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

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 ra-diation 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) dosim-etry. 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.

Automated summary

This study used alanine/electron spin resonance dosimetry to assess photon doses to electronic equipment and cables at the Angra 1 nuclear power plant in Brazil during an operation cycle. The influence of neutron radiation was also evaluated, and the results showed that alanine dosimetry is capable of operating over a wide dose range. The study suggests that alanine/ESR dosimetry can be used as part of the Environmental Qualification Program of Electrical Equipment in a nuclear power plant.