Characterization and optimization analysis of a BNCT biological facility

The Argentine biological BNCT project began in 1998 at the Centro Atómico Constituyentes (CAC). The aim was to design and install a biological irradiation facility in the RA-1 experimental reactor, to carry out tests in laboratory animals and cellular cultures. The work described in this report consisted of two stages. In the first one, measurements were carried out to characterize the available neutron beam at the already existent RA-1 biological irradiation facility. In the second stage, the RA-1 reactor was completely simulated for the first time by means of a Monte Carlo code (MCNP). This model was verified using experimental data of neutron flux and gamma dose. Once the model was validated, a study was performed to determine the modifications that should be made in the reactor to optimize the irradiation facility without perturbing the normal operation of the reactor. The results of this analysis revealed that it will be necessary to make important changes to attain the required values of neutron flux and neutron-plus-gamma dose for the BNCT experiments.