Enhancement of the epithermal neutron beam used for boron neutron capture therapy

Journal Article · Wed Mar 30 04:00:00 EST 1994 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(94)90489-8· OSTI ID:7083038

Liu, Hungyuan B; Brugger, R M; Greenberg, D D; Rorer, D C; Hu, Jih-Perng; Hauptman, H M ^[1]

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1. Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)

This report describes a study to enhance the epithermal neutron beam at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor by increasing the epithermal neutron flux and/or reducing contamination by fast neutrons. The beam was reevaluated using Monte Carlo calculations and flux and dose measurements in air and in an ellipsoidal heat phantom at the patient irradiation port. Changes in its geometry and materials were considered, including rearranging the fuel elements in the reactor core and redesigning the moderator and the patient irradiation port. Calculations of the new fluxes and doses at the patient irradiation port showed that the epithermal neutron flux can be increased by 100%, while the fast neutron dose per epithermal neutron can be reduced by 38%. In 1992, some of the proposed changes were made. In June 1992, measurements were made after one additional fuel element was added to replace a graphite spacer block on the the epithermal beam side of the reactor core. The results show that the epithermal neutron flux increased by 18%, as predicted by the Monte Carlo calculations. In October 1992, the fuel elements in the reactor core were rearranged by placing four new fuel elements in the first row facing the epithermal port; the intensity of the epithermal neutron beam increased by 50% and the fast neutron and gamma doses per epithermal neutron may have decreased slightly. The epithermal neutron beam at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor has gained a 50% increase in the epithermal neutron flux and the fast neutron and gamma doses per epithermal neutron are reduced slightly after the rearrangement of the fuel elements in the core. 14 refs., 4 figs., 6 tabs.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 7083038
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States), Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States) Vol. 28:5; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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