NORM Decontamination

(Naturally Occuring Radioactive Material)

Exclusive chemistry for the removal of

NORM scale and dissolved radioactive salts

FQE™ NORM-Clear is an exclusive water soluble product FQE™ NORM-Precip is formulated for use in the removal of
developed with selective extractants designed to completely dissolved radioactive salts in aqueous streams. It is intended to
remove NORM contamination from vessels, tanks, or process be used in conjunction with and following the application of
pipework. FQE NORM-Clear to obtain radioactive free waste water.
NORM Decontamination

Do you want to protect your employees, save money and improve your
facilities environmental performance?

Your Issue - NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) Applications

Oil field and refinery equipment can contain radioactive scale and scale-bearing sludge, both of which Vessels
form as coatings and sediments.The scale precipitates from produced water in response to changes in Tanks
temperature, pressure and salinity as the water is brought to the surface and is processed to separate Process Pipework
co-existing crude oil and gas. The amount of NORM scale can accumulate to high levels within piping and Produced Water
process equipment exposing your employees to radiation.

Managing dangerous radiation exposure and creating a totally safe work environment within your
equipment can be a challenging experience. Maintaining a workflow, controlling costs, meeting schedules
and achieving a suitable work environment can quickly get out-of-control and become frustrating.

The Answer - Custom Chemistries

FQE™ Chemicals performance products will eliminate the dangerous NORM elements inside of your
equipment in a way that minimizes both the cost and the safety risk. Using our advanced chemical
technologies, we can remove your process flow blockages quickly and safely. Using our engineered
solutions, we can remove dissolved NORM minerals from your collected pond waters.

How and Chemistries Work

With conventional processes, strong acids or high-pressure water blasting is used to remove scales
containing radioactive elements from processing equipment. Large amounts of radioactive water is
produced and must be reliably controlled. Work crews are exposed to the handling of hazardous chemical
products, not to mention the even more dangerous wastes.
Storage Tank
Water
Utilizing our chemistry and processes, you protect your crew, save money and protect the environment.
Your service provider injects FQE Chemicals products (safe for human handling) into circulating water
that moves through your equipment to safely remove the radiation source. The wash water is stored
in temporary tankage awaiting the addition of FQE NORM-Precip to separate the dissolved radioactive Reflux
Pump
minerals from the water by conventional processes.

Simple. Effective. Dependable. Leaving your equipment clean and a reduced waste cost.
 fqechemicals.com

How Our Chemicals Benefit You

Forget hydro-blasting for the removal of difficult scales

Forget creating large volumes of dangerous wastes and the big expense of disposing of
radioactive materials
Less exposure to safety and environmental risk
Lower project costs (our chemicals get the job done in a reliable manner; no surprises)

1 Less Human Contact

Let the chemistry do the work; not your employees. Minimize human contact with the dangers
of radiation in contaminated equipment during the cleaning process. Minimize human exposure to
dangerous materials. These seemingly small situations can take the place of actual people can add
up to significant improvements in safety prevention measures.

2 Drive Down Cost

The disposal of hazardous waste can cost multiple times more than the actual cleaning cost.
Packaging, documentation, transportation, and then the disposal itself can really add-up. Utilizing
our chemistry and processes, solid scales are liquefied inside the equipment and then preferentially
extracted from the cleaning liquid, letting you reduce and avoid hazardous waste disposal expenses.
The process water is radioactive-free leaving you with only small amounts of solid waste for waste
processing. You just eliminated one of the largest costs of the project. Contaminated Gas Plant
Process Filters (Before & After
FQE NORM-Clear)

FQE NORM- and Treated Sample

1 Dissolved Radioactive Salts

2 Precipitated Radioactive Solids

3 Clarified Water

1 2 3

Looking for more technical information?

Visit our website for more information on NORM Decontamination at fqechemicals.com

Be sure to visit our our library of technical bulletins and case histories.
 Improve efficiency and financial performance
At FQE Chemicals, we help our clients improve the efficiency, safety, and financial performance
of their assets by creating innovative and unique chemistries that provide superior value and
performance. Our award-winning chemistries are distributed globally.

Canada
Suncor Energy Centre, West Tower
#5100 – 150 6th Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 3Y7
Phone: +1 (403) 538-3050

United States
4820 Railroad Street
Deer Park, Texas
United States 77536
Phone: +1 (281) 476-9249

We’re an innovative company creating Visit our website at Connect with us

chemistries that solve our clients’
toughest challenges.
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