Radiation Safety Improvements for a New Self-Contained High Dose Rate Research Irradiator

Current best practices for industrial applications of radiation technology needing high dose rates embrace utilizing self-contained research irradiators for application specific irradiation. Although a stable mainstay of radiation testing campaigns for many decades, the Gammacell 220 has inherent external radiation leakage that contributes to worker dose. The model GR420 by Hopewell Designs is intended to be a market replacement for the GC220 with improvements in radiation safety. The radiation shielding and safety mechanisms are designed to limit radiation levels to 20 uSv/hr at 30cm with the systems shielded enclosure for all modes of use (loading/unloading, irradiation, and transition). This talk includes a high-level overview of the GR420 irradiator design, dose rates around the device in all modes of operation, and notable improvements in safety and operation over the legacy GC220.