CONTENTS

TOPICS
PAGE NO

1.OVER VIEW OF THE STUDY

1

a. INTRODUCTION
1

b. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

1

2. STUDY AREA
1

a. LOCATION
1

b. INFORMATION ABOUT STUDY AREA

1

3. STUDY METHODOLOGY
2

4. STUDY AND RESULT

2

a. NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS

2

i. The NAA Method

3

ii. Measurement of Gamma Rays

3

iii. Uses of NAA

4
 b. PRODUCTION OF RADIOISOTOPE
4

c. CENRAL RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING AND STORAGE

FACILITY 4

i. Modules of the Plant

5

ii. Overall features of the facility

5

5. RECOMMENDATION
5

6. CONCLUSION
5

7. REFERENCES
5

ABASTRACT

The field trip was managed in Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE),
Ganakbari, Savar, a part of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) is very
much well known for its research work. Data regarding the present scenario of AERE
and the Research Reactor, the production of Radioisotopes and the operation, were
collected by FGD from the officers of this institute. Secondary data were collected and
compara study was done to have a clear concept of this institute, work, future plan.

ABBREVIATION

BAEC Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission

AERE Atomic Energy Research Establishment
FGD Focus Group Discussion
INST Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
ROMU Reactor Operation and Maintenance Unit
NMU Nuclear Mineral Unit
IFRB Institute of Food and Radiation Biology

OVER VIEW OF THE STUDY

a. INTRODUCTION

We use natural resources for our daily needs in the various field of our life. But these
resources are limited. So, we have to use something alternative that solve this
problem. Use of atomic energy is such an alternative way which solves our coming
various problems. All kinds of research and development activities of BAEC are
conducted under three research wings: physical sciences, biological sciences and
engineering. The research organizations under physical sciences are: Atomic Energy
Centre, Dhaka, atomic energy research establishment (AERE) at Savar, Institute of Nuclear
Science and Technology, Reactor Operation and Maintenance Unit, Institute of
Electronics and Physical Sciences, Institute of Computer Science, Nuclear Minerals
Unit, Institute of Food and Radiation Biology at AERE

b. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the study are given below-

i.To get information about the activities of research reactor and the operation and
maintenance of the reactor.
ii. To know the process of the production of the radioisotopes that are useful in
various sector all over the Bangladesh
iii. To get information how gamma can be detected.
iv. To get information how radioisotopes are being produce in Radioisotope Production
Laboratory
v. To get information how neutron can be produce that has several uses in our
country.
vi. To know the process of neutron activation analysis and its use in environmental as
well as other aspects.
vii. To know information about the activities of the Central Radioactive Waste
Processing and Storage Facility.
.
STUDY AREA

c. LOCATION

The study area ‘Atomic Energy Research Establishment’ (AERE) located at Ganakbari,
Savar, 40 km northwest of Dhaka city and 4 km north of National Mausoleum and just
opposite to Dhaka Export Processing Zone(DEPZ).

d. INFORMATION ABOUT STUDY AREA

The research units of AERE are as follows-

• Institute of food and radiation biology (IFRB)

• Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (IECS)

• Nuclear Mineral Unit (NMU)

• Central Engineering Facilities (CEF)

• Information, Publication and Public Relation Division (IPPRD)

• AERE clinic
 • Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (INST)

I have visited the following place of the study area-

• Reactor operation and maintenance unit of the Institute of Nuclear Science and
Technology.
• Radioisotope Production Laboratory of the Institute of Nuclear Science and
Technology.
• Gamma detection unit of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology.
• Neutron Production and Neutron Activation Analysis of the Institute of Nuclear
Science and Technology.
• Central Radioactive Waste Processing and Storage Facility under the unit of the
Health Physics and Radioactive Waste Management.
• Waste Management and Disposal Lab under the unit of the Health Physics and
Radioactive Waste Management.
• Spectrometry Lab under the unit of the Health Physics and Radioactive Waste
Management.
• Waste Reception, Monitoring and Dispatch Area of the unit of the Health
Physics and Radioactive Waste Management.
• Stored area of the sealed radioactive waste of the unit of the Health Physics
and Radioactive Waste Management.
• Sorting and compaction of the unit of the Health Physics and Radioactive
Waste Management.
• In-drum cement mixer of liquid waste treatment of the unit of the Health
Physics and Radioactive Waste Management.
• Low Active Drainage tank, Drum store and Filtration room of the unit of the
Health Physics and Radioactive Waste Management.
• And finally the research and development lab of the radioactive and non-
radioactive waste of the unit of the Health Physics and Radioactive Waste
Management.

STUDY METHODOLOGY

Methodology: To get information following methods are used-

I. In person interview (PI) was taken with the personnel working in different
level of the unit of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology and the
Health Physics and Radioactive Waste management.
 II. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was arranged with the key people involved
in the process of the unit operation as well as the workers of different
sectors.
III. Eye Sight Visitation is an important tool for the collection of information
regarding the activities of the unit and I have done this method to collect
data.
IV. I have collected some leaflets and operation manual of the processes and
some brushier from the institute to get more information about the
activities of the AERE.
V. I have also taken some pictures from respective unit of the institute that are
very helpful for me to get information regarding the activities of the
institute of the A

STUDY AND RESULT

a. NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS

Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) is a sensitive analytical technique useful for

performing both qualitative and quantitative multi-element analysis of major, minor,
and trace elements in samples from almost every conceivable field of scientific or
technical interest. Activation Analysis is a nuclear method of determining the
concentrations of elements in a wide variety of materials. The sample is first made
radioactive by bombardment with suitable nuclear particles, then the radioactive
isotopes created are identified and the element concentrations are determined by
the gamma-rays they emit. NAA is capable of detecting many elements at
extremely low concentrations.

Production of Neutrons: The production of the neutron is described by following

equation-

+ p p n 3.5 + 14.1
p n n
n n p
n

2
H1 + 3H1 4
He + n + 17.6 MeV (Fusin reaction)

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The basic essentials required to carry out an analysis of samples by NAA are a
source of neutrons, instrumentation suitable for detecting gamma rays, and a
detailed knowledge of the reactions that occur when neutrons interact with target
nuclei.
When materials absorb neutrons, they become radioactive and emit mostly gamma
rays with energies that depend on the material itself. The composition of a material
including the trace amount of impurities present in it can be determined by
measuring emitted gamma radiation this process is known as Neutron Activation
Analysis (NAA).

The NAA Method

When a neutron interacts with the target nucleus via a non-elastic collision,a
compound nucleus forms in an excited state. The excitation energy of the
compound nucleus is due to the binding energy of the neutron with the nucleus. The
compound nucleus will almost instantaneously de-excite into a more stable
configuration through emission of one or more characteristic prompt gamma rays.
In many cases, this new configuration yields a radioactive nucleus which also de-
excites by emission of one or more characteristic delayed gamma rays, but at a
much slower rate according to the unique half-life of the radioactive nucleus.

ii. Measurement of Gamma Rays

The instrumentation used to measure gamma rays from radioactive samples

generally consists of a semiconductor detector, associated electronics, and a
computer-based, multi-channel analyzer.NAA labs operate one or more hyper pure
or intrinsic germanium detectors which operate at liquid nitrogen temperatures by
mounting the germanium crystal in a vacuum cryostat, thermally connected to a
copper rod or "cold finger". Although HPGe detectors come in many different
designs and sizes, the most common type of detector is the coaxial detector which
in NAA is useful for measurement of gamma-rays with energies over the range from
about 60 keV to 3.0 MeV.
Figure 2: Gamma-ray spectrum showing several short-lived elements measured in a sample
of pottery irradiated for 5 seconds, decayed for 25 minutes, and counted for 12 minutes with
an HPGe detector.

iii. Uses of NAA

• For determination of Arsenic in ground water, rice and vegetables samples of

different areas of Bangladesh.
• For determination of U and Th in rock samples.
• For determination of trace element concentrations.
b. PRODUCTION OF RADIOISOTOPE

Artificial radioactive isotopes, known also as radioisotopes, were produced for the
first time in 1933 by the French physicists Irène and Frédéric Joliot-Curie.
Radioisotopes are prepared by the bombardment of naturally occurring atoms with
nuclear particles, such as neutrons, electrons, protons, and alpha particles using
particle accelerators.

Process of the Production of Radioisotope: For example, the production of the

radioisotope Ru-99 from Mo-99 are given in following figure.
 99m
Tc

(6 hr)
-β (87%) -β,γ ( 0.00009%)

Mo99 Ru90

(Stable)
γ

-β -β
Tc99
( 12.5%)
2.14x105 yr

Fig: Decay sequence of Mo-99 to Ru-99

e. CENRAL RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING AND STORAGE

FACILITY
i. Modules of the Plant: The mobile plant is comprised of four modules:
* A Drowned pump,
*A filter container (containing inorganic sorbent ,e.g. Ni-ferrocyanide type for
removing Cesium, Cobalt),

*A filtration module, comprised of three steel filtration columns (filled with cation-
exchange resin, anion-exchange resin and clinoptilolite respectively), and
* An ultra-filtration module (comprising an ultra-filtration apparatus for removing the
last traces of activity, if any, in the form of particles).

ii. Overall features of the facility:

a) Sorption, filtration and ultra-filtration modules;

b) Three autonomous aqueous waste purifying units;
c) A mobile plant (transportable by truck, train, ship or plane), can be placed in a
standard transport container (sea/railway).
d) Includes a sampling system.
e) Only selectively extracts radio-toxic impurities from water; does not desaline
water.
f. Resulting purified water is acceptable for recycle (reuse)or for discharge to the
environment;

g) Spent ion-exchangers, filtration materials, UF membranes are suitable for

conditioning and disposal.

h) Productivity 300L/h, working nominal pressure in membrane apps. & poured

filters up to 0.45 MPa.

i) Operation & maintenance staff required: 2~3.

RECOMMENDATION

The outcome of these research programmes has already proved commercially

beneficial. Some private entrepreneurs have shown keen interest in using these
results for commercial purposes. The infrastructure development works under AERE
Phase II were started in 1999 to create an Energy Unit, Central Engineering
Workshop, and Central Library.
I face some problems during the visiting period like as Time limitation, Lack of
experienced operator and sometimes co-operation of the operator.

CONCLUSION

I was impressed by their activities and I am so much pleased to visit the area of the
AERE.I saw that some people are working without taking any kind of safety
measures. I think that this can cause an accident during the operation of the unit
activities. So I want say that the authority must be aware about it.
I also saw that there are no proper implementation of government’s rules and
regulations. I hope the government will be aware about implementing the respective
rules and regulations in that area.I wish a sound environment free from any kind of
water, air and soil pollution which is really safe for the people and the country of
present generation as well as for the future generation.

REFERENCES

1. Some leaflets and brushier that published by the authority of the BAEC and
AERE.
2. S.S. DARA, Environmental chemistry and pollution control.
3. Guide to the Environmental Conservation Act 1995 and Rules 1997.
4. KRISHNAN KANNAN, Fundamentals of Environmental Pollution.
5. D.K. ASTHANA , MEERA ASTHANA, Environment Problems & Solutions.
6. Daily News paper