Radioisotope-based technology for problem solving in industrial process plants in Ghana

Abstract

Radioisotope-based Technology (RBT) has been used to diagnose malfunctions of industrial processing plants without interruption of overall production. In Ghana, RBT has been applied mainly for monitoring conditions in distillation columns and level/interfaces measurements in the petroleum refinery. The techniques used for on- line diagnoses of anomalies in industrial plants are highlighted and the results of experiments carried out using the technology in Tema Oil Refinery are also presented. Future prospects for RBT applications in residence time distribution measurements in mineral ore processing plants, leak detection in heat exchangers and flow rate measurements of liquids in pipelines are also discussed.


Journal of Applied Science and Technology (JAST), Vol. 7, Nos. 1 & 2, 2002, pp. 27 - 36