Fullerite Nano-materials as a Moderator in Neutron Irradiators with Radium Sources: Feasibility and Advantages

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, the feasibility of using fullerite nano-materials as a moderator in 226Ra-Be neutron irradiators has been theoretically investigated, for the first time. Thermal, intermediate and rapid neutron flux in irradiation channels was calculated using the MCNP5 code when a fullerite nano-material was used as a moderator. The simulation results were then compared with other simulation results performed when paraffin was used as a moderator. The comparison showed that using fullerite instead of paraffin as a moderator results in an increase in the total number of irradiation neutrons by more than twice in average (240 %) for each direction inside the irradiator. This increase is distributed as follows: 27.84 %, 87.84 % and 124.32 % thermal, intermediate and rapid neutrons, respectively. The previous distribution indicates a significant increase in the intermediate and fast neutron flux. This is considered as an additional advantage of using the 226Ra-Be neutron irradiator with a fullerite moderator. The irradiator can then be used not only to irradiate the materials whose irradiation requires thermal neutrons, but also those that require medium- to high-energy neutrons. Keywords: Neutronic irradiator, Ra-Be radiation source, Cadmium, Neutron flux, MCNP5-beta code. PACS: Neutrons diffusion and moderation, 28.20.Gd, Moderators (nuclear reactors), 28.41.Pa.