International Conference on the Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Industry

Phosphogypsum management in Tunisia

Not scheduled

5m

IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria

Poster NORM Residue and Waste Management Session VI - Solutions for Residue and Waste Management

Speaker

Boutheina Messai (The Company of Phosphates Gafsa)

Description

Processing of phosphate rock concentrates the naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in the phosphate rocks to a degree that they may pose risks to humans and the environment. The concentration of radionuclides such as uranium (U) and/or thorium (Th) series and their respective decay products during phosphate rock processing results in technically enhanced – naturally occurring radioactive material (TE-NORM) in form of phosphogypsum. The majority of radionuclides in TE-NORM are found in the U-238 and Th-232 decay series. Phosphogypsum produced worldwide is a challenge for the producing countries and fertilizer companies alike. The accumulation of phosphogypsum (PG) produced till 2015 makes its management a real challenge to the Tunisian authorities and phosphate processing companies. Tunisia has a long history of phosphogpypsum management that is reviewed in this work. In addition, techniques used to successfully process phosphogypsum are presented and a future outlook is provided.