Application of semi-empirical model for the evaluation of radium activity in phosphogypsum used as component of clinker

Ricardo Rossasi Geraldo; Sergei Anatolyevich Paschuk; Rafael Carvalho Barreto; Janine Nicolosi Corrêa; Guilherme Soares Zahn; Paulo Sergio Cardoso da Silva; Amanda Claudia Malagi da Silva; Danielle Cristine Narloch; Isabelle Cabello Araujo

doi:10.15392/bjrs.v9i1A.1518

Authors

Ricardo Rossasi Geraldo Federal University of Technology - Paraná, UTFPR
Sergei Anatolyevich Paschuk Federal University of Technology - Paraná, UTFPR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5125-0163
Rafael Carvalho Barreto Federal University of Technology - Paraná, UTFPR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5710-8600
Janine Nicolosi Corrêa Federal University of Technology - Paraná, UTFPR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9692-7182
Guilherme Soares Zahn Nuclear and Energy Research Institute - IPEN https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3237-8588
Paulo Sergio Cardoso da Silva Nuclear and Energy Research Institute - IPEN
Amanda Claudia Malagi da Silva Federal University of Technology - Paraná, UTFPR
Danielle Cristine Narloch Federal University of Technology - Paraná, UTFPR https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2644-0453
Isabelle Cabello Araujo Federal University of Technology - Paraná, UTFPR

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/bjrs.v9i1A.1518

Keywords:

Phosphogypsum, Clinker, Activity, Radium, Semi-empirical model

Abstract

Phosphogypsum is a residue that has been used by the cement industry as a substitute for the natural gypsum, used as a clinker additive during the production of Portland cement. There is a potential increase in this residue use since the large amount of phosphogypsum is generated as outcome of the phosphate fertilizer industries. However, phosphogypsum can be considered a source of radioactive contamination since it has ²²⁶Ra in its composition. Depending on the concentration of ²²⁶Ra, from the radiological protection point of view, this may cause a problem because this radionuclide and its direct decay product ²²²Rn along with other decay products, represent the largest fraction of radiation internal dose received by people. In order to evaluate the level of radiological risk that may be associated with the use of phosphogypsum, it is necessary to identify the concentration of ²²⁶Ra in building material. The aim of this research is to analyze the samples of phosphogypsum in relation to the concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, determined indirectly through ²²²Rn activity measurements. This measurement process has the advantage of being fast, convenient and relatively inexpensive when compared to traditional ²²⁶Ra concentration in samples measurement methods. Proposed physical-mathematical model was used to establish radium concentration from radon exhalation rate from cement mortar samples. The ²²²Rn activity measurements were performed with a portable detector with cubic phosphate samples with 50 mm edges each placed in a closed atmosphere of the sampling chamber until secular equilibrium is achieved. Obtained concentrations of radium activity in studied samples of phosphogypsum and cement mortars were found below the limits recommended by CNEN and international regulation.

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