Industrial Electron Accelerators Research Articles

The use of electron accelerators in the processes of high temperature solid phase synthesis

The modern industrial electron accelerators are the perspective sources of heating for realization of the high-temperature inorganic synthesis processes such as synthesis of ferrites, catalysts and combinations based on volatile components such as oxides of Mo, W, Pb, etc. Electron beam realizes not only pure and accurately controlled heating but also activates the process due to radiation effects. As a result time of synthesis and number of technological stages is sufficiently

Polystyrene calorimeter for electron beam dose measurements

Calorimeters made from polystyrene have been constructed for dose measurement at 4–10 MeV electron accelerators. These calorimeters have been used successfully for a few years, and polystyrene calorimeters for use at energies down to 1 MeV are being tested. Advantages of polystyrene as the absorbing material are the radiation stability of this material and the fact that identical phantoms can be made for irradiation of other dosimeters for calibration. This provides a precise tool for establishing traceability of dose measurements at industrial electron accelerators.

Sensitivity of self-powered detector probes to electron and gamma-ray fields

A self-powered detector (SPD) is a simple, passive device that consists of a coaxial probe with a metallic outer sleeve, a mineral oxide insulating layer, and a metallic inner core. SPDs are used in nuclear reactors to monitor neutron and gamma fields. Responses of SPDs to electrons and γ-rays of various energies were investigated with Monte Carlo simulations. Transmission filters were studied for the design of threshold SPD probes used for on-line monitoring of the energy spectrum of high-power industrial electron accelerator beams. Filters were also investigated for the enhancement of γ-ray sensitivity of an SPD placed in a mixed electron and γ-ray field.

The Rhodotron, a new high-energy, high-power, CW electron accelerator

Over the last years, a new kind of industrial electron accelerator has been conjointly developed by the French Atomic Energy Agency (CEA) and IBA (Ion Beam Applications) in Belgium. This accelerator, called the Rhodotron, is a recirculating accelerator, operated in CW. It uses low frequencies (metric waves), that make possible the generation of continuous high-energy high-power beams. The construction of the first industrial model of the Rhodotron began in January 1992. It is a 10 MeV, 100 kW beam power unit, with an additional beam exit at 5 MeV. A target is also being developed in order to allow an efficient conversion of the electrons into X-rays. The different subsystems of this machine are now being assembled and tested. The first beam tests are scheduled for the autumn of 1993. A complete report presenting the state of development of this prototype is included in this paper.

Application of calorimeters for routine and reference dosimetry at 4–10 MeV industrial electron accelerators

Calorimeters are indispensable for characterization, validation and routine checking of the performance of industrial electron accelerators. This paper describes how calorimetry can establish traceability to primary standards, how routine dosimeters are calibrated by means of calorimetry, and how nominal doses are documented by calorimetry during validation exercises and during daily operation. Construction and calibration of the calorimeters are described, and data on the precision and accuracy are given.

A calorimeter for measuring energy deposition in materials and calibrating the response of dosimeters irradiated by low-energy industrial electron accelerators

A simple calorimeter with a totally-absorbing graphite body was designed and tested at a 400-keV electron accelerator. For a given conveyor speed and beam current, the calorimetric measurements are expressed as a quantity F (J·cm −2)—the absorbed energy per unit surface area—which is found to be independent of the calorimetric body size and in accordance with the measurements of absorbed dose by calibrated radiochromic film dosimeters. The use of the calorimeter for the initial calibration of the energy deposition by low-energy accelerator beams and routine calibration of thin-film dosimeters are demonstrated.

Shielding design and detection of neutrons from medical and industrial electron accelerators--simple method of design calculation for neutron shielding

The neutron leakage from medical and industrial electron accelerators has become an important problem and its detection and shielding is being performed in their facilities. This study provides a new simple method of design calculation for neutron shielding of those electron accelerator facilities by dividing into the following five categories; neutron dose distribution in the accelerator room, neutron attenuation through the wall and the door in the accelerator room, neutron and secondary photon dose distributions in the maze, neutron and secondary photon attenuation through the door at the end of the maze, neutron leakage outside the facility-skyshine.

Shielding design and detection of neutrons from medical and industrial electron accelerators--accuracy evaluation of simple calculation method by neutron measurement

The accuracy of new simple method of design calculation for neutron shielding in medical and industrial electron accelerator facilities, described in the preceding paper, is investigated in this work by comparing with the measured data in the actual facilities. For this comparison, several published data which have been measured in medical electron accelerator facilities were used, and in industrial facilities the measurement was performed in this work with a neutron dose equivalent meter. From the comparison of measured and calculated neutron dose equivalents, it was confirmed that this simple design method has sufficiently good accuracy.

Calorimetry at industrial electron accelerators

Calorimetry is a convenient way to measure doses at industrial electron accelerators, where high absorbed doses (1–100 kGy) are delivered at dose rates of 10 2−10 5 Gy s −1 or even higher. Water calorimeters have been used for this purpose for several years, but recently other materials such as graphite and aluminum have been used. These materials offer advantages of simpler construction and higher sensitivity. Dose estimates using these different types of calorimeters differ by ~ 5%, and the possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.

High-voltage electron beam irradiation facilities

Industrial electron accelerators are now capable of producing up to 200 kW of electron beam power at 4 MV and 100 kW at 5 MV. Even larger units are contemplated. Such machines can process bulk materials at very high thruput rates for very low cost per kilogram. Bremsstrahlung (x-ray) processing is also feasible at these power levels. A 300 kW, 6 MV unit would be comparable in cost and thruput rate to a 3.0 MCi Co-60 plant. Microprocessor control systems now provide the capability to coordinate all the operations of the irradiation facility including the accelerator, the material handling system, the personeel safety system and various auxiliary services. Facility designs can be adapted to a variety of industrial processes to ensure satisfactory product treatment with good dose uniformity, high energy efficiency and operational simplicity.

Accidental beta radiation burns from an electron accelerator

A 61-year-old man presented to the emergency department after accidental exposure to beta radiation and low dose x radiation from an industrial linear electron accelerator. Over 40 days he developed burns on the extremities, abdomen, and face which eventually healed with topical silver sulfadiazine treatment, but suffered no acute x or gamma radiation symptoms. Beta burns and other radiation effects are discussed.

The elements and organization of an industrial particle accelerator safety program

The organization and implementation of the elements of a comprehensive radiation safety program for industrial electron accelerators are described. These include education, periodic review, comprehensive procedures, periodic equipment inspections, interlock systems and program philosophies.

Industrial electron accelerators designed at the institute of nuclear physics, siberian branch, Academy of Sciences of the USSR

Industrial electron accelerators designed at the institute of nuclear physics, siberian branch, Academy of Sciences of the USSR