Medium density hydrogenous materials for shielding against nuclear radiation
OwnerEhud Greenspaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to compositions, methods of production and uses of materials for shielding against nuclear radiation. These materials are made of a low density solid hydrogenous material which binds a powder of medium density materials. They are particularly effective for shielding against fission and high energy neutrons, as well as against a combined radiation of neutrons and photons.
Claims23
A nuclear radiation shielding material comprising:
- a first material having hydrogen atomic density which is at least one-third of that of water at standard temperature and pressure;
- and
- a second material having specific weight in the range between about 1 g/cm.sup.3 and about 4 g/cm.sup.3 mixed with said first material, wherein said second material is made of elements having an atomic number in the range between 1 and 20, which elements are not good neutron absorbers, said second material enhancing the properties of said first material for shielding against neutrons and photons.
A nuclear radiation shielding material comprising a continuous phase of a cementitious material;
- and
- a discontinuous phase dispersed within said cementitious material, said discontinuous phase being in the form of particles comprising:
- a first material having hydrogen atomic density which is at least one-third of that of water at standard temperature and pressure;
- and
- a second material having specific weight in the range between about 1 g/cm.sup.3 and about 4 g/cm.sup.3 mixed with said first material, wherein said second material is made of elements having an atomic number in the range between 1 and 20, which elements are not good neutron absorbers, said second material enhancing the properties of said first material for shielding against neutrons and photons,
- said particles having a size distribution such that no more than 10 percent of said particles have a size greater than one percent of the smallest dimension of said shielding material.
A method for attenuating nuclear radiation, comprising the step of intercepting said radiation with a shielding material formed of a continuous phase of a first material, said first material having hydrogen atomic density which is at least one-third of that of water at standard temperature and pressure, in which is dispersed a discontinuous phase of a second material, said second material having specific weight in the range between about 1 g/cm.sup.3 and about 4 g/cm.sup.3, wherein said second material is made of elements having an atomic number in the range between 1 and 20, which elements are not good neutron absorbers, said second material enhancing the properties of said first material for shielding against neutrons and photons, said first material occupying a volume between about 30 percent and 99 percent of the total shield volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.