New perspectives and issues arising from the introduction of (NORM) residues in building materials: A critical assessment on the radiological behaviour

Nuccetelli, Cristina; Pontikes, Yiannis; Leonardi, Federica; Trevisi, Rosabianca

doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.01.069

Cited by 59 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(32 reference statements)

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“…The data published on radioactivity levels have historically been limited but some information that has been reported on a range of bauxite residue shows that thorium was only present in significant levels in bauxite residue from Venezuelan bauxite but still remains below acceptable limits [48][49][50]. The uranium content is over 10 mg/kg in Jamaican and Venezuelan bauxites but the total radioactivity calculated will still remain below legislative limits in bauxite residue.…”

Section: Radioactivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Examples include the manufacture of bricks for domestic buildings in Jamaica [49], the use of construction materials in applications other than roof tiles in Hungary, and the manufacture of ceramic insulating fiber for domestic situations. An ''Activity Index'' assessment has been proposed to consider each application on its merits looking at the level of radioactivity in the bauxite residue, the amount of bauxite residue in the product, and the time and degree of expected exposure [50].…”

Section: Radioactivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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The History, Challenges, and New Developments in the Management and Use of Bauxite Residue

Evans¹

2016

J. Sustain. Metall.

363

225

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The paper serves to briefly review the disposal and storage of bauxite residue from the late nineteenth century and discusses how the environmental aspects of storage and disposal have changed. The paper describes some of the remediation/rehabilitation trends and describes the success of a soil-free approach in Jamaica. The paper further discusses the development of uses for bauxite residue over the same period. In spite of over a century of effort looking for uses, over 1200 patents and hundreds of technically successful trials, less than 4 million tonnes of the 150 million tonnes of bauxite residue produced annually is used in a productive way. A large proportion of material that is used is in China and driven by government pressure. This paper discusses the barriers and why the technical successes do not always translate into largescale uses. The most successful large-scale uses are reviewed and include cement production, raw material for iron and steel manufacture, manufacture of building materials, landfill capping, road construction, and soil amelioration. Some of the more recent promising developments are also presented.

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Section: Radioactivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Radioactivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The History, Challenges, and New Developments in the Management and Use of Bauxite Residue

Evans¹

2016

J. Sustain. Metall.

363

225

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“…The possible leaching of thorium along with REEs could be potentially beneficial for the use of leached bauxite residue in construction materials. Naturally occurring thorium with its radionuclide series is the main source of ionising radiation related to bauxite residue, that puts certain limits to the re-use of this material in construction applications in its raw form [97,98].…”

Section: Considerations For the Recovery Of Rees From Bauxite Residuementioning

confidence: 99%

Rare Earth Element Phases in Bauxite Residue

et al. 2018

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Abstract:The purpose of present work was to provide mineralogical insight into the rare earth element (REE) phases in bauxite residue to improve REE recovering technologies. Experimental work was performed by electron probe microanalysis with energy dispersive as well as wavelength dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. REEs are found as discrete mineral particles in bauxite residue. Their sizes range from <1 µm to about 40 µm. In bauxite residue, the most abundant REE bearing phases are light REE (LREE) ferrotitanates that form a solid solution between the phases with major compositions (REE,Ca,Na)(Ti,Fe)O 3 and (Ca,Na)(Ti,Fe)O 3 . These are secondary phases formed during the Bayer process by an in-situ transformation of the precursor bauxite LREE phases. Compared to natural systems, the indicated solid solution resembles loparite-perovskite series. LREE particles often have a calcium ferrotitanate shell surrounding them that probably hinders their solubility. Minor amount of LREE carbonate and phosphate minerals as well as manganese-associated LREE phases are also present in bauxite residue. Heavy REEs occur in the same form as in bauxites, namely as yttrium phosphates. These results show that the Bayer process has an impact on the initial REE mineralogy contained in bauxite. Bauxite residue as well as selected bauxites are potentially good sources of REEs.

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“…At the production stage, inventory data for the release of NORM radionuclides to air are available in many existing processes in the Ecoinvent database for which NORM may be significant, including electricity production from hard coal and lignite ( At the use stage, activity concentrations in common building materials and residues are available in the scientific literature (Meijer et al 2005b;Trevisi et al 2012;Nuccetelli et al 2015), which may be combined to estimate activity concentrations of mixtures. For truly novel applications, however, gamma spectroscopy measurements of the materials produced are likely to be required.…”

Section: Inventory Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for including enhanced exposure to naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in LCA

Joyce

Goronovski

Tkaczyk

et al. 2016

Int J Life Cycle Assess

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Purpose Despite advances in the development of impact categories for ionising radiation, the focus on artificial radionuclides produced in the nuclear fuel cycle means that the potential impacts resulting from increased exposure to naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are still only covered to a limited degree in life cycle assessment (LCA). Here, we present a potential framework for the inclusion of the exposure routes and impact pathways particular to NORM in LCA. Methods We assess the potential magnitude of enhanced NORM exposure, particularly in light of the potential use of NORM residues in building materials, and set out the potential exposure routes that may exist. We then assess the current state of the art, in terms of available fate, exposure and damage models, both within and outside of the LCA sphere. Finally, these exposure routes and modelling techniques are combined in order to lay out a potential framework for NORM assessment in LCA, both in terms of impact on humans and ecosystems. Results and discussion Increased exposure to NORM radionuclides can result either from their release to the environment or their proximity to humans as they reside in stockpiles, landfills or products. The exposure route via products is considered to be increasingly significant in light of current attempts to incorporate technologically enhanced NORMs (TENORM) including bauxite residue into building materials, by groups such as the ETN-MSCA REDMUD project. Impact assessment models for NORM exposure are therefore required to avoid potential burden shifting in the assessment of such TENORM products. Models describing the fate of environmental releases, the exhalation of radon from building products and the shielding effects on landfills/stockpiles are required to assess potential exposure. Subsequently, models relating exposure to radiation sources and the effective internal and external dose received by receptors are required. Finally, an assessment of the damage caused to the receptors is desirable. Conclusions A sufficient suite of currently existing and internationally recognised models exist that can, with varying degrees of modification, form the building blocks of a comprehensive NORM characterisation method for LCA. The challenge ahead lies in consolidating these models, from disparate fields, into a coherent and generally applicable method for the assessment of enhanced NORM exposure in LCA.

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New perspectives and issues arising from the introduction of (NORM) residues in building materials: A critical assessment on the radiological behaviour

Cited by 59 publications

References 30 publications

The History, Challenges, and New Developments in the Management and Use of Bauxite Residue

The History, Challenges, and New Developments in the Management and Use of Bauxite Residue

Rare Earth Element Phases in Bauxite Residue

A framework for including enhanced exposure to naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in LCA

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