OFF-LINE DETERMINATION OF ASH CONTENT DIRECTLY IN COAL SAMPLES VIA GAMMA-SPECTROMETRY

There is a need in the coal industry for a quick method of determining the ash content of coal, instead of the traditional highly time and m aterial consuming procedures. The behavior of the naturally occurring radionuclides, e.g. uranium, U-238; thorium, Th-232 and their decay pr oducts, and potassium, K-40 in coal-fired power plants can be helpful in estimating the ash in coal. This study is based on the determinatio n of ash content in coal via natural gamma-ray activity of coal and as h (bottom and fly ash) samples. The distribution of natural radionucli des contained in coal, among fly ash, bottom ash and stack gases was c arried out because activity from the Th-232 and U-238 series and K-40 was present in all samples. The calculated values were then compared w ith the results of experimental measurements.