Personnel neutron dosimetry improvements at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7044810

Harvey, W F; Hoffman, J M; Brake, R J ^[1]; Bliss, J L ^[2]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
2. Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering

We are investigating methods to improve neutron dosimetry at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) using the track etch dosemeter CR-39. Specifically, use of CR-39 for dynamic environments, typically encountered at the LANL Plutonium Facility, is shown to be a superior method for personnel neutron dosimetry when compared to the currently used TLD system. The results of glovebox experiments simulating hydrogenous shielding used at LANL, temporal variations of neutron correction factors used at the Plutonium Facility, trial implementation at this facility and preliminary neutron spectroscopy measurements are presented and compared to reference dosimetry measurements. Our results confirm that use of a TLD system in a facility implementing hydrogenous shielding requires frequent field re-calibration. When such correction factors are not re-evaluated frequently, or are maintained at pre-shielding levels, significant (i.e., 2- to 3-fold) overestimation of the neutron dose equivalent can occur.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 7044810
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-92-2243; CONF-920702--2; ON: DE92018374
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
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GLOVEBOXES
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LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
MAMMALS
MAN
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEUTRON DOSIMETRY
NUCLEI
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PERSONNEL
PLUTONIUM 239
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