Emanation Coefficients for Rn in Sized Coal Fly Ash

Abstract

Emanation coefficients for 222Rn in sized samples of dry coal fly ash were evaluated as a function of source and particle size using a modification of the sealed-can, gamma-only technique. The emanation coefficient is defined as the fraction of Rn atoms that escape the solid particles of a source. Diffusible Rn was separated from nondiffusible Rn by adsorption on charcoal, and each was measured independently by .gamma.-ray spectrometry of the Rn daughter, 214Bi. Samples of ash from eastern bituminous coal, western bituminous coal and mid-western bituminous coal with aerodynamic equivalent diameters < 15 .mu.m were examined, and the measured emanation coefficients ranged from 0.098 down to 0.007. These values were dependent on both the size and source of the fly ash. The emanation coefficients and the specific activities generally decreased monotonically with increasing aerodynamic equivalent diameter. For unfractionated standard fly ash, SRM 1633a, from the U.S. National Bureau of Standards, the emanation coefficient for 222 Rn was 0.018. Results suggest that only a small fraction of the Rn in lung-deposited fly ash will be removed by exhalation [in humans].