Odds Are On The Monte Carlo System - Dounreay
28th January 2021
Dounreay features in a new leaflet from the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency showing recent research, development and innovation. See the leaflet link at the bottom of this page to read about some of the other investments by the NDA.
Before the experimental Dounreay Fast Reactor (DFR) can be dismantled, a clear understanding is required of radiation levels, and their distribution, inside the shielded vault that houses the
radioactive core.
DFR was the world's first fast breeder reactor to supply electricity to a national grid, playing an important part in research for fuel and coolant technology.
Decommissioning the DFR is one of the UK's most significant nuclear challenges. As workforce access to DFR's interior is
impossible, measurements were taken using a variety of tools deployed through the dozens of openings. Among other
items, the vault contains graphite, tanks, vessels, heat exchangers and ring main contaminated with residual sodium potassium liquid metal coolant, NaK.
Almost 70 tonnes of highly radioactive and chemically reactive NaK were destroyed over 10 years in a purpose-built plant, and
dealing with remaining contamination is a key challenge.
Four different systems were used to collect data, including the compact N-visage gamma imaging scanner, which was developed by Cumbria-based Createc with support from the NDA's research budget and Innovate UK.
Senior Characterisation Specialist Vittoria Baldioli said: "Work to build a comprehensive picture of the vault's inventory, including radioactive hotspots, has been under way for a number of years.
"It's also important to predict how conditions will change once decommissioning starts and items are retrieved. This will enable us
to assess the possibility of future workforce access."
Data from all techniques provided large quantities of information but did not represent the entire vault. The team opted to use the Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) code, a powerful and highly specialised
simulation software developed by the Los Alamos national lab, used globally for safety, radiation and shielding problems.
A 3D MCNP model of DFR's vault was constructed using all available information, and gradually adjusted to achieve a match
between measured and theoretical dose rate, indicating accurate modelling of activity distribution.
The model will support decommissioning, modified when necessary, and used to determine dose rate changes outside the vault, through the effects of shielding, and inside as components are removed.
It will be of particular value for addressing contamination levels, and can also be applied at other decommissioning sites in the NDA group.
See the full leaflet HERE
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), in collaboration with its subsidiary Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), has awarded two contracts to establish an innovative partnership for the enhanced management of asbestos waste. The Asbestos Innovation Partnership (AIP) will work with the NDA, NWS and the supply chain, to test and develop new solutions to treat asbestos waste, helping to deliver efficiencies and enable more effective waste management.
Workers at the Dounreay nuclear power complex in Caithness have voted to strike in a dispute over pay. The GMB union said its ballot had an 85% turnout.
Land is to be acquired by government to underpin nuclear revival. In a historic day for the UK's energy security, Great British Nuclear (GBN) is buying land for new nuclear development from Hitachi at both Wylfa in Ynys Môn/Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire.
GAD has built a pension benefit modeller to support the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as it undertakes a pension reform programme. The Government Actuary's Department (GAD) has supported the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) as it undertakes a pension reform programme.
NRS Dounreay and socio economic partners hosted the second FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge North Highland Tournament in March with local schools taking part. The North Highland tournament took place in March at ETEC on the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) North West and Hebrides Thurso Campus.
Unite the union confirmed around 450 of its members employed by Magnox Limited based at Dounreay power station are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute. The ballot which is now open will close on 2 April.
This week, the NDA group hosted it's first ever large-scale graduate recruitment event in Manchester, with over 600 candidates in attendance. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group held its first ever large-scale graduate recruitment event in Manchester this week, bringing together more than 600 candidates as it looks to double the number of opportunities across its graduate schemes this year.
The NDA Draft Business Plan sets out key activities and expected progress for all 17 of the NDA's nuclear sites over the next 3 years. We want to hear from anyone who has a comment on any aspect of this document.
NRS is delighted to announce that we are recruiting over 30 level 2 - 6 engineering and business apprentices to deliver our decommissioning mission. John Vickerman, Chief People Officer, commented: "NRS is an exciting place to be.
Leaders from the UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), and the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) signed their second cooperation statement. Yesterday, Monday 20 November 2023, leaders from the UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), and the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) reaffirmed their commitment to share their knowledge, experience and technology in relation to the management of radioactive waste.