Criticality accident detector coverage analysis using the Monte Carlo Method

摘要

As a result of the need for a more accurate computational methodology, the Los Alamos developed Monte Carlo code MCNP is used to show the implementation of a more advanced and accurate methodology in criticality accident detector analysis. This paper will detail the application of MCNP for the analysis of the areas of coverage of a criticality accident alarm detector located inside a concrete storage vault at the Savannah River Site. The paper will discuss; (1) the generation of fixed-source representations of various criticality fission sources (for spherical geometries); (2) the normalization of these sources to the ''minimum criticality of concern'' as defined by ANS 8.3; (3) the optimization process used to determine which source produces the lowest total detector response for a given set of conditions; and (4) the use of this minimum source for the analysis of the areas of coverage of the criticality accident alarm detector.