Speaker
Description
Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) intends to switch the existing Co-60 irradiation facility to an e-beam X-ray 5-7Mev machine, due to security of Co-60 supply as well as increasing prices and the complexity of transportation to the unstable region (Middle East), which has been an issue in recent years. several national stakeholders are generally financially supportive to the switching from Co-60 to e-beam/X-ray in order to sustain this technology.
The existing facility will be used as e-beam/X-ray facility with some modifications for the existing concrete biological shield, which thickness must be increased to suit X-Ray applications, the personal maze will be filled with concrete, the other two sides can be easily thickened, and the side of product maze should be modified to suit the new product handling system. The ceiling thickness depends on the machine orientation; for side orientation the ceiling will be thickened. The shield may also be combinations of steel and/or lead in addition to concrete. The power consumption for both e-beam/X-ray applications will be covered by the existing solar system of 50kW generation capacity to be increased to about 200kW. Also new warehouse will be constructed.
Even though the capital cost of the e-beam/X-ray machine is high, it is more reliable than Co-60 for the sustainability of work, reducing security threats, and providing a wide range of applications that will be supportive for the industry in Jordan.
