Optimization and cost of radiation detriment on using egyptian ordinary and heat resistant concrete as shielding materials for power reactors

This paper discusses the derivation of shield materials to be used as nuclear power plants shields on the basis of ICRP, ALARA principles and cost benefit analysis. It is important to adopt a shielding design philosophy which whilst meeting the requirements of ICRP principles of dose limitation recognizes the practical constraints imposed by the complexity of large projects as power reactors. For each material, its relaxation length and cost per unit volume may be determined to assess the total marginal cost factor for complete shield. The methodology and calculations are presented involving the following: a) Specification of defined egyptian shield materials such as ordinary concrete (o.C.) and ilmenite limonite heat resistant concrete (I.L.H.R.C.) with their physical properties and their relaxation lengths. b) Calculation of the measured dose rate for each type of concrete. c) Calculation of the optimum design dose rate and collective dose equivalent. Hence, the cost of radiation detriment can be assumed proportional to a plant life and the collective dose equivalent with a equal to alpha (α) which is represented by L.E. per man sievert per m2. In this case, the competent authority should specify alpha (α) values to be used in optimization of cost evaluation.4 tab