Title: Experimental determination of dose uniformity in the CDTN gamma irradiator

Authors: L.C.D. Ladeira; A.Z. Mesquita; M.T. Pereira; C.C.M. Resende

Addresses: Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN, Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear - CNEN, Belo Horizonte, Brazil ' Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN, Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear - CNEN, Belo Horizonte, Brazil ' Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN, Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear - CNEN, Belo Horizonte, Brazil ' Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN, Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear - CNEN, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Abstract: This paper describes an experimental study of dose uniformity within a container used for products irradiation, in the gamma irradiation facility at Nuclear Technology Development Center (CDTN). The CDTN is a research institute of the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), Brazil. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) dosimeters were used in order to determine the Dose Uniformity Ratio (DUR) inside the container. Furthermore, the effect of product density on DUR was studied. The knowledge of these parameters helps to ensure that the irradiation process is carried out with acceptable uniformity of doses. Three irradiation positions and four different bulk densities were investigated. The results showed that there is good horizontal dose uniformity for all positions and density studied. This behaviour is also observed in vertical planes, except for the position 33 cm.

Keywords: dose uniformity ratio; gamma processing; gamma rays; gamma irradiation; nuclear energy; nuclear power; polymethylmethacrylate; PMMA dosimeters; product density.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2015.067810

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2015 Vol.9 No.1, pp.42 - 55

Received: 03 Jun 2014
Accepted: 24 Sep 2014
Published online: 05 Mar 2015 *

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