Shielding simulations for safe use of curtain electron accelerator by MCNP4C

Authors

10.22052/7.1.57

Abstract

In an electron curtain accelerator, when the electron beam passes through the titanium exit window of the accelerator chamber, X-ray photons are produced as a negative by-product of retarding accelerated electrons. Controlling the produced X-ray photons to avoid their detrimental effects or in fact, proper shielding of the accelerator is an important issue that has to be considered in the use of electron accelerators. In this work, based on the proposed geometry for a certain electron curtain accelerator, and using the MCNP4C code, the bremsstrahlung X-ray dose due to the collision of an electron beam with constant current of 50 mA and various energies within 100 ~ 300 keV energy range with the 13 µm-thick titanium foil were simulated. The results indicate a reduction in the bremsstrahlung X-ray dose from 685 Gy to 176 Gy per unit time for an increase in the electron beam energy from 100 keV to 300 keV. Moreover, the simulated values of the simulated radiation stopping power by the MCNP4C for the mentioned increase in beam energy, showed an increasing trend from 0.012 MeV.cm2/g to 0.021 MeV.cm2/g .The maximum and minimum percent deviation of the simulation and theoretical radiation stopping power were 33% and 3%, respectively. The energy loss due to Bremsstrahlung X-rays for an electron passing through a 13-μm thick titanium foil in the energy range of 100 ~ 300 keV, was calculated to be 7.19×10-2 up to 12.44×10-2 keV.  In addition, based on the simulated results obtained for the accelerator shield using the MCNP4C code, the optimum thickness of the lead shield for the maximum electron energy of 300 keV, was found to be 2.5 cm.

 

Keywords

References

[1] K.W. Leo, R.M. Chulan, S.A. Hashim, A.H. Baijan, R.M.S. Sabri, M. Mohtar, H. Glam, L. Lojius, M. Zahidee, A. Azman and M. Zaid. Study on parameters of scanning system for the 300 keV electron accelerator, AIP Conferenc Proceedings 1704, 020010 (2016). [2] S. Machi. Trends for electron beam accelerator application in industry. J. Rev .Accel. Sci. Tech. 41 (2011) 1–10. [3] E. A. Abramyan. Industrial Electron Accelerators and Application. Springer-Verlag Berlin, (1988). [5] JAERI-Conf. Low Voltage electron beam Accelerators Masafurni OCIII Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd, )2002(. [6] IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency, Industrial Radiation Processing with Electron Beams and X-rays, (2011). [7] S. Machi. Electron Accelerators for Industrial Applications in Japan. Presentation to IAEA Consultants Meeting, Vienna, (2008). [8] A.J. Berejka. Advances in self-shielded accelerators. IAEA-TECDOC-1386, Emerging applications of radiation processing, (2004). [9] Sh. Ghanbari, O. Kakuee and A. akhond. The effect of energy on the physical parameters of the electron beam in curtain accelerator: A Simulation Study. Phys. Chem, 156 (2019) 1–5. [10] J. Ren, X.Zhu, Y. Zhang, D. Li and N. Zhu. Beam nonuniformity of multi-filament electron curtain accelerator. At. Energ. Sci& tech 44(2010) 1013-1018. [11] J.K. Shultis and R.E. Faw. An MCNP4C primer. Dept of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. Kansas State University,Manhattan, (2011). [12] H. Cember. Introduction to health physics, pergamon press, (1983). [13] J.K. Shultis and R.E. Faw. An MCNP primer, (2006). [14] E. Koehler, E. Brown and S.J. Haneuse. On the Assessment of Monte Carlo Error in Simulation-Based Statistical Analyses. Am. Stat, 63(2) (2009) 155–162. [15] M.J. Berger, J.H. Hubbell, S.M. Seltzer, J. Chang, J.S. Coursey, R. Sukumar, D.S. Zucker, and K. Olsen. XCOM: Photon Cross Sections Database NIST Standard Reference Database 8 (XGAM) (2010). [17] A. K. S. Amable, B. K. Godsway, R. A. Nyaaba and M. N. Earic. A Theoretical Study of Stopping Power and Range For Low Energy (<3.0mev) Protons In Aluminium, Germanium, Lead, Gold and Copper Solid Materials. Open Sci. J, 2(2017) 1-17. [18] H. Bethe and J. Ashkin. Experimental NuclearPhysics, ed. E. Segré, J. Wiley, New York, (1953). [19] M.O. El-Ghossain. Calculations of stopping power, and range of electrons interaction with different material and human body parts, Int. j. sci& tech. res. 6 (2017) 114-118. [20] L. Pages, E. Bertel, H. Joffre and L. Sklavenitis. Energy loss, range, and bremsstrahlung yield for 10-keV to 100-Mev electrons in various elements and chemical compounds, Atomic data. 4 (1972) 1-127. [21] M.J. Berger, J.S. Coursey, M.A. Zucker, and J. Chang. ESTAR, PSTAR, and ASTAR: Computer Programs for Calculating Stopping-Power and Range Tables for Electrons, Protons, and Helium Ions (version1.2.3), (2005). [22] M.J. Berger and S.M. Seltzer. Stopping powers and ranges of electron and positrons.NBSIR 82-2550 (1982). [23] IAEA, international basic safety standard for protection against ionizing radiation and for safety radiation source, S.S No.115, (1996). [24] F. Vara, W. Brann, T. Berejka, B. Hanrahan, D. Cowell, L. Carlblom and K. Schaper. UV/EB curing primer: inks, coating and adhesives. Radtech International North America, (1995).

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics