Radiation safety systems at Brookhaven National Laboratory's low-energy accelerators

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TNS.1983.4332593· OSTI ID:5550291

Flood, Jr, C W

Brookhaven National Laboratory has several low-energy accelerators in use at the present time. I intend to discuss the radiation safety systems installed at five of these accelerators. The accelerators included are a Dynamitron, 3.5 MeV Van de Graaff, 60'' Cyclotron, 41'' Cyclotron and Tandem Van de Graaff facility. All of these accelerators are capable of producing radiation levels in excess of 100 rem/h and the radiation safety systems are designed to prevent personnel from being exposed to high levels of radiation. For the purposes of this talk I would like to place the accelerators in two different categories. In the first category are the accelerators which have safety systems that prevent operation unless the radiation facilities are completely enclosed and interlocked, thus preventing any personnel access. Included are the Dynamitron, the 60'' Cyclotron, and the 41'' Cyclotron. In the second category are the accelerators with safety systems which allow access to any part of the accelerator facility when the radiation levels are low, but require complete personnel restrictions when the radiation levels are high. Included are the 3.5 MeV Van de Graaff and the Tandem Van de Graaff. In addition to the different requirements for each category there are many requirements that are the same. These include: access to the accelerator area or target area must be controlled either by doors with interlocks or by light beams; inspection stations throughout the facility which must be activated before the accelerator can produce high radiation levels; scram buttons that when pushed will shut the accelerator down must be available in all active areas; and reinspection is required if an access interlock is violated or a scram button is pushed.

• Research Organization: Safety and Environmental Protection Division, Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY 11973
• OSTI ID: 5550291
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 30:2; ISSN IETNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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