Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Radioactivity of coals and ash and slag wastes at coal-fired thermal power plants

  • Environment Protection
  • Published:
Thermal Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of published data on the content of radioactive nuclides in coals originating from various coal deposits, and in ash and slag wastes produced at coal-fired thermal power plants, as well as in fly ash emitted from thermal power plants into the atmosphere.

Problems related to the use of coals with an elevated content of natural radionuclides (NRNs) and methods of their solution implemented at the Urtuyskoe coalfield are dealt with. Data on the analysis of Transbaikal coals for the NRN content, as well as weighted mean content of uranium and thorium in coals from the Siberian Region, are given.

In order to reduce irradiation of plant personnel and the population of the areas where coal producers and coal-fired thermal power plants are located, it is necessary to organize very careful control of the NRN content in both coals and products of their combustion that are released into the environment. To solve the problem related to the control of radioactivity, the centralized approach and creation of a proper normative base are needed. Experience gained in developing the Urtuyskoe coalfield shows that it is possible to create an efficient system of coal quality control with respect to the radiation hygiene factor and provide protection of the environment and health of the population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. G. Davydov and Yu. A. Timonina, “The Radiation Situation in the Areas of the Rostov Region in which State District Thermal Power Stations are Located,” Therm. Eng., No. 12, 8–13 (2003).

    Google Scholar 

  2. http://phys.rsu.ru/web/nuclear/radioecologie/fRE6.htm

  3. R. A. Sukhanov and G. P. Sidorova, “Problems Related to the Use of Coals with Elevated Radioactivity,” Izv. Vuzov. Gorniy Zhurnal, No. 2, 43–45 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  4. S. I. Arbuzov, A. V. Volostnov, and V. S. Mashen’kin, “Radiogeochemical Characteristic of coals from Northern Asia,” Energetik, No. 3, 2–8 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kh. A. Iskhakov, Ye. L. Schastlivtsev, Yu. A. Kondratenko, and M. L. Lesina, “Radioactivity of Coals and Ash,” Koks i khimiya, No. 5, 41–45 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  6. V. G. Vitkalov and A. A. Reshtanenko, “Substantiation of the Concept of Developing Uranium-Coal Deposits in the Basin near Moscow,” Mining information and analytical bulletin, No. 3, 40–45 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ya. S. Yudovich, One Gram is More Costly than One Ton: Rare Elements Contained in Coals (Moscow, Nauka, 1989) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  8. E. P. Dick, V. M. Mikushevich, and A. N. Soboleva, “Properties of Mineral Components of Coals that Affect Pollution of the Environment by Thermal Power Plants,” Izv. RAN. Energetika, No. 5, 65–73 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  9. N. A. Belyusenko and A. A. Solovyanov, “Principles of Software Used for Providing Radiation and Ecological Safety on the Facilities Belonging to the Fuel-and-Energy Complex of Russia,” Bezopasnost’ truda v promyshlennosti, No. 1, 30–34 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  10. B. F/ Nifantov, A. N. Zaostrovskii, and O. P. Zanina, “Mining and Geological and Technological Importance of the Distribution of Precious and Toxic Elements in Kuznetsk Coals,” Ugol’, No. 12, 59–61 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  11. R. Hedval and B. Erlandsson, “Concentrations of Radioactivity in Non-Nuclear Industries,” Byulleten’ Centra Obshchestvennoy Informatsii po Atomnoy Energii (Newsletter of the Center of Public Information of Nuclear Energy), No. 2, 26–30 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Radioecology After Chernobyl. Biogeochemical Pathways of Artificial Radionuclides. Ed. by Sir Frederick Warren and Roy M. Harrison (John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1993; Moscow, Mir, 1999)[in Russian].

  13. L. T. Krupskaya, T. I. Matvienko, and V. D. Samagin, “Content od Natural Radionuclides in Far East Coals and Ash and Slag Wastes from Thermal Power Plants,” Izv. vuzov, Gornyi zhurnal, No. 1, 51–53 (2007).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ya. S. Yudovich and M. P. Ketris, Uranium in Coals (Syktyvkar, the Komi Scientific Center attached to the Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2001) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute,”, pl. Akademika Kurchatova 1, Moscow, 123098, Russia

    D. A. Krylov

  2. Transbaikalian State University, ul. Aleksandro-Zavodskaya 30, Chita, 672039, Russia

    G. P. Sidorova

Authors
  1. D. A. Krylov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. P. Sidorova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Original Russian Text © D.A. Krylov, G.P. Sidorova, 2013, published in Teploenergetika.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Krylov, D.A., Sidorova, G.P. Radioactivity of coals and ash and slag wastes at coal-fired thermal power plants. Therm. Eng. 60, 239–243 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0040601513040046

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0040601513040046

Keywords

Search

Navigation