Dosimetry and irradiation methods for the ANSTO gamma technology research irradiator (GATRI).

Abstract

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation's gamma technology research irradiator (GATRI) at Lucas Heights New South Wales has been modified for use as a research and small-scale commercial irradiation facility to be available to government agencies and private industry for the technical and economic evaluation of irradiation processing. The new source rack was designed around existing mechanical components to optimise the limited space available within the irradiation cell. Irradiation parameters investigated during commissioning included the effect of source-to-target distance on relative dose rates within targets of the same density; effect of density on dose-rate distribution within targets irradiated at the same distance from the source; and the contribution of transit dose to low absorbed doses as the source is raised and lowered. The efficiency of the irradiator was determined for various target densities and overdose ratios.