Measurement of dose rate profile and spectra through a cylindrical duct vis-à-vis Monte Carlo simulation studies for optimisation of reactor shield design

In the design of a nuclear reactor, penetrations are provided in the top shield to carry out some essential operations. Radiation streaming is envisaged through such penetrations. To avoid radiation streaming, complementary shielding is provided. Optimisation of complementary shielding is carried out by performing calculations using MCNP code. Uncertainties in the calculations are taken care of by incorporating a safety factor. The assumption of the safety factor, while designing the reactor shielding, has been validated by undertaking experimental measurements on a similar geometry vis-à-vis the computed values obtained using MCNP code. The results of the present work agree with the safety factor of two assumed during the shield design. The details of gamma spectral measurements carried out with high purity germanium detector to understand the pattern of the scattered spectrum are also presented.