Radioactive emissions from coal production and utilization. Progress report, July 1, 1978-September 30, 1979

Technical Report · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6723968· OSTI ID:6723968

Wagner, P; Dreesen, D R; Wewerka, E M; Greiner, N R

Radioactivity from the uranium-238 and thorium-232 series was measured in a variety of coals and wastes from the coal-based power production cycle. Leachates prepared from these coals and wastes were also analyzed for radioactivity. For the most part, the radioactivity encountered in coals and coal-cleaning waste is about the same as that found in ordinary rocks and soils. The radioactivity in the ashes is generally about five times higher than in the coals. In some cases fly ash contains even higher levels of radioactivity, especially from the volatile radionuclides lead-210 and polonium-210. Lead-210 is the only radionuclide that appears to be readily leached from the solids.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6723968
• Report Number(s): LA-8618-PR
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
016000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
AEROSOL WASTES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COMBUSTION
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DISSOLUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FLY ASH
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LEACHATES
LEACHING
LEAD 210
LEAD ISOTOPES
MATERIALS
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
NUCLEI
OXIDATION
POLONIUM 210
POLONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
THORIUM 232
THORIUM ISOTOPES
URANIUM 238
URANIUM ISOTOPES
WASTES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES