Gamma-ray Transmission Method Research Articles

Oil Scale Profile Detection in Oil Pipeline Based on Improved Gamma-Ray Scanning Transmission Method

Monitoring the oil scale deposition thickness of pipelines is beneficial to ensuring the efficient and safe operation of pipelines. In this paper, an improved gamma-ray transmission method is proposed to reconstruct the two-dimensional (2D) oil scale profile of pipelines. The method combines the gamma-ray transmission method and scanning technology to measure the deposition thickness of the oil scale and rotates the gamma-ray scanning direction to different angles, after completing a transmission scanning process, to achieve the full-angle measurement of the oil scale deposition thickness. Based on this method, a set of oil scale profile detection devices is designed and the detection process is simulated by the Geant4 toolkit. In this system model, the pipelines with and without oil scale are scanned, respectively, by using the single-energy gamma-ray beam to analyze the relative transmittance of gamma rays at the energy of 0.662 MeV. The results show that the approach is efficient for detecting the deposition thickness of oil scale in oil pipelines and is accurate for the 2D oil scale profile reconstruction of a pipeline. The maximum deviation is about 0.59 cm, and the relative error is less than 5%.

Repercussions of yttrium oxides on radiation shielding capacity of sodium-silicate glass system: experimental and Monte Carlo simulation study

Five glass samples with composition 37.5 Na2O + (61.1 − x) SiO2 + xY2O3, x = 1, 2, 5, 5.7 and 6 mol% were synthesized using the melting methods at temperatures varying between 1400 and 1500 °C, depending on the Y2O3 insertion ratio. The synthesized glasses density was measured using the Archimedes method. Moreover, the linear attenuation coefficient was measured experimentally using the gamma-ray transmission method with NaI (Tl) crystal and radio-isotopes C-137 and Co-60. The mass attenuation coefficient was calculated based on the experimental linear attenuation coefficient and confirmed using the Monte Carlo simulation MCNP-5 code and XCOM program. The gamma-ray shielding capacity was enhanced with the replacement of SiO2 by Y2O3. The LAC at energy 0.662 MeV varied in the range between 0.201 and 0.232 cm−1, increasing the Y2O3 insertion ratio between 1 and 6 mol%, respectively. The fast neutron effective removal cross section ∑R (cm2/g) was also evaluated theoretically for the fabricated glass samples. The computed ∑R values decreased linearly with the Y2O3 content.

The impact of samarium (III) oxide on structural, optical and radiation shielding properties of thallium-borate glasses: Experimental and numerical investigation

This study aimed to observe the reflections of partial substitution of boron trioxide with samarium (III) oxide and its impact on structural, optical and physical behaviors through experimental and simulation methods. Accordingly, a thallium-borate glass group with a nominal composition of 30Tl2O3+10Li2O+(60-x)B2O3+xSm2O3 system, where (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 wt%), were prepared with the melt quenching method. The amorphous structure of thallium-borate glasses obtained using experimental XRD method. Further, UV and density analyses implemented to provide optical and material characteristics. A narrow beam geometry and experimental gamma-ray transmission method was used to measure the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) at 0.081, 0.356, 0.662, 1.173 and 1.33 MeV to achieve the impact of this substitution on nuclear radiation shielding improvement. The radiation parameters were also measured using advanced Monte Carlo simulations by FLUKA general-purpose radiation transport code. It was found that both direct and indirect band gaps increase the value of eV as the Sm2O3 content increases from 0 to 0.6 wt—%, leading to more transparency. The most effective shielding properties was found for the BTLSm4 sample with x = 0.6 wt—%. Therefore, a Sm-borate glass containing 0.6 Sm2O3 was chosen as the best filter against radiation.

Determination of cross-sectional void fraction in a two-phase water flow through a PVC pipe

Gamma ray transmission method for void faction measurement studies is in rare use in Nigeria, especially in industries and research. The study used this method to determine the cross-sectional void fraction of two-phase water flow through a Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipechannel. The gamma-ray counts transmitted through the water pipe were recorded and used to calculate the void fraction using a semi-empirical approach. Void ratio values varying from 0.171 – 0.036 were obtained for water flow rates ranging between 0.5gal/min - 4.0gal/min at estimated constant air flow rate. Conclusively, the experimental results compared well with Chisholm theoretical model predictions of void ratio applicable to horizontal flow. The use of two or more theoretical model predictions is recommended for further comparative study with experimental process. Also, more use of gamma ray transmission method should be encouraged.

The effect of Nb2O5 on waste soda‐lime glass in gamma‐rays shielding applications

Transparent waste soda-lime glass (SLS) reinforced with Nb2O5 (0.005, 0.05, and 0.5 wt%) was successfully synthesized using a conventional melting technique for gamma-radiation attenuation applications. The synthesized glass series (RG, RGN1 to RGN3) were then subjected to some physical, optical, and radiation shielding measurements. The physical measurements and computations showed that the increasing content of Nb2O5 increased glass density (ρglass), molar volume (Vm), and oxygen molar volume (OMV), however, decreased oxygen-packing density (OPD). Moreover, several optical parameters, such as the refractive index (n), dielectric constant (ϵ), and metallization criterion (M), were evaluated. One can say that the optical and physical properties can be improved owing to the addition of Nb2O5 in waste SLS glass. The gamma-ray transmission method was utilized to measure the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) for the fabricated RGN glass series for gamma-photon energies 0.662, 1.173, and 1.332 MeV emitted from 137Cs and 60Co, respectively. The accuracy of the obtained results was tested by comparing the experimental data with those simulated by MCNP-5 and those computed theoretically by XCOM. The obtained results showed agreement between the experimental measurements, simulated, and theoretical evaluations. We found that the photons with energy of 0.662 MeV have a lower penetration power. Thus, the LACs are higher at 0.662 MeV for all synthesized glass samples. The LAC values at 0.662 MeV were between 0.1849 and 0.2253 cm− 1 for the glass samples RG and RGN3. The LAC results depicted a significant relationship between the chemical composition and the synthesized glass series’ attenuation coefficients. The LAC’s measured values were enhanced with the insertion of the niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) contents. The half-value layer (HVL, ∆0.5) was calculated for the synthesized glass series based on the measured LAC. The thinner ∆0.5 layers were achieved at 0.662 MeV and ranged between 3.077 and 3.748 cm for the glasses coded as RGN3 and RG, respectively, while the thicker ∆0.5 layers were found at 1.332 MeV and changed in the range of 4.306–4.914 cm. The influence of the Nb2O5 doping ratio was examined, and we found that the values of the ∆0.5 layers become thinner as the Nb2O5 doping ratio increases.

Porosity Investigation of Bricks by Gamma-ray Transmission Measurement

Abstract Porosity property was measured with gamma-ray transmission and Archimedes method for construction bricks after that shown the comparison of their results. The gamma-ray transmission and Archimedes method are useful methodology to determine the porosity property of material but gamma-ray is advantage methodology for NDT (Non-Destructive Test) and accuracy than Archimedes method. The NaI(Tl) scintillation detector was setup the transmission method measurement for calculate the porosity. The Ba-131 was used for gamma-ray source. The construction bricks were collected from commercial construction store such as clay, AAC and concrete brick. The gamma-ray transmission method shows better result than Archimedes method

Determination of moisture content and density of silver oak (Grevillea robusta) and Mango (Mangifera indica) wood using gamma radiation

Due to the availability and particular features, wood is one of the first materials used by mankind with a wide variety of applications. Changes in moisture content lead to changes of virtually all physical and mechanical properties (e.g. shrinkage or swelling, strength and stiffness properties) of wood. The present study deals with the determination of mass attenuation coefficient of silver oak (Grevillea robusta) and mango (Mangifera indica) wood samples as it varies across material thickness and at varying moisture levels using gamma ray transmission method. NaI(Tl) scintillation detector and a radioactive source 137Cs of energy 0.662 MeV and having strength of 1.0 microcurie were used. Wood samples were placed in an oven for fixed durations to vary moisture levels. The attenuation varies with decreasing moisture content i.e., the mass attenuation coefficient was minimum for completely wet state and maximum for oven dry state of the samples. Wood density is also a vital parameter giving knowledge about anatomical and physical properties of wood. Wood densities were also measured for these wood samples by using conventional, oven dry and nuclear method. Owing to the fact that the shielding capacity of wood samples can also be determined easily, wood of sliver oak and mango can be used as shielding material from radiation.

Determination of thickness of wax deposition in oil pipelines using gamma-ray transmission method

Wax deposition in pipelines is a crucial problem in the oil industry. An approach that combines the gamma-ray transmission method with scanning technology is proposed to detect the thickness of wax deposition. The performance of the method is validated through simulations with MCNP code. An experiment is also carried out with a 300 mCi 137Cs source and a LaBr3 detector. A good correspondence is observed between the simulation and experimental results. The results indicate that the approach is efficient for detecting the thickness of wax deposition in oil pipelines.

Evaluation of radiological data of some saturated fatty acids using gamma ray spectrometry

Abstract Radiological parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients ( μ m ), total attenuation cross section ( σ tot ), molar extinction coefficient ( e ), mass energy absorption coefficient ( μ en / ρ ) and effective electronic cross section ( σ t, el ) of saturated fatty acids, namely butyric acid (C 4 H 8 O 2 ), caproic acid (C 6 H 12 O 2 ), enanthic acid (C 7 H 14 O 2 ), caprylic acid (C 8 H 16 O 2 ), pelargonic acid (C 9 H 18 O 2 ) and valeric acid (C 5 H 10 O 2 ) were measured using NaI(Tl)-based gamma spectrometry. Radioactive sources used in the study are 57 Co, 133 Ba, 137 Cs, 54 Mn, 60 Co and 22 Na. Gamma ray transmission method in a narrow beam good geometry set up was used in the study. The measured data were compared against Win-XCOM-based data. The agreement is within 1%.

Studies on mass energy-absorption coefficients and effective atomic energy-absorption cross sections for carbohydrates

We measured here the mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) of carbohydrates, Esculine (C15H16O9), Sucrose (C12H22O11), Sorbitol (C6H14O6), d-Galactose (C6H12O6), Inositol (C6H12O6), d-Xylose (C5H10O5) covering the energy range from 122 keV up to 1330 keV photon energies by using gamma ray transmission method in a narrow beam good geometry set-up. The gamma-rays were detected using NaI(Tl) scintillation detection system with a resolution of 8.2% at 662 keV. The attenuation coefficient data were then used to obtain the total attenuation cross-section (σtot), molar extinction coefficients (ε), mass-energy absorption coefficients (μen/ρ) and effective (average) atomic energy-absorption cross section (σa,en) of the compounds. These values are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical values calculated based on XCOM data.

A handy method for estimating the particle concentration distribution in FCC risers using a gamma-ray transmission technique

A handy gamma-ray transmission method for estimating the particle concentration distribution in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) riser is proposed. The method is based on an empirical correlation , which has only one unknown parameter , hence only one single-beam experimental result is enough to estimate the particle concentration distribution in the riser. In order to verify the feasibility of this method, the particle concentrations of three cross-sections of the laboratory riser were measured and the distribution profiles were compared with those reported in the literature. Furthermore, by comparing other gamma-ray function methods applied in the measurement of risers, this method has distinct advantages, such as the device is simple and has no moving parts, the measurement is rapid, and the safety is high because only one gamma-ray beam is used. Therefore, the method has promising applications in estimating particle concentrations or monitoring operation conditions of risers.

Study of the mass attenuation coefficients and effective atomic numbers in some gemstones

The total mass attenuation coefficients for natural beryl, corundum, garnet, pearl, and tourmaline gemstones were measured at 81, 356.5, 661.6, 1173.2, and 1332.5 keV photon energies. The samples were irradiated with 133Ba, 137Cs and 60Co radioactive point sources using gamma ray transmission method. Total atomic and electronic cross-sections, effective atomic numbers and electron densities were determined experimentally and theoretically. The experimental values were compared with the calculated values for all samples. The calculations were extended for total photon interactions in a wide energy range (1 keV–100 GeV) using WinXCom program of the most commonly irradiated gemstones with different sources of ionized radiation. The values of these parameters have been found to vary with photon energy and chemical composition of the gemstones. All variations of these parameters against energy are shown graphically for total photon interactions.

Gamma-ray absorption using rubber—lead mixtures as radiation protection shields

In the present study five samples of special rubber–lead were fabricated each of them consists of lead and rubber with different weight ratios. The fabrication was carried out through the process of mixing under compression pressure. Gamma-ray transmission method was employed to determine the linear attenuation coefficient for narrow collimated mono-energetic beams of gamma-rays emitted from 241Am 0.059, 152Eu 0.13 and 137Cs 0.662 MeV. The linear attenuation coefficient of standard rubber–lead shield was also experimentally determined. The percentage of lead in standard rubber–lead shield was determined through the calibration curve or by a simple computer program written in MATLAB. All prepared samples are characterized as flexible and gives a good homogeneity. samples no. 4 & 5 offers the best performance as a radiation protection shields. The results showed an inverse proportionality between the linear attenuation coefficient μl and E, and μl has a direct proportionality with mixing ratios (sample density). The results showed an inverse proportional between the half value layers and the average linear attenuation coefficients of the various samples.

Application of gamma-ray transmission method for study the properties of cultivated soil

The objective of the proposed work was to apply gamma-ray transmission method for studying the properties of cultivated soil. In this study, mass attenuation coefficients, bulk density, moisture content, porosity, and field capacity are determined. Five soil samples are collected from different agriculture zones in Egypt. A high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry based on HPGe (high purity germanium) detector was employed to measure attenuation of strongly collimated monoenergetic gamma beam through soil samples. The radioactive sources used in the experiment were 241Am, 133Ba, 137Cs and 60Co. The mass attenuation coefficients of soil samples were calculated from the transmission measurements. WinXCom program was used to calculate mass attenuation coefficients of soil samples. There is a satisfactory agreement between experimental and theoretical values. It was observed that gamma-ray transmission method is an efficient tool for studying soil parameters for agriculture purposes.

Assessment of natural radioactivity and mass attenuation coefficients of brick and roofing tile used in Turkey

In this study the distribution of natural radionuclides ( 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K) in brick and roofing tile samples commonly used as building materials in Turkey was measured by using gamma spectrometry. The activity concentrations, radium equivalent activities (Ra eq ), representative level index, indoor absorbed dose rate in air values and annual effective dose due to the intake of the above-mentioned radionuclides in the brick and roofing tile samples were estimated to assess the radiation hazard for people living in dwellings made of the materials studied. The measured average activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were 34 ± 14, 34 ± 13 and 462 ± 175 Bq.kg −1 , respectively, for brick samples. For roofing tile, the average activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were measured to be 34 ± 14, 33 ± 12 and 429 ± 161 Bq.kg −1 , respectively. The concentrations for these natural radionuclides were compared with the reported data of other countries. The Ra eq values of all samples were lower than the limit of 370 Bq.kg −1 , equivalent to a gamma dose of 1.5 mSv.a −1 recommended by OECD. This study shows that the measured brick and roofing tile samples do not pose any significant source of radiation hazard and are safe to be used as building materials. Moreover, the experimental mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) of brick and roofing tile samples were determined in the energy range 80–1332 keV using the gamma ray transmission method. The experimental mass attenuation coefficients were compared with theoretical values obtained using XCOM. It was found that the computed values and the experimental results of this work are in good agreement with those reported in the literature. The chemical compositions and structural analysis (XRD) of the brick and roofing tile samples are also presented. ► In this study, the distribution of natural radionuclides in brick and roofing tile samples used in Turkey were studied. ► Associated potential radiological hazards were evaluated. ► Experimental mass attenuation coefficients of these samples were determined. ► Results provide useful data for adopting safety measures, dealing with radiation emergencies.

Determination of density and volumetric water content of soil at multiple photon energies

Gamma ray transmission methods have been used accurately for the study of the properties of soil for agricultural purposes. In this study, density and volumetric water content of soil are determined by using gamma ray transmission method. To this end, the soil sample was collected from Erzurum, Turkey. The attenuation of strongly collimated monoenergetic gamma beam through the soil sample was measured using a 3×3×1mm3 cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector. The radioactive sources used in the experiment were 241Am, 133Ba and 137Cs. The mass attenuation coefficients of dry soil sample were calculated from the transmission measurements. It was observed that gamma ray transmission method in measurement of the soil parameters with the portable CdTe detector has advantages such as practical, inexpensive, non-destructive and fast analysis.

Radiation dose estimation and mass attenuation coefficients of marble used in Turkey

In this study the natural radioactivity in marble samples used in Turkey was measured by means of gamma spectrometry. The results showed that the specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 10 to 92 Bq kg −1, from 4 to 122 Bq kg −1 and from 28 to 676 Bq kg −1, respectively. The radiological hazards in marble samples due to the natural radioactivity were inferred from calculations of radium equivalent activities (Ra eq), indoor absorbed dose rate in air values, the annual effective dose and gamma and alpha indexes. These radiological parameters were evaluated and compared with the internationally recommended values. The measurements showed that marble samples used in Turkey have low level of natural radioactivity; therefore, the use of these types of marble in dwellings is safe for inhabitants. Mass attenuation coefficients ( μ/ ρ) were obtained both experimentally and theoretically for different marble samples produced in Turkey by using gamma-ray transmission method. Experimental values showed a good agreement with the theoretical values.

Assessment of natural radioactivity of sand used in Turkey

The natural radioactivity due to the presence of226Ra,232Th and 40K in sand samples used as building materials in Turkey was measured by gammaspectrometry. The measured activity in the sand samples ranged from 17 to97 Bq kg−1, 10 to133 Bq kg−1 and116 to 955 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The concentrations of these natural radionuclides were comparedwith the reported data for other countries. The radium equivalent activity(Raeq), the externalhazard index (Hex), theinternal hazard index (Hin), the indoor absorbed dose rate in air and the annual effective dose rate were evaluated toassess the radiation hazard for people living in dwellings made of the materials studied. TheRaeq values of sand samples are lower than the limit of370 Bq kg−1, equivalent to agamma dose of 1.5 mSv yr−1. This study shows that the measured sand samples do not pose anysignificant source of radiation hazard and are safe for use in buildingmaterials. Moreover, the experimental mass attenuation coefficients(μ/ρ) of seven different sand samples were determined in the energy range 80–1332 keV photonsby using the gamma ray transmission method. Experimental values of mass attenuationcoefficient were compared with theoretical values obtained using the program XCOM. Thecalculated values and the experimental results of this work and the other results in theliterature are found to be in good agreement. Chemical and structural analyses (XRD) ofthe sand samples were also undertaken.

Measurement of mass attenuation co-efficient of Zaria soil using gamma ray transmission method

Measurement of mass attenuation co-efficient of Zaria soil using gamma ray transmission method

Two Media Method: An Alternative Methodology for the Measurement of Attenuation Coefficients of Irregularly Shaped Samples

The two media method used to determine the linear attenuation coefficients of irregularly shaped samples without the knowledge of the thickness of the sample has been verified. The linear attenuation coefficient values of regularly and irregularly shaped flyash material samples have been measured by the two media method using five different materials as media. The obtained values of the linear attenuation coefficient were compared with the results of the standard narrow beam gamma-ray transmission method. The results were in good agreement.