Neutron Transport Models and Methods for HZETRN and Coupling to Low Energy Light Ion Transport 2008-01-2162
Exposure estimates inside space vehicles, surface habitats, and high altitude aircraft exposed to space radiation are highly influenced by secondary neutron production. The deterministic transport code HZETRN has been identified as a reliable and efficient tool for such studies, but improvements to the underlying transport models and numerical methods are still necessary. In this paper, the forward-backward (FB) and directionally coupled forward-backward (DC) neutron transport models are derived, numerical methods for the FB model are reviewed, and a computationally efficient numerical solution is presented for the DC model. Both models are compared to the Monte Carlo codes HETC-HEDS and FLUKA, and the DC model is shown to agree closely with the Monte Carlo results. Finally, it is found in the development of either model that the decoupling of low energy neutrons from the light ion (A≤4) transport procedure adversely affects low energy light ion fluence spectra and exposure quantities. A first order correction is presented to resolve the problem, and it is shown to be both accurate and efficient.
Citation: Slaba, T., Heinbockel, J., and Blattnig, S., "Neutron Transport Models and Methods for HZETRN and Coupling to Low Energy Light Ion Transport," SAE Int. J. Aerosp. 1(1):510-521, 2009, https://doi.org/10.4271/2008-01-2162. Download Citation
Author(s):
T. C. Slaba, J. H. Heinbockel, S. R. Blattnig
Affiliated:
Old Dominion University, NASA Langley Research Center
Pages: 12
Event:
International Conference On Environmental Systems
ISSN:
1946-3855
e-ISSN:
1946-3901
Also in:
SAE International Journal of Aerospace-V117-1EJ, SAE International Journal of Aerospace-V117-1
Related Topics:
Spacecraft
Radiation
Aircraft
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