Medium density hydrogenous materials for shielding against nuclear radiation

Claim 2

A nuclear radiation shielding material comprising: a first material having hydrogen atomic density which is at least one-third of that of water at standard temperature and pressure; and a second material having specific weight in the range between about 1 g/cm 3 and about 4 g/cm 3 mixed with said first material, wherein said second material is made of elements having an atomic number in the range between 1 and 20, which elements are not good neutron absorbers, said second material enhancing the properties of said first material for shielding against neutrons and photons.

Claim 3

The shielding material as in claim 1 wherein said second material is bonded by said first material.

Claim 4

The shielding material as in claim 2 wherein said second material is uniformly mixed with said first material.

Claim 5

The shielding material as in claim 2 wherein said second material occupies a volume fraction in the range between about 1% and about 70% of said shielding material volume.

Claim 6

The shielding material as in claim 4 wherein said second material occupies a volume fraction of about 30% to 50% of said shielding material volume.

Claim 7

The shielding material as in claim 1 wherein said second material is selected from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, chlorides, fluorides, sulfides, carbonates, sulfates, and combinations thereof.

Claim 8

The shielding material as in claim 6 wherein said second material is selected from the group of compounds consisting of magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon carbide, calcium fluoride, calcium carbonate, and combinations thereof.

Claim 9

The shielding material as in claim 1 wherein said first material is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon plastics, natural and synthetic rubber, and combinations thereof.

Claim 10

The shielding material as in claim 8 wherein said hydrocarbon plastic is polyethylene.

Claim 11

The shielding material according to claim 1, further comprising a third material mixed in said shielding material, wherein at least one element of said third material is a good neutron absorber.

Claim 12

The shielding material as in claim 10, wherein said at least one element is selected from the group consisting of boron, lithium and combinations thereof.

Claim 13

A nuclear radiation shielding material comprising a continuous phase of a cementitious material; and a discontinuous phase dispersed within said cementitious material, said discontinuous phase being in the form of particles comprising: a first material having hydrogen atomic density which is at least one-third of that of water at standard temperature and pressure; and a second material having specific weight in the range between about 1 g/cm 3 and about 4 g/cm 3 mixed with said first material, wherein said second material is made of elements having an atomic number in the range between 1 and 20, which elements are not good neutron absorbers, said second material enhancing the properties of said first material for shielding against neutrons and photons, said particles having a size distribution such that no more than 10 percent of said particles have a size greater than one percent of the smallest dimension of said shielding material.

Claim 14

A nuclear radiation shielding material comprising a continuous phase of a cementitious material; and a discontinuous phase dispersed within said cementitious material, said discontinuous phase being in the form of particles comprising: a first material having hydrogen atomic density which is at least one-third of that of water at standard temperature and pressure; and a second material having specific weight in the range between about 1 g/cm 3 and about 4 g/cm 3 mixed with said first material, wherein said second material is made of elements having an atomic number in the range between 1 and 20, which elements are not good neutron absorbers, said second material enhancing the properties of said first material for shielding against neutrons and photons, said particles having a size distribution such that no more than 10 percent of said particles have a size greater than one percent of the smallest dimension of said shielding material.

Claim 15

The shielding material as in claim 12, wherein said cementitious material is selected from the group consisting of portland cement, wall plaster, plaster of Paris, silica gel, clay and combinations thereof, set with water.

Claim 16

The shielding material as in claim 12, wherein said first material is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon plastics, natural and synthetic rubber, and combinations thereof.

Claim 17

The shielding material as in claim 12 wherein said second material is selected from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, chlorides, fluorides, sulfides, carbonates, sulfates, and combinations thereof.

Claim 20

The method as defined in claim 16, including a step of selecting said first material from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon plastics, natural and synthetic rubber, and combinations thereof.

Claim 21

The method as defined in claim 17 including a step of selecting said hydrocarbon plastics from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and combinations thereof.

Claim 22

The method as defined in claim 16, including a step of selecting said second material from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, nitrides, chlorides, fluorides, sulfides, carbonates, sulfates, and combinations thereof.

Claim 23

The method as defined in claim 16, including a step of dispersing a third material in said shielding material.

Claim 24

The method as defined in claim 20, wherein said step of dispersing a third material includes the step of selecting a material from the group consisting of compounds having boron, lithium and combinations thereof as one element of the compound.

Claim 25

The method as defined in claim 20 wherein said step of dispersing a third material includes the step of selecting a material from the group consisting of a hydroxide, a hydrate, a metal hydrides and combinations thereof.

Claim 26

The method as defined in claim 20, wherein said step of dispersing a third material includes the step of selecting a material from the group consisting of tungsten, tantalum, lead and combinations thereof.