abris type, depending on composition and thickness, the experimental data differs from the values obtained by calculation by not more than 5%. The Abris-type homogeneous RPM manufacturing technology makes it possible to provide the required protective properties for particular exposure conditions (composition of radioactive contaminants).