Shielding performance analysis of depleted uranium used in radiation protection of ship nuclear power plant

The rational utilization and safe disposal of depleted uranium is a long-term problem difficult to be solved by the international nuclear engineering community. As a shielding material for naval nuclear power plant, it is a possible way to utilize depleted uranium. This paper reviews the physical, chemical, mechanical, shielding and other aspects of depleted uranium materials, mainly DU concrete as radiation protection materials. Combining with specific requirements of radiation protection for naval nuclear power plant, aiming at the simplified model for the four layer three-dimensional shielding structure of a naval vessel reactor, the shielding performance of the depleted uranium materials on neutron and γ-ray was simulated by Monte-Carlo method. Comparative analysis of the materials of lead, tungsten and cast steel shows the feasibility of depleted uranium or mixture of depleted uranium used as radiation protective materials for naval nuclear power plant. (authors)