Research on the Design of the BNCT Neutron Beam Device Based on the New Pool-Type Research Reactor

Abstract

Based on the design scheme of a new-type swimming pool research reactor，this paper conducts preliminary design for a variable-energy neutron beam facility for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Combining the shielding body and collimator，the neutron moderation layer，thermal neutron absorption layer，gamma shielding layer，and neutron collimator for BNCT are analyzed，calculated，and optimized according to the core structure of the new-type swimming pool reactor. Without increasing the number of neutron extraction beam channels，the switching between epithermal neutron and thermal neutron BNCT beams is achieved. Through theoretical calculations and analysis，the neutron beam characteristics of the two devices are determined. Parameters such as epithermal/thermal neutron flux density，fast neutron dose per unit，photon dose per unit，and the proportion of thermal neutron flux all meet the BNCT recommended reference standards in the IAEA-TECDOC-1223 report，which can be used for boron neutron capture therapy with different energy requirements. This lays a technical foundation for the application and promotion of the new-type multifunctional swimming pool reactor.

Keywords

• new pool type research reactor
• bnct
• epithermal neutron beam
• thermal neutron beam