Radioactivity of coal and ashes from Figueira coal power plant in Brazil

The Figueira coal-fired power plant (CFPP) is among the Brazilian CFPP which presents higher uranium concentration. Gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232   Th and 40K contents in pulverized coal, furnace bottom ash and fly ash samples. The natural radionuclide concentrations in pulverized coal ranged from 813 to 2609 Bq . kg-1 for U series and from 22 to 40 Bq . kg-1 for 232   Th. The fly ash fraction gave concentrations ranging from 1442 to 14641 Bq . kg-1, for uranium series. The same enrichment factor was observed for 238U, 226Ra and 232   Th. Only 210Pb and stable Pb presented a high enrichment factor for the last stage filter fly ash. The concentration of the uranium series found in the ashes is close to the limit adopted by the Brazilian guideline (CNEN-NN-4.01).22 Therefore, it is advisable to evaluate the environmental impact of the installation.