Reactor Health Physics Operations at the NIST Center for Neutron Research

Published

January 27, 2015

Author(s)

Thomas P Johnston

Abstract

Performing health physics and radiation safety functions under a special nuclear material license and a research and test reactor license at a major government research and development laboratory encompasses many elements not encountered by industrial, general or broad scope licenses. This article review elements of the health physics and radiation safety program at the NIST Center for Neutron Research, including the early history and discovery of the neutron, applications of neutron research, reactor overview, safety and security of radiation sources and radioactive material, and general health physics procedures. These comprise precautions and control of tritium, training program, neutron beam sample processing, laboratory audits, inventory and leak tests, meter calibration , repair and evaluation , radioactive waste management, and emergency response. In addition, the radiation monitoring systems will be reviewed including confinement building monitoring, ventilation filter radiation monitors, secondary coolant monitors, gaseous fission product monitors, gas monitors, ventilation tritium monitor, and the plant effluent monitor systems.

Citation

The Radiation Safety Journal Health Physics

Volume

108

Issue

1

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

instrumentation, neutrons, reactor, research, tritium

Citation

, T. (2015), Reactor Health Physics Operations at the NIST Center for Neutron Research, The Radiation Safety Journal Health Physics, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=915825 (Accessed July 27, 2024)