Irradiation plant control upgrades and parametric release

This paper reviews an integrated PC irradiation plant control system which is one of the most advanced available. The system controls the entire irradiation process from ‘goods in’ through to dosimetry and the production of post-irradiation documentation. Product processing speeds are automatically calculated by reference to validation data which ensures that the dose requirements are met. Detailed product tracking and data logging of all plant activities ensures traceability of the entire irradiation process. The paper demonstrates how the system effectively enables parametric release of products since the critical processing parameters are automatically set, monitored and recorded and are directly linked to the validation of these parameters.     

The design of an irradiator for the continuous processing of liquid latex

This paper presents anew design concept for a gamma irradiation plant for the continuous processing of pumpable liquids. Typical applications of such a plant include

• * the irradiation vulcanisation of natural latex rubber

• * disinfection of municipal sewage sludge for agricultural use

• * sterilisation of liquids in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries

• * industrial processing of bulk liquids

The authors describe the design and operation of the latex irradiator now operating on a small production scale in Malaysia and proposed developments.

The design allows irradiation processing to be carried out under an inert or other gaseous environment.

State-of-the-art computer control system ensures the fully automatic processing operation needed by industrial computers.     

How gamma radiation processing systems are benefiting from the latest advances in information technology

This paper discusses how gamma irradiation plants are putting the latest advances in computer and information technology to use for better process control, cost savings, and strategic advantages.

Some irradiator operations are gaining significant benefits by integrating computer technology and robotics with real-time information processing, multi-user databases, and communication networks. The paper reports on several irradiation facilities that are making good use of client/server LANs, user-friendly graphics interfaces, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed I/O with real-time sensor devices, trending analysis, real-time product tracking, dynamic product scheduling, and automated dosimetry reading. These plants are lowering costs by fast and reliable reconciliation of dosimetry data, easier validation to GMP requirements, optimizing production flow, and faster release of sterilized products to market.

There is a trend in the manufacturing sector towards total automation using “predictive process control”. Real-time verification of process parameters “on-the-run” allows control parameters to be adjusted appropriately, before the process strays out of limits. Applying this technology to the gamma radiation process, control will be based on monitoring the key parameters such as time, and making adjustments during the process to optimize quality and throughput. Dosimetry results will be used as a quality control measurement rather than as a final monitor for the release of the product. Results are correlated with the irradiation process data to quickly and confidently reconcile variations. Ultimately, a parametric process control system utilizing responsive control, feedback and verification will not only increase productivity and process efficiency, but can also result in operating within tighter dose control set points.     

Temperature response of a number of plastic dosimeters for radiation processing

Various plastic dosemeters are employed for dosimetry control of radiation processing within gamma and electron irradiation facilities.

The temperature response of a dosimeter is important when the dose to such a dosimeter is accumulated under varying irradiation temperatures. Such measurements would be significant for proper assessment of the dose for better process control, as well as, performance evaluation of dosimetry systems.

In this work we have developed a high current peltier junction temperature controller system for our Gammacell-220. This system has been designed to regulate the operating temperature of the irradiation chamber in the range of 0 to 80 C this system has been applied to measure the temperature response of the red perspex, a local clear PMMA, Gammex, Gammachrome, and Gafchromic dosimeters. The curves of relative performance or variation of the induced optical densities of the above dosemeters versus the irradiation temperature at fixed dose values are obtained.     

Improvement of plant parameters of the ROBO gamma irradiation facility due to design modification

Two industrial scale, “ROBO” type ⁶⁰Co gamma irradiation facilities have recently been put into operation in Syria and Peru, and the dosimetry commissioning of both plants have been carried out to determine dose distribution within products and to calculate plant parameters such as efficiency, dose uniformity ratio and throughput. There are some design modifications between the two plants in connection with the location of the carriers with respect to the source plaque and also to each other. The effect of these construction modifications on the plant parameters is discussed in the analysis of the dose distribution data measured in the carriers with depth and height among the four irradiation rows on both sides of the source plaque. The plant parameters were also calculated for different product densities using the technical data of the facilities, and the calculated and measured results were compared to each other.     

Status of radiation processing dosimetry

Several milestones have marked the field of radiation processing dosimetry since IMRP 7. Among them are the IAEA symposium on High Dose Dosimetry for Radiation Processing and the international Workshops on Dosimetry for Radiation Processing organized by the ASTM.

Several standards have been or are being published by the ASTM in this field, both on dosimetry procedures and on the proper use of specific dosimeter systems. Several individuals are involved in this international cooperation which contribute significantly to the broader understanding of the role of dosimetry in radiation processing.

The importance of dosimetry is emphasized in the standards on radiation sterilization which are currently drafted by the European standards organization CEN and by the international standards organization ISO. In both standards, dosimetry plays key roles in characterization of the facility, in qualification of the process and in routine process control.

As a function of the work on the standards, several issues are now receiving major attention. These include traceability and uncertainty limits of the dose measurements, calibration procedures, environmental influence and combination of influence factors such as dose rate and temperature.

The increased attention to these factors have increased the demands on existing dosimeter systems, and rather than new dosimeters, the latest years have seen improvements on established dosimeters.     

Irradiation as a disinfestation method — update on methyl bromide phase out, regulatory action and emerging opportunities

Methyl bromide (MeBr), is the most widely used agricultural fumigant in the world for the control of pests and plant diseases. It is used to control pests and diseases in food, agricultural and forestry commodities after harvest, before or during storage or transportation and/or at time of import to control quarantine or storage pests. Knowing MeBr will be phased out has spurred a search for alternative treatments and products, and has placed pressure on regulatory authorities to approve alternatives.

Some of methyl bromide use could be replaced with irradiation. Methyl bromide is also used for soil and structural fumigation, and although there is some use of irradiation for packaged soil or greenhouse products, in general, these uses can not be replaced by irradiation. Some radiation processing facilities have either seen increased business to disinfest commodities, or have experienced more inquiries for service. There are many other processes and products competing for this market and irradiation will not win its share of the business without an improved regulatory picture, improved marketing to methyl bromide users and improved information to answer questions from commodity sectors.

The United Nations Environment Program — Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) provides a venue for the publication or information about the use and availability of irradiation as an alternative to methyl bromide. It provides the technical base to the Montreal Protocol contributing to the setting of phase out dates; this committee is actively researching and assessing all alternatives and needs information about irradiation. The author is a member of the MBTOC committee.     

Use of validation dosimetry,in source rack load planning,to improve cobalt irradiation plant efficiency

Source load planning is an important part of optimising the performance of cobalt-60 gamma irradiation plants. The best results are achieved using a complex algorithm to accurately model the radiation profile of the source. In this way operational plant performance may be predicted as a function of changes in activity distribution within the source rack. This paper describes an approach to the prediction of plant performance that is numerically simpler than attempting to calculate actual doses from first principles. It shows how validation dosimetry results can be used to validate the software-predicted dose distribution and details how this enables the load plan to be tailored to meet the specific objectives of the plant operator. Improvements in product throughput and reduced maximum to minimum dose ratios are typical.     

NorTRACK product tracking system—development and implementation

This paper presents the experience gained by developers and users with implementation and operation of NorTRACK^TM, a real-time computerized product tracking system. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) collects and transfers data in real time to NorTRACK’s Oracle^TM database on a Windows NT^TM server network. After extensive development and Beta testing at MDS Nordion’s Canadian Irradiation Centre in Montreal, Canada, NorTRACK was installed in January 1997 with a new irradiation facility in Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc.’s Albuquerque plant in the United States. NorTRACK communicates with the irradiator control and safety system, the plant's central manufacturing database, an innovative pallet staging and tote loading robot, and an automated dosimetry reading system. This integrated system allows the sterilization facility to monitor the irradiator operation and the flow of many products, through varied processing modes, continuously and reliably. As a result of operating with NorTRACK, both MDS Nordion’s CIC facility and the Endo-Surgery manufacturing site, are beginning to realize unique benefits in their respective operations. MDS Nordion is also initiating several future product enhancements and additional productivity modules. This paper describes the NorTRACK system, the various stages of the development project and Beta tests, and the experience of the users to date in their operations.     

The study of electron beam flue gas treatment for coal-fired thermal plant in Japan

The fundamental research work with simulated coal-fired flue gas was performed in JAERI to get basic data for electron beam treatment of flue gas from thermal power plants in Japan. The standard condition of the experiments was set to be the same as that of next large scale pilot test in Nagoya. The concentrations of NO_x and SO_x were 225 ppm and 800 ppm, respectively. The temperature of the system was 65°C. The effect of multiple irradiation was observed for NO_x removal. The target SO_x and NO_x removals (94% and 80%, respectively) with low NH₃ leakage (less than 10 ppm) were achieved at 9 kGy irradiation with 0.9 NH₃ stoichiometry during 7 hours continuous operation. The facility for the pilot plant (12,000 Nm³/hr) has just built at the site of Shin-Nagoya power plant of Chubu Electric Power Company and will be started in full operation in November 1992.     

Dosimetric properties of commercial grade plexiglas as a possible routine dosimeter for radiation processing

Dyed and undyed polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) are commercially available for high dose dosimetry in radiation processing applications. In order to investigate the properties of the locally available clear perspex as a subsitute routine dosimeter, we have looked into the optical and dosimetric properties of clear perspex sheets with a thickness of 2 mm.

The selected wavelength used for read out was 314 nm. Absorption spectra obtained showed a sharp cutoff at 260 nm wavelength. Post-irradiation studies at different doses indicate that the optical density decrease with storage time. No significant dose rate dependence in the range of 1.1 to 11 kGy/hr has been observed. The temperature response of the said clear perspex in the range of 0–30°C during irradiation has also been determined.

Comparison of the optical density versus dose for the local clear perspex against that of red perspex from Harwell, at an absorbed dose of 25 kGy, as obtained in our gamma irradiator, IR-136, showed a difference of 3%. The reproducibility of the local clear PMMA has been observed to be also less than 3% in an absorbed dose range of 5 to 50 kGy.     

Practical implications of developments in legislation on food irradiation in the European Union

Food irradiation legislation is very different in most member-states of the EU. For many years there was the desire by many interested groups to harmonise this legislation.

As the member-states had a different view on irradiated foods, often based on their existing regulation, it took many years and revised drafts to come to a harmonised regulation acceptable to the majority.

The background on the development of this EU-legislation and the final draft is discussed.

Some information is also given on the possible influence of WTO (SPS- and TBT-agreements) and Codex Alimentarius on this EU-legislation.     

300 MW等级燃煤机组煤粉炉与循环流化床锅炉汞排放特性比较

选取某地330 MW煤粉炉(PC炉)和350 MW循环流化床锅炉(CFB)的燃煤电厂进行汞排放特性的研究。采用30B法和安大略法对两个燃煤电厂的除尘器入口、除尘器出口、脱硫塔出口和湿式电除尘器出口的烟气进行了取样和汞浓度分析,采集了入炉煤和副产物底渣、飞灰及脱硫石膏样品。通过样品中汞含量的分布,探讨了PC炉与CFB锅炉机组现有污染物控制设备对汞的协同脱除作用。结果表明,350 MW CFB电厂除尘器出口烟气平均汞浓度降低至0.43μg/m~3,布袋除尘器对汞的捕获效率达到98.9%,相应的燃烧副产物中飞灰是汞的主要富集对象。对于330 MW PC炉电厂,除尘器入口和除尘器出口烟气汞浓度均高于350 MW CFB电厂,烟气汞浓度从除尘器入口、除尘器出口到脱硫塔出口依次降低,在脱硫塔出口烟气汞浓度降低至0.42μg/m~3,静电除尘器和湿式脱硫塔对烟气汞的捕获效率分别为75.0%和22.4%,相应的产物中飞灰和脱硫石膏中汞都有一定程度的富集。     

Global profiling of ultraviolet-induced metabolic disruption in Melissa officinalis by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Melissa officinalis contains various secondary metabolites that have health benefits. Generally, irradiating plants with ultraviolet (UV)-B induces the accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants. To understand the effect of UV-B irradiation on the metabolism of M. officinalis, metabolomics based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used in this study. The GC-MS analysis revealed 37 identified metabolites from various chemical classes, including alcohols, amino acids, inorganic acids, organic acids, and sugars. The metabolite profiles of the groups of M. officinalis irradiated with UV-B were separated and differentiated according to their irradiation times (i.e., 0, 1, and 2 h), using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), respectively. The PCA score plots of PC1 and PC2 showed that the three groups with different irradiation times followed a certain trajectory with increasing UV-B irradiation. HCA revealed that metabolic patterns differed among the three groups, and the 1 h-irradiated group was more similar to the control group (0 h) than the 2 h-irradiated group. In particular, UV-B irradiation of plants led to a decrease in sugars such as fructose, galactose, sucrose, and trehalose and an increase in metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the proline-linked pentose phosphate pathway, and the phenylpropanoid pathway. This study demonstrated that metabolite profiling with GC-MS is useful for gaining a holistic understanding of UV-induced changes in plant metabolism.     

Bioprospecting Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria for Enhancing the Biological Properties and Phytochemical Composition of Medicinally Important Crops

Traditionally, medicinal plants have long been used as a natural therapy. Plant-derived extracts or phytochemicals have been exploited as food additives and for curing many health-related ailments. The secondary metabolites produced by many plants have become an integral part of human health and have strengthened the value of plant extracts as herbal medicines. To fulfil the demand of health care systems, food and pharmaceutical industries, interest in the cultivation of precious medicinal plants to harvest bio-active compounds has increased considerably worldwide. To achieve maximum biomass and yield, growers generally apply chemical fertilizers which have detrimental impacts on the growth, development and phytoconstituents of such therapeutically important plants. Application of beneficial rhizosphere microbiota is an alternative strategy to enhance the production of valuable medicinal plants under both conventional and stressed conditions due to its low cost, environmentally friendly behaviour and non-destructive impact on fertility of soil, plants and human health. The microbiological approach improves plant growth by various direct and indirect mechanisms involving the abatement of various abiotic stresses. Given the negative impacts of fertilizers and multiple benefits of microbiological resources, the role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the production of biomass and their impact on the quality of bio-active compounds (phytochemicals) and mitigation of abiotic stress to herbal plants have been described in this review. The PGPR based enhancement in the herbal products has potential for use as a low cost phytomedicine which can be used to improve health care systems.     

The electron dose monitoring and control system in EB radiation processing for wires and cables

This paper introduces a close-loop microcomputer control system used for EB radiation processing of wires and cables, which is based on the measurements and calculations of the absorbed dose distribution of 0.6–2.0 MeV electrons in circular compound materials. The calculation of electron energy deposition in 4-layer media is carried out by the bipartition model of electron transport.

The design ideas, system configuration and implementation of this control system governed by a 586 personal computer under windows 98 OS are described in this paper. The field operation results such as control precision and step response curves of this system are also given. The control system has been used for EB radiation processing of wires.     

Thermodynamic consistency of data banks

Data sets originated from different sources are typically used simultaneously either in data banks or in data bases of flowsheeting programs. If these data sets concern different kinds of data, they ought to be in accordance with the laws of thermodynamics. This is not assured, however, and in many cases it is not even checked. Methods used for data compilation rely on approximate models, which may bias the residuals.

Two model-free methods are proposed, where the residuals of the thermodynamic differential equations are investigated.

The first method is a χ² test based on a quadratic form of the f residuals, involving variances of the elementary measurements, if they are available.

The second method is a rather sensitive trend/shift analysis of residuals, which does not require the knowledge of error variances.

The examples are the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, a binary vapor-liquid equilibrium data set and a simultaneous treatment of PVT and caloric data.     

Design and application of process control charting methodologies to gamma irradiation practices

The relationship between the contract irradiation facility and the customer has historically been based upon a “PASS/FAIL” approach with little or no quality metrics used to gage the control of the irradiation process. Application of process control charts, designed in coordination with mathematical simulation of routine radiation processing, can provide a basis for understanding irradiation events. By using tools that simulate the physical rules associated with the irradiation process, end-users can explore process-related boundaries and the effects of process changes. Consequently, the relationship between contractor and customer can evolve based on the derived knowledge. The resulting level of mutual understanding of the irradiation process and its resultant control benefits both the customer and contract operation, and provides necessary assurances to regulators.

In this article we examine the complementary nature of theoretical (point kernel) and experimental (dosimetric) process evaluation, and the resulting by-product of improved understanding, communication and control generated through the implementation of effective process control charting strategies.     

Integration of a linear accelerator into a production line of mechanically deboned separated poultry meat

Linear accelerators, commonly called Linacs, are being used for different industrial processes. This kind of machine produces high power electron beams and can treat many products with a high throughput.

The main application of a Linac is the sterilization of medical disposable devices, polymerization and decontamination of food products. Salmonella commonly contaminates poultry. Thanks to E-beam treatment, it eradicates the pathogen quickly and permits the use of meat that should have been thrown away because of its infection.

The world’s first Linac dedicated to treat mechanically deboned poultry meat is located in Brittany at the Société des Protéines Industrielles. It is a Thomson CSF Linac product, the CIRCE II, with an energy of 10 MeV and a power of 10 kW. This Linac has been used for more than 8 years, and its technology is fully proven.     

Environmental conservation by radiation technology: A new Italian multipurpose demonstration centre

A new italian R&D/ Demonstration Centre, named CE.S.T.I.A. (CEntro Sperimentazione Tecnologie di Irraggiamento per l'Ambiente, namely Experimental Centre for Environmental Applications of Radiation Technology) will be presented. The Centre, that should represent the largest project in the world for research on environmental applications of radiation technology, will be located in the South of Italy and foresees, over an area of 35, 000 m², four independent irradiation plants, each one with a dedicated electron beam machine. The foreseen EB-machines features allow a large operative flexibility; the first research cycle will regard five activity lines: hazardous wastes, waste water, flue gases, hospital wastes, clean technologies.

The Centre technical and economic features are described, together with an analysis of realistic spreading perspectives of radiation technology on the Italian industrial wastes management market.