Elemental Analysis of Raw Materials of Nuclear Reactor Shielding to Develop Low Activation Concrete

In this study, elemental concentrations of Ce, Hf, Fe, Sb, Tb, Sc, Ta, Zn, Cs, Co and Eu in raw materials of reactor biological shielding (cements, sands and heavy minerals separated from beach sands) are determined by research reactor-based instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA) so that a strategy can be made to develop low-activation concrete. These elements are mainly responsible of long-lived radionuclides induced in biological shielding of a reactor during its operation. The concentrations of the studied elements in white Portland cements are much lower in comparison with those in ordinary Portland cements. This study reveals that inland sands contain low concentrations of the studied elements than those of beach sands. Elemental compositional data of the shielding materials can be effectively used to choose ingredients necessary for constructing radiation shielding of a nuclear installation to reduce radiation hazard.