Radiation Source Use and Replacement

Radiation Source Use and Replacement
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2008-05-25
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309110149

In the United States there are several thousand devices containing high-activity radiation sources licensed for use in areas ranging from medical uses such as cancer therapy to safety uses such as testing of structures and industrial equipment. Those radiation sources are licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and state agencies. Concerns have been raised about the safety and security of the radiation sources, particularly amid fears that they could be used to create dirty bombs, or radiological dispersal device (RDD). In response to a request from Congress, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission asked the National Research Council to conduct a study to review the uses of high-risk radiation sources and the feasibility of replacing them with lower risk alternatives. The study concludes that the U.S. government should consider factors such as potential economic consequences of misuse of the radiation sources into its assessments of risk. Although the committee found that replacements of most sources are possible, it is not economically feasible in some cases. The committee recommends that the U.S. government take steps to in the near term to replace radioactive cesium chloride radiation sources, a potential "dirty bomb" ingredient used in some medical and research equipment, with lower-risk alternatives. The committee further recommends that longer term efforts be undertaken to replace other sources. The book presents a number of options for making those replacements.

Log Data Acquisition and Quality Control

Log Data Acquisition and Quality Control
Author: Philippe P. Theys
Publisher: Editions TECHNIP
Total Pages: 482
Release: 1999
Genre: Science
ISBN: 2710807483

While the first well logs recorded seventy years ago had no provision for data quality control, the development of increasingly sophisticated logging techniques has led to the introduction of a large number of tests to validate acquired data. Log quality can be assured by stringent control of depth, calibrations, signal processing and operating procedures. This work gives a thorough description of these features. The meaningful interpretation of well logs depends on valid input. An understanding of log acquisition, and the performance of rigorous quality checks are the prerequisites for an accurate evaluation of a formation. These elements also enable log users to make decisions based on calculated risks. The book is primarily written for earth science specialists who use log data. It also addresses the needs of logging engineers who seek a better understanding of the log acquisition process. Exercises and their solutions are scattered in the book to complement practical chapters. Contents : I. Premises. 1. Introduction. 2. Evaluation of hydrocarbon volume. 3. Data collection and decision-making. 4. Elements of metrology I: error analysis. 5. Elements of metrology II: volume considerations. 6. Elements of metrology III: other attributes. 7. Mathematical preliminary: propagation of errors. II. Data acquisition. 8. Data acquisition. 9. Sensor and source technology. 10. Effect of measurement duration on precision. 11. Signal processing: filtering. 12. Enhancement of vertical resolution through processing. 13. Tool response. 14. Environmental corrections. 15. The real environment. 16. Density logging. 17. Calibration. 18. Monitoring of tool behavior. 19. Measurement of depth. 20. Directional surveys. III. Data quality control. 21. Data quality plan. 22. Completeness of information. 23. Data management. 24. Log quality checks. 25. Data quality evaluation. 26. Images and nuclear magnetic resonance. 27. Comparison of logged data with other information. 28. Optimum logging and uncertainty management. Bibliography. Index.