Abstract
The gamma irradiator technology has served the radiation processing industry very well. It has continued to progress despite number of challenges it has faced. Number of improvements in safety features helped it to quell the earlier challenges. Later 60Co shortages and accelerator based X-ray systems becoming more competitive, considerably halted growth of gamma irradiators. But higher running expenditure, non-availability of appropriate irradiation volumes and reliable power supply at places particularly in rural areas did not make them as an automatic choice. The recent challenge due to heightened security concerns because of presence of intense 60Co radioactive sources in gamma irradiators is quite daunting. Possibility of theft, or attack on gamma irradiator itself or transport container and high decommissioning costs for return of sources to the supplier for safe disposal is making it difficult for gamma irradiator technology to compete. Due to some inherent advantages, X-ray based technology has made the road ahead tough for gamma irradiator technology. However, X-ray system's lower efficiency of conversion of energy to electromagnetic radiation, its higher maintenance costs and its huge dependence on availability of economic and reliable power supply will eventually decide the time at which it replaces the gamma irradiator technology fully in any part of the world.
Highlights
Gamma Irradiators have proven to be useful for bulk irradiation purposes in which the products to be processed are generally handled in cartons
The commercial use of gamma irradiators to sterilize health care products began in the late 1950s [1]
Frequent source replenishment due to relatively shorter half-life of 60Co forced designers to consider 137Cs as the gamma radiation source the choice. This did not last very long as contamination due to leakage of radioactive material became one of the first major challenges faced by the gamma irradiator technology
Summary
Gamma Irradiators have proven to be useful for bulk irradiation purposes in which the products to be processed are generally handled in cartons. The commercial use of gamma irradiators to sterilize health care products began in the late 1950s [1] When the journey of gamma irradiators had started, it had no challengers. The earliest irradiators were using 60Co and having dry storage system for the sealed sources. Slowly wet storage irradiators started becoming more popular because of ease of construction and maintenance considerations. As the gamma radiation source the choice This did not last very long as contamination due to leakage of radioactive material became one of the first major challenges faced by the gamma irradiator technology
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