Inherent radiological hazard and γ-rays shielding properties of black sand minerals

Tamer G. Mohamed, Engineering Authority, Armed Forces, Egypt.Follow
Mostafa Hassan, Civil Engineering Department, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt
Ayman A. El-Midany, Mining and Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt
Mohamed A. Ismail, Mining and Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt
Moamen G. El-Samrah, Nuclear Engineering Department, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt.

Article Type

Research Paper

Abstract

In this study, seven mineral products derived from Egyptian black sands were studied to assess the feasibility of using them in γ-rays shielding materials. These mineral products, along with their assigned codes are; zircon, ilmenite grade no. 1 (ilmenite#1), black sand concentrate (BSC), magnetite, green silica, rutile, and ilmenite grade no. 2 (ilmenite#2). During this study, the studied samples have been characterized to identify their; compositions, particle size, and real densities. Then, the activity concentrations considering the naturally occurring radioactive nuclides were experimentally determined and then, the most important radiological hazard indices were calculated and evaluated. Finally, the radiation shielding properties of the eligible minerals have been assessed. Based on the performed experimental and analytical programs, four products were found to be eligible for preparing radiation shielding building materials considering that magnetite and ilmenite were found the best among the studied samples.

Keywords

Egyptian black sands, Mineral products, NORMs, Hazard indices, γ-rays shielding.

Recommended Citation

Mohamed, Tamer G.; Hassan, Mostafa; El-Midany, Ayman A.; Ismail, Mohamed A.; and El-Samrah, Moamen G. (2024) "Inherent radiological hazard and γ-rays shielding properties of black sand minerals," Egyptian Journal of Petroleum: Vol. 33 : Iss. 3 , Article 1.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.62593/2090-2468.1036