Radiation protection and radioactive scales in oil and gas production
- Urbino Univ. (Italy)
- National Radiation Protection Institute, Milan (Italy)
Low specific-activity scales consisting of alkaline earth metal carbonates and sulfates are often present in some gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon plants. These scales contain a certain concentration of radium, uranium, and thorium which can cause a risk of gamma irradiation and internal radiocontamination when they must be mechanically removed. The gamma dose rates and the {sup 238}U, {sup 232}Th, {sup 226}Ra concentrations were determined in sludges, scales, and waters of some gas and oil hydrocarbon plants located in Italy, Congo, and Tunisia. {sup 238}U and {sup 232}Th concentrations were very low. The isotopes {sup 238}U and {sup 234}U resulted in radioactive equilibrium, while {sup 232}Th and {sup 238}Th were not always in equilibrium. A rough correlation was found between the gamma dose rate and the {sup 226}Ra concentration. Some considerations and conclusions about radiation protection problems are pointed out. 16 refs., 6 tabs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 54541
- Journal Information:
- Health Physics, Vol. 67, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jul 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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