Cyclotron complex in Thailand is being built according to the Russian project

2022: Visit of the Russian Ambassador to Thailand to the construction of a complex of radiochemical cyclotrons

On September 23, 2022, it became known that Russian Ambassador to Thailand Yevgeny Tomikhin visited the construction of a complex of radiochemical cyclotrons at the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) in Nahon Nayok province.

The cyclotron complex is one of the leading joint Russian-Thai cooperation projects in the field of science and technology. Developed by Russian specialists and Thai contractors. During the visit, the Ambassador met and held talks with TINT Executive Director Dr Tawatchai Onjun.

The contract for the construction of a cyclotron-radiochemical complex for the end user based on the technological solution of the state corporation Rosatom was signed in September 2017. Rusatom Healthcare JSC, together with the Thai company Kinetics Corporation Ltd, will build and commission the Center for the Production of Radiopharmaceuticals.

The cyclotron complex is MSS-30/15 intended for the production of isotopes such as 67Ga, 201Tl, 64Cu and 89Zr used in PET and SPECT diagnostics for the detection of oncological and cardiological diseases.

In the summer of 2022, Rusatom Healthcare NIIEFA conducted a training on the maintenance of the cyclotron complex for the Institute of nuclear research Thailand.^[1]

2020

Sending to Thailand a cyclotron made for the Institute for Nuclear Research

From July 15 to July 17, 2020, at the site of JSC NIIEFA named after D.V. Efremova (St. Petersburg), the equipment included in the isochronous cyclotron SS-30/15 was shipped. Nine containers with a total weight of 120 tons went to the Thai province of Nakhonnayok. This Zdrav.Expert became known on July 18, 2020.

Rosatom sent a cyclotron made for the Institute for Nuclear Research to Thailand. Photo source: aysor.am

JSC Rusatom Healthcare"" Thai and the company Kinetics Corporation Ltd lead in the central part of the country near the Bangkok construction cyclotron-radiochemical complex by order. Institute of Nuclear Research of the Kingdom of Thailand

The cyclotron SS-30/15 with proton energy up to 30 MeV is a key part of the complex designed for the development of nuclear medicine and scientific research. Shipment was performed after completion of acceptance tests and confirmation of all required characteristics.

The multipurpose compact isochronous cyclotron SS-30/15 manufactured by NIIEFA JSC will be used to accelerate hydrogen and deuterium ions (protons and deuterons) with finite energy control in the ranges up to 30 and 15 megaelectronvolts, respectively. Radiopharmaceuticals that can be synthesized in the radiochemical laboratory of the cyclotron-radiochemical complex will provide an opportunity to diagnose and treat a large range of diseases, mainly in the field of oncology and cardiology.

In addition, the complex with a total area of ​ ​ more than 6,000 square meters. m will make it possible to conduct research work in order to create radionuclides used in medicine, study changes in the properties of materials (in particular, semiconductors) under the influence of proton, deuteron and neutron beams, radiation corrosion of materials, radiation resistance of radioelectronic equipment and the structure of neutron-redundant nuclei, as well as conduct neutron-activation analysis.^[2]

Acceptance tests of cyclotron complex for the needs of nuclear medicine in Thailand

On March 30, 2020, Zdrav.Expert became known that Rusatom Helskea conducted acceptance tests of the cyclotron complex for the needs of nuclear medicine in Thailand. Radiopharmaceuticals, which can be synthesized in the radiochemical laboratory of the Thai complex, will provide an opportunity to carry out highly effective diagnosis and therapy of a wide range of diseases in the field of oncology and cardiology.

The success of the contract for the creation of a cyclotron complex for TINT (Thailand Institute Of Nuclear Technology) opens up access to the Southeast Asian market for Russian nuclear scientists.

During acceptance tests, the operability of the cyclotron complex was confirmed, while the equipment demonstrated indicators exceeding the specified ones: in terms of beam current stability - 3 times, in terms of beam current intensity - 2 times higher than the design ones.

The delegation of representatives of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the Kingdom of Thailand (Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, TINT), Kinetics Corporation Ltd (EPC - contractor) and JSC RuSat Helskea, which arrived for acceptance tests, was led by Deputy Executive Director of TINT Vachara Karunyavaniy, Managing Director of Kinetics Corporation Ltd Somchai Uapipatanakul and Project Manager of Mikhail RuSat Helskonafea.

As part of the international project for the construction of a cyclotron-radiochemical complex in the Kingdom of Thailand, several important stages of the project were successfully completed: training in the operation and maintenance of the MSS-30/15 cyclotron complex, training in the production of radiopharmaceuticals (RPM), as well as acceptance tests of the MSS-30/15 cyclotron complex.

Specialists from Russian and foreign specialists of the National Research Nuclear University "MEPhI," JSC "NIEEF" named after Efremov, JSC "RHK," BIONT, a.s. (Slovakia) and FSUE "RNCRHT named after A.M. Granova."

During the training, students mastered the intricacies of routine work and maintenance of the main systems of the cyclotron complex. Thanks to the program in physics and technology of charged particle accelerators developed at the NRNU MEPhI, students managed to fully immerse themselves in the theoretical features of the accelerator technique. In addition, students took part in training on production cycles of FPM based on isotopes of Cu-64, Zr-89, Tl-201 and Ga-67.

The successful completion of the cyclotron complex contract for TINT is a big step towards entering the Southeast Asian market. The Institute of Nuclear Research of the Kingdom of Thailand is an authoritative institution working in the field of nuclear technology, which is very closely watched by neighbors. Issues of nuclear medicine are of great importance, and competition in this area is enormous. The quality of the equipment supplied by NIIEFA JSC and the reputation of a reliable technological partner will allow Rosatom to become a leader in this area, noted the director of the Scientific and Technical Center "LTC" JSC "NIIEFA" Yu.N.[3]

2018: Delivery dates for charged particle accelerator for cyclotron-radiochemical complex in Thailand

According to documents posted on the procurement website of Rosatom State Corporation as of September 2018, the delivery of the charged particle accelerator - the main element of the cyclotron-radiochemical complex, which is planned to be built in Thailand using Russian technologies - is scheduled for autumn 2019.

The contract for the construction of a cyclotron-radiochemical complex for Institute of Nuclear Research of the Kingdom of Thailand (TINT) based on the technological solution of Rosatom was signed in September 2017 in. Bangkok According to its terms, the construction and commissioning of the complex will be jointly engaged in a "Rusatom Healthcare" subsidiary of the state corporation "," and Rosatom the Thai company "Kinetix" (). Kinetics Corporation Ltd

The complex with an area of ​ ​ more than 5400 sq.m will be erected in the Ongkarak district of Nakhonnayok province. The project is expected to be implemented in four years. In particular, in 2020 , it is planned to carry out commissioning work at the site of the cyclotron-radiochemical complex , as well as conduct comprehensive tests of the cyclotron.

Rosatom will supply a charged particle accelerator for the cyclotron-radiochemical complex in Thailand

The cyclotron-radiochemical complex is intended for the further development of the nuclear medicine industry in Thailand. Radionuclides zirconium-89, copper-64, thallium-201  and gallium-67, which are planned to be developed within the walls of the complex, will provide doctors with the opportunity to perform highly effective diagnostics and therapy of a wide range of diseases, mainly in the field of oncology and cardiology. In addition, the facility will allow research work to create new radionuclides used in medicine. It will make it possible to study changes in the properties of materials (mainly semiconductors) under the influence of proton, deuteron and neutron beams, radiation corrosion of materials, radiation resistance of radio-electronic equipment and the structure of neutron-redundant nuclei, as well as conduct neutron-activation analysis.

The complex will be based on a compact accelerator - a cyclotron MSS-30/15 the production of the Rosatom enterprise - the Efremov Electrochemical Equipment Research Institute (NIIEFA, St. Petersburg). The device is designed to accelerate hydrogen and deuterium ions (protons and deuterons) with finite energy control in the ranges up to 30  and 15 megaelectronvolts, respectively.^[4]

It is expected that the implementation of the project will increase the availability of nuclear medicine not only for the population of Thailand, but also for the Asia-Pacific region as a whole. Research programs will contribute to the accumulation of competencies in the non-energy use of nuclear technologies, their implementation in various industries and the training of qualified personnel for the country's industry.

2017: Signing a contract on the creation of a cyclotron-radiochemical complex

The contract for the construction of a cyclotron-radiochemical complex in Thailand based on the technological solution of the state corporation Rosatom was signed in September 2071 in Bangkok.

The construction of the complex, commissioned by the Institute for Nuclear Research of the Kingdom of Thailand, will be carried out by the Thai company Kinetics Corporation Ltd. The design development of the complex and the supply of equipment is carried out by a subsidiary of Rosatom, JSC Rusatom Healthcare^[5]

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