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Measurement of natural radioactivity concentrations and chemical composition of coal and its post-combustion residues in KSA

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Abstract

The variable values of 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K were identified in coal and coal combustion residuals (CCR) samples to redistribute radionuclides using 228Ra/226Ra activity ratios in CCRs and compared to their values in the corresponding feed coal. NORM concentrations in CCRs were found to be 6–12 times higher than the original coal. The effective dose rates in the original coal were calculated and ranged from 14.9 ± 0.9 to 370.3 ± 22.2 μSv year−1, whereas in CCRs ranged from 257.5 ± 20.6 to 1797.5 ± 143.8 μSv year−1. The average concentration of 40K (120 Bq kg−1 per 1% K2O in CCRs) was calculated. The chemical composition indicates that the majority of CCR samples are Type C, which has a high calcium oxide ratio, high melting points and low deposition.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by Deanship of Scientific Research, Princess Nourah bent Adulrahman University through the Fast-track Research Funding Program. The authors would also like to thank editor-in-chief of Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry and referees for their valuable comments and cooperation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Dalal A. Aloraini

  2. Radioactive Isotopes and Generators Department, Hot Labs. Center, Atomic Energy Authority, P. O. Box 13759, Cairo, Egypt

    Khaled M. El-Azony

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  1. Dalal A. Aloraini
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Correspondence to Khaled M. El-Azony.

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Aloraini, D.A., El-Azony, K.M. Measurement of natural radioactivity concentrations and chemical composition of coal and its post-combustion residues in KSA. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 323, 885–895 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-019-07001-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-019-07001-x

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