Identification and Determination of Natural Radioactivity in Coal Basic Ash Using the Gamma HPGE Detector Spectrometer

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 11 views

Identification and Determination of Natural Radioactivity in Coal Basic Ash Using the Gamma HPGE Detector Spectrometer

Introduction

Radioactivity is a phenomenon where unstable nuclides emit radiation to become stable nuclides. Materials containing unstable nuclides that emit radiation are called radioactive or radionuclides. This study aims to determine the existence of natural radionuclides in the base ash (bottom ash) of coal and the concentration of radionuclide activity. The base ash sample used was taken from two base ash waste disposal locations located in the Medan Industrial Area (KIM), with coal originating from different sources. The first source is coal from Palembang and the second from Padang.

Methodology

The process of taking and processing basic ash samples is done by smoothing the sample to reach a size of 200 mesh. Furthermore, the sample was heated at 105 °C for 5 hours and left to cool. After cooling, the base ash is stored in the Marinelli beaker container that has been weighed before to get its empty weight, then weighed again to get the net weight of the basic ash. The container containing the basic ash is then stored in a closed state for ± 39 days to get a concentration of secular balance.

After 39 days, the sample was calculated using the Gamma HPGE spectrometer detector for 17 hours. The results of the calculation process will show several peaks that provide data such as channel numbers, clean areas, and energy. These data are subsequently used to process information to determine the level of radioactivity of PB-210 radionuclide, TH-232, RA-226, and U-238 in the sample.

Results

The results of data processing show the existence of natural radionuclides and its activities in the base ash of the two sources of coal. In the basic ash from Palembang, the identified natural radioactivity is as follows: PB-210 of 3.26 ± 0.67 BQ/Kg; TH-232 amounted to 66.6 ± 1.93 BQ/kg; RA-226 amounting to 468.95 ± 5.1 BQ/Kg; and U-238 amounted to 696 ± 43.44 BQ/kg. Meanwhile, in the basic ash from Padang, the results obtained showed: PB-210 of 9.87 ± 1.62 BQ/Kg; TH-232 amounted to 218.67 ± 3.62 BQ/kg; RA-226 amounting to 3253.56 ± 33.59 BQ/kg; and U-238 amounting to 5540.90 ± 137.23 BQ/kg.

Discussion

This study provides an important insight into the existence of radionuclides in the basic ash of coal, which has significant implications for environmental and human health. Radioactivity detected in coal base ash, especially in the location of Padang which shows the level of radioactivity is much higher compared to Palembang, raises questions about the potential for health risks for workers and people who live around the disposal area.

Measured natural radioactivity, especially from radionuclides such as RA-226 and U-238, can contribute to environmental pollution. Therefore, it is important to conduct a more in-depth further research on the long-term impact of this radionuclide exposure, as well as the development of mitigation strategies to reduce health risks that may be caused.

Conclusion

The importance of this research is not only limited to academic aspects, but can also be a reference for policy makers in formulating strict regulations related to the management of coal waste. Thus, the community can be protected from potential radiation hazards, while supporting environmental preservation efforts.

Recommendations

Further research is needed to investigate the long-term impact of radionuclide exposure on human health and the environment.
Development of mitigation strategies to reduce health risks caused by radionuclide exposure.
Formulation of strict regulations related to the management of coal waste.
Education and awareness programs for workers and communities living around coal waste disposal areas.

Future Directions

Investigation of the distribution and concentration of radionuclides in industrial waste, including basic ash.
Development of more effective policies to control and reduce the impact of radioactive waste produced by the coal industry.
Research on the use of alternative energy sources to reduce the reliance on coal and minimize the production of radioactive waste.

Limitations

Limited sample size and location.
Limited duration of the study.
Limited scope of the study.

References

[1] International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). (2019). Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards.
[2] World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources.
[3] National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2020). Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy.

Appendices

Appendix A: Sample Collection and Preparation
Appendix B: Gamma HPGE Spectrometer Detector Calibration
Appendix C: Data Analysis and Processing

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Identification and Determination of Natural Radioactivity in Coal Basic Ash

Q: What is radioactivity and how does it affect the environment?

A: Radioactivity is the ability of unstable nuclides to emit radiation to become stable nuclides. This phenomenon can have significant implications for environmental and human health. Radioactivity can contribute to environmental pollution and pose health risks to workers and communities living around coal waste disposal areas.

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to determine the existence of natural radionuclides in the base ash (bottom ash) of coal and the concentration of radionuclide activity. This study aims to provide an important insight into the existence of radionuclides in the basic ash of coal and its implications for environmental and human health.

Q: What are the methods used in this study?

A: The methods used in this study include sample collection and preparation, gamma HPGE spectrometer detector calibration, and data analysis and processing. The samples were collected from two base ash waste disposal locations located in the Medan Industrial Area (KIM), with coal originating from different sources.

Q: What are the results of this study?

A: The results of this study show the existence of natural radionuclides and its activities in the base ash of the two sources of coal. In the basic ash from Palembang, the identified natural radioactivity is as follows: PB-210 of 3.26 ± 0.67 BQ/Kg; TH-232 amounted to 66.6 ± 1.93 BQ/kg; RA-226 amounting to 468.95 ± 5.1 BQ/Kg; and U-238 amounted to 696 ± 43.44 BQ/kg. Meanwhile, in the basic ash from Padang, the results obtained showed: PB-210 of 9.87 ± 1.62 BQ/Kg; TH-232 amounted to 218.67 ± 3.62 BQ/kg; RA-226 amounting to 3253.56 ± 33.59 BQ/Kg; and U-238 amounting to 5540.90 ± 137.23 BQ/kg.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: This study provides an important insight into the existence of radionuclides in the basic ash of coal and its implications for environmental and human health. The results of this study raise questions about the potential for health risks for workers and people who live around the disposal area.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The recommendations of this study include further research on the long-term impact of radionuclide exposure on human health and the environment, development of mitigation strategies to reduce health risks caused by radionuclide exposure, formulation of strict regulations related to the management of coal waste, and education and awareness programs for workers and communities living around coal waste disposal areas.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include limited sample size and location, limited duration of the study, and limited scope of the study.

Q: What are the future directions of this study?

A: The future directions of this study include investigation of the distribution and concentration of radionuclides in industrial waste, including basic ash, development of more effective policies to control and reduce the impact of radioactive waste produced by the coal industry, and research on the use of alternative energy sources to reduce the reliance on coal and minimize the production of radioactive waste.

Q: What are the references used in this study?

A: The references used in this study include International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) publications, World Health Organization (WHO) publications, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publications.

Q: What are the appendices of this study?

A: The appendices of this study include sample collection and preparation, gamma HPGE spectrometer detector calibration, and data analysis and processing.

Note: The above content is in markdown format and has been optimized for SEO. The article is a Q&A section that provides answers to frequently asked questions related to the study on identification and determination of natural radioactivity in coal basic ash.