Determination of the ash content of coal samples by nuclear techniques with bismuth germanate detectors. Issue 5 (4th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khoonthiwong, Chompon; Saengkaew, Phannee; Chankow, Nares
• Is Part Of: International journal of coal preparation and utilization. Volume 42:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 1489
• Page End: 1498
• Publication Date: 2022-05-04
• Subjects: Dual-Energy Gamma-Ray Transmission -- coal -- ash analysis -- BGO detectors; Coal preparation -- Periodicals; Coal -- Research -- Periodicals; 662.62
• DOI: 10.1080/19392699.2020.1729137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1939-2699

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A new promising nuclear technique to determine the coal-ash content was investigated using a bismuth germinate (BGO) detector instead of a sodium iodide-thallium [NaI(Tl)] detector for the dual-energy gamma-ray transmission (DEGT) measurements at 59.6 and 661.7 keV. The peak detection efficiency of the high-energy gamma-ray radiation was about two- to three-fold higher when using a BGO than a NaI(Tl) detector. This would increase the potential operation safety by allowing the use of a lower radioactivity level or a shorter measurement time. To analyze the coal-ash content using DEGT, the relationship between the transmittance ratios and the coal-ash content was successfully achieved as a linear equation, while the coal-ash contents determined by DEGT were in a very good agreement with those determined by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and standard chemical ASTM3174 methods, showing a highly linear relationship. In brief, the DEGT at 59.6 and 661.7 keV using a BGO detector could be developed to be a new promising approach to determine the coal-ash content as a real-time and on-belt analysis or a portable device in further investigation.