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Assessment of Radioactive Concentrations in the Egyptian Natural Gas Grid and Their Relevant Impacts

Received: 31 October 2016     Accepted: 17 November 2016     Published: 29 December 2016
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Abstract

The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in thirty samples representing the technically Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in the Egyptian natural gas were investigated. The investigations were performed using a gamma ray spectroscopy technique. The obtained data were used to establish a data base for NORM concentrations during the different processing stages of natural gas and to estimate the associated radiation health hazard impacts. Great concern has been devoted to determine the specific activity of 210Pb as it represents all daughters originating from 222Rn that have relatively short half-lives. The samples were collected from the gas pipeline grid covering different areas in Egypt. Fifteen samples were taken from the gas pipelines, whereas the remaining samples were taken from the upstream facilities before pumping into the grid. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40k were found to be 16.2 ± 1.5, 10.50 ± 0.9 and 98.46 ± 6.03 Bq/kg for filter samples respectively. The corresponding average values for scale samples were 37.28 ± 3.1, 45.7 ± 2.6 and 621.79 ± 9.2 Bq/kg. The sludge samples gave average values of 14.97 ± 1.94, 9.99 ± 1.48 and 112.82 ± 5.82 respectively. These values are below the recommended international limits. In contrary, the average values of activity concentrations of waste water were found to be 4.895 ± 0.51, 2.241 ± 0.3 and 31.852 ± 2.31 Bq/kg respectively. The obtained results indicate that 226Ra content is higher than the recommended values for domestic or drinking water. Additionally, high values of the specific activity of 210Pb were found in both deposits and filter samples.

Published in American Journal of Physics and Applications (Volume 4, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13
Page(s) 152-157
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

NORM, Egyptian Natural Gas, Scales, Sludge, Waste Water, Absorbed Dose Rate, Radium Equivalent Activity, Gamma Index

References
[1] E. Rowan, M. Angle, C. Kirby and T. Kraemer, “Radium Content of Oil- and Gas Field Produced Waters in the Northern Appalachian Basin” (USA): Summary and Discussion of Data, Scientific Investigations Report 2011–5135, USGS Reston, VA, United States, 2011.
[2] F. A. Hartog, W. A. I. Knaepen, and G. Jonkers, “Radioactive lead: An underestimated issue, in Proceedings of the 1995 API and GRI Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)” Conference, pp. 59-69 (API Publication 7104) Houston, USA, October 16-18, 1995.
[3] F. A. Hartog, W. A. I. Knaepen, G. Jonkers, A. P. Schmidt, R. D. Schuiling, and P. F. J. Lancee, “Origin and Encounter of 210Pb in E&P facilities”, in Proc. 2nd International Symposium on the Treatment of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material, Krefeld, Germany, pp.53-57, November 10-13, 1998.
[4] A. P. Schmidt, “Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in the Gas and Oil Industry” Thesis, Geologica Ultraiectina, Mededelingen van de Faculteit Aardwetenschappen, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, p. 144, 2000.
[5] F. A. Hartog, G. Jonkers, A. P. Schmidt and R. D. Schuiling, “Lead Deposits in Dutch Natural Gas Systems”, Society of Petroleum Engineers paper SPE68316-MS, 2001.
[6] NRPB, NORM in the Oil and Gas Industries, Radiation at Work Series NRPB, 1999.
[7] C. Organo and D. Fenton, “Radiological assessment of NORM industries in Ireland- Radiation doses to workers and members of the public”, Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, Dec. 2008.
[8] IAEA, Radiation Protection and the Management of Radioactive Waste in the Oil and Gas Industry, Safety Series No. 34, ISBN 92-0-114003-7, 2003.
[9] IAEA, Regulatory and management approach for the control of environmental residues containing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), IAEA-TECDOC-1484, 2004.
[10] T. strand, “Handling And Disposal Of Norm In The Oil And Gas Industry”, Norway, 1999.
[11] Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure (SAEP-0358) “Management of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)”, 2005.
[12] K. P. Smith, D. L. Blunt, G. P. Williams, and C. L. Tebes,”Radiological Dose Assessment Related to Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials Generated by the Petroleum Industry” Environmental Assessment Division Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, 1996.
[13] S. U. El-Kameesy, S. Y. Afifi, A. Hamid, Ali Ajeeb. “Elemental and Radioactivity Concentration of Stream Sediments in Abu-Rusheid, Nugrus Area-South Eastern Desert, Egypt”, Amer. J. Phys. Appl., 3,6, 183-189, 2015.
[14] J. Beretka, and P. J. Mathaw,”Natural Radioactivity of Australian Building Material, Industrial Wastes And By Products”, Health Phys., 48, 87-95, 1985.
[15] M. Al-Abyad, S. U. El-Kameesy, S. A. El-Fiki, M. N. Dahesh, “Radioactivity Levels and Dose Evaluation in Some Environmental Rock Samples From Taiz, Yemen”, Global Journal of Physics, Vol. 4, No 1, 266-275, 2016.
[16] UNSCEAR, “Exposure of the Public and Workers from Various Sources of Radiation”, Report to General Assembly+, With Scientific Annexes, United Nation, New York, 2008.
[17] H. SURBECK, The science of the total environment, 91, 173-174, 1995.
[18] (HECS), Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety, Radiological Characteristics Guidelines, 1995.
[19] Naturally occurring radioactive Materials (NORM) in produced water and oil-field equipment- an issue for the energy industry, USGS science for a changing world, September, 1999.
[20] U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Preliminary Risk Assessment of Management and Disposal Options for Oil Field Wastes and Piping Contaminated with NORM in the State of Louisiana Peer Review Draft, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Washington, D.C,1993b.
[21] U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Drinking Water Regulations and Health Advisories, EPA 822-R-94-001, Office of Water, Washington, D. C, 1994.
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  • APA Style

    S. U. EL-Kameesy, H. M. Diab, A. B. Ramadan, O. R. Megahid. (2016). Assessment of Radioactive Concentrations in the Egyptian Natural Gas Grid and Their Relevant Impacts. American Journal of Physics and Applications, 4(6), 152-157. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13

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    ACS Style

    S. U. EL-Kameesy; H. M. Diab; A. B. Ramadan; O. R. Megahid. Assessment of Radioactive Concentrations in the Egyptian Natural Gas Grid and Their Relevant Impacts. Am. J. Phys. Appl. 2016, 4(6), 152-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13

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    AMA Style

    S. U. EL-Kameesy, H. M. Diab, A. B. Ramadan, O. R. Megahid. Assessment of Radioactive Concentrations in the Egyptian Natural Gas Grid and Their Relevant Impacts. Am J Phys Appl. 2016;4(6):152-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13,
      author = {S. U. EL-Kameesy and H. M. Diab and A. B. Ramadan and O. R. Megahid},
      title = {Assessment of Radioactive Concentrations in the Egyptian Natural Gas Grid and Their Relevant Impacts},
      journal = {American Journal of Physics and Applications},
      volume = {4},
      number = {6},
      pages = {152-157},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajpa.20160406.13},
      abstract = {The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in thirty samples representing the technically Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in the Egyptian natural gas were investigated. The investigations were performed using a gamma ray spectroscopy technique. The obtained data were used to establish a data base for NORM concentrations during the different processing stages of natural gas and to estimate the associated radiation health hazard impacts. Great concern has been devoted to determine the specific activity of 210Pb as it represents all daughters originating from 222Rn that have relatively short half-lives. The samples were collected from the gas pipeline grid covering different areas in Egypt. Fifteen samples were taken from the gas pipelines, whereas the remaining samples were taken from the upstream facilities before pumping into the grid. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40k were found to be 16.2 ± 1.5, 10.50 ± 0.9 and 98.46 ± 6.03 Bq/kg for filter samples respectively. The corresponding average values for scale samples were 37.28 ± 3.1, 45.7 ± 2.6 and 621.79 ± 9.2 Bq/kg. The sludge samples gave average values of 14.97 ± 1.94, 9.99 ± 1.48 and 112.82 ± 5.82 respectively. These values are below the recommended international limits. In contrary, the average values of activity concentrations of waste water were found to be 4.895 ± 0.51, 2.241 ± 0.3 and 31.852 ± 2.31 Bq/kg respectively. The obtained results indicate that 226Ra content is higher than the recommended values for domestic or drinking water. Additionally, high values of the specific activity of 210Pb were found in both deposits and filter samples.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Assessment of Radioactive Concentrations in the Egyptian Natural Gas Grid and Their Relevant Impacts
    AU  - S. U. EL-Kameesy
    AU  - H. M. Diab
    AU  - A. B. Ramadan
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13
    T2  - American Journal of Physics and Applications
    JF  - American Journal of Physics and Applications
    JO  - American Journal of Physics and Applications
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    EP  - 157
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-4308
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpa.20160406.13
    AB  - The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in thirty samples representing the technically Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in the Egyptian natural gas were investigated. The investigations were performed using a gamma ray spectroscopy technique. The obtained data were used to establish a data base for NORM concentrations during the different processing stages of natural gas and to estimate the associated radiation health hazard impacts. Great concern has been devoted to determine the specific activity of 210Pb as it represents all daughters originating from 222Rn that have relatively short half-lives. The samples were collected from the gas pipeline grid covering different areas in Egypt. Fifteen samples were taken from the gas pipelines, whereas the remaining samples were taken from the upstream facilities before pumping into the grid. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40k were found to be 16.2 ± 1.5, 10.50 ± 0.9 and 98.46 ± 6.03 Bq/kg for filter samples respectively. The corresponding average values for scale samples were 37.28 ± 3.1, 45.7 ± 2.6 and 621.79 ± 9.2 Bq/kg. The sludge samples gave average values of 14.97 ± 1.94, 9.99 ± 1.48 and 112.82 ± 5.82 respectively. These values are below the recommended international limits. In contrary, the average values of activity concentrations of waste water were found to be 4.895 ± 0.51, 2.241 ± 0.3 and 31.852 ± 2.31 Bq/kg respectively. The obtained results indicate that 226Ra content is higher than the recommended values for domestic or drinking water. Additionally, high values of the specific activity of 210Pb were found in both deposits and filter samples.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

  • Radiation Nuclear and Radiological Authority, Cairo, Egypt

  • Radiation Nuclear and Radiological Authority, Cairo, Egypt

  • Department of Health and Safety, Midor, Ministry of Petroleum, Cairo, Egypt

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