NORM Management Process Cycle

norm counselling Process CycleNaturally Occurring Radioactive stuff and nonsense ( norm) at ADNCO, Management Procedure and MeasurementsAhmed AL AzeeziContentsIntroductionLiterature reviewMethodologyFindings closedown and RecommendationFigure 1 Penetration power of ionizing beamFigure 2 norm characterization routesFigure 3 norm Management Process Cycle, enhanced ( more(prenominal) details) chartFigure 4 norm Program out melodyFigure 5900 series mini monitor prove type 44A instrument panel 1 Units of Radioactivity and radiotherapy syndrome LevelsTable 2 Types of RadiationTable 3 sightly orbital cavity Classification for Non-Classified workersIntroductionNowadays, Oil GAS patience is having a lot on challenges because of the complexity of this industry and the interaction with the other prospects such as the public cosmic properties. However, star of the most important aspect for the fossil rock oil blow is Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). Thes e genuines are having a negative force out on the humanee body and the environment which required to have a strict procedure to control such materials in production of the oil until handing these the concentered NORMs during the transportation from one point to another.In this report, I will be covering the definition of the NORMs and how it can be detected on the carry out side with a received measurement example. Also, if these materials are present, how can we mitigate these effect of movie to the radioactive materials? According of the ADNCO Code of set (COPV2-09).Literature reviewNORMs are covering all the naturally occurring radionuclides and presenting at different concentrations in the earth crust. Moreover, these materials can be enhanced in the concentration due to the process accumulation which is associated with the recovery of oil and gas such as separators reflux pumps. This enhancement process of NORMs called TENORM (Technologically-Enhanced Naturally Occurrin g Radioactive Materials). The sludge, thermionic vacuum tube scales and oil production mud are an examples of materials which can contained the elevated levels of NORMs.There are two main types of NORM befoulment at Oil GAS industry which are Radium and Radon (Rn-222) contaminations. The Radium is existing in water and low specific activity scale. Moreover, the radon is usually free-base on natural gas production wells.Furthermore, in that location are two ashess of measuring of radioactivity and radiation levels, which are international system (SI) and the traditional US unites with its conversion factors between them as shown in the below tableApplicationSI unitsUS units-Old systemConversion FactorsRadioactivityBecquerel (Bq)Picocuire (pCi)1Bq=27pCiConcentrationBecquerel/Gram (Bq/g)Picocurie/gram (pCi/g)1Bq/g=27pCi/g resurrect ActivityBq/100 cm2Disintegrations per minute/ 100cm2 (dpm/100cm2 )1Bq/100cm2= 60dpm/100cm2ExposureCoulomb/kilogram (C/Kg)Roentgen (R)1C/KG= 3876RDose sameSievert (Sv)Rem1sev=100RemTable 1 Units of Radioactivity and Radiation LevelsNORM can be divided in three types of radiation as shown belowRadiation typesDefinitionHealth Hazards seesAlpha Particles ()-Ra-226-U-238-Po-210-Pb-210Radiation is do up of heavy, charged penetrate that cannot penetrate very fare, even in airInternal wellness hazards done inhalation, ingestion and absorption word picture routesskinBeta particles()-Ran-228-Pb-210-Bi-210Radiation consists of lighter charged particles than alpha particles that travel faster and are thus more penetrating than alpha radiation.Internal health hazards through inhalation, ingestion and absorption exposure routesShielded by thin layer of metal or elasticGamma rays (Y)-Ra-226-Pb-210Radiation consists of high zippo rays and is very penetratingExternal health hazard to human bodiesShielded by thick layers of led or other dense materials including meter of concrete or several meters of water.Table 2 Types of RadiationFigure 1 Penetration power of ionizing radiationOn the other hand, the health effect of these NORMs are vary with four factors which areTotal amount of energy absorbedExposure durationDose rateParticular organ exposed.The exposure to the NORM is not comparable with the man-made sources such as the X-Ray. A chronic exposure to these NORM without using whatsoever PPE (personal protection equipment) which is adequate to the existing radiation increases the likelihood of gaining cancer. During oil gas bear on stage, the TENORM will be accumulated on two different forms as shown belowNORM in ScaleRadium, one of the naturally occurring nuclides in the uranium decay series co-precipitates with strontium, barium or calcium as sulphates or carbonates and deposit on the internal erupts of the oil and gas facilities. The formation of the scales eventually effects the integrity of the equipment, vessels and pipelines and consequentially reduces the capacity of the process facility.NORM in Sludge a nd ScrapingsRadionuclides, mainly radium are found in sludge, produced sand and produced water. Other nuclides such as lead 210 and polonium 210 can also be found in pipeline scrapings and the sludge accumulation in lower level of the tank of gas oil separators, dehydration vessels and pipeline scrapings.Figure 2 illustrate the NORM exposure routes to the human body as shown below.Figure 2 NORM exposure routesReferring to ADNOC COPV2-09, the NORM management process cycle has been developed and illustrated as shown below chartFigure 3 NORM Management Process Cycle, enhanced (more details) chartThe NORM management process cycle is giving a workflow how can we handle these materials if it is detected on the Oil Gas process, which basically is having an actions and controls to eliminate the effect of these radioactive to the workers, public and the environment and make it As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). Thus, to begin with implementing the management process cycle, NORM Mana gement schema was establish to make the process cycle more efficacious and it is consist of five keys area as follow NORM Survey and MonitoringWorkers protection and TrainingControl of NORM contaminated equipmentControl of NORM WasteDevelopment of NORM Management procedure.Figure 4 Norm Program strategyFor any newly finished oil / gas producer well, the initial (baseline) survey shall be conducted for NORM and if the result is positive more controls and actions shall be implemented through the NORM management process cycle. Radiation Protection officer (RPO) shall be certified and having adequate competency to locate assess the radioactive on-site.The frequent duties of workers dont include exposure to NORM radiation. They are plowed as members of the public. The ADNOC limit on effective pane of glass received by any employee, shall be not exceeding the 50mSv in any angiotensin converting enzyme year during with a 100mSv over the 5 years. Otherwise, the worker with more dose than 50mSv/year shall be consider as classified radiation workers. Those workers shall have a periodic medical surveillance in coordinate to insure the fitness and health.Moreover, the location/equipment can be classified in to three zones depending on the dosing value as shown below tableDose (Sv/Hr)DefinitionRequirementsUnrestricted Area-Normal Work Permits-Basic Approved PPE-Good hygiene0.5 1.5NORM supervised Area-Work to be supervised by PRO-Use NORM applicable PPE(according to stock EN 149 FFP3)-Control public access by PRO-Demarcation with warning NORM sign-Train workers-Monitor NORM levels before and after work completion-inform HSE focal points-Permit to work required1.5 4.5NORM Controlled Area (restricted)-Stop the work-inform line manager and PRO for further instruction-Control worker access b PRO-Demarcation with warning NORM sign-if dose rate exceed 4.5Sv/hr, workers exposure must be controlled below the annual exposure of doe rate of 20 Sv.Table 3 NORM Area Classif ication for Non-Classified workersMethodologyHence, the NORM measurement can done through two types, either by field or laboratory measurements and both of have its own requirements and conditions. However, in this report, the field measurement will be carrying for a da Gamma radiation in different locations. So, the instrument was used for this measurement is the 900 series mini monitor probe type 44A in counts per seconds- round. This meter is a very sensitive gamma rays and it is detecting the radiation as a number not level concentration. The methodology of the survey as presented below steps jam out initial survey beyond the site boundary to measure background radiation levels in cps using contamination meter as mention above.Hold the probe close to the surface to be surveyed, piteous slowly over the area noting any response from the contamination meter and comparability the background levels.If the measured radiation levels are found twice the back ground levels, measure do se-rate (Sv/h) at a distance of 1 meter from the contaminated equipment using the dose rate mete.Measure NORM at different positions of potential NORM contaminated equipment at three different heights and average of the three readings at each height.When surveying cylindrical shape, the inside of the pipe should always be go over by placing the probe a few centimeters inside each end and record the results.Figure 5900 series mini monitor probe type 44AFindingsThe process of measuring the NORM was done by a expert third party (M/s Aberdeen Radiation Protection Services) in different locations at upstream of the oil and gas well producer, but the below table is showing only the unsafe data which required to have a more analysis on the amount of the gamma radiation emitted at these points.Area 1Plant No1LocationValue of measurementProduced water pump pipe work.100 cps Max.External surface of empty storage tank30 cps inner(a) this tank adjacent to manhole entrance200 cpsExternal surfa ce of base of Separator V0311200-300 cpsExternal surface of base of Separator V0312140 cpsOpen drain Grill30 cpsArea 1, 12 well inlet at manifoldBackground reading, No radiationExternal surface test separator110 cpsAll the reading are in counts per second and most of them are above 100 counts which is reflecting that it is required to have more analysis by using external dose rate meter to know the exact concentration and exposure dose to surrounding which can be emitted. Moreover, the laboratory measurement shall be one of the option to have more details by using the radiometric analysis device.Conclusion and RecommendationTo sum up, the naturally occurring radioactive material are associated with oil and gas industry which shall be controlled in order to reduce the negative effect on the workers, public environment. The process of evaluating the NORM (specially the baseline) is very critical and it can be led to misfortune condition if the outcomes are not reflecting the actual situations. This finding of Gamma rays in our case are indicating there is an industrial hygiene issue to the worker which required to have more control on the PPE and exposure duration. However, these reading are located mostly on oil separation side (upstream), however, the downstream, gas processing industry is very important point to be assessed which was missed during the third party assessment at upstream feed. In order to reduce the amount of exposure, the worker shall be following the ADNOC COPV2-09 as a guidelines such as monitoring, workers protection requirements and transport of NORM contaminated equipment.Moreover, the Gamma elements will be moving from the upstream to downstream which will be reaching the gas processing units. So, it is recommended to have regular management for the radioactive materials specially the glycol unit will observed most of the moisture on the process which can be containing the radiation elements.ReferenceHeath Safety and Environmental Man agement Manual Of Codes of Practice, glitz 2 Environmental protection, ADNCO-COPV2-09Guideline on management of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM).CRP-HSE-10-39, ADCO NORM Management Procedure