Monte carlo simulations of natural uranium setups irradiated with relativistic deuterons by means of MCNPX code

Abstract

The collaboration Energy and Transmutation of Radioactive Waste has used different set-ups consisting of lead, uranium and graphite irradiated by relativistic protons and deuterons to study transmutation of radioactive materials by produced neutrons. Such studies are intended for providing important data serving for the construction of larger-scale Accelerator-Driven Systems. The most recent set-up named QUINTA, consisting of natural uranium target and lead blanket, was irradiated by deuteron beams in the energy range between 1 and 8 GeV in the last three accelerator runs at JINR Nuclotron in 2011 and 2012. Monte Carlo simulations of the target aßembly QUINTA concerning overall neutron production as well as spatial and energy distribution of the neutron field inside the set-up have been made using the MCNPX code and they have been compared with experimental data obtained by activation method.