Gamma Ray Column Scanning Technique For Industries (old)
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The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute - Department of Science and Technology (PNRI-DOST) is now offering its service to assist the industry in the inspection and investigation of process vessels using the Gamma Ray Column Scanning Technology. This technology makes it possible to “see” inside a process vessel (e.g. distillation columns in refineries or petrochemical industries) and quickly identify its problems without interrupting normal plant operations.
Process columns are critical components in industries where separation of components to extract or refine raw materials is undertaken such as the case in petroleum products and fertilizer manufacturing plants. Malfunctioning of components or erroneous parameter settings would cause inefficiency in processes that could lead to waste of materials or loss of resources or even worse, to emergency total shutdown of operation. These in turn would mean significant financial loss to the industry and, depending on the nature of the product, could affect the economy.
Gamma Ray Column Scanning Technology or simply Column Scanning uses a gamma-ray emitting radioactive source, either a Co-60 or Cs-137, and detector strategically positioned to scan a process vessel or column to acquire its density profile even when the process is on-going. This density profile could provide significant information on the condition of the whole process and vessel such as damaged or missing trays and their positions, extent of flooding and its location, liquid weeping and foaming, liquid levels, and blockages, among others.
From this information, the engineers and operators can derive conclusions on the status of the column and consequently make arrangements for maintenance and troubleshooting to prevent emergency shutdown.
Advantages
- Because gamma-ray column scanning provides real-time information and uses a sealed radioactive material that is not affected by environmental conditions, it provides advantages in troubleshooting procedures.
- Moreover, it is non-destructive and cost efficient as there is no need for column preparation, removal of insulations and shutdown of operation during investigation thereby reducing production downtime.
- It also does not emit or produce any waste to the environment making it safe to use.
The advantages and benefits of gamma column scanning make it a favored procedure that is routinely used by competent industries in other countries to inspect and ensure the integrity and condition of their processes and vessels.
For more information on gamma column scanning, please contact Section Head Ms. Adelina M. Bulos, Head - Isotope Techniques Section, PNRI in Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City or call us at 929-6011 local 225 or 240. You can also send your queries at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PNRI Hosts IAEA Mission and National Workshop on Uranium Extraction from Phosphates
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With more opportunities to access the country’s natural resources and minerals, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology (PNRI-DOST) hosted an expert mission and national workshop of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on uranium extraction from phosphates.
Uranium, which is commonly used as fuel for nuclear power plants, may also be extracted from alternative sources such as phosphate rocks and phosphoric acid.
Under the IAEA Technical Cooperation Project PHI2010 on “Enhancing National Capacity for Extraction of Uranium, Rare Earth Elements and Other Useful Commodities from Phosphoric Acid,” the PNRI aims not only to improve its capacity in rendering services on the processing of uranium and other valuable commodities such as rare earth elements for potential economic gain but also to help lessen the impact on the agricultural soil of continuous use of phosphate fertilizer having radioactive materials.
Experts from the IAEA visited PNRI from May 19 to 23 to help assess the project’s progress and to conduct a two-day national workshop on “Situation Assessment for Uranium Extraction from Phosphate for Commercial Industries” which tackled on the various aspects of the extraction process, its place in the overall uranium production cycle, and potential opportunities for the industries involved.
PNRI’s Nuclear Materials Research Section has previously conducted preliminary studies on the potential of uranium extraction from phosphates obtained from the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation (PHILPHOS) in Isabel, Leyte.
Representatives from PHILPHOS, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) and the Coal and Nuclear Minerals Division of the Department of Energy – Energy Resource Development Bureau (DOE-ERDB) as well as scientists and researchers from PNRI participated in the workshop.
PNRI Holds Seminar for Teachers on Nuclear Science & Technology
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The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology (PNRI-DOST) through its Nuclear Training Center (NTC) held a five-week training course for secondary and tertiary education faculty from April 16 to May 16.
The 38th Seminar on Nuclear Science for High School Science Teachers and the 47th Course on Nuclear Technology for University/College Faculty aims to familiarize the participants with the basics of nuclear and radiation science and its applications and be eventually able to integrate these concepts in classroom discussions on science subjects and courses, increasing the youth’s knowledge and awareness in nuclear science and technology.
Twenty-six (26) high school teachers from 18 public high schools and a faculty member from the University of the Philippines – Los Baños participated in the training course.
Scientists and researchers from PNRI’s various sections lectured on nuclear physics and radiation chemistry, basic radiation protection, security and waste management, dose calculation, nuclear reactions, neutron activation and the different applications of nuclear and radiation technology in agriculture, medicine, industry and energy.
Experiments, hands-on exercises, technology demonstrations and laboratory visits were also facilitated by the NTC course coordinators and PNRI experts.
To gauge how much they have learned from the course, the participants were given a long quiz every week and are given an opportunity to prepare teaching modules and case studies on nuclear science topics, which were presented at the end of their respective courses. The modules and case studies may also be applied to their respective classes after the course.
The teachers also joined a tour to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant on May 3 with PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda Dela Rosa, PNRI staff and members of the media.
The tour was facilitated by the National Power Corporation and sponsored by former Congressman Mark Cojuangco, who advocates restarting the mothballed nuclear plant to alleviate the country’s energy problem as well as the soaring costs of electricity.
The PNRI NTC offers these seminars on nuclear science and technology for high school and college faculty every summer.
US Department of Energy Strengthens Cooperation with PNRI-DOST on Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Response Capabilities
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Left: Seated 1st row from left: PNRI OIC, Office of the Deputy Director and Nuclear Services Division Chief Dr. Christina Petrache, NNSA Associate Administrator for Office of Emergency Operations Joseph Krol Jr., Rear Admiral, US Navy (Ret.), PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda Dela Rosa and Mr. Vince McClelland of the NNSA.
2nd row from left: Ms. Rica Salcedo of the NNSA, Chemistry Research Section Head Dr. Lucille Abad, Senior Science Research Specialist Cecile De Vera, Finance and Administrative Division Chief Dr. Graceta Cuevas, Inspection and Enforcement Section Head Edgar Racho, Technology Diffusion Division OIC Ana Elena Conjares, Dr. Colin Okada of the NNSA and Kay Greenwell of the US Embassy in Manila.
Right: Dr. Okada of the NNSA (2nd from right) conducts a demonstration of various radiation detectors on May 7 with members of the PNRI Radiological Emergency Monitoring and Control (REMCON) Teams.
Officials from the United States Department of Energy – National Nuclear Safety Administration (US-DOE-NNSA) met with the officials of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology (PNRI-DOST) for the further cooperation between the two agencies in the field of emergency preparedness and response to nuclear and radiological emergencies.
The PNRI and the US DOE NNSA signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) on May 6, which includes collaboration on the development of emergency operation centers and community networks, atmospheric plume modeling, risk reduction, incident assessment, joint training and exercises. Both agencies also cooperate with and support each other under the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, particularly in activities on dealing with radiological dispersal devices (RDD’s), radioactive source recovery, nuclear/radiological search and consequence management.
