Baseline evaluation for natural radioactivity level and radiological hazardous parameters associated with processing of high grade monazite.

Egyptian monazite is a promising resource and investment attractive for production of valuable metals of industrial or nuclear interest such as rare earth elements (REEs), thorium (Th) and uranium (U). The study was focused to establish a baseline framework in viewpoint of radiation protection for the workers in production of REEs from high-grade monazite treated by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions. Radiological hazard indices (cancer, gonadal and other risks) were evaluated, due to emissions (α-, ß- and γ-radiations) of radium-isotopes (228Ra, 226Ra, 223Ra) and lead (210Pb). The values of the estimated radiological hazard indices were higher than the permissible safe limits, worldwide average and varied with those reported in other countries. It was found that more than 70% of radioactivity and radiological hazardous indices resulted from emissions of 228Ra, while the rest was attributed to 226Ra, 223Ra and 210Pb. Therefore, processing of the Egyptian monazite can cause a significant radiological impact on workers through external exposure from γ-radiations and/or internal exposure through inhalation or ingestion airborne contaminated by the radionuclides. Thus, the results recommended that protection rules could be considered to prevent the radiation hazards associated with the production of the REEs from the high grade monazite attacked by caustic method.

Modeling of gadolinium recovery from nitrate medium with 8-hydroxyquinoline by emulsion liquid membrane.

The extraction equilibrium of Gd(III) from nitrate medium by 8-hydroxyquinoline (HOX) in toluene was studied. Liquid-liquid investigations were first carried out. Based on the equilibrium results, the extraction of Gd(III) from aqueous nitrate medium into an emulsion liquid membrane system (ELM) containing 8-hydroxyquinoline in toluene as extractant, HNO(3) as stripping solution, Span-80 as surfactant was studied. The stability of the prepared ELM was studied in terms of the degree of membrane breakage. The different parameters affecting the permeation of gadolinium (III) were also studied. A general permeation model for the recovery of Gd(III) by the selected membrane is presented. The internal mass transfer in the water in oil (W/O) emulsion drop, the external mass transfer around the drop, the rates of formation and decomposition of the complex at the external aqueous-organic interface were considered.