Accession Number:

AD0770115

Title:

Reduction of 41Ar Environmental Releases at Research Reactors.

Descriptive Note:

Technical note,

Corporate Author:

ARMED FORCES RADIOBIOLOGY RESEARCH INST BETHESDA MD

Personal Author(s):

• Verrelli,D. M.
• Carter,R. E.
• Slaback,L. A. , Jr

Report Date:

1973-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

14.0

Abstract:

The reactor facility at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute consists of a TRIGA Mark-F reactor with two large walk-in exposure rooms and a pneumatic tube facility. Operation of the reactor adjacent to these rooms results in signigicant 41Ar production rated due to the high thermal neutron leakage from the core and from the albedo off the walls. The leakage and albedo have been reduced by placing panels painted with gadolinium-loaded paint on the walls and ceiling of the rooms and reactor tank protrusion. Calculations and measurements show that the 41Ar production rate and consequently the effluent release to the environment have been decreased by a factor of 10 to 20, depending on the operational configuration of the reactor. Author

Descriptors:

• (*Research reactors
• *Radioactive materials)
• (*Argon
• Release)
• Thermal Neutrons
• Shielding
• Neutron activation

Subject Categories:

• Radioactivity, Radioactive Wastes and Fission Products

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE