Shielding design for the control room of an X-ray cargo container inspection system using Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract

In the present research, the shielding of the control room of an X-ray inspection system was designed by MCNP Monte Carlo simulation code in order to reduce the dose rate of the control room below the acceptable value of 0.5 μSv/h. To do this, after the simulation of the linear electron accelerator, accelerator carrier truck, container and ground, the required thickness of leads have been calculated for each walls of the control room. It was found that the thickness of the required lead for each walls of the control room is different from 2 mm to 1 cm. In this situation, the dose rate inside the control room would be 0.3 μSv/h (with the relative uncertainty of 11%). The mass of the lead used in this case was equal to 2.2 tons.