Myanmar uses nuclear techniques to improve industrial processes

Experts are rolling out the use of nuclear technology in industrial testing across Myanmar, following successful implementation of the technique in the oil and gas sector. Non-destructive testing (NDT) using nuclear techniques involves ionizing radiation to test the quality of materials and products. The technique used in Myanmar is called gamma process tomography and is based on the differential absorption in different materials of gamma rays emitted from a radioactive source. Since 2013, the IAEA has helped Myanmar's Department of Atomic Energy to purchase the necessary equipment and build the expertise of its staff in using the technique. Department of Atomic Energy experts regularly perform NDT in the Thanlyin oil refinery near Yangon to inspect the quality of the pipes and of the products flowing through them.