• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.170-177
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• 2024

Transportable Micro Reactors (TMRs) harness the advantages of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) while addressing the need for mobility and transient power supply. These factory-manufactured reactors can be quickly installed and relocated, enhancing their practicality. This study evaluates radiation safety during transportation, focusing on exposure from radioactive sources within the reactor vessel. While significant radiation from fission products in the active core can be effectively shielded by the inner reflector, the induced radiation from surrounding components requires careful assessment to ensure compliance with exposure limits for operators. Given the constraints on the size and weight of the transport container, minimizing fast neutron leakage is crucial. Utilizing OpenMC for depletion calculations, we identify six key isotopes-Cr-51, Fe-59, Mn-54, Mn-56, Co-58, and Co-60-generated during a conservative operational scenario. Our findings indicate that maintaining surface doses below 10 mSv/h requires fast neutron leakage from the inner surface of the reactor vessel to be under 1.0E+8/cm²·sec. Therefore, optimizing core size and reflector thickness is essential for the effective design of TMRs without the need for additional shielding.