Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Korean Nuclear Society (한국원자력학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Assessment of occupational radiation exposure of NORM scales residues from oil and gas production

  • EL Hadji Mamadou Fall (Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology (ITNA), Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Cheikh Anta Diop University) ;
  • Abderrazak Nechaf (Nuclear Research Center of Alger (CRNA)) ;
  • Modou Niang (Laboratory of Atoms Lasers, Department of Physic, Cheikh Anta Diop University) ;
  • Nadia Rabia (Nuclear Research Center of Alger (CRNA)) ;
  • Fatou Ndoye (Laboratory of Atoms Lasers, Department of Physic, Cheikh Anta Diop University) ;
  • Ndeye Arame Boye Faye (Laboratory of Atoms Lasers, Department of Physic, Cheikh Anta Diop University)
  • Received : 2022.09.01
  • Accepted : 2023.02.05
  • Published : 2023.05.25
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Radiological hazards from external exposure of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) scales residues, generated during the extraction process of oil and gas production in southern Algeria, are evaluated. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured using high-purity gamma-ray spectrometry (GeHP). Mean activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, found in scale samples are 4082 ± 41, 1060 ± 38 and 568 ± 36 Bq kg-1, respectively. Radiological hazard parameters, such as radium equivalent (Raeq), external and internal hazard indices (Hex, Hin), and gamma index (Iγ) are also evaluated. All hazard parameter values were greater than the permissible and recommended limits and the average annual effective dose value exceeded the dose constraint (0.3 mSv y-1). However, for occasionally exposed workers, the dose rate of 0.65 ± 0.02 mSv y-1 is lower than recommended limit of 1 mSv y-1 for public.

Keywords

References

  1. M.H.P. Gazineu, A.A. Araujo, Y.B. Brandao, Radioactivity concentration in liquid and solid phases of scale and sludge generated in the petroleum industry, J. Environ. Radioact. 81 (1) (2005) 47-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2004.11.003
  2. IOGP, International Association of Oil and Gas Producers, Managing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in the Oil and Gas Industry, 2016, pp. 7-8, report 412, march.
  3. IAEA, International Atomic Energy Agency, Radiation Protection and the Management of Radioactive Waste in the Oil and Gas Industry, 2003. Vienna.
  4. IAEA, International Atomic Energy Agency, Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM VI), Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material, Hassan II University of Mohammedia and Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakesh, Morocco, 2011, 22-26 March.
  5. M.F. Attallah, D.M. Imam, Green approach for radium isotopes removal from TENORM waste using humic substances as environmental friendly, Appl. Radiat. Isot. 140 (2018) 201-208, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.07.019.
  6. M.F. Attallah, M.A. Hilal, Y.T. Mohamed, Preliminary investigations on reducing the high radiation risk of TENORM scale waste from petroleum industry, Radiochem. Acta 106 (9) (2018) 793-800. https://doi.org/10.1515/ract-2017-2904
  7. W. F Bakr, Assessment of the radiological impact of oil refining industry, J. Environ. Radioact. 101 (3) (2010) 237-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2009.11.005
  8. M.F. Attallah, H.M. Abdelbary, E.A. Elsofany, Y.T. Mohamed, M.M. Abo-Aly, Radiation safety and Environmental impact assessment of sludge TENORM waste produced from petroleum industry in Egypt, Process Saf. Environ. Protect. 142 (2020) 308-316, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2020.06.012.
  9. O. Sayed Desouky, TE-NORM radiological impact and radiation protection in oil and gas industry: a review, Arab J.Nucl.Sci.Appl. 54 (1) (2021) 141-150.
  10. G.T. Reaburn, P. Finazz, G. Luise, K. Tjessen, A.J. Ortgiesen, B. Heaton, K. Werner, A.D. Kead, Low Specific Activity Scale, Origin, Treatment and Disposal, January 1988. Report No. 6.6/127, London.
  11. El-Hattab, M. Ibrahim, Scale deposition in surface and subsurface production equipment in the Gulf of Suez, J. Petrol. Technol. 37 (1985) 1640-1652, 09. https://doi.org/10.2118/11449-PA
  12. USGS, Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Produced Water and Oil-Field Equipment: an Issue for the Energy Industry, 1999.
  13. M.F. Attallah, E.M.E.L. Afifi, N.S. Awwad, H.F. Aly, Comparative study on the radioactivity of TE-NORM in different components of oil separator tanks, Radiochim. Acta 101 (1) (2013) 57-65. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2013.1996
  14. R.A. Zielinski, J.K. Otton, Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Produced Water and Oil-Field Equipment: an Issue for Energy Industry, US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey, 1999.
  15. M.S. Hamlat, S. Djeffal, H. Kadi, Assessment of radiation exposures from naturally occurring radioactive materials in the oil and gas industry, Appl. Radiat. Isot. 55 (1) (2001) 141-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0969-8043(01)00042-2
  16. R.D. Baird, Management and Disposal Alternatives for Norm Wastes in Oil Production Ans Gas Plant Equipment, American Petroleum Institute, 1990.
  17. Gordon Henry Otto, A National Survey on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in Petroleum Production and Gas Processing Facilities, American Petroleum Institute, New York, 1997.
  18. C. Dovlete, P.P. Povinec, Quantification of uncertainty in gammaspectrometric analysis of environmental samples, Quantifying uncertainty in nuclear analytical measurements 103 (2004).
  19. S. Turhan Gezer, F.A. Ugur, E. Goren, M.Z. kurt, Natural radionuclide content of disposed phosphogypsum as TENORM produced from phosphorus fertilizer industry in Turkey, Ann. Nucl. Energy 50 (2012) 33-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2012.07.018
  20. Sources Unscear, Effects of Ionizing Radiation, United Nations, New York, 2000, pp. 453-487.
  21. M.A. Hilal, M.F. Attallah, G.Y. Mohamed, Evaluation of radiation hazard potential of TENORM waste from oil and natural gas production, J. Environ. Radioact. 136 (2014) 121-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.05.016
  22. Zeinab Morsy, A. El-Wahab Magda, N. El-Faramawy, Determination of natural radioactive elements in Abo Zaabal, Egypt by means of gamma spectroscopy, Ann. Nucl. Energy 44 (2012) 8-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2012.01.003
  23. M.T. Kolo, S. Aziz, M.U. Khandaker, Evaluation of radiological risks due to natural radioactivity around Lynas Advanced Material Plant environment, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Control Ser. 22 (17) (2015) 13127-13136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4577-5
  24. NEA-0ECD, Nuclear Energy Agency, Exposure to Radiation from Natural Radioactivity in Building Materials, Report by NEA Group of Experts, Paris, 1979.
  25. J. Berekta, P.J. Mathew, Natural radioactivity of Australian building materials waste and by-products, Health Phys. 48 (1985) 8.
  26. M. Iqbal, M. Tufail, S.M. Mirza, T. Sikander, Measurement of natural radioactivity in marble found in Pakistan using a NaI (Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer, J. Environ. Radioact. 51 (2) (2000) 255-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(00)00077-1
  27. H.M. Abdelbary, E.A. Elsofany, Y.T. Mohamed, Characterization and radiological impacts assessment of scale TENORM waste produced from oil and natural gas production in Egypt, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 26 (30) (2019) 30836-30846. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06183-x
  28. H. El-Gamal, E. Sidique, M. El-Haddad, Assessment of the natural radioactivity and radiological hazards in granites of Mueilha area (South Eastern Desert, Egypt), Environ. Earth Sci. 77 (19) (2018) 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-7169-5
  29. A. Chandrasekaran, R. Ravisankar, G. Senthilkumar, K. Thillaivelavan, et al., Spatial distribution and lifetime cancer risk due to gamma radioactivity in Yelagiri Hills, Tamilnadu, India, Egypt. J.Basic Appl. Sci. 1 (1) (2014) 38-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbas.2014.02.001
  30. USEPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Diffuse NORM Wastes - Waste Characterization and Preliminary Risk Assessment, April 1993.
  31. M. Abo-Elmagd, H.A. Soliman, KhA. Slman, N.M. El-Masry, Radiological hazards of TENORM in the wasted petroleum pipes, J. Environ. Radioact. 101 (2010) 51-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2009.08.016
  32. Publication ICRP, International Commission Radiation Protection, Radiological protection policy for the disposal of radioactive waste, 77 ann, ICRP 27 (1997).
  33. M.H.P. Gazineu, C.A. Hazin, Radium and potassium-40 in solid wastes from the oil industry, Appl. Radiat. Isot. 66 (1) (2008) 90-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2007.07.012
  34. M.A. Hilal, H.M. Abdelbary, G.G. Mohamed, Physicochemical and radiation hazardous properties of scale TENORM waste, Evaluation by different analytical techniques, Radiochemistry 60 (4) (2018) 444-449. https://doi.org/10.1134/S106636221804015X
  35. Y. Aydin Parmaksiz, F. Bulgurlu, E. Bulur, T. Oncu, Measurement of enhanced radium isotopes in oil production wastes in Turkey, J. Environ. Radioact. 141 (2015) 82-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.12.011
  36. F.S. Al-Saleh, G.A. Al-Harshan, Measurements of radiation level in petroleum products and wastes in Riyadh City Refinery, J. Environ. Radioact. 99 (7) (2008) 1026-1031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2007.12.002
  37. E.O. Darko, D.O. Kpeglo, E.H.K. Akaho, C. Schandorf, P.A.S. Adu, A. Faanu, E. Abankwah, H. Lawluvi, A.R. Awudu, Radiation doses and hazards from processing of crude oil at the Tema oil refinery in Ghana, Radiat. Protect. Dosim. 148 (3) (2012) 318-328. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncr088
  38. H.M. Diab, M.S. El-Tahawy, S.A.M. El-Mongy, Evaluation of the natural and man-made radioactivity levels around the Egyptian nuclear facilities, Radiochim. Acta 89 (3) (2001) 179-185. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2001.89.3.179
  39. Publication 103, ICRP, international commission radiation protection, recommendations of the international commission on radiological protection (ICRP), Ann. ICRP 37 (2007) 2-4.
  40. M.M.M. Ali, Z. Li, H. Zhao, A. Rawashdeh, M. Al Hassan, M. Ado, Characterization of the health and environmental radiological effects of TENORM and radiation hazard indicators in petroleum waste -Yemen, Process Saf. Environ. Protect. 146 (2021) 451-463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2020.11.016