Measurements of environmental background radiation in the surrounding area of a coal-fired power plant

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2012

Authors

Maria De Lurdes Dinis (Author) FEUP; António Fiuza (Author) FEUP; José Carvalho (Author) FEUP; Joaquim Góis (Author) FEUP; Ana Castro (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: 12th south Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference

12th south Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference

Sydney, Australia, 16 a 19 October de 2012

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science ; Technological sciences > Engineering

FOS: Engineering and technology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-014-W1H

Abstract (EN): Certain materials used and produced in a wide range of non-nuclear industries contain enhanced activity concentrations of natural radionuclides. In particular, electricity production from coal is one of the major sources of increased exposure to man from enhanced naturally occurring materials. Over the past decades there has been some discussion about the elevated natural background radiation in the area near coal-fired power plants due to high uranium and thorium content present in coal. This work describes the methodology developed to assess the radiological impact due to natural radiation background increasing levels, potentially originated by a coal-fired power plant¿s operation. Gamma radiation measurements have been done with two different instruments: a scintillometer (SPP2 NF, Saphymo) and a gamma ray spectrometer with energy discrimination (Falcon 5000, Canberra). A total of 40 relevant sampling points were established at locations within 20 km from the power plant: 15 urban and 25 suburban measured stations. The highest values were measured at the sampling points near to the power plant and those located in the area within the 6 and 20 km from the stacks. This may be explained by the presence of a huge coal pile (1.3 million tons) located near the stacks contributing to the dispersion of unburned coal and, on the other hand, the height of the stacks (225 m) which may influence ash¿s dispersion up to a distance of 20 km. In situ gamma radiation measurements with energy discrimination identified natural emitting nuclides as well as their decay products (212Pb, 214Pb, 226Ra 232Th, 228Ac, 234Th 234Pa, 235U, etc.). This work has been primarily done to in order to assess the impact of a coal-fired power plant operation on the background radiation level in the surrounding area. According to the results, an increase or at least an influence has been identified both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

Notes: Proceedings of 12th south Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference, Sydney, Australia, 16-19 October 2012.