A new finite cloud method for calculating external exposure dose in a nuclear emergency

摘要

A new finite cloud method (5/μ method) for calculating external exposure dose in a nuclear emergency is presented in this paper. The method calculates external exposure dose over a specially constructed three-dimensional columned space, whose underside center is the location of the receptor and underside radius and height are both five times mean free path of a gamma-photon. Then, the space is divided into many grid cells for integral to calculate external exposure dose (or dose rate). The calculation values of air external exposure dose rate conversion factors and air-absorbed dose rate conversion factors by the 5/μ method are accordant with the values presented in related references. Comparing with the discrete point approximation method (DPA) [USNRC, The MESORAD Dose Assessment Model. NUREG/CR-4000 Vol. 1, 1986] and the Nomogram method [USNRC, Nomogram for Evaluation of Doses from Finite Noble Gas Clouds, NUREG-0851, 1983], which are two traditional finite cloud methods for calculating external exposure dose, the 5/μ method has a distinct advantage of more fast calculation speed, which is very important in a nuclear emergency. What is more, the 5/μ method can be applied together with three-dimensional atmospheric dispersion models.