AMPRI converts red mud into X-ray shielding tiles

In news–Recently, CSIR- Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI) has converted red mud into X-ray shielding tiles in a green and economically viable manner through a ceramic route by adding a certain weight percentage of high Z material and binder with it.

The X-ray shielding tiles-

The 12 mm thick tiles possess an attenuation equal to 2.1 mm lead at 100 kV.
The developed tile has a flexural strength and a breaking strength.
These tiles can be used to build radiation shielding structures in diagnostic X-rays, CT scanner rooms, Cath labs, bone mineral density, dental X-rays, etc., instead of the toxic lead sheet to protect the public from radiation hazards.

The developed tiles are tested and approved by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) of India.
The product is commercialized and the first instalment has been initiated at INS Kattabomman, Tamilnadu.

What is Red Mud?

Red Mud is the waste generated in the Bayer process of alumina production from bauxite.
It is also known as bauxite residue. Red Mud is defined as a “High Volume Low Effect Waste”.
The clay-lined ponds often broke out and pollute soil, groundwater, and air and become fatal for both humans and wildlife.
It is considered to be toxic due to its extreme alkalinity and heavy element leaching.
It is one of the underutilized industrial wastes and getting accumulated over the years due to an increase in alumina production as well as inadequate technologies for its large-scale utilization.
The red mud contains 30 – 55% of Fe2O3(Iron(III) oxide or ferric oxide is the inorganic compound with the formula Fe₂O₃), which is suitable for attenuating high-energy ionizing radiations like X- and gamma rays.
The beneficial utilization of red mud is becoming a global issue.
Noteworthy, only 3-4% of red mud has been utilized by the industries to produce cement, bricks, source of iron ore etc.
Nearly 1 to 1.5 tonnes of RM is being generated while producing one tonne of alumina from the bauxite ore through the Bayer process.
Annually about 175 million tonnes of red mud have been generated globally and stored in a specially designed clay-lined pond.
Among that India is producing nearly 9 million tonnes of red mud every year.