Radiotracer technology as applied to industry

Description

Final report of a co-ordinated research project 1997–2000 (IAEA-TECDOC-1262) IAEA,Vienna, Austria, 2001 p.104 ISSN 1011–4289.The Co-ordinated Research Project (CRP) on Radiotracer Technology for EngineeringUnit Operation Studies and Unit Process Optimization was carried out by the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from December 1997 until December 2000. The projectdeveloped and validated procedures and protocols for investigation of major industrialprocesses, including fluidized beds, sugar crystallizers, trickle bed reactors, cement rotarykilns, flotation cells, grinding mills, incinerators, wastewater treatment units and interwellcommunications in oil fields.Over the years, the IAEA has contributed substantial funding and effort to industrialapplications of radiotracer technology. Significant progress has been made, enabling IAEAMember States to introduce the technology in well defined industrial processing fields andestablish national and private radiotracer groups with the indigenous capacity to sustain andfurther develop the technology. There are currently more than 50 radiotracer groups in thedeveloping Member States of the IAEA applying radiotracers in routine service to end users.This publication is the output of the above mentioned CRP. It provides the principles andstate of the art of radiotracer methodology and technology as applied to industry andenvironment. It is expected to provide wider interest for further development of skills andconfidence prior to carrying out field work. It facilitates transfer of technology fromdeveloped to developing countries and from nuclear research institutions to industrial endusers. The publication could be a suitable guide for radiotracer applications in almost all typesof process investigations. The case studies described in this publication deal with typicalproblems in industry and environment common to all countries. It is intended for radiotracergroups as well as for end engineers and managers from chemical and petrochemical industries,mineral ore and raw material processing, wastewater treatment plants, and other industrialsectors.Contents:IntroductionRadiotracer MethodologyRTD Validation in Case Studies from Chemical, Petrochemical and Mineral ORE Processing Industries Flow MeasurementRadiotracer Investigations of Wastewater Treatment PlantsRadiotracers in Petroleum Reservoirs — the Case of Interwell ExaminationTrends in Research and Development in RadiotracerMethodology and Technology