Simulation code for estimating external gamma-ray doses from a radioactive plume and contaminated ground using a local-scale atmospheric dispersion model

Satoh, Daiki; Nakayama, Hiromasa; Furuta, Takuya; Yoshihiro, Tamotsu*; Sakamoto, Kensaku

PLOS ONE (Internet), 16(1), p.e0245932_1 - e0245932_26, 2021/01

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245932

In this study, we developed a simulation code named SIBYL, which estimates external gamma-ray doses at ground level from radionuclides distributed nonuniformly in atmosphere and on ground. SIBYL can combine with the local-scale atmospheric dispersion model LOHDIM-LES, and calculate the dose distributions according to the map of the activity concentrations simulated by LOHDIM-LES. To apply the SIBYL code to emergency responses of nuclear accidents, the time-consuming three-dimensional radiation transport simulations were performed in advance using the general-purpose Monte Carlo code PHITS, and then the results were compiled to the database for the SIBYL's dose calculations. Moreover, SIBYL can consider the dose attenuation by obstacles and the changes of terrain elevations. To examine the accuracy of SIBYL, typical five cases including Kr emission from a ventilation shaft and Cs dispersion inside urban area were investigated. The results of SIBYL agreed within 10% with those of PHITS at the most of target locations. Furthermore, the calculation speed was approximately 100 times faster than that of PHITS.