Radiation Technology Center


IPEN
Multipurpose Gamma Irradiator

Mission

To apply the radiation and radioisotope technology in the Industry, Health and Environment, producing scientific knowledge, forming human resources, transferring technology and generating products and services for customers.

The Radiation Technology Center (CTR) has a technical staff of 58 professionals including Doctors, Masters in Science and technicians, beyond 53 under graduate and graduate students. At last 32 years, US$ 22 millions were invested in the Radiation Technology Center. During its trajectory of success and conquest can be highlighted in the last three years, the approval of FAPESP projects for construction and implantation of the Cobalt-60 Multipurpose Irradiator and for technological domain of Iodine-125 seeds production for prostate cancer treatment. Research and Development of products and processes have been carried out in this Center, supporting the local industries and scientific community by using of radiation technology. The main fields at CTR are:

- Processing and modification of polymeric materials;
- Treatment of water, wastewater, industrial effluent and sludge;
- Development of radiation sensors and detectors;
- Cure of inks, varnishes, adhesives and coverings;
- Development of facilities and irradiation devices for industrial radiation processing;
- Brazilian gemstones enhancement;
- Preservation and disinfestation of foods and agricultural products;
- Development and production of radioactive sources for Brachytherapy applications;
- Radiosterilization for tissue banking;
- Electron beam and gamma irradiation services;
-Sealed sources production for Gammagraphy and tracer applications for industrial process control.

With the modernization and implantation of new irradiation systems were processed 470 km of wire and electric cable and 35 km of polyethylene foam per year in the Center. The radiosterilization of medical, pharmaceutical and biological products increase 95% in this period. The production of 197 Iridium-192 and Cobalt-60 sealed sources and 194 inspection services in irradiators, command cables and pipes guides per year, cover all the national demand. The improvement of the activities of radioisotope application in the industrial process control and sanitation, the distribution of 3,000 Iodine-125 seeds for prostate cancer treatment per year and activities directed to the Brazilian Technical Association of Cure by Radiation (ATBCR) can be either highlighted.In the training area the most important realizations were the coordination of IAEA Regional Projects RLA/8/030 - ARCAL LXIII: “Armonización y Optmización de la Gestión y Procedimientos Operacionales en las Plantas of Irradiacion Industriales” and RLA/8/028 - ARCAL LXI: “Transferencia de Tecnologia de Trazadores y Sistemas de Control Nucleonico a Sectores Industriales de Interes Economico”. These realizations and achievements were only possible by governmental financial, standing out seven projects supported by FAPESP, one by CNPq and three international projects supported by International Atomic Energy Agency- IAEA.

In 30th August 2004 was opening an industrial gamma irradiator, with a revolutionary design and Brazilian technology in this Center. The Multipurpose Irradiator consists of continuous tote box transport system, comprising a single concrete vault (76 m2), where the automated transport system of products inside and outside of the irradiator utilizes a rotating door, integrated with the shielding, avoiding the traditional maze configuration. The irradiator design is product overlap sources and the maximum capacity of Cobalt-60 wet sources is 37 PBq (1 MCi). The Multipurpose Irradiator will be used as a demonstration facility for manufacturers, who need an economic and logistic in house irradiation system alternative. Also, it will be useful for supporting the local scientific community on development of products and process using gamma radiation, assisting the traditional and potential users on process validation, training and qualification of operators and radioprotection officers.

Wilson Aparecido Parejo Calvo
Manager





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R&D activities

Products and Services

 




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