Design of shielding-performance testing-device for reactors construction shielding-material based on ~(25)Cf source

Background: New material for the reactor shielding structure is one type of cast-steel impurity doping actinide elements have been adopted. The design parameters of the shielding performance testing device for the various parts of reactor can be obtained by Monte Carlo method. Purpose: This study aims to test the shielding performance of the shielding material of reactor. Methods: First of all, the testing device model was built based on a 252 Cf neutron source. Three kinds of models(the thicknesses of the moderation layer, the protective layers of the neutron and gamma ray) are calculated respectively using the MCNP program for the shielding performance testing device. The GEANT4 program was used for the key moderation layer to verify the results obtained by the MCNP program. Results: Through the analysis of simulation results, we obtained optimal shielding materials and the thicknesses of material layer: moderator layer material is paraffin wax, which having a thickness of 8 cm, neutron shielding material is polyethylene, which having a thickness of 38 cm, and γ protective layer material is iron, which having a thickness of 11 cm. Conclusion: Simulation results show that the proposed shielding performance testing device can meet the requirements of neutron moderator, neutron protection and photon protection.