The operation status and prospect of radioisotope production facility in HANARO

Researches and production of radioisotopes, radio pharmaceuticals and cold kits are carried out in the Radio isotope Production Facility (RIPF). Four concrete hot cells in Bank-1 are to produce the Ir-192 source for NDT. Eleven lead hot cells in Bank-2 are to produce Ho-166, Cr-51, P-32/33, Tc-99m, Lu-177, Sr-90/Y-90 and W-188/Re-188 for research purpose. Six lead hot cells in Bank-3 are used for the production of I-131 for diagnosis and therapy of cancer in the hospital. A hot cell in Bank-3 is also utilized for the research of I-125 and Br-82. Four lead hot cells in Bank-4, are utilized for the production of Mo-99/Tc-99m generators since 2005. The major systems including the Heat and Ventilated Air Conditioning (HVAC) system and the air cleaning system such as charcoal and HEPA filter trains to filter the radioactive contaminants are in operation. So are the systems such as power supply and distribution system, UPS, fire protection system, liquid radioactive waste collection systems. Recently the repair work and replacements of the air cleaning system are successfully finished and the replacement of the electric power supply systems is in progress because they almost reached the lifespan of the electrical components. In order to monitor the gas effluent of the building, a continuous air monitoring system is in operation to measure the concentration of I-131, noble gas and the particle at the stack of RIPF. Modification and upgrade of the main control panel and fire alarm and receiving panel are also in consideration to utilize the state of the art technology so that the remote control and supervisory of RIPF would be enabled in near future