PHYSICAL PARAMETERS AFFECTING THE EMANATION OF RADON-222 FROM COAL ASH
Abstract
The Rn-222 emanation coefficients for coal ash and parameters which affected them were measured. Samples of ash from both stoker fired and pulverized coal fired boilers were obtained. The stoker ash samples were mechanically separated into size fractions. The pulverized samples were too fine for mechanical sizing and were categorized qualitatively according to origin. Bulk density of the stoker fractions was measured and ranged from .488 to .944 g-cm('-3), increasing as a function of decreasing particle size. Bulk density of the pulverized ash ranged from 1.254 to 1.520 g-cm('-3). Specific gravity of the stoker fractions ranged from 2.017 to 2.390 g-cm('-3), also increasing as a function of decreasing particle size. Specific gravity of the pulverized ash ranged from 2.357 to 2.588 g-cm('-3). Ra-226 content of the samples was determined by gamma spectrometric analysis of the 352-KeV gamma of Pb-214 and the 609-KeV gamma of Bi-214 from sealed samples of ash. Ra-226 concentrations in the stoker fractions ranged from 11.82 to 16.77 dpm-g('-1), increasing as a function of decreasing particle size. Ra-226 concentrations in the pulverized ash ranged from 6.44 to 7.59 dpm-g('-1). Scintillation cells were constructed out of commonly available materials and a commercial preparation of ZnS(Ag) scintillator. Emanation chambers which allowed for moderately large sample masses were constructed. The procedure used to measure emanation coefficients was shown to be insensitive to ingrowth time at greater than 3 days ingrowth and relatively insensitive to variations in sample porosity. Emanation coefficients of the stoker fractions were measured at moisture contents of 0, 1.0, 10, 20, and 40 percent by weight. Within each size fraction the emanation coefficient increased as a function of moisture content, ranging from 9.58 x 10('-4) to 4.13 x 10('-2) between 0 and 20 percent moisture, respectively. Emanation coefficients also increased as a function of decreasing particle size. Emanation coefficient measurements of the pulverized ash at the moisture contents stated above ranged from 3.00 x 10('-3) to 1.56 x 10('-1) between 0 and 20 percent moisture, respectively. Both the stoker and the pulverized ashes demonstrated slight decreases in emanation coefficient between 20 and 40 percent moisture by weight. The effect of sample depth on observed emanation coefficient was assessed by measuring the emanation coefficient of five samples of ash each of four depths. Results of these measurements demonstrated no effect of depth on observed emanation coefficient.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Radiation
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