In-situ radiological classification and characterization methodology of activated cables in particle accelerators

The estimation of induced radioactivity and radiological classification of activated material is necessary throughout the life cycle of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerator. As part of the upgrade to High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), radiation protection assessments need to be performed in order to estimate the radiological hazard during the dismantling activities of the LHC cables. The proposed In-situ radiological classification and characterization of the activated cables relies on validated FLUKA.CERN Monte Carlo simulations and analytical computations. The objective is to establish a methodology that allows clearing the material from regulatory control according to the Swiss Radiation Protection Legislation using the total gamma counting (TGC) analysis technique for an envelope set of activation scenarios. The study also includes a preliminary benchmark of the FLUKA geometry model and physics models based on gamma spectrometry laboratory analyses of representative samples.