Evaluation of external radiological hazard in bottom and fly ash from coal fired pilot plant

Coal is the most important fossil fuel for non-nuclear power generation industries. The burning of coal generates ashes which contain natural radionuclides namely 238U and 232Th series including 40K that are released into the environment. This study presents an evaluation of the radioactivity content found in the feed coal and ashes sampled from typical coal fired power plants. The sample was measured for activity concentration of the radionuclides and the results were used to evaluate the radiological hazard index of the sample.The findings revealed that the values of the external radiological hazard obtained were acceptable and safe to be reutilized.