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Dennis Allen PhD, BSc, C Phys, M Inst P
Physics Team Leader
Core Skills
Materials Dosimetry, Radioactive Materials Transportation, Shielding, Criticality, Reactor Physics,
Intelligent Customer.
Professional Summary
I have over fifteen years’ experience in the nuclear industry following over eleven years in academia.
I have a broad understanding of many of the safety issues connected with the operation and
decommissioning of nuclear plant, especially in the fields of reactor physics, materials dosimetry,
shielding, criticality and radioactive materials storage and transportation. I have successfully
trained, developed and led a team of practitioners with particular expertise in materials dosimetry
and radiation shielding and made significant contributions to many diverse projects within my time in
the industry, a brief selection of which is described below. I have significant experience of
successful inter-team collaboration both within and beyond my current employer.
Professional Appointments
External Examiner for the University of Birmingham MSc Course The Physics and Technology of
Nuclear Reactors
Member of the Editorial Board for Progress in Nuclear Energy
Member of the Chartership Panel for the Institute of Physics
Professional Membership
Member of the Institute of Physics and a Chartered Physicist since 1992
Education
PhD in Condensed Matter Physics, University of Leicester, 1990
BSc Physics (2i), University of Leicester, 1985
Employment History
AMEC & Serco, Physicist, Berkeley and Gloucester, 2006 - present
Magnox Electric, Oldbury Power Station, Reactor Physics (secondment), 2002 - 2003
Magnox Electric, Berkeley Centre, Nuclear Safety Analyst, 2000 - 2005
University of Birmingham, Applied Radiation Physics, Research Fellow, 1992 - 2000
University of Leicester, Condensed Matter Physics, Research Associate, 1989 - 1992
Representative Projects
Nuclear Fuel Transportation
DFR Breeder Fuel Transport Safety Case, Magnox, UK, 2011 - 2012
I was Technical Integrator and played a key role for Magnox in developing the safety case for the
transport of redundant breeder fuel from Dounreay to Sellafield using the Magnox M2 flask. This
was a complex and high profile project involving several sites and scientific disciplines. Successful
delivery to time and quality has enabled significant and timely progress towards decommissioning
the country’s first fast reactor power plant.
Nuclear Fuel Transport Safety Cases, Magnox, UK, 2001 - 2015
I have revised several safety cases for the transport of spent Magnox fuel, ensuring that the
requirements for enhanced and diverse loads were met, whilst maintaining compliance with the
complex requirements of transport regulations. These safety cases have been of considerable
benefit to Magnox in its goal of achieving the Magnox Operating Plan and the significance of this
work was recognised early when I received a George Westinghouse Signature Award in 2002.
I have also assessed the fissile material content of various waste streams to ensure demonstrable
compliance with “fissile excepted” transport requirements and as inputs to criticality assessments.
Radiation Shielding
Intelligent Customer, Magnox, UK, 2012 to present
I act as an Intelligent Customer within the waste management function at Oldbury Technical Centre.
2. CV Dennis Allen
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I specify and review shielding assessments and undertake INSA for a wide range of projects
delivering waste management solutions, ensuring that safety case and project requirements are met
and that standards are maintained. I am also assisting with the Intelligent Customer role for
criticality work.
Emergency Arrangements
Fuel Route Accident Management Guidelines, Magnox and EDF Energy, UK, 2012 - 2014
I was a key participant in drafting the Fuel Route Accident Management Guidelines for three
Magnox sites in response to the Fukushima Daiichi accident. For EDF Energy I acted as reviewer
for their fuel route Symptom-Based Emergency Response Guidelines.
Central Emergency Support Centre, Magnox, UK, 2004 - 2015
I am a trained and experienced member of the Magnox CESC. Within this role I support the
emergency response team as Assistant Health Physicist. Rapid assessment of limited radiological
information is required, as is atmospheric dispersion modelling, the prediction of avertible doses to
the public and the subsequent formulation of advice to support off-site emergency response
arrangements.
Materials Dosimetry
Core Restraint Dosimetry for AGR Side Reflectors, British/EDF Energy, UK, 2007 to present
I was Technical Lead for this safety-critical programme of work for several Advanced Gas-Cooled
Reactors. The initial assessment prevented the threatened shutdown of the Hinkley Point B and
Hunterston B reactors, following an unfavourable review of earlier recommended neutron damage
rates. Throughout this programme of work I was the key player in the assessment of material
damage and nuclear heating and the recent highly successful validation of the MCBEND modelling
against neutron flux stringer activation measurements.
Graphite Dosimetry, EDF Energy, UK, 2013 to present
I was Technical Lead for the development and implementation of a novel and efficient method of
providing updated dosimetry data for all the Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor cores. The work has
developed, validated and delivered a highly flexible methodology for the provision of nuclear heating
and neutron damage assessments anywhere within the graphite cores of the AGR fleet. This will
result in improved confidence in the provision of graphite core materials property assessments as
the fleet ages and will support the safety cases for continued operation.
Neutron Dosimetry Assessment for Sizewell B Cycle 9, British Energy, UK, 2008 - 2010
I was the Project Manager and Lead Verifier for the surveillance capsule, Reactor Pressure Vessel
and Core Barrel dosimetry assessment. This work is vital for underpinning the safety case for
continued operation. I was subsequently asked to review the suitability of the proposed damage
parameter for the planned EDF Energy EPR stations.
Steel and Graphite Dosimetry Support, Magnox, UK, 2000 - 2009
I was a key player in the provision of Magnox graphite dosimetry data for weight loss and damage
assessments. These played a vital part in the safety cases for continued operation of Magnox
reactors, especially towards the end of their operating lives. I was also a key player in the provision
of materials dosimetry support for the pressure circuit of the Magnox reactors, including the Reactor
Pressure Vessels.
Reactor Physics
Reactor Physics Station Experience, Oldbury Power Station, UK, 2002-2003
I was seconded to Oldbury Power Station as Assistant Station Physicist where I was in charge of a
team responsible for nuclear safety. This period included a statutory outage and its associated
return to service and provided valuable experience in the operation of a generating nuclear plant.
Oldbury End-of-Generation Fuel Savings Project, Magnox, UK, 2003-2005
I managed a project to achieve significant fuel savings at Oldbury Power Station as it came towards
the end of its generating life. I led a team to select the best fuel saving options and deliver the
safety case for implementing the best strategy, taking into account the sometimes conflicting
requirements of the various stakeholders. This project was an essential part of the Magnox
Operating Plan and ultimately resulted in significant financial benefit.
3. CV Dennis Allen
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Training Course Production and Delivery
Materials for Fusion and Fission Power, UK, 2011
I delivered part of the material for this Easter Residential Course at the University of Oxford
Radiation Shielding Course, EDF Energy, UK, 2009
I produced and delivered a training course in radiation shielding and neutron activation assessment
methods. This was a collaborative project with other Technical Support Alliance partners.
MCNP Training Courses, UK and South Africa, 1998 - 2000
I developed and delivered bespoke training courses in the use of the Monte Carlo code MCNP for
postgraduate students at the University of Birmingham and for medical physicists and nuclear
scientists in South Africa.
University Projects
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Facility, University of Birmingham, 1992 - 2000
I designed the neutronics system for an accelerator-based BNCT facility based on a linear proton
accelerator. This included complex neutron yield calculations, as well as target, filter and shield
design and optimisation studies. The Monte Carlo method MCNP was used for this and for initial
conceptual treatment planning studies. I also organised a national conference.
Neutron Radiography, University of Birmingham, 1992 - 1995
Design of a thermal neutron radiography system. This required moderator and shield design and
optimisation (using MCNP), as well as validation using neutron activation measurements.
Positron Emission Particle Tracking, University of Birmingham, 1998 - 2000
This novel coincidence detection technique provided insight into various mixing phenomena,
including the behaviour of fluidised beds, food mixing and other chemical engineering processes.
3D Gamma-ray Imaging, University of Birmingham, 1998 - 2000
I developed the hardware and software for a 3D gamma-ray imaging technique, primarily for medical
diagnostic applications.
Over the years I have published many academic papers and delivered several conference and
seminar papers (titles and references available on request).
Selected Training & Conferences
2015 International Conference on Multiphysics – Imperial College
2015 Coaching and Mentoring – two day course
2014 Criticality Intelligent Customer training - Magnox
2014 Advanced Boiling Water Reactor Seminar - Imperial College
2010 11th
International Nuclear Graphite Specialists Meeting, INGSM-11 – Eastbourne
2008 13th
International Symposium on Reactor Dosimetry, Akersloot, Netherlands
2006 Introduction to MONK
2006 Radioactive Material Transport- one day RAMTUC course
2005 onwards Magnox CESC training and regular exercises (nuclear emergency response)
2005 Assertiveness – two day course
2004 5th
International Nuclear Graphite Specialists Meeting, INGSM-5 – N Wales
2004 Introduction to Fault Studies – assessed two day course
2004 Providing Quality Service – two day course
2002 PANTHER – assessed five day course
2002 Control and Supervision – assessed one day course
2002 Safety Case Authorship (AVA) – complex safety cases
2001 Safety Case Authorship (AVB) – simple safety cases
2001 Magnox Overview – assessed five day course on Magnox plant
2001 Introduction to Nuclear Plant Theory – assessed five day course
2000 onwards Attendance at the annual ANSWERS Seminar (most years)
2000 Project Management (APM) – assessed five day course
1999 Interpersonal Skills (University of Birmingham)
1998 MS Excel (University of Birmingham) – two day course
1997 Supervising Research Students (University of Birmingham)
1997 MCNP Advanced (Imperial College) – five day course