Neutron Fields Inside Containment of a Candu (r) 600-PHWR Power Plant

Abstract

Neutron fields in six locations inside containment of a CANDU600-PHWR power plant were characterized using Bonner-sphere spectrometry. Unfolded fluence spectra were used to predict and understand the behavior of a rem meter (a moderator-type dose equivalent survey instrument). The suitability of employing commonly-used sources such as 241Am-Be for calibrating the rem meter was investigated by calculational means. Results of these calculations suggest that employing a calibration field more representative of the power-plant fields would likely provide more accurate dose equivalents.