Recycling of waste cathode-ray tube glasses as building materials for shielding structures in medical and nuclear facilities

Abstract

In view of the low market demand and toxic elements contained in cathode ray tubes (CRT), a sustainable method of recycling CRT glasses has become important from the perspectives of waste management and the ecosystem. This research investigated the environmental and economic benefits of the panel (PCRT) and cone (CCRT) glasses, from conventional CRT, as building materials in medical and nuclear facilities. The chemical composition of the two glasses was quantified using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) equipment. The nuclear shielding ability of the CCRT and PCRT was investigated by estimating interaction parameters directly linked to photons, charged particles (CP) (β, H+, He2+, and C6+), fissile neutrons, and thermal neutrons. The mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) of the glasses were determined by FLUKA simulations and XCOM. The CP stopping powers and range were computed using the ESTAR, PSTAR, ASTAR, and SRIM software. The cross sections for fast and thermal neutrons were used to determine the neutron moderating and absorption abilities of the two glasses. The CCRT showed greater gamma, fast neutron, thermal neutron, and CP attenuation capacity relative to the PCRT. The CCRT thus contributes more to the radiation shielding competence of CRT than the PCRT. The photon shielding proficiency of the glasses was found to be superior to many standard shielding materials. Hence, PCRT, CCRT, and therefore CRT could improve the shielding capacity of a medium. The use of CRT glass for producing radiation-protective glasses is a viable way of eradicating waste CRT from the environment.