Investigation of Gamma and Neutron Energy Fluences in Iron -Water Benchmark Configurations for the Verification of Monte Carlo Calculations and their Application in Reactor Material Dosimetry

Abstract

Recent findings indicate that gamma radiation can contribute to the embrittlement of reactor materials. On this background an experimental benchmark programme at two low power reactors was started to measure both, neutron and gamma spectral fluences behind and inside of transmission modules consisting of variable iron and water slabs using a NE213 scintillation spectrometer and partly a HPGe detector. The experimental results are used to validate Monte Carlo calculation methods for coupled neutron/gamma problems. The experiment and results of a first series of measurements and comparisons to MCNP calculations for neutron and gamma energy spectra are presented.

Keywords:

• reactor dosimetry
• neutron spectrometry
• gamma spectrometry
• reactor pressure vessel
• steel embrittlement