Construction of A Zircon- Cement Pad and Calibration Of Portable Survey Meters for Environmental Radiation Measurements
– Construction of A Zircon- Cement Pad and Calibration Of Portable Survey Meters for Environmental Radiation Measurements –
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ABSTRACT
Zircon sand, a by-product of tin mining was collected from N’gell valley Tin Mining Company at 42km along Barikin Ladi road in Plateau State.
The sand was characterized for activity content using NaI(Tl) scintillation detector. The activity of thorium in the zircon sand was 9726.151±20.16Bq/kg, while that of radium-was 538.848±10.08Bq/kg.
The activity of cement was found to be very minimal with radium being 23.124±1.636Bq/kg, potassium 4.648±1.446Bq/kg and thorium 34.845±1.655Bq/kg.
A ratio of two parts zircon sand to one part cement was thoroughly mixed with water to construct the calibration slab.
Measurement of the activity over the slab from equidistant positions from the center shows that activity was uniformly distributed.
The theoretical dose-rates at different heights from the center were calculated and were used to derive the calibration factor for different detectors available.
The calibration factors for the three detectors are LUDLUM NaI(Tl) survey meter 0.509, X-ray and Gamma radiation ATK1120 0.233 and RDS-120 survey meter .39.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication…………………………………………………………………………………………. ii
Declaration……………………………………………………………………………………….. iii
Certification………………………………………………………………………………………. iv
Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………………… v
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………….. vi
Table of Content………………………………………………………………………………… vii
List of Tables………………………………………………………………………………………. x
List of Figure……………………………………………………………………………………….. i
Chapter One: Introduction
- Statement of Research Problem……………………………………………………. 2
- Objectives of the Research………………………………………………………….. 3
- Justification of the Research………………………………………………………… 3
- The Scope of the Work………………………………………………………………. 4
Chapter Two Literature Review
- Radiation…………………………………………………………………………………. 5
- Sources of Natural Radiation……………………………………………………….. 5
- Cosmic Radiation………………………………………………………………………. 6
- Terrestrial Radiation…………………………………………………………………… 6
- Radioactivity in the Body……………………………………………………………. 7
- Radioactive ……………………………………………………………………. 7
- Physical Interaction of Radiation with Matter………………………………….. 8
- Photoelectric Interaction……………………………………………………………… 9
- Compton Effect……………………………………………………………………….. 10
- Pair Production………………………………………………………………………… 11
- Biological Effects of Radiation…………………………………………………… 12
- Radiation Detectors………………………………………………………………….. 12
- Gas Filled Detectors…………………………………………………………………. 13
- Scintillation Detector………………………………………………………………… 16
- Semi Conductor Radiation Detectors………………………………………….. 18
2.6 Calibration of Detection Equipment……………………………………………. 25
- Secular Equilibrium…………………………………………………………………. 28
- Review of Previous Work…………………………………………………………. 28
- Calibration Pad……………………………………………………………………….. 31
- Zircon……………………………………………………………………………………. 32
- Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………. 32
Chapter Three: Materials and Methods
- Introduction……………………………………………………………………………. 35
- Collection of ……………………………………………………………… 35
- Sample …………………………………………………………………. 35
- Zircon Sand……………………………………………………………………………. 35
- Cement………………………………………………………………………………….. 36
- Standard…………………………………………………………………………………. 36
- Scintillation Detector………………………………………………………………… 36
- Calibration……………………………………………………………………………… 37
- Counting………………………………………………………………………………… 38
- Contruction of Calibration Pad………………………………………………….. 38
- Radiation Level Measurement……………………………………………………. 40
- Detectors………………………………………………………………………………… 41
- Ludlum Model 3 Survey Meter………………………………………………….. 41
- X-Ray And Gamma Radiation Portable Dosimeter………………………… 41
- Rds-120 Universal Survey Meter……………………………………………….. 42
- Calculation of Theoretical Detector Response………………………………. 42
- Calculation of Efficiencies of Point ……………………………….. 42
- Efficiency Calibration………………………………………………………………. 42
Chapter Four: Results and Discussion
- Introduction……………………………………………………………………………. 45
- Efficiency Energy Graph………………………………………………………….. 45
- Distribution of Radioactivity over Slab……………………………………….. 47
- Calibration ………………………………………………………………….. 52
- Comparison with International Standards…………………………………….. 54
- Summary 55
Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendation
- Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………… 56
- Reccommendation…………………………………………………………………… 57
References 58
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Radioactivity could be defined as the spontaneous emission of ionizing particles or gamma rays when some nuclei known as radionuclides disintegrate.
From time immemorial man has been exposed to natural radiation from the environment. There are two main sources of natural radiation; they are cosmic and terrestrial radiations.
As a matter of fact, it is not possible to categorically say whether the natural background radiation has been beneficial or harmful to the development of the human species.
What could be deduced is that a small but finite fraction of the natural mutations in cells must be beneficial since it leads to the evolution of higher life while on the other hand most of all genetic mutations lead to genetic defect and genetic death.
It is obvious that these two effects have achieved some sort of balance since man has evolved to his present state despite background radiation or even because of it.
(Alan and Harbison, 1988). Radiation, which reaches the earth from outer space, is known as cosmic radiation.
REFERENCES
A.bdulrashid, F. I. (2000) “Comparison of Some Nigerian Cements for Low Level Radioactive Waste Conditioning”, MSc Thesis, Ahmadu Bello University pp 51.
Adams, F. and Dams, R. (1975) “Applied Gamma Ray Spectrometry” Pergamon Press New York pp45-46
Agbazue, V. E. (1992) “A guide to Cement Industry and quality control in Nigeria”, Fourth Dimension Publishing Company Ltd Enugu Nigeria pp.52.
Ajayi, I. R. Oresegon, M.O &. Babalola, I.A (1996) “Absorbed dose Rates in Air due to U, Th & K in a Part of South Western Nigeria”, Nigerian Journal of Physics, Vol 8, pp38
Ajayi,I.R.,Ajayi, O.S. and Fasuyi, O.S(1995)”The Natural Radioactivity of Surface Soil in Ijero-Ekiti”, Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol7, pp101
George R.W.and Raymond J.P.(1980) “Principles of Quality Concrete” Portland Cement Association John Wiley and Sons,INC.Canada pp168-169
