Study of different solutes for determination of neutron source strength based on the water bath

Highlights: • Six aqueous solutions were modeled for replacing with MBS. • Probability for major interactions of neutron in the solutions was calculated. • Best options were rhodium sulfate and vanadyl sulfate. - Abstract: Time required for activation to saturation and background measurement is considered a limitation of strength determination of radionuclide neutron sources using manganese bath system (MBS). The objective of this research was to evaluate the other solutes based on water bath for presentation of the suitable replacement with MBS. With the aid Monte Carlo simulation, for three neutron sources, having different neutron spectra, immersed in six aqueous solutions, i.e., Na₂SO₄, VOSO₄, MnSO₄, Rh₂(SO₄)₃, In₂(SO₄)₃, I₂O₅, the correction factors in all nuclei of solutions for neutron losses with different process were obtained. The calculations results indicate that the Rh₂(SO₄)₃ and VOSO₄ are best options for replacing with MnSO₄.