Date of Award

9-14-2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Engineering Physics

First Advisor

Kirk A. Mathews, PhD.

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.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENP-DS-17-S-022

DTIC Accession Number

AD1051626

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