Method development for in-situ radiological characterization of oil-based mud originating from oil industry

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.

Keywords

• oil based mud
• labr3(ce)
• gamma-ray spectrometry
• monte carlo simulation