Improving the efficiency of CDTN's Gamma Irradiation Laboratory with additional designed turntables

The Gamma Irradiation Laboratory (LIG) of CDTN was originally supplied with four turntables. Operating with this configuration was a loss of time and irradiation volume, what induced the Irradiator's staff creating an optimisation production program. Firstly, the staff requests the Gamma Irradiator Manufacturer a quotation for new turntables, but the price was very high. Secondly, the CDTN Design Group was invited to develop new LIG turntables. The groups worked together and found a very good solution. The new turntables are much cheaper and their rotating plate diameters are increased in 5 cm and four of them were made to attend the LIG demand. They have been in operation without significant problems for 1.5 years and absorbed an estimated dose of 7 MGy. This fact confirms the design and materials good quality. Operating with the eight turntables was possible to improve the LIG irradiation capacity in six times in weigh and in volume. Irradiation time is reduced; nowadays doses up to 5 KGy can be done in the same day. For irradiation doses greater than 5 KGy, the process was speeded up by positioning the new turntables in the spaces between the original ones. With this operational configuration the samples receive the dose escaped in those spaces. Calculation of the new dose necessary for the sample is done and it is repositioned in the internals turntables to finish the irradiation process. With this technique the samples do not need to wait so much on the line. The scope of the research program includes day and night operation. Continuously operating in association with the four new turntables enhanced the original operational capacity of the LIG fifteen times. The objectives of this work are to present the developed turntables characteristics and the results acquired. (author)