Do we need X-rays?

Abstract

Do we need X-rays? The answer depends on the cost for 25 kGy sterilization, and the cost for 10 kGy decontamination, compared with the costs of other technologies. In the past, the cost of X-ray was compared with that of Cobalt 60, because treatment by pallet was virtually obsessional. It was considered easier to treat in a Contract Service Center even though several Contract Service Centers equipped with 10 MeV high-power accelerators are in operation, and are profitable. Currently small and reliable accelerators are available, which can be inserted into a production line, i.e. instead of treating a product in its shipment carton or on a pallet, the product can be treated as a unit on the production line. In this case there is no need for extra transport, or intermediate storage facilities, and the product is “just in time”. So we should compare the cost of treatment, taking all these parameters into account (transport, storage, time lapse, etc.) to find out if X-ray treatment could be competitive. The few studies carried out in the past compared X-ray with Cobalt 60, and the economic result was always in favour of Cobalt due to the poor conversion output. This is still valid today, even if we consider very high-power electron beam accelerators. The performance and cost of e-beam in-line, gamma ray and X-ray will be compared.