TY - JOUR T1 - Effect of moisture content on gamma ray and neutron attenuation properties of barite fillers TT - Nem içeriğinin barit dolguların gama ışını ve nötron soğurma özelliklerine etkisi AU - Gökçe, H. Süleyman AU - Ünal, M. Talha PY - 2025 DA - October Y2 - 2025 DO - 10.28948/ngumuh.1647338 JF - Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi JO - NÖHÜ Müh. Bilim. Derg. PB - Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi WT - DergiPark SN - 2564-6605 SP - 1352 EP - 1359 VL - 14 IS - 4 LA - en AB - Today, demands for energy sources and new technologies that will contribute to the challenge of global warming have contributed to the research and activities carried out in the field of nuclear energy. Increasing and diversifying nuclear activities lead to an increase in the studies to be carried out for the elimination of radioactive emissions during their operation. This study aims to investigate the gamma ray and neutron shielding capabilities of barite backfill materials at different moisture contents (1-5%, by weight) compacted with a Proctor test apparatus. After a standard compaction procedure, the gamma ray and neutron attenuation properties of these compacted filler materials were simulated with NGCal software using the density and elemental fractions. The results indicate that the optimum moisture content (OMC) lies between 3% and 4%, achieving maximum density at 2.917 g/cm³. While gamma-ray attenuation exhibited minimal sensitivity to moisture variation, neutron attenuation improved significantly with increased moisture content due to hydrogen’s role in neutron moderation. The findings suggest that moisture control is essential in optimizing radiation shielding efficiency, balancing gamma-ray attenuation stability with enhanced neutron absorption. These insights contribute to the development of more effective radiation shielding materials for nuclear energy applications. KW - Moisture KW - Filler KW - Barite KW - Gamma-ray and neutron shielding capability N2 - Günümüzde küresel ısınma sorununa katkı sağlayacak enerji kaynaklarına ve yeni teknolojilere olan talepler, nükleer enerji alanında yapılan araştırma ve faaliyetlere katkı sağlamıştır. Artan ve çeşitlenen nükleer faaliyetler, işletilmeleri sırasında radyoaktif emisyonların giderilmesi için yapılacak çalışmaların da artmasına neden olmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Proctor test cihazı ile sıkıştırılan farklı nem içeriklerindeki (ağırlıkça %1-5) barit dolgu malzemelerinin gama ışını ve nötron zırhlama yeteneklerini araştırmaktır. Standart bir sıkıştırma işleminden sonra, bu sıkıştırılmış dolgu malzemelerinin gama ışını ve nötron zayıflatma özellikleri, yoğunluk ve element fraksiyonları kullanılarak NGCal yazılımı ile simüle edilmiştir. Sonuçlar, optimum nem içeriğinin %3 ile %4 arasında olduğunu ve 2.917 g/cm³'te maksimum yoğunluğa ulaştığını göstermektedir. Gama ışını zayıflaması nem değişimine karşı minimum hassasiyet gösterirken, nötron zayıflaması, hidrojenin nötron moderasyonundaki rolü nedeniyle artan nem içeriğiyle önemli ölçüde iyileşmiştir. Bulgular, nem kontrolünün radyasyon kalkanı verimliliğini optimize etmek için gerekli olduğunu ve gama ışını zayıflatma kararlılığını gelişmiş nötron emilimi ile dengelediğini göstermektedir. Bu bilgiler, nükleer enerji uygulamaları için daha etkili radyasyon kalkanı malzemelerinin geliştirilmesine katkıda bulunmaktadır. CR - B. Han, L. Zhang, J. Ou, Radiation shielding concrete. Smart and Multifunctional Concrete Toward Sustainable Infrastructures. Springer, 329-337, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4349-9. CR - H.S. Gökçe,, B.C. Öztürk, N.F. Çam, Ö. Andiç-Çakır, Natural radioactivity of barite concrete shields containing commonly used supplementary materials. 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