{"title":"The impact of pressure rate on the physical, structural and gamma-ray shielding capabilities of novel light-weight clay bricks","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2024.09.022","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study focuses on investigating the gamma-ray protection features of clay bricks for potential use in radiation shielding fields. The study examined the physical and structural features that affect the performance of these stones in shielding γ-rays. The density (ρ, g/cm<sup>3</sup>) of the clay bricks samples was measured utilizing the MH-300A density meter. Additionally, the mineral structure within the annealed pressed clay samples was identification the XRD spectrometry. Moreover, the morphology and elemental chemical composition for the annealed bricks were examined using a Thermo Scientific Prisma E, USA field emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) in conjunction with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Besides, the shielding features of the clay bricks were analyzed using the experimentally measurements (by NaI (Tl) scintillation detector), XCOM software, and Monte Carlo Simulation over the γ-ray energy interval of 0.033–1.332 MeV. The findings of the study indicate that an increase in the pressure rate within the clay bricks samples leads to the rise in their density (from 1.62 to 1.87 g/cm<sup>3</sup>). This increase in density is accompanied by a decline in both porosity (Φ, %) (from 34.75 to 26.21 %) and water absorption (K, %) (from 26.21 to 14.74 %) factors. Furthermore, the increase in pressure rate from 7.61 to 114.22 MPa also results in an increase in the linear attenuation coefficient (μ, cm<sup>−1</sup>) of the clay bricks under study. This is achieved by increasing the μ values from 0.39 to 0.43 cm<sup>−1</sup>, from 0.13 to 0.15 cm<sup>−1</sup>, and from 0.09 to 0.10 cm<sup>−1</sup>, at 0.081, 0.511 and 1.173 MeV, respectively. The synthetic bricks offer a lead-free and efficient option for protection, making them ideal for use in nuclear facility start-ups or in areas with radiation exposure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573324004686","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NUCLEAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The present study focuses on investigating the gamma-ray protection features of clay bricks for potential use in radiation shielding fields. The study examined the physical and structural features that affect the performance of these stones in shielding γ-rays. The density (ρ, g/cm3) of the clay bricks samples was measured utilizing the MH-300A density meter. Additionally, the mineral structure within the annealed pressed clay samples was identification the XRD spectrometry. Moreover, the morphology and elemental chemical composition for the annealed bricks were examined using a Thermo Scientific Prisma E, USA field emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) in conjunction with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Besides, the shielding features of the clay bricks were analyzed using the experimentally measurements (by NaI (Tl) scintillation detector), XCOM software, and Monte Carlo Simulation over the γ-ray energy interval of 0.033–1.332 MeV. The findings of the study indicate that an increase in the pressure rate within the clay bricks samples leads to the rise in their density (from 1.62 to 1.87 g/cm3). This increase in density is accompanied by a decline in both porosity (Φ, %) (from 34.75 to 26.21 %) and water absorption (K, %) (from 26.21 to 14.74 %) factors. Furthermore, the increase in pressure rate from 7.61 to 114.22 MPa also results in an increase in the linear attenuation coefficient (μ, cm−1) of the clay bricks under study. This is achieved by increasing the μ values from 0.39 to 0.43 cm−1, from 0.13 to 0.15 cm−1, and from 0.09 to 0.10 cm−1, at 0.081, 0.511 and 1.173 MeV, respectively. The synthetic bricks offer a lead-free and efficient option for protection, making them ideal for use in nuclear facility start-ups or in areas with radiation exposure.
期刊介绍:
Nuclear Engineering and Technology (NET), an international journal of the Korean Nuclear Society (KNS), publishes peer-reviewed papers on original research, ideas and developments in all areas of the field of nuclear science and technology. NET bimonthly publishes original articles, reviews, and technical notes. The journal is listed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) of Thomson Reuters.
NET covers all fields for peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and radiation as follows:
1) Reactor Physics
2) Thermal Hydraulics
3) Nuclear Safety
4) Nuclear I&C
5) Nuclear Physics, Fusion, and Laser Technology
6) Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Radioactive Waste Management
7) Nuclear Fuel and Reactor Materials
8) Radiation Application
9) Radiation Protection
10) Nuclear Structural Analysis and Plant Management & Maintenance
11) Nuclear Policy, Economics, and Human Resource Development