SOME APPLICATIONS OF RADIOISOTOPES IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Journal Article · Sat May 11 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Chemistry and Industry (London) (England)

OSTI ID:4641160

Johnson, P; Bullock, R M; Whiston, J

Illustrative examples are cited from the work of a Radioisotopes Applications Group which has been operating for several years in a large industrial complex comprising a wide variety of chemical plants and processes. The discussion is concerned mainly with the application of radioisotopes to chemical process problems. It is pointed out that investigation of various forms of malfunction in a plant is also greatly assisted by radioisotopes. Various arrangements of sources and detectors for the measurement and control of radioactivity levels in liquids are shown diagrammatically, and an arrangement showing how gamma -ray back-scatter may be applied to the location of levels is illustrated. A procedure for the detection of liquid levels by absorption, which was developed into a routine method for the study of malfunction in distillation columns, is described. The sensitivity with which minute amounts of radioactive tracers can be detected makes them extremely valuable in the location and measurement of liquid and gaseous leaks. An example of their application is cited in distillation processes where it is often necessary to satisfy exacting specification for the water content of refined product. Safety considerations in the industrial use of radioisotopes are considered. (TCO)

• Research Organization: Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., Billingham, Eng.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-036094
• OSTI ID: 4641160
• Journal Information: Chemistry and Industry (London) (England), Journal Name: Chemistry and Industry (London) (England) Vol. Vol: No. 19; ISSN CHINA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL
DIAGRAMS
DISTILLATION
GAMMA RADIATION
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF ISOTOPES AND RADIATIONS
LEAK DETECTORS
LEVELS
LIQUIDS
MEASURED VALUES
PETROLEUM
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
SAFETY
SCATTERING
SENSITIVITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES
USES
WATER