Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Development of a neutron therapy treatment complex

Zrodnikov, A.V.; Petrov, Eh.E.; Leonov, I.N.; Ivanov, E.A.; Khoromskij, V.A. (Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Kaluga Region (Russian Federation)); Tcyb, A.F.; Mardynskij, Ju.S. (Medical Radiology Scientific Centre, Obninsk, Kaluga Region (Russian Federation))

Abstract

Oncological diseases are still among the most common causes of untimely deaths. Neutron and neutron-capture therapy are rather effective methods at treatment of oncological diseases. Now these methods are practiced on expensive research reactors and accelerators, which were not projected for medical purposes. Therefore there is the problem of design of special reactor installation, intended for radiation therapy methods. Such installation should provide necessary density of neutron beams, it should be safe and inexpensive. In this paper two samples of irradiation installation for neutron and neutron-capture therapy are submitted. The first irradiation installation is based on application of the water-water “pool” type reactor by power 110 kW, the second - on application of liquid-metal Na-K coolant reactor by power 40kW with zirconium hydride moderator. The irradiation unit for both reactors has three channels: for fast neutron therapy beams, for neutron-capture therapy using thermal neutron beams, for therapy using mixed gamma-neutron beams. The cost of both installations low - about one million dollars.

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key words: cost; fast neutrons; irradiation devices; liquid metal cooled reactors; neutron beams; neutron capture therapy; water cooled reactors

Reference:: Advisory group meeting on small power and heat generation systems on the basis of propulsion and innovative reactor technologies. Obninsk (Russian Federation) 20-24 Jul 1998; International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria); IAEA-TECDOC--1172, pp:186-192