FT-IR, EDXRF AND GAMMA-ISOTOPIC ANALYSES OF ASHES FROM COAL POWER-PLANTS OF TURKEY

Nine ash samples collected from five coal fired power plants of Turkey have been analysed by FT-IR, EDXRF and gamma -isotopic analyses metho ds. LR spectroscopy together with mineralogical analysis is found to b e a useful method for investigating the inorganic chemical composition of the ashes which is an inherently variable material due to differen ces in the inorganic chemical composition of the source coal and in as h collection. Gamma-isotopic analysis indicated that all samples conta ined Ra-226, U-238 and Th-232. On the other hand Cs-137 (16.3 pCi/g) w as found only in the ash sample collected from the Yatagan coal fired power plant. An ash sample taken from the electro-filter of the Ambarl l, a fuel oil fired-power plant of Turkey, was also analysed for compa rision and found that it contained least amount of U-238.