Shielding study for fast-burst reactor building

A study was conducted to evaluate the radiation levels and the response of various diagnostic components in and around the building that houses the Godiva IV fast-burst reactor assembly. In a typical operation of 1 MW-s (3.6∼10f'is∼s ions) in a 50 ps fwhm burst the peak power approaches 100,000 MW. The unshielded dose at 3 m is about 500 Rem. The results will be used to evaluate the radiation levels and shielding requirements for a new facility, and to anticipate problems with new safety, security, and diagnostic instrumentation. The study was required because of the difficulty of making accurate calculations, the intensity of the radiation, the mixed neutron and gamnta-ray source terms, and the complex nature of the structure. In addition to detailed dosimetry, attention was paid to the evaluation of spurious electromagnetic and radiofrequency signals produced in detectors, cables, and conduits.