MCNP (Monte Carlo Neutron Photon) capabilities for nuclear well logging calculations

Conference · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5368628

Forster, R A; Little, R C; Briesmeister, J F

The Los Alamos Radiation Transport Code System (LARTCS) consists of state-of-the-art Monte Carlo and discrete ordinates transport codes and data libraries. The general-purpose continuous-energy Monte Carlo code MCNP (Monte Carlo Neutron Photon), part of the LARTCS, provides a computational predictive capability for many applications of interest to the nuclear well logging community. The generalized three-dimensional geometry of MCNP is well suited for borehole-tool models. SABRINA, another component of the LARTCS, is a graphics code that can be used to interactively create a complex MCNP geometry. Users can define many source and tally characteristics with standard MCNP features. The time-dependent capability of the code is essential when modeling pulsed sources. Problems with neutrons, photons, and electrons as either single particle or coupled particles can be calculated with MCNP. The physics of neutron and photon transport and interactions is modeled in detail using the latest available cross-section data. A rich collections of variance reduction features can greatly increase the efficiency of a calculation. MCNP is written in FORTRAN 77 and has been run on variety of computer systems from scientific workstations to supercomputers. The next production version of MCNP will include features such as continuous-energy electron transport and a multitasking option. Areas of ongoing research of interest to the well logging community include angle biasing, adaptive Monte Carlo, improved discrete ordinates capabilities, and discrete ordinates/Monte Carlo hybrid development. Los Alamos has requested approval by the Department of Energy to create a Radiation Transport Computational Facility under their User Facility Program to increase external interactions with industry, universities, and other government organizations. 21 refs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5368628
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-89-3498; CONF-891087-8; ON: DE90002404
• Resource Relation: Conference: IEEE nuclear science symposium and exhibits, San Francisco, CA (USA), 25-27 Oct 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
WELL LOGGING
MONTE CARLO METHOD
BOREHOLES
M CODES
NEUTRONS
PHOTONS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
BARYONS
CAVITIES
COMPUTER CODES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
NUCLEONS
440400* - Well Logging Instrumentation
990230 - Mathematics & Mathematical Models- (1987-1989)