Ionising Radiation

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Ionising Radiation
Corus Consulting Limited, Teesside Technology
Centre, P.O. Box 11, Grangetown,
Middlesbrough, Teesside TS6 6UB U.K. Telephone
44 (0)1642 467144 Fax [phone]
460321 E-mail paul.marsden_at_corusgroup.com
There are three main topic areas where radiation
safety is a direct concern to the steel industry
radioactivity in scrap and steel products, and
naturally occurring radioactivity. Radiation
safety Corus has a specialist radiation team
which acts as radiation protection adviser to the
whole of Corus Group. Part of their duty is to
administer the dosimetry service (radiation
badges) for and inspect sites to ensure
compliance with legislation. The radiation
experts also provides advice and expertise on
legislation, policy and technical matters. The
development of EU directives and new UK
legislation is monitored, and commented on. The
teams expert advise is sought in the impact of
UK legislation on steel industry processes, the
measurement of electromagnetic fields and general
advice in the use of lasers in compliance with
British and European Standards. Radioactivity in
scrap Corus Swinden Technology Centre (STC)
pioneered the development of radiation detection
equipment for incoming scrap and were the first
company to install such a system in Europe.
There has been a continual programme of technical
development and improvement to sensitivity,
accuracy and ease of use of the Corus produced
detection equipment, now available under the name
Redeem. Corus detector systems have been
supplied to scrap processors and steelplants
throughout Europe. In parallel procedures have
been developed for safe working with radioactive
materials found in scrap. The specialist
radiation team is on call to provide assistance
in incidents where radioactivity is found in
scrap, and to advise on the safe handling and
disposal of the material. The team will also aid
in the development of procedures and equipment to
detect (ie Redeem) and handle such incidents.
DEPLETED URANIUM FABRICATION
Radioactivity in products Radiation monitoring of
products (steel, slag, and off gas dust etc) has
being implemented throughout the company. In the
event of out-of-specification radiation levels
detected, the Corus radiation experts are used to
evaluate the situation, provide advise on actions
required and the development of procedures to
deal with such incidents. Because of increasing
EU and World-wide environmental legislation
customers of semi-finished steel products need to
be assured that the steel materials that they are
buying from the main steelmakers are free from
levels of radiation that may cause further
down-stream problems. Advice is given on
suitable regimes for monitoring incoming
material, and in the selection of appropriate
instrumentation.   Natural radioactivity in steel
production The sintering process used in
production of iron from ore results in the
concentration of volatile radioactive species in
the emissions to atmosphere. The degree of
concentration is such that in the UK the
emissions have to be registered under the
radioactive substances act. The Corus radiation
specialist team will advise on technical aspects
of measurement and assessment of the emissions
and an assessment of the impact of the emissions
on the local environment.
TYPICAL DETECTOR INSTALLATION AT ROAD WEIGHBRIDGE
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