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Behaviour of natural radionuclides in coal combustion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2009

J. Barescut ,
J. C. Mora ,
A. Baeza ,
B. Robles ,
J. A. Corbacho  and
D. Cancio
J. C. Mora
Affiliation:
Unit of Radiological Protection of the Public and Environment, CIEMAT, Avda. de la Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid, Spain
A. Baeza
Affiliation:
Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad SN, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
B. Robles
Affiliation:
Unit of Radiological Protection of the Public and Environment, CIEMAT, Avda. de la Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid, Spain
J. A. Corbacho
Affiliation:
Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad SN, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
D. Cancio
Affiliation:
Unit of Radiological Protection of the Public and Environment, CIEMAT, Avda. de la Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Abstract

The study presented here, being its main goal to evaluate the behaviour of natural radionuclides in coal combustion, is part of a wider study carried out by CIEMAT and the University of Extremadura (UEX). The research is addressed to the radiological evaluation of the workers and the public as a result of the operation of the four biggest Spanish Coal-Fired Power Plants (CFPPs). Some generally used effects were confirmed in this study, as the difference in concentration of 210Po in fly and bottom-ashes. Enrichment factors relative to 40K as defined by UNSCEAR were found to be a little different than expected. 210Po enrichment was found in gypsum (material obtained as a by-product in the desulphuration process). In order to confirm the assumption considered to explain difference in 232Th activity concentration between bottom and fly ashes, carbon content was measured, obtaining that it should be reviewed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Radioprotection , Volume 44 , Issue 5: ECORAD 2008 - Radioecology and Environmental Radioactivity , 2009 , pp. 577 - 580
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2009

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References

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IAEA 2003. Extent of environmental contamination by naturally occurring radioactive material (norm) and technological options for mitigation. TRS N° 419. IAEA. Vienna. 2003.
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