Africa Scientists Use Nuclear Tech. To Improve Industries

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Nuclear science experts from 13 African countries have converged on Accra to discuss how nuclear technology can improve industries such as oil refining and mining.

 

Over the course of the two separate meetings, the exports will present examples of how radio-isotope technology has improved efficiency and prevented problems in certain industries.

 

Radio-isotopes  or radioactive isotopes, release energy in the form of radiation. Radiation can penetrate solid objects and they can then detected and tracked.

 

The meetings are jointly organised by the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. (GAEC).

 

The National Nuclear Research Institute and the African Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) are also involved in organising the event.

 

In the case of industry, a small pellet of radio-isotope, sealed in a capsule, can be attached to an object such as a piece of industrial equipment. A detector is then placed on the other side of the object being scanned.

 

In the same way that X-rays show a break in a bone, radio-isotopes can reveal flaws or leaks in equipment, measure the rate at which liquid is flowing or indicate how effectively a process is working.

 

Opening the conference, Dr Rexford Osei of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports explained that the aim of the conference was to present current research related to radio-isotope technology.

 

He also noted that it was an opportunity for regional scientists to share their knowledge and experiences.