ARTICLE IRRADIATION SYSTEM IN WHICH ARTICLE TRANSPORTING CONVEYOR IS CLOSELY ENCOMPASSED BY SHIELDING MATERIAL

摘要

Articles (18) are transported by a conveyor system (12) in a loop from a loading area (22) into a target region (23), then proceeds to an unloading area (24). A first side of the article (18) is irradiated by a radiation source (10) in the target region during the article (18) movement through the target region. The radiation source (10) is positioned parallel to the conveyor system (12). Radiation shielding material substantially fills the space within the loop. The conveyor system (12) and the radiation source (10) are disposed within a chamber made from a radiation shielding material (e.g. concrete). The shielding material inside and outside the loop defines a radiation-free loop portion having straight portions with relatively close spacing. The article (18) are rotated through an 180 degree angle after the irradiation of the first side of the article and transfers the articles to the conveyor system at a position before the target region to irradiate the second side of the article. After such irradiation, the articles are transferred to the unloading area.