Qualified Source Transportation Cask is essential for the shipment of the Cobalt-60 Teletherapy source capsule between the source manufacturer's site and the location of the teletherapy unit (typically a Cancer Hospital). In order to protect people and environment from the harmful effects of radiation, the package must fulfil the stringent safety requirements for normal as well as accident conditions of transport, as per the National and IAEA Safety Guidelines. As a part of Indigenous Teletherapy Programme, BARC has developed a Cobalt-60 Teletherapy Source Transportation Flask. It has been approved (by AERB) as Type B(U).
This flask is compatible with our indigenous teletherapy machine Bhabhatron as well as Theratron series of imported teletherapy machines.
This Flask is a lead-shielded steel container with a fire-shield, to prevent any loss/leakage of lead shielding due to excessive heating during accidental fire. Additionally, a crash-guard is designed to be an integral part of the fire-shield to absorb impact loading due to accidental collisions. The transportation flask has two identical channels inside: one for the source drawer loaded with radioactive source capsule, and the other for a dummy drawer. During source exchange, first the dummy drawer is replaced by the decayed source of the machine, and subsequently, the fresh source is inserted to the machine. It is box-type with sides measuring approx. 1.1 m. The weight of the assembled unit is approx. 3000 kg.
| Compatibility | Design is compatible with Bhabhatron and Theratron Cobalt Teletherapy Machines |
| Capacity | 15 KCi of Cobalt-60 |
| Regulatory Approval | Type B(U) |
| No. of Channels | Two (for source drawers) One (for dummy drawer) |
| Shipment Mode | Rail, Road, Ship and Air |
| Arrangement of Doors | Detachable |
| Locking Provision | Padlocks |
| Indoor Mobility | By pellet truck |
| Tie-down Arrangement | Bolt (bottom) and rope (sides) |
Teletherapy Source Transportation Flask is used for the shipment of the Cobalt-60 Teletherapy source capsule between the source manufacturing site and the location of a teletherapy unit. The Flask has been designed ensuring safety against the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, during normal as well as accident conditions of transport.
This flask is also used for loading of fresh Source into Cobalt-60 Teletherapy Machines. The transportation flask has two identical channels inside: one for the source drawer loaded with radioactive source capsule, and the other for a dummy drawer. During source exchange, first the dummy drawer is replaced by the decayed source of the machine, and subsequently, the fresh source is inserted to the machine.
| Capacity | : 15 KCi (Cobalt-60 ) |
| Source Drawer Size | : Φ62.5mm x 548mm (L) |
| Source Capsule Size | : Φ23.3mm x 36.7mm (L) |
| Gross Weight | : 2900 Kg (approx..) |
| Package Size | : 1.1m x 1.1m x 1.1m |
| Shipment | : Rail/ Road/ Ship/ Air |
| Regulatory Approval | : Type B(U) |
The transferee should have the following technical capability :
1. Manpower
2. Workshop
3. NDT Facility
