Radiation monitoring of metallurgical processes

Radiation monitoring of metallurgical processes and procedures for monitoring blast-furnace smelting, steelmaking and rolling in the manufacture of steel products are discussed. Blast-furnace smelting entails the use of radioisotope-based monitoring instruments which contain the sources 60Co, 137Cs and 239Pu. Monitoring radiation during the tapping of steel into ladles makes it possible to shut down the production process if radioactive metal is detected. Rolled metal products must be monitored for radiation when they are being made from semifinished products that have not been checked for radioactivity and when the product is to be used in residential construction or consumer-product manufacture.