Establishment of simulated neutron reference radiation field for workplaces of pressurized water reactor

A simulated neutron reference field for typical workplaces of the pressurized water reactor was established with 14.8 MeV neutrons from T (d, n) ⁴He reaction and a neutron moderating and scattering assembly. The neutron energy spectrum and ambient dose equivalent were measured with the assembly in different material combinations. Two typical neutron ambient dose rate meters were calibrated in this field. Calibration factors were compared with the results from the radionuclide neutron reference field. The results show that the calibration factors from the radionuclide neutron reference field are larger than the simulated neutron reference field, and different for two types of meters due to their energy responses. By contrast, the simulated neutron reference field is more appropriate to calibrate neutron dose meters which are used in reactor workplaces. (authors)