Radon activity and exhalation rates measurements in fly ash from a thermal power plant

Radon exhalation rate from fly ash samples and from the homogeneous mixture of fly ash of different proportions additive in soil and cement samples to study the effect of the addition was measured by cup dosimeter using SSNTDs. Radon activities were found to vary from (1018±38) to (1435±45)Bqm-3 whereas the radon exhalation rate varied from (366±14) to (516±17)mBqm-2h-1. A gradual increase has been observed in samples having fly ash as an additive in cement samples whereas a gradual decrease was observed in soil samples after the addition of fly ash. 238U in fly ash was measured by a low-level NaI (Tl)-based gamma ray spectrometer. The results show enhancement in U concentration in fly ash as compared to coal samples, whereas radon exhalation rate is less in fly ash samples.