Analyzing TENORM in Hydraulic Fracturing Wastes
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2-1, April 2015
Pages:
1-6
Received:
16 October 2014
Accepted:
22 October 2014
Published:
29 October 2014
Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, is a method used to extract oil and natural gas from shale and coalbed deposits by high-pressure injection of a cocktail mix of chemicals, sand and water. However, absorbed in the returning produced wastewaters along with the desired hydrocarbons are Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). Through the various refinement and waste treatment processes these activities can further concentrate the radiological contents into Technologically Enhanced NORM (TENORM). A technique has been developed to perform rapid screening of the radioactivity based on gamma spectroscopy using a scintillation detector with advanced algorithmic processing of the data.
Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, is a method used to extract oil and natural gas from shale and coalbed deposits by high-pressure injection of a cocktail mix of chemicals, sand and water. However, absorbed in the returning produced wastewaters along with the desired hydrocarbons are Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (N...
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Spectrum Quantification of Radium Isotopes in Hydraulic Fracturing Wastes
Leong Ying,
Robert Brenna,
Richard Yuen,
Cory Hoskins
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2-1, April 2015
Pages:
7-10
Received:
29 June 2015
Accepted:
30 June 2015
Published:
27 August 2015
Abstract: Exploration of oil and natural gas from shale deposits can bring to the surface radioactivity. Naturally occurring Uranium-238 and Thorium-232 as part of their decay chains can produce radium isotopes, which are themselves precursors of radon gas. Due to the solubility of radium and its contaminated impact on the environments and health concerns, regulations on the levels of Ra226 and Ra228 in processed wastes have been enforced. Gamma spectroscopy is a methodology used to qualitatively identify these radium isotopes, but to quantitatively analyze the activity concentrations requires appropriate calibration procedures and energy peak selections.
Abstract: Exploration of oil and natural gas from shale deposits can bring to the surface radioactivity. Naturally occurring Uranium-238 and Thorium-232 as part of their decay chains can produce radium isotopes, which are themselves precursors of radon gas. Due to the solubility of radium and its contaminated impact on the environments and health concerns, r...
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Downblending Contaminated Radioactive Wastes
Leong Ying,
Robert Brenna,
Richard Yuen,
Cory Hoskins
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2-1, April 2015
Pages:
11-14
Received:
12 August 2015
Accepted:
14 August 2015
Published:
27 August 2015
Abstract: Dilution is the mixing of radioactive waste with non-radioactive material, whereas downblending is the mixing of high-level radioactive waste with low-level radioactive waste. These processes have been applied predominantly at nuclear sites as part of the decontamination procedures for the disposal of blended wastes in licensed facilities. Proper health and safety assessments should be carried out as part of the processes and procedures of diluting or downblending radioactive waste before disposal to ensure minimal risks to the general public and environment. Hydraulic fracturing for the exploration of oil and natural gas can bring NORM materials to the surface, and the processing of these wastes can further enhance the radiological concentration of these Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM). Current regulations and industry practices are investigating the feasibility of incorporating dilution or downblending as a means of waste predisposal processing and management of hydraulic fracturing produced TENORM wastes.
Abstract: Dilution is the mixing of radioactive waste with non-radioactive material, whereas downblending is the mixing of high-level radioactive waste with low-level radioactive waste. These processes have been applied predominantly at nuclear sites as part of the decontamination procedures for the disposal of blended wastes in licensed facilities. Proper h...
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