Alanine/electron spin resonance dosimetry for environmental qualification of electric equipment in a nuclear power plant

Abstract

One of the objectives of the Environmental Qualification Program of Electrical Equipment in a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is to demonstrate that electric equipment and cables are not damaged due to the accumulated radiation dose. This work aimed to assess photon doses to electronic equipment and cables during an operation cycle (∼1 year) at the NPP Angra 1, Eletronuclear, Brazil, using alanine/electron spin resonance (ESR) dosimetry. The influence of neutron radiation was evaluated and a dose survey at the NPP was performed. Alanine dosimeters were placed at 85 positions adjacent to the reactors room. Neutron influence was assessed using hydroxyapatite dosimeters. For a 1-year operation cycle, doses ranged from <0.5 Gy to ∼7 kGy, according to the position of the dosimeters, demonstrating alanine's ability to operate over a wide dose range. Alanine/ESR dosimetry can be used as part of the Environmental Qualification Program of Electrical Equipment in an NPP.