NORM emissions from heavy oil and natural gas fired power plants in Syria

Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) have been determined in fly and bottom ash collected from four major Syrian power plants fired by heavy oil and natural gas. 210Pb and 210Po were the main NORM radionuclides detected in the fly and bottom ash. 210Pb activity concentrations have reached 3393 ± 10 Bq kg−1 and 4023 ± 7 Bq kg−1 in fly ash and bottom ash, respectively; lower values of 210Po were observed due to its high volatility. In addition, 210Po and 210Pb annual emissions in bottom ash from mixed (heavy oil and natural gas) fired power plants varied between 2.7 × 109–7.95 × 109 Bq and 3.5 × 109–1010 Bq, respectively; higher emissions of 210Po and 210Pb from gas power plants being observed. However, the present study showed that 210Po and 210Pb emissions from thermal power plants fired by natural gas are much higher than the coal power plants operated in the World.

► NORM have been determined in fly and bottom ash collected from Syrian power plants fired by heavy oil and natural gas.
► 210Pb and 210Po were the main NORM radionuclides detected in the fly and bottom ash.
► 210Po and 210Pb annual emissions from these power plants were estimated.