Optimum plant capacity - technical and economic considerations

The technical and economic factors which determine the selection of a Cobalt-60 gamma irradiator are examined. Several common irradiator design concepts and their features are described. The parameters which determine the design and capacity of the optimum plant in a specific situation are discussed under the following headings: 1) throughput; 2) product box size; 3) product density; 4) minimum/maximum dose limits; 5) dose uniformity requirements; 6) plant location; 7) future growth. The considerations and trade-offs involved are illustrated by examples. (author)