Measurement and analysis of induced activities in concrete irradiated using high-energy neutrons at KENS Neutron Spallation Source Facility.

ABSTRACT

Precise estimation of induced activities in concrete shields for high-energy accelerator facilities is one of the most important issues that need to be solved, not only for the reduction of exposure for workers, but also for the reduction of radioactive wastes. Irradiation experiments have been performed by using the 500 MeV Neutron Spallation Source Facility in KEK. The large concrete assembly was placed in the direction of 0 degrees to the beamline. Two kinds of samples were placed at several positions in the assembly. The irradiation period was about 1 week and induced activities in the samples were measured until approximately 1.5 y after irradiation. From the comparison between the experiment and the available Monte Carlo calculation code system, good agreement was obtained for 24Na, 47Sc, 47Ca and 54Mn within a factor 2; however, large discrepancies were observed for some other nuclides.