Prompt gamma analysis of fly ash, silica fume and Superpozz blended cement concrete specimen

Preventive measures against corrosion of reinforcing steel require making the concrete dense by adding pozzolanic materials, such as fly ash, silica fume, Superpozz, blast furnace slag, etc. to Portland cement. In order to obtain the desired strength and durability of concrete, it is desirable to monitor the concentration of the pozzolan in the blended cement concrete. Addition of pozzolan to blended cement changes the overall concentration of calcium and silicon in the blended cement concrete. The resulting variation in calcium and silicon gamma-ray yield ratio from blended cement concrete has found to have an inverse correlation with concentration of fly ash, silica fume, Superpozz, blast furnace slag in the blended cement concrete.For experimental verification of the correlation, intensities of calcium and silicon prompt gamma-ray due to capture of thermal neutrons in blended cement concrete samples containing 5–80% (by weight of cement) silica fume, fly ash and Superpozz were measured. The gamma-ray intensity ratio was measured from 6.42 MeV gamma-rays from calcium and 4.94 MeV gamma-ray from silicon. The experimentally measured values of calcium to silicon gamma-ray yield ratio in the fly ash, silica fume and Superpozz cement concrete specimens agree very well with the results of the Monte Carlo simulations.     

Elemental analysis of coal and coal ASH by PIXE technique

Coal and coal ash samples were characterized by particle induced X-ray emission spectroscopic technique. Sixteen elements, namely K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Rb, Sr, Y and Pb were quantified in this study. Elements like K, Ca, Ti and Fe were present as major elements, whereas, other elements like V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr and Pb were present in trace level. The enrichment ratio of different ash samples with respect to coal were also estimated and discussed.     

An investigation of radon exhalation rate and estimation of radiation doses in coal and fly ash samples.

Coal is a technologically important material used for power generation. Its cinder (fly ash) is used in the manufacturing of bricks, sheets, cement, land filling etc. Coal and its by-products often contain significant amounts of radionuclides, including uranium which is the ultimate source of the radioactive gas radon. Burning of coal and the subsequent atmospheric emission cause the redistribution of toxic radioactive trace elements in the environment. In the present study, radon exhalation rates in coal and fly ash samples from the thermal power plants at Kolaghat (W.B.) and Kasimpur (U.P.) have been measured using sealed Can technique having LR-115 type II detectors. The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in the samples of Kolaghat power station are also measured. It is observed that the radon exhalation rate from fly ash samples from Kolaghat is higher than from coal samples and activity concentration of radionuclides in fly ash is enhanced after the combustion of coal. Fly ash samples from Kasimpur show no appreciable change in radon exhalation. Radiation doses from the fly ash samples have been estimated from radon exhalation rate and radionuclide concentrations.     

Analysis of grains grown on fly ash treated soils

One time application of fly ash was done at the rate of 200 t/hectare in the crop lands in Odisha, India. The increase in yield of maize grains was 28% and 34% over the control values whereas the increase in yield of rice grains was 40% and 13% at Malud and Dhenkanal, respectively. The results indicated that fly ash is an amendment for soil which can improve the physical and chemical properties of deficient soil and improves the soil fertility and crop yield.     

Correction of pair production gauge ash determinations for changes in coal ash composition

The ash content of coal can be determined by a technique based on pair production (PP). The PP technique has been previously proved in the laboratory and in the field, and five commercial PP gauges are in routine use at coal washeries in Australia. However for some applications on coals of highly variable ash composition, there is a need for improved accuracy.Calculations and experiments have been made to investigate two methods of improving PP gauge accuracy for coals with highly variable ash composition. The first combines the PP gauge measurement with measurements of the low-energy part of the PP gauge spectrum and the second is done in conjunction with separate low and high energy γ-ray transmission measurements. Calculations show that these methods can correct the PP gauge assay exactly when the concentration of a single high-Z element in the ash varies. When more than one element varies, the error reduction is less and depends on the elements and their variations. Experiments with a group of samples from Blackwater, Queensland showed that gauge accuracy improved by about 20% relative using the first method. Use of the second method on two groups of samples from Blackwater and South Africa produced about 15% improvement. There was no reduction in error when either method was used on a third group of samples from the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.     

The influence of coal thickness change on dual-energy gamma-ray ash gauge reading

For continuous measurement of coal-ash on a moving belt, intensity averaging causes the derived ratio of low-energy-gamma attenuation coefficient to that of high energy to be smaller than its real value. The difference is related to coal thickness and ash value and it is too great to be neglected. To reduce this thickness change related error, a count-rate level connected sampling method is suggested and its performance is verified by Monte-Carlo simulation.     

Optimization of low activity spectrometric gamma–gamma probes for ash determination in coal stockpiles

A stockpile probe based on backscattered gamma–gamma-ray technique was tested for the determination of coal ash. A centralized tool employing a gamma-ray source of very low radioactivity (1.85 MBq) was used. This logging tool was tested using ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³³Ba sources with a 37 mm (diameter) by 75 mm NaI (TI) scintillation detector. Ten source–detector configurations were analyzed using ¹³⁷Cs, and another nine source–detector configurations are analyzed, using ¹³³Ba source, both for four geophysical models, having a borehole diameter of 90 mm. Regression analysis on the laboratory logging data for each studied configuration was carried out in order to establish calibration equations for ash prediction. The optimum configuration for the logging stockpile probe using ¹³⁷Cs source was determined to be 80 mm source to detector spacing, and 80 mm iron thickness shielding. This configuration gives the best results for ash prediction. The root mean square (rms) deviation for ash is 1.52%. The optimum configuration for the logging stockpile probe using ¹³³Ba source is determined to be 85 mm source to detector spacing, and 50 mm iron thickness shielding. This configuration gives the best results for ash prediction, where the rms deviation for ash is 1.47%.     

Investigation of flow behaviour of coal particles in a pilot-scale fluidized bed gasifier (FBG) using radiotracer technique

Knowledge of residence time distribution (RTD), mean residence time (MRT) and degree of axial mixing of solid phase is required for efficient operation of coal gasification process. Radiotracer technique was used to measure the RTD of coal particles in a pilot-scale fluidized bed gasifier (FBG). Two different radiotracers i.e. lanthanum-140 and gold-198 labeled coal particles (100 gm) were independently used as radiotracers. The radiotracer was instantaneously injected into the coal feed line and monitored at the ash extraction line at the bottom and gas outlet at the top of the gasifier using collimated scintillation detectors. The measured RTD data were treated and MRTs of coal/ash particles were determined. The treated data were simulated using tanks-in-series model. The simulation of RTD data indicated good degree of mixing with small fraction of the feed material bypassing/short-circuiting from the bottom of the gasifier. The results of the investigation were found useful for optimizing the design and operation of the FBG, and scale-up of the gasification process.     

Measurement of radon emanation factor from granular samples: effects of additives in cement.

Two methods for radon emanation factor determination were performed and compared regarding their measuring accuracy: (a) by hermetically closing the sample in an airtight container and measuring the induced radon activity, and (b) by mixing charcoal and sealing the sample hermetically and after placing the sample in an open vessel with no charcoal addition, measuring each time the 226Ra content using gamma-spectrometry. Measurements of radon emanation factor of cement and pozzolanic additives, i.e. fly ash and phosphogypsum were also performed.     

Determination of solids weight fraction and ash content of coal in slurries of variable voidage: Laboratory measurements

Nuclear techniques have been used to determine the solids weight fraction (W) and ash content of (fine) coal in slurries independent of voidage. The basis of the techniques is the correlation between W and the hydrogen concentration (w/w) of the slurry. At constant ash content, W is determined by combining neutron moderation and γ-ray transmission (density) measurements. With varying ash content, both W and ash content of coal are determined by combining the above measurements with either of two well-established techniques for the determination of ash content of dry coal, namely x-ray backscatter compensated by iron K x-ray excitation, and low energy γ-ray transmission.Radioisotope source and detector were incorporated into three probes which were immersed directly into coal slurry in a 200 L drum. Measurements were made on coal slurries with W in the range 5–22 wt%. ash in coal 20.7–30 wt%, and voidage 0–4 vol.%. The r.m.s. difference between W determined by probe measurements and W obtained from assay of slurry samples was 0.54 wt%, a factor of five better than that obtained from the γ-ray transmission (density) measurement alone. The r.m.s. difference for ash content, based on the x-ray backscatter method combined with neutron and γ-ray (density) count rates, was 0.78 wt% ash.     

Effect of silica fume addition on the PGNAA measurement of chlorine in concrete

Pozzolanic materials, such as fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), and blast furnace slag (BFS) are added to Portland cement in concrete to prevent reinforcement steel corrosion in concrete. Further preventive measure against reinforcement steel corrosion require monitoring of chloride salts concentration in concrete using non-destructive techniques, such as the prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) technique. Due to interferences between gamma-rays from chlorine and calcium in PGNAA technique, detection limit of chlorine in concrete strongly depends upon calcium concentration in concrete. SF mainly contains silica and its addition to cement concrete reduces overall concentration of calcium in concrete. This may result in an improvement in detection limit of chlorine in SF-based concrete in PGNAA studies. Particularly for chlorine detection using 6.11 and 6.62 MeV prompt gamma-rays that strongly interfere with 6.42 MeV prompt gamma-rays from calcium.In this study, SF was added to Portland cement to prevent concrete reinforcement steel from corrosion. The chlorine concentration in SF cement concrete specimens containing 0.2–3.0 wt% chlorine was measured through yield of 1.16, 1.95, 6.11, 6.62, 7.41, 7.79, and 8.58 MeV chlorine gamma-rays using PGNAA technique. An excellent agreement was noted between the experimental yield of the prompt gamma-rays and the gamma-ray yield calculated through the Monte Carlo simulations. Further the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of chlorine in SF cement concrete was calculated and compared with the MDC values of chlorine in plain concrete and concrete mixed with fly ash cement. The MDC of chlorine in SF-based concrete through 6.11 MeV, and 6.62 MeV chlorine gamma-rays was found to be improved as compared to those in plain concrete and concrete mixed with fly ash cement.     

Generating a representative signal of coal ash content to anticipate combustion control in a thermal power station.

This paper describes the possibilities of continuously measuring coal ash in the boiler feeding circuit of a thermal power station so that the measurement can be used as a signal for the boiler combustion control system. An installation was designed, at semi-industrial scale, that could faithfully reproduce the operation of a belt feeder. In order to measure the ash content, a natural radioactivity meter was installed and a large number of coal samples with different ranks and grain sizes were tested, eventually showing the possibility of achieving the objective.     

Data evaluation of trace elements determined in Nigerian coal using cluster procedures.

Large data-sets of elements determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) require meaningful interpretation in order to determine the pattern of their existence in host matrices. This could be achieved using cluster procedures. Element abundances (Al, As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cs, Dy, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, O, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, U, V, Yb, Zn and Zr) of prepared and run-of-mine coals from eight principal mines (Onyeama, Ogbete, Enugu, Gombe, Asaba-Ugwashi, Okaba, Afikpo and Lafia ) in Nigeria were determined by INAA. Quality control of the measurements was assured by the re-determination of a standard reference material, NIST 1632a. These data-sets were then tested for multi-variate statistics using METHOD = SINGLE in the cluster procedure. The computer-assisted package SAS was used to generate the dendrograms while the algorithm used was stored Euclidean distances. The results showed a recognition pattern, useful for the interpretation of coalification histories and the prediction of fuel ranking for Nigerian coals. High segregation of coal fly ash was observed, while metallurgical coal grouped together with high-ranking coals of Okaba, Enugu and Obi (Lafia). Further work revealed some of these coals as having high gross calorific value (7908 kcal kg(-1) for Enugu coal; 7200 kcal kg(-1) for Okaba) and low sulphur thereby making them efficient fuel materials.     

Vertebral bone mineral measurement using dual photon absorptiometry and computed tomography

The lumbar spine of 14 cadavers was studied both by 153Gd dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) at 96 and 125 kVp. The intact spine and the individual vertebrae were analyzed. After these measurements the ash content of the vertebral body, the posterior elements, and the transverse processes was determined. The fat content of the vertebral body as well as its volume was also measured. With DPA, the bone mineral content (BMC) determined in situ as well as on excised spine specimens correlated highly with the amount of total vertebral ash (r greater than 0.92, SEE less than 3.2 g). The bone mineral density (BMD, area density) of 3 lumbar vertebrae correlated accurately with the mean ash density of the vertebral body (r greater than 0.81, SEE less than 0.015 g/cm3). The so-called corpus density and central density determinations were less accurate. No difference in accuracy was found between measurements when using 3 mm and 4.5 mm step intervals. Variations in the distribution of mineral between the vertebral body and the posterior elements contribute to the error in predicting vertebral body mineral with DPA. QCT gave a smaller error when a cylindric portion of the vertebral body with a 20 mm diameter was measured compared with one with a 9 mm diameter, when the dual energy technique was used (p less than 0.01). With dual energy QCT a correlation was found between a center segment of 3 vertebrae in the lumbar spine and the mean ash density of the vertebral body of r = 0.92 (SEE = 0.010 g/cm3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A preliminary intercomparison of gamma-ray spectrometry on building materials.

A preliminary intercomparison on gamma-ray spectrometry determination of natural radionuclides in building materials was carried out in 1999-2002. Samples measured were fly ash, sand and tuff. Laboratories used different experimental equipment and procedures. Corrections for blank, spectral interference, self-absorption and coincidence summing effects were applied in most cases. The agreement between results was within 15-20%, most often within the reported uncertainties. Several general conclusions can be drawn regarding procedures correctness, uncertainty budget, secular equilibrium condition, and radionuclide representativeness in each natural series. Further studies are needed to draw more specific conclusions.     

Environmental pollutant isotope measurements and natural radioactivity assessment for north Tushki area, south western desert, Egypt.

Natural radioactive materials under certain conditions can reach hazardous radiological levels. The natural radionuclide (238U, 232Th, 40K) contents of rock samples at various locations in the North Tushki area were investigated using gamma-spectrometric analysis. Estimates of the measured radionuclide content have been made for the absorbed dose rate of gamma radiation. The equivalent radium (Req) and the external hazard index (Hex) which resulted from the natural radionuclides in soil are also calculated and tabulated. The studied samples have been collected from various rock exposures in the North Tushki area. The distribution of major oxides, U and Th were studied. It is found that the enrichment and depletion of the major oxides are mainly due to the effect of hydrothermal alteration, which caused mobility of some major oxides, which increases some elements and decreases others. It is important to mention that the study area is far from the development region of the Tushki project and is only a local hazard. Therefore, additional regional studies of the Tushki Project area should be under taken to explore any unexpected environmental hazard due to the high concentration of the radioactive elements, which have been observed at its north boundary.     

Coal face and stockpile ash analyser for the coal mining industry.

A portable nucleonic instrument was developed for the determination of coal ash on the coal face or the surface of coal stockpiles. The instrument employs the backscattered gamma-gamma technique. There are two gamma-ray sources used in this instrument: a 1.1 MBq 133Ba source as the primary source of radiation and a 37 kBq 137Cs for gain stabilization. The instrument is commercially available.     

An evaluation of measurement uncertainties in the on-line measurement of coal ash content by gamma-ray transmission.

In this paper, a significant effect producing systematic errors in the on-line measurement using gamma-ray transmission is revealed. Ash content fluctuations or thickness changes lead to a permanent negative systematic error in the results of the measurements. To study uncertainties in the measurements applicable to time-independent ash content indicators and to investigate the characteristics of the radiation attenuation process, the behavior of the quantity in question in modeled with a stationary Gaussian distribution. A systematic error-producing effect has been found, and a quantitative correction is given to compensate for it. For some other quantities in question that vary in time, a linear model is used to discuss the systematic errors in the case of automated coal gangue separator. Results of experiments that demonstrate different systematic errors for different sampling intervals are presented. The reason for these errors is the nonlinearity of the relationship between the radiation intensity, on the one hand, and the sample thickness and mass attention, on the other.     

Flying and danger, joy and fear

U.S. Air Force fliers are all volunteers who undergo rigorous training for their profession. Their motivation may be deeprooted and emotional, or may arise from a conscious decision made in early adulthood. Some motivation is flawed and fails early. Other motivation may be eroded by a single dangerous event, by an accumulation of "close calls" (one's own or others'), or by a growing interest in nonaviation elements. Since Air Force fliers may "quit" only at some personal cost to pride or pocketbook, they may develop a fear of flying. This may be truly phobic, a situational reaction, or an awareness of personal vulnerability. Some displace anxiety about flying into somatic symptoms. The author discusses motivation to fly, its various modes of failure, and some clinical aspects of fear of flying.     

A custom hybridisation enrichment forensic intelligence panel to infer biogeographic ancestry,hair and eye colour,and Y chromosome lineage

Massively parallel sequencing can provide genetic data for hundreds to thousands of loci in a single assay for various types of forensic testing. However, available commercial kits require an initial PCR amplification of short-to-medium sized targets which limits their application for highly degraded DNA. Development and optimisation of large PCR multiplexes also prevents creation of custom panels that target different suites of markers for identity, biogeographic ancestry, phenotype, and lineage markers (Y-chromosome and mtDNA). Hybridisation enrichment, an alternative approach for target enrichment prior to sequencing, uses biotinylated probes to bind to target DNA and has proven successful on degraded and ancient DNA. We developed a customisable hybridisation capture method, that uses individually mixed baits to allow tailored and targeted enrichment to specific forensic questions of interest. To allow collection of forensic intelligence data, we assembled and tested a custom panel of hybridisation baits to infer biogeographic ancestry, hair and eye colour, and paternal lineage (and sex) on modern male and female samples with a range of self-declared ancestries and hair/eye colour combinations. The panel correctly estimated biogeographic ancestry in 9/12 samples (75%) but detected European admixture in three individuals from regions with admixed demographic history. Hair and eye colour were predicted correctly in 83% and 92% of samples respectively, where intermediate eye colour and blond hair were problematic to predict. Analysis of Y-chromosome SNPs correctly assigned sex and paternal haplogroups, the latter complementing and supporting biogeographic ancestry predictions. Overall, we demonstrate the utility of this hybridisation enrichment approach to forensic intelligence testing using a combined suite of biogeographic ancestry, phenotype, and Y-chromosome SNPs for comprehensive biological profiling.