Abstract
High energy X-rays from accelerators are used to irradiate food ingredients to prevent growth and development of unwanted biological organisms in food, and by that extend the shelf life of the products. The production of X-rays is done by accelerating 5 MeV electrons and bombarding them into a heavy target (high Z). Since 2004, the FDA has approved using 7.5 MeV energy, providing higher production rates with lower treatments costs. In this study we calculated all the essential data needed for a straightforward concrete shielding design of typical food accelerator rooms. The following evaluation is done using the MCNP Monte Carlo code system: (1) Angular dependence (0-180°) of photon dose rate for 5 MeV and 7.5 MeV electron beams bombarding iron, aluminum, gold, tantalum, and tungsten targets. (2) Angular dependence (0-180°) spectral distribution simulations of bremsstrahlung for gold, tantalum, and tungsten bombarded by 5 MeV and 7.5 MeV electron beams. (3) Concrete attenuation calculations in several photon emission angles for the 5 MeV and 7.5 MeV electron beams bombarding a tantalum target. Based on the simulation, we calculated the expected increase in dose rate for facilities intending to increase the energy from 5 MeV to 7.5 MeV, and the concrete width needed to be added in order to keep the existing dose rate unchanged.
Highlights
Industrial electron accelerators are used for many applications such as: irradiation of medical devices, food and wires, etc. [1]
In this study we calculated essential data needed for a straightforward concrete shielding design of an industrial electron accelerator, using 5 MeV and 7.5 MeV X-Rays
Three emission angles were selected for comparison (10°, 45°, 120°); as can be seen in Figure 2, the results showed a good agreement
Summary
Industrial electron accelerators are used for many applications such as: irradiation of medical devices, food and wires, etc. [1]. Industrial electron accelerators are used for many applications such as: irradiation of medical devices, food and wires, etc. In this study we calculated essential data needed for a straightforward concrete shielding design of an industrial electron accelerator, using 5 MeV and 7.5 MeV X-Rays. These energies are mainly used to irradiate food ingredients. The main process to provide the desired dose required a 60Co irradiation facility. Nowadays, due to their inherent safety, electron accelerators are more in use. When deeper penetration is needed, the electron beam produces bremsstrahlung (Xrays) by using targets with high Z, acting as convertors
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