Pages: 258-272

Authors: Eleni Ntalla, Alexandros Clouvas, and Anastasia Savidou

Abstract

Oil-based mud is one of the primary wastes produced in oil industries that may contain elevated amounts of naturally occurring radioactive material. In this study, MCNPX simulations and gamma-ray spectrometry measurements were combined and a quick and sensitive method was developed for the non-destructive radiological characterization of spent oil-based mud originating from the oil industry by using a 3.81 cm x 3.81 cm LaBr₃(Ce) scintillator. By this method, one cubic meter of packaged oil-based mud can be radiologically characterized in less than 20 minutes.

Key words: oil based mud, LaBr3(Ce), gamma-ray spectrometry, Monte Carlo simulation

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