Monte Carlo simulation study on Barite Concrete for neutron-gamma photon

Abstract

In the ongoing research, the Monte Carlo simulation of three different Barite Concrete samples coded as C-B0, C-B50 and C-B100 was estimated via MCNPX Monte Carlo Code to investigate the neutron-gamma photon shielding characteristics. Simulations were performed for ²⁵²Cf source which is surrounded by the polyethylene cylinder. Using Watt Fission (WF) distribution and Doppler Effect (DE), the neutron-gamma photon flux was obtained and was compared to various types of Barite Concrete samples. The total macroscopic cross section, linear attenuation coefficient (µ), Half Value Thickness (HVT) and Mean Free Path (MFP) were calculated for gamma rays and neutrons. The equivalent absorbed dose rate was estimated for neutrons and showed that an increment of the Barite rate causes a reduction in the equivalent absorbed dose rate from 0.0003572 to 0.0003542 (µSV/h). Moreover, total macroscopic cross section which shows total macroscopic cross section which shows the neutron attenuation coefficient (∑_t) undergoes descending trend of (∑_t)_C-B0 < (∑_t)_C-B50 < (∑_t)_C-B100 which confirms the disability of the Barite Concrete sample against neutrons. The evaluated gamma photon attenuation parameters for energy ranging from 0.05 to 11 MeV are shown graphically. Findings reveal that by increasing the rate of the Barite, the samples’ shielding ability will reduce against neutron whereas it will enhance the gamma photons shielding capability.

KEYWORDS:

• Neutron-gamma photon shielding performance
• ²⁵²Cf source
• Barite Concrete samples
• MCNPX

Data availability

Some or all test and training data, models or codes that support the findings of this research study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request (results, code, images, etc.).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Iskender Akkurt

Iskender Akkurt was born in Kilis in 1971. He completed doctorate at Glasgow University in 1998. In the same year, he was appointed as assistant professor to Suleyman Demirel University.

Roya Boodaghi Malidarre

Roya Boodaghi Malidarre she is graduated from payame noor university in 2018 in nuclear physics and then, she continued her studies in radiation protection field and dosimetry.