Where conventional methods fail or become uneconomical, the technique using radiation and radioisotopes can be applied. These are prompt, on-line, in-situ and do not disturb the main industrial process in any way. Facilities and expertise exist at PINSTECH for applications of nuclear techniques in the fields of isotope hydrology, environmental research, non-destructive testing, industry and life sciences. We have developed one of the most efficient and capable analytical facilities for isotopic analysis, with four gas source mass spectrometers and related sample preparation systems. These laboratories take part in IAEA’s programme of intercalibration of standards in hydrology, biology and agriculture.

Radiation and isotopes can be used to investigate various industrial processes, e.g. flow rate measurement, residence time measurement/RID mixing/blending time measurement, leak detection in heat exchangers/pipelines, density profiling of process columns, wear/buildup measurements in pipes, inventory of chemicals, thickness, mass density of steel, paper, sheets, etc. These techniques being prompt, on-line and non-invasive, are playing an important role in the quality control of the industrial products and for trouble-shooting of industrial processes.

Advisory and technical services can be provided to industry for leakage investigations, flow rate measurements, column scanning, mixing/blending time measurements, inventory of chemicals, dispersion of industrial effluents, etc. Stable isotope ¹³C can be used to detect adulteration in various foodstuffs, e.g. honey, fruit concentrates, glucose, and petroleum products.

Non-Destructive Testing(NDT) Techniques are used worldwide to produce good quality products by detecting flaws and discontinuities during various stages of fabrication. Dye penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing, eddy current testing, ultrasonic testing, and radiographic testing are the major NDT methods for the inspection of both surface and internal defects.

X-ray radiography, gamma rays radiography, neutron radiography and computerized tomography are main techniques of radiography for the detection of volumetric defects and to assess the severity of defect on the serviceability of the components and assemblies. The laboratories are equipped wit X-ray machines, ultrasonic flaw detector, compurterised tomography, gamma radiography projector, etc.

The application of nuclear techniques in hydrology is a relatively new concept, Several Types of hydrological problems have been solved including identification of groundwater origin, and determination of its age, flow velocity and direction Interrelationship between surface water and groundwater, possible interconnection between different aquifers and determination of local porosity, transmissivity and dispersivity of aquifers, seepage losses from canals and dams, and sediment transport in harbours and lakes.

Five major stable isotopes, namely ²H, ¹³C, ¹⁸O, ¹⁵N and ³⁴S are increasingly being used as tracers in agriculture, biology, clinical research and diagnosis. The stable isotopes, because of their obvious advantage of non-radioacte, are gaining popularity in the studies of certain health-related problems. Stable isotope preparation and analysis methods have been standardized and calibrated. For the clinical application of isotopes, well-established collaboration exists with the local hospitals.

Isotope geology has evolved into a highly diversified discipline in the geological sciences. The extent of fraction action ²H, ¹³C, ¹⁸O and ³⁴S stable isotopes among different isotopic molecules of geological materials can lead to study of various geological processes. Mass spectrometric stable isotope analysis of ²H, ¹³C, ¹⁸O and ³⁴S in geological samples can be performed.

GD-150 Mass Spectrometer for ²H/¹H

Ratio Analysis and for ¹⁸O/¹⁶O and

¹³C/¹²C Analysis

The cost of investigations based on isotope hydrological techniques is often relatively small in comparison with those classical hydrological techniques. Facilities exist for water chemistry studies, tritium enrichment, benzene synthesis, liquid scintillation spectrometry and a single well point dilution probe for ground water for velocity measurement.

Techniques of environmental and artificial isotope hydrology are quicker than conventional methods and reveal such information that is not possible by using other techniques. Facilities for analysis of natural stable isotopic ratios and radioisotopes (³H and ¹⁴C) are available. Expertise and services can be provided for the identification of ground water recharge and its sources, determination of groundwater age and residence time, interrelation between surface water and ground water, possible interconnection between different aquifers, geothermal water resources evaluation and tracing the origin of water logging and salinity.

Benzene Synthesis System

The rheometer system is also available for determining groundwater flow velocity, aquifer parameters and seepage from canal tracers by single well point dilution technique.

Rheometer System

Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, UV-visible spectrophotometer, flame photometer and ion selective electrodes are available for providing water chemistry analysis to assess the water quality for drinking and irrigation purposes and to monitor the pollution of water bodies, etc.