• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• 제38권2호
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Pineapple is now the third most important tropical fruit in world production after banana and citrus. Phytosanitary irradiation is recognized as a promising alternative treatment to chemical fumigation. However, most of the phytosanitary irradiation studies have dealt with physiochemical properties and its efficacy. Accurate dose calculation is crucial for ensuring proper process control in phytosanitary irradiation. The objective of this study was to optimize phytosanitary irradiation treatment of pineapple in various radiation sources using Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: 3-D geometry and component densities of the pineapple, extracted from CT scan data, were entered into a radiation transport Monte Carlo code (MCNP5) to obtain simulated dose distribution. Radiation energy used for simulation were 2 MeV (low-energy) and 10 MeV (high-energy) for electron beams, 1.25 MeV for gamma-rays, and 5 MeV for X-rays. Results: For low-energy electron beam simulation, electrons penetrated up to 0.75 cm from the pineapple skin, which is good for controlling insect eggs laid just below the fruit surface. For high-energy electron beam simulation, electrons penetrated up to 4.5 cm and the irradiation area occupied 60.2% of the whole area at single-side irradiation and 90.6% at double-side irradiation. For a single-side only gamma- and X-ray source simulation, the entire pineapple was irradiated and dose uniformity ratios (Dmax/Dmin) were 2.23 and 2.19, respectively. Even though both sources had all greater penetrating capability, the X-ray treatment is safer and the gamma-ray treatment is more widely used due to their availability. Conclusions: These results are invaluable for optimizing phytosanitary irradiation treatment planning of pineapple.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제48권4호
• /
• pp.184-196
• /
• 2023

Background: Radiation protection is crucial in various fields due to the harmful effects of radiation. Shielding is used to reduce radiation exposure, but gamma radiation poses challenges due to its high energy and penetration capabilities. Materials and Methods: This work investigates the radiation shielding properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) samples containing different weight fraction of tungsten carbide (WC), tungsten trioxide (WO₃), and tungsten disulfide (WS₂). Parameters such as the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Z_eff), and macroscopic effective removal cross-section for fast neutrons (Σ_R) were calculated using the Phy-X/PSD software. EpiXS simulations were conducted for MAC validation. Results and Discussion: Increasing the weight fraction of the additives resulted in higher MAC values, indicating improved radiation shielding. PVDF-xWC showed the highest percentage increase in MAC values. MFP results indicated that PVDF-0.20WC has the lowest values, suggesting superior shielding properties compared to PVDF-0.20WO₃ and PVDF-0.20WS₂. PVDF-0.20WC also exhibited the highest Z_eff values, while PVDF-0.20WS₂ showed a slightly higher increase in Z_eff at energies of 0.662 and 1.333 MeV. PVDF-0.20WC has demonstrated the highest Σ_R value, indicating effective shielding against fast neutrons, while PVDF-0.20WS₂ had the lowest Σ_R value. The Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport version 5 (MCNP5) simulations showed that PVDF-xWC attenuates gamma radiation more than pure PVDF, significantly decreasing the dose equivalent rate. Conclusion: Overall, this research provides insights into the radiation shielding properties of PVDF mixtures, with PVDF-xWC showing the most promising results.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제26권2호
• /
• pp.93-99
• /
• 2001

해부학적으로 단순한 수학적인형팬텀의 한계를 극복하기 위한 voxel 머리팬텀을 제작하고 BNCT(Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) 시행 시 선량분포를 계산하였다. 일반목적 몬테칼로 코드인 MCNP4B의 반복구조 알고리즘을 이용하여 voxel 몬테칼로 계산체계를 수립하였고 두 가지 물질로 구성된 예시적 voxel 팬텀과 기하체조합팬텀의 계산값 비교를 통해 계산체계를 검증하였다. 미국 NLM(National Library of Medicine)에서 제공하는 VHP man 인체단층사진에 대한 분할 및 색인작업을 통해 voxel 머리팬텀을 제작하여 AP 및 PA 방향에서 입사하는 넓고 평행한 광자 및 중성자빔에 대한 선량값을 MIRD 팬텀의 계산값과 비교한 결과 중성자빔 AP 방향조사 시 MIRD 팬텀에서는 볼 수 없는 안구로 인한 중성자 감쇠현상을 확인할 수 있었다. 3차원 정밀계산이 필요한 BNCT 시술시 선량분포계산을 위해 뇌 중앙에 직경 5cm의 구형 뇌종양 체적을 정의하고 뇌와 종양의 붕소 함량을 조정하여 10keV 및 40keV 상부입사 중성자에 의한 장기별 흡수선량을 계산한 결과 종양에 $30{\mu}g/g$, 정상세포에 $3{\mu}g/g$의 붕소를 주입한 경우 붕소함량이 없을 때에 비해 2배 가량 큰 선량을 보였다. 본 연구를 통해 voxel몬테칼로기법을 이용한 선량평가체계를 수립하였고 정밀한 선량계산을 필요로 하는 치료방사선분야 선량계산에 실제 인체에 가까운 voxel팬텀의 응용가능성을 제시하였다.

• 방사성폐기물학회지
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2016

경수로 원전을 대상으로 원전 내 방사화 대상 물질인 스테인리스강, 탄소강 및 콘크리트의 불순물 정보 적용여부에 따른 방사화 핵종 재고량을 계산하였다. 본 연구에서 탄소강은 압력용기 물질에 사용되었고, 스테인리스강은 압력용기 내부 물질에 사용되었으며, 일반 콘크리트가 생체 차폐체에 사용되었다. 금속 물질에 대해서는 참고자료 1개의 불순물 함량 정보를 적용하였고, 콘크리트 물질에서는 참고자료 5개의 불순물 함량 정보를 적용하여 평가를 수행하였다. 방사화 핵종 재고량 전산해석 시 중성자속 계산에는 MCNP 전산코드를, 방사화 계산에는 FISPACT 전산코드를 각각 사용하였다. 계산 결과, 금속 물질에서 불순물을 포함한 경우가 그렇지 않은 경우보다 비방사능이 2배 이상 높았으며, 특히 콘크리트에서는 불순물을 포함한 경우가 그렇지 않은 경우보다 최대 30배 이상 비방사능이 높게 계산되었다. 방사화 핵종의 생성반응과 재고량을 분석한 결과, 금속 구조물에서는 불순물 중 Co원소와 중성자에 의해 생성되는 방사화 핵종인 Co-60이, 콘크리트에서는 불순물 중 Co, Eu 원소와 중성자에 의해 생성되는 방사화 핵종인Co-60, Eu-152, Eu-154 이 방사성폐기물 준위 결정에 큰 영향을 미치고 있음을 확인하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 원전 해체 계획 수립 시 방사화 핵종 재고량 평가 및 규제에 활용될 수 있을 뿐 아니라, 해체를 고려한 원전 또는 원자력시설의 설계 단계에서도 참고자료로 활용 될 것으로 판단된다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제43권6호
• /
• pp.583-592
• /
• 2011

The radiological characteristics for waste classification were assessed for neutron-activated decommissioning wastes from a CANDU reactor. The MCNP/ORIGEN2 code system was used for the source term analysis. The neutron flux and activation cross-section library for each structural component generated by MCNP simulation were used in the radionuclide buildup calculation in ORIGEN2. The specific activities of the relevant radionuclides in the activated metal waste were compared with the specified limits of the specific activities listed in the Korean standard and 10 CFR 61. The time-average full-core model of Wolsong Unit 1 was used as the neutron source for activation of in-core and ex-core structural components. The approximated levels of the neutron flux and cross-section, irradiated fuel composition, and a geometry simplification revealing good reliability in a previous study were used in the source term calculation as well. The results revealed the radioactivity, decay heat, hazard index, mass, and solid volume for the activated decommissioning waste to be $1.04{\times}10^{16}$ Bq, $2.09{\times}10^3$ W, $5.31{\times}10^{14}\;m^3$-water, $4.69{\times}10^5$ kg, and $7.38{\times}10^1\;m^3$, respectively. According to both Korean and US standards, the activated waste of the pressure tubes, calandria tubes, reactivity devices, and reactivity device supporters was greater than Class C, which should be disposed of in a deep geological disposal repository, whereas the side structural components were classified as low- and intermediate-level waste, which can be disposed of in a land disposal repository. Finally, this study confirmed that, regardless of the cooling time of the waste, 15% of the decommissioning waste cannot be disposed of in a land disposal repository. It is expected that the source terms and waste classification evaluated through this study can be widely used to establish a decommissioning/disposal strategy and fuel cycle analysis for CANDU reactors.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.87-92
• /
• 2007

최대출력 30 MW, 하나로(HANARO) 다목적 연구용 원자로의 접선 중성자공에 붕소중성자포획치료(Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, BNCT)를 위한 열중성자 조사장치가 개발되었다. BNCT 조사장치에서는 서로 다른 물리적 특성과 생물학적 효과비를 가진 여러 성분의 방사선이 방출되기 때문에 정확한 투여선량을 결정하기 위해서는 각 성분의 정량적 분석이 필수적이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 방사화 분석, 열형광선량계 및 이온전리함 등 여러 유형의 검출기를 사용하여 BNCT 조사장치에서 방출되는 열중성자 및 감마선 혼합장의 선량 성분을 분리, 측정하였다. 선량측정은 물 속에 함유된 불순물과 중성자의 이차반응을 최소화하기 위해 증류수를 채운 물팬텀을 이용하였다. 그리고 측정 결과는 MCNP4B 전산계산의 결과와 상호 비교하였다. 측정 결과 열중성자속은 물팬텀 10 mm와 20 mm 깊이에서 각각 $1.02E9n/cm^2{\cdot}s$과 $6.07E8n/cm^2{\cdot}s$이었고, 고속중성자선량율은 10 mm 깊이에서 0.11 Gy/hr로 미세하였다. 감마선량률은 물팬텀 20 mm 깊이에서 5.10 Gy/hr로 나타났다. 측정된 중성자와 감마선량값은 MCNP의 결과와 5% 이내로 잘 일치하였고, 열중성자속은 14%의 비교오차를 나타내었다. 이러한 결과들은 중성자 검출의 난이도를 고려할 때 충분히 신뢰할 수 있는 수준이라 판단되며, BNCT 임상 연구를 위한 선량평가 자료로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• 제19권1호
• /
• pp.66-73
• /
• 2001

목적 : 붕소-중성자 포획치료법(Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, BNCT)을 위해 원자력병원 싸이클로트론에서 발생되는 최대에너지 34.4 MeV의 속중성자(Fast neutron)를 70 cm 파라핀으로 감속시킨 후 선량 특성을 조사하였다. 그 결과를 토대로 열외중성자(Epithermal neutron) 선량 측정법에 대한 프로토콜을 확립하여 원자로에서 방출되는 열외 중성자 선량 특성 평가의 기초를 삼고, 가속기를 이용한 BNCT 연구에 대한 타당성 여부를 조사하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법 : 공기 중 선량 및 물질 내 선량 분포 측정을 위해 Unidos 10005 (PTW, Germany) 전기계와 조직 등가 물질인 A-150 플라스틱으로 제작된 IC-17 (Far West, USA) 및 IC-18, ElC-1 이온함을 사용하였고, 감마선의 측정을 위해서는 마그네슘으로 제작된 IC-l7M 이온함을 이용하였으며 조직등가 기체와 아르곤 기체를 분당 5cc 씩 주입하며 측정하였다. 중성자, 광자, 전자가 혼합된 장의 모의 수송 해석을 위해 이용되는 Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code를 사용하여 2차원적 선량 분포 및 에너지 분포를 계산하였으며 이 결과를 측정값과 비교하였다. 결과 : BNCT에서의 유효 치료 깊이인 물 팬텀 4 cm에서의 선량은 치료기 1 MU 당 $6.47\times10^{-3}\;cGy$로 미세하였으며, 이때 감마 오염도(contamination)는 $65.2{\pm}0.9\%$로 중성자보다는 감마선에 의한 선량 기여분이 우세하였다. 깊이에 따른 선량 분포 특성에서는 중성자 선량은 선형적으로 감쇠 되었고, 감마선량은 지수적으로 보다 급격히 감쇠되는 경향을 보였으며 전체 선량의 $D_{20}/D_{10}$은 0.718 이었다. MCNP에 의한 에너지 분포 전산 계산의 결과 2.87 MeV 이하에서 중성자 피크가 나타났으며, 저에너지 영역에서는 감마선이 연속적으로 분포되는 양상을 보였다. 결론 : 벽 물질이 서로 다른 두 개의 이온함을 사용한 직접 선량 측정과 MCNP 전산 시뮬레이션을 이용한 공간 선량분포 계산으로 미세 속중성자 빔에 대한 선량 특성을 파악할 수 있었으며, 원자로 열외중성자 주(Epithermal neutron column)에 대한 선량 평가 자료로 확보하였다. 아울러 가속기에 대한 연구가 진행되어 고전압, 고전류를 발생시키는 전원 공급장치와 표적핵(Target) 물질이 개발되고 비스무스나 납 등에 의해 감마 오염도를 줄일 경우, 싸이크로트론에 의한 보론-중성자 포획치료도 가능해질 것으로 판단된다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제49권1호
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2017

The heavy water zero power reactor (HWZPR), which is a critical assembly with a maximum power of 100 W, can be used in different lattice pitches. The last change of core configuration was from a lattice pitch of 18-20 cm. Based on regulations, prior to the first operation of the reactor, a new core was simulated with MCNP (Monte Carlo N-Particle)-4C and WIMS (Winfrith Improved Multigroup Scheme)-CITATON codes. To investigate the criticality of this core, the effective multiplication factor ($K_{eff}$) versus heavy water level, and the critical water level were calculated. Then, for safety considerations, the reactivity worth of $D_2O$, the reactivity worth of safety and control rods, and temperature reactivity coefficients for the fuel and the moderator, were calculated. The results show that the relevant criteria in the safety analysis report were satisfied in the new core. Therefore, with the permission of the reactor safety committee, the first criticality operation was conducted, and important physical parameters were measured experimentally. The results were compared with the corresponding values in the original core.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제53권6호
• /
• pp.1970-1978
• /
• 2021

The aim of this study was to optimize the target, moderator, and collimator (TMC) in a neutron beam generator for the accelerator-based BNCT (A-BNCT) system. The optimization employed the Monte Carlo Neutron and Photon (MCNP) simulation. The optimal geometry for the target was decided as the one with the highest neutron flux among nominates, which were called as angled, rib, and tube in this study. The moderator was optimized in terms of consisting material to produce appropriate neutron energy distribution for the treatment. The optimization of the collimator, which wrapped around the target, was carried out by deciding the material to effectively prevent the leakage radiations. As results, characteristic of the neutron beam from the optimized TMC was compared to the recommendation by the International Atomic Energy Agent (IAEA). The tube type target showed the highest neutron flux among nominates. The optimal material for the moderator and collimator were combination of Fluental (Al₂0₃+AlF₃) with ⁶⁰Ni filter and lead, respectively. The optimized TMC satisfied the IAEA recommendations such as the minimum production rate of epithermal neutrons from thermal neutrons: that was 2.5 times higher. The results can be used as source terms for shielding designs of treatment rooms.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제56권2호
• /
• pp.575-600
• /
• 2024

During an earthquake on December 29th 2020, the Krško NPP automatically shutdown due to the trigger of the negative neutron flux rate signal on the power range nuclear instrumentation. From the time course of the detector signal, it can be concluded that the fluctuation in the detector signal may have been caused by the mechanical movement of the ex-core neutron detectors or the pressure vessel components rather than the actual change in reactor power. The objective of the analysis was to evaluate the sensitivity of the neutron flux at the ex-core detector position, if the detector is moved in the radial or axial direction. In addition, the effect of the core barrel movement and core inside the baffle movement in the radial direction were analysed. The analysis is complemented by the calculation of the thermal and total neutron flux gradient in radial, axial and azimuthal directions. The Monte Carlo particle transport code MCNP was used to study the changes in the response of the ex-core detector for the above-mentioned scenarios. Power and intermediate-range detectors were analysed separately, because they are designed differently, positioned at different locations, and have different response characteristics. It was found that the movement of the power range ex-core detector has a negligible effect on the value of the thermal neutron flux in the active part of the detector. However, the radial movement of the intermediate-range detector by 5 cm results in 7%-8% change in the thermal neutron flux in the active part of the intermediate-range detector. The analysis continued with an evaluation of the effects of moving the entire core barrel on the ex-core detector response. It was estimated that the 2 mm core barrel radial oscillation results in ~4% deviation in the power and intermediate-range detector signal. The movement of the reactor core inside baffle can contribute ~6% deviation in the ex-core neutron detector signal. The analysis showed that the mechanical movement of ex-core neutron detectors cannot explain the fluctuations in the ex-core detector signal. However, combined core barrel and reactor core inside baffle oscillations could be a probable reason for the observed fluctuations in the ex-core detector signal during an earthquake.