ANÁLISIS DE LA CONTAMINACIÓN RADIACTIVA EMITIDA POR EL CRUDO QUE RECIBE LA REFINERÍA AMAZONAS

Abstract

The formation water and the crude oil received by the Amazonas Refinery from Ecuador and separated before the refinement processes, were submitted to gamma spectrometry analysis. Samples from the following work stations placed at Shushufindi were obtained: South west, Aguarico, North and Central. The results for the formation water are in the range of 94.1-123 Bq/l and the following elements were present: 238U, 226Ra, 212Pb, 214Pb, 208Tl, 214Bi, 40K. For the crude oil, the concentration is in the range of 53.6-74.9 Bq/l and the only element detectable was 40K. It was evidenced that the formation water has the most contamination of radioactive elements and that the radiation from crude oil radiation comes from the 40K. The protection standard established by UNSCEAR allows a maximum dose rate of 20 mSv/year (5 year average), therefore the radiation effects of water or crude oil are not significant neither for the exposed occupationally personnel (EOP), the public in general or the environment.