Medical Isotope Production and Research Utilizing a 70-MeV Proton Cyclotron
AZI’s Radiopharmaceutical Production and Research Facility
AZIsotopes (AZI) established a medical radioisotope production and research complex, consisting of two buildings totaling approximately 100,000 sq. ft. on 20 acres at 7796 S. Innovation Way, Bunker Hill, Indiana.
The facility is adjacent to Grissom Airfield, enabling easy air transport of short
half-life radioactive products.
(Left Background)
Building A houses the following:
▪ 70-MeV proton cyclotron and control room.
▪ Six irradiation cells shielded by 3-meter-thick walls and ceilings.
▪ Hot cells for chemical processing of irradiated products.
▪ Analytical Lab.
▪ Product packaging and shipping area.
▪ Craft shops (for machinists and electrical/electronic technicians)
Layout of Cyclotron and Irradiation Cells
- Six irradiation cells—three on each side of the centrally-located cyclotron; for a total of six irradiation cells.
- Radiological protection achieved by 3-meter-thick concrete walls and ceilings.
- Access to cells (not shown) through 3-meter-thick concrete plug doors on rails.
- All access points are protected by access keys, safety interlocks, monitors, and alarms.
70-MeV Proton Cyclotron
▪ Cyclotron manufactured by Ion Beam Applications in Belgium.
▪ H- ions from injector directed to median plane of cyclotron’s magnet yoke, stripped of electrons to become H+ ions (protons), and are accelerated in a spiral trajectory between the two Dees.
▪ Electrostatic beam splitters enable two proton beams to be directed simultaneously into two separate irradiation cells.
▪ Proton energy continuously variable between 30-MeV and 70-MeV.
▪ 500 micro-Amp proton beam current from cyclotron
Control Room
The cyclotron’s Control Room utilizes a SIAMATIC Programmable Logic
Controller for easy and effective operator control and monitoring, e.g.:
▪Automate tuning the proton beam;
▪ Manage source current;
▪Supervise monitors, alarms and safety interlocks;
▪ Manage beam lines;
▪Ensure fail safe shutdowns
Proton Beam Lines
• Three proton beam lines emerge from the cyclotron (located at the bottom of the photo), each being directed to an irradiation cell through the concrete shield wall on one side of the cyclotron.
• This arrangement is repeated on the opposite side of the cyclotron to provide a total of six irradiation cells.
• Quadrupole focusing magnets, valves, and proton beam current monitors are visible
Target Stations in Irradiation Cells
Interior of one of six irradiation cells:
▪ The proton beam enters at left, passing through quadrupole focusing magnets.
▪ The remotely-operated target station in the center supports the target and monitoring equipment.
▪ At completion of irradiation, the target is transported to hot cells for processing
Hot Cells
Photo of the exterior of one of several types of Hot Cells installed in Building A.
• The radiochemical processing unit within the Hot Cell may be auto- or semi-automatically operated.
• Process automation is based on user-modifiable sequence.
• Ion exchange chromatography is used in separation and purification.