Neutron dosimetry at the reactor facility VENUS

The reactor VENUS is a zero-power research reactor mainly devoted to studies on light water fuels. The need for undertaking a neutron spectrometric and dosimetric study became apparent when locally high neutron dose rates were measured. The spectrometric study is based on two approaches. The first is an experimental one in which the neutron spectrum was measured at three positions around the facility. The second is a theoretical one in which a numerical modelling of the neutron transport at the reactor site was performed in order to determine neutron spectra and fluence rates at different positions around the site. The measured and calculated spectra are interpreted in terms of the response of different individual and environmental dosemeters. These responses are confronted with the in situ measurements. The impact of the ICRP 60 recommendations on the determined dose rates is also studied.