Correlation of Neutron Data Taken at Commercial Nuclear Sites

In this report, data from neutron measurement and dosimetry studies performed by Pacific Northwest Laboratory, the Environmental Measurements Laboratory, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are examined and compared. The purpose of this data correlation effort is to determine whether useful relationships exist between the actual neutron dose equivalent in a typical commercial nuclear power reactor and various measurement parameters, such as ratios of the response of 9-in. to 3-in. spheres, neutron/gamma ratios, albedo dosimeter response and neutron spectrometer readings. In most neutron radiation fields found in the reactors visited, the response of albedo dosimeters can be brought into reasonable agreement with dose equivalents measured with multispheres, tissue equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs) or remmeters. Because the responses of the remmeters, like the responses of albedo dosimeters, are energy dependent, it is preferable to correct the responses of the albedo dosimeters to agree with dose equivalents measured with either TEPCs or multispheres. If one of these laboratory systems has been used to measure neutron dose equivalents at a specific pressurized water reactor, a calculated average albedo dosimeter correction factor can be used for most locations at that reactor. However, if the measured 9-in. to 3-in. remmeter ratio is greater than 0.20, it is advisable to use a plot of 9-in. to 3-in. remmeter ratios versus albedo dosimeter correction factors to obtain an albedo dosimeter correction factor. Because 9-in. to 3-in. remmeter ratios at boiling water reactors are typically greater than 0.20, the latter approach applies to this type of reactor