Special Features of the Air-to Space Neutron Transport Problem

Abstract

Special features of the air-to-space neutron transport problem are identified, characterized, and quantified to provide information on features that should be included in Monte Carlo simulations to obtain accurate predictions. Currently available codes and tools for Monte Carlo neutron transport calculations do not provide an adequate (in accuracy nor precision nor efficiency) framework for practical transport calculations in the context of the air-to-space neutron transport problem. A new Fortran code, High Altitude Transport to Space for Neutrons (HATS-n), is developed and tested to perform high fidelity Monte Carlo neutron transport calculations for this class of problems. Special features of the air-to-space neutron transport are identified and categorized: The influence of relative motions, the influence of gravity, the influence of the implementation of the atmosphere model, and the influence of radioactive decay of free neutrons. Each special feature is examined individually and methods and procedures are developed for research and practical implementations. Finally, the features are demonstrated in concert using the new HATS-n code.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 14, 2017
Accession Number
AD1051626

Entities

People

  • Whitman T. Dailey

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Apogees
  • Atmosphere Models
  • Atmospheres
  • Computational Science
  • Equations
  • Geometry
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Grids
  • High Altitude
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Radioactive Decay
  • Relative Motion
  • Reliability
  • Rendezvous

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space