International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Research Applications and Utilization of Accelerators
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AP/IA-06
Use of the Accelerators in the Socio-Economic Development in Tunisia M. Kraïem Centre National des Sciences et Technologies Nucléaires, Sidi Thabet, Tunis, Tunisia Corresponding Author: mokhtar.kraiem@cnstn.rnrt.tn Tunisia is an agricultural and industrial country located in a strategic position on Mediterranean sea. Economic constraints are forcing Tunisia in adopting certain technologies such as radiation technology which is competitive and its demand for medical and industrial applications is continuously increasing (5 - 10% per annum). This technology is playing a great role in improving the quality (sanitary) of food stuffs, medical devices and healthcare products mainly dedicated for export to European union countries. According to this purpose, Tunisia began the use of radiation technology in 1999 with the setting up of pilot plant γ irradiation facility located in National Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (CNSTN) with initial activity of 100 000 Curies. The Centre is completing its irradiation facilities by establishing a semi-industrial electron beam accelerator (variable energy, from 5 to 10 MeV and maximum power of 5 kW expandable to 10 kW) which is planned to be exploitable in the middle of 2009. This paper will highlight the recently and ongoing promising research and development applications of radiation technology in Tunisia in the fields industry, food irradiation and preservation of art objects.
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