Study on the migration of radioactive nuclides Uranium (U) and Thorium (Th) and the properties of solid waste in coal-fired power plants with zero liquid discharge of desulfurization wastewater
-
Changan Kang
,
Min Liu
,
Qiang Yao
Abstract
In order to investigate the migration and distribution characteristics of radioactive nuclides Uranium (U) and Thorium (Th) in coal-fired power plant with zero liquid discharge of desulfurization wastewater, the fly ash, slag, gypsum and particulate matter from a 1000 MW coal-fired power plant were tested and leaching toxicity assessment of fly ash, slag and gypsum was performed.(1)Studies on the migration of radionuclides U and Th show that: U and Th radionuclides introduced by coal burning are mainly enriched in fly ash, U constitutes 88.8 % of the total U content, Th comprises 92.2 % of the total Th content.(2)The enrichment degree of U and Th in solid waste is related to the particle size of solid waste, the content of U and Th in fly ash is 1.67 and 2.19 times that of U and Th in slag. U and Th are more enriched in fine particulate matter, and the enrichment level of Th shows a greater dependence on particle size.(3)Testing of the leaching toxicity of U and Th in solid waste was conducted to evaluate the environmental risks associated with U and Th contaminants, the results show that among all solid waste leachates, the concentration of U in gypsum leachate is the highest, and the concentration of Th in slag leachate is the highest, this suggests that gypsum facilitates U leaching, while slag enhances Th mobility. Gypsum and slag are more likely to impact the environment when exposed. (4) By calculating the input and output of U and Th, verification of the U and Th mass balance was performed. The mass balance rates of U and Th are 128.5 % and 121.4 %, respectively, indicating that the detection data are reliable and acceptable.
Funding source: Hebei Natural Science Foundation
Award Identifier / Grant number: B2022407001
-
Research ethics: Not applicable.
-
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study, or their legal guardians or wards.
-
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
-
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
-
Conflict of interest: The author state no conflict of interest.
-
Research funding: Supported by Hebei Natural Science Foundation, B2022407001.
-
Data availability: Not applicable.
References
1. Wang, R.; Ma, D.; Yao, W. Emission Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Desulfurization Wastewater of Coal-Fired Power Plants in Anhui Province. Energy Energy Conserv. 2022, 3, 30–32.Suche in Google Scholar
2. Bellis, D.; Ma, R.; Bramall, N.; McLeod, C.; Chapman, N.; Satake, K. Airborne Uranium Contamination: as Revealed Through Elemental and Isotopic Analysis of Tree Bark. Environ. Pollut. 2001, 114, 383–387; https://doi.org/10.1016/s0269-7491-00-00236-0.Suche in Google Scholar
3. Baba, A. Assessment of Radioactive Contaminants in by-Products from Yatagan (Mugla, Turkey) Coal-Fired Power Plant. Environ. Geol. 2002, 41, 916–921; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-001-0469-8.Suche in Google Scholar
4. Xie, Y.; Yu, L.; Chen, L.; Chen, C.; Wang, L.; Liu, F.; Liao, Y.; Zhang, P.; Chen, T.; Yuan, Y.; Lu, Y.; Huang, B.; Yang, H.; Wang, S.; Wang, S.; Ma, L.; Luo, F.; Liu, Y.; Hu, B.; Wang, H.; Pan, D.; Zhu, W.; Wang, N.; Wang, Z.; Mao, L.; Wang, X. Recent Progress of Radionuclides Separation by Porous Materials. Sci. China Chem. 2024, 67, 3515–3577; https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-024-2218-8.Suche in Google Scholar
5. Cheng, G. Zero-Discharge Treatment Technology for Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization Wastewater in Coal-Fired Power Plants. Chem. Eng. Equi. 2021, 4, 247–248.Suche in Google Scholar
6. Zhiwen, X.; Yongxin, F.; Ning, Z. Comparative Analysis on Zero Discharge Technology of Desulfurization Wastewater in Power Plant. Technol. Innovat. Appl. 2021, 9, 177–179.Suche in Google Scholar
7. Dong, Y.; Du, X.; Wang, B. Comparative Study on Zero Discharge Technology of Desulfurization Wastewater from Coal-Fired Power Plant. J. Northeast Electric Power Univ.2021, 41 (4), 52–59.Suche in Google Scholar
8. Ministry of Environmental Protection Stationary Source emission – Determination of Mass Concentration of Particulate Matter at Low Concentration – Manual Gravimetric Method (HJ 836 – 2017) [S]; China Environmental Science Press: Beijing, 2017.Suche in Google Scholar
9. Ministry of Environmental Protection Solid Waste–Determination of Metals–Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) (HJ 766 – 2015) [S]; China Environmental Science Press: Beijing, 2015; pp. 12–15.Suche in Google Scholar
10. State Environmental Protection Administration Solid waste-Extraction Procedure for Leaching Toxicity Sulphuric Acid & Nitric Acid Method (HJ/T 299 – 2007) [S]; China Environmental Science Press: Beijing, 2007.Suche in Google Scholar
11. Ministry of Environmental Protection Ambient Air and Stationary Source Emission -Determination of Metals in Ambient Particulate Matter-Inductively Coupled plasma/mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) (HJ 657 – 2013) [S]; China Environmental Science Press: Beijing, 2013.Suche in Google Scholar
12. Ministry of Environmental Protection Water Quality-Determination of 65 Elements- Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (HJ 700 – 2014) [S]; China Environmental Science Press: Beijing, 2014.Suche in Google Scholar
13. Shi, Z. Investigation on Migration and Emission Characteristics of Unconventional Pollutants in Ultra-Low Emission Coal-Fired Power Plants; Southeast University: Nanjing, 2021.Suche in Google Scholar
14. Wenhui, H.; Tang, X. Uranium, Uranium, Thorium and Other Radionuclides in Coal of China. Coal Geol. China 2002, 14 (Supplement), 55–63.Suche in Google Scholar
15. Liu, D.; Yongchun, Z.; Zhang, J. Research Progress of Uranium in Coal and Its Migration Behavior During Coal Combustion. Coal Sci. Technol. 2016, 44 (4), 175–181.Suche in Google Scholar
16. Liu, F., Pan, Z., Liu, S. Investigation and Analysis of the Content of Natural Radionuclide at Coal Mines in China. Radiat. Protect. 2007, 27 (3), 171–180.Suche in Google Scholar
17. Sahu, S. K.; Tiwari, M.; Bhangare, R. C.; Pandit, G. Enrichment and Particle Size Dependence of Polonium and Other Naturally Occurring Radionuclides in Coal Ash. J. Environ. Radioact. 2014, 138, 421–426; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.04.010.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
18. Bhangare, R. C.; Tiwari, M.; Ajmal, P. Y.; Sahu, S. K.; Pandit, G. G. Distribution of Natural Radioactivity in Coal and Combustion Residues of Thermal Power Plantst. J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 2014, 300, 17–22; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-2942-3.Suche in Google Scholar
19. Flues, M.; Camargo, I. M. C.; Silva, P. S. C.; Mazzilli, B. P. Radioactivity of Coal and Ashes from Figueira Coal Power Plant in Brazil. J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 2006, 270 (3), 597–602; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-006-0467-0.Suche in Google Scholar
20. Qiurong, Yu Investigation on the Radioactive Content in Several Types of Coal and Ash from a Coal-Fired Power Plant in Shanghai. Chin J Radiol Med Prot 1996, 16 (6), 374–375.Suche in Google Scholar
21. Xie, G., Tu Chuanhuo, E. Abulimiti. The Natural Radioactive Level of the Coal, Coal Cinder and Slag from Power Plants. J. Xinjiang Univ. (Natural Sci. Edition), 2011, 28 (2), 209–212.Suche in Google Scholar
22. Ministry of Ecology and Environment Regulations for Radiation Protection and Radiation Environment Protection in Uranium Mining and Milling (GB 23727 – 2020) [S]; China Environmental Science Press: Beijing, 2020.Suche in Google Scholar
23. Song, M.; Fu, R.; Lu, Z. Air Concentration, Ground Deposition their Distribution of Airborne Natural Uranium and Thorium Effluent from a coal-fired Power Station. Radiat. Protect. 1987, 7 (2), 96–105.Suche in Google Scholar
24. Khan, I. U. & W. Sun & E. Lewis. Estimation of Various Radiological Parameters Associated with Radioactive Contents Manating with Fly Ash from Sahiwal coal-fuelled Power Plant, Pakistan. Environ. Monit. Assess. 2020, 192, 715; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08669-5.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
25. Wu, J.; Deng, X.; Jiao, F. Resource Utilization Status and Development Trend of Bulk Solid Waste of Coal-based ash/slag. Coal Sci. Techno. 2024, 52 (6), 238–252.Suche in Google Scholar
26. Gao, Z., Wang, J., Luo, C. Present Situation and Prospect of Comprehensive Utilization of Desulfurization Gypsum in China. Indust. Safety Environ. Protect. 2024, 50 (1), :103–106.Suche in Google Scholar
27. Gao, R.; Cao, W.; Pang, C. Study on Application Technology of Coal-Fired Slag in Ready-Mixed Mortar. China Concr. Cement Products 2023, 9, 80–85.Suche in Google Scholar
28. Reddy, M. S.; Basha, S.; Joshi, H.; Jha, B. Evaluation of the Cmission Characteristics of Trace Mctals from Coal and Fucl Oil Firedpower Plants and Their Fate During Combustion. J. Hazard. Mater. 2005, 123 (1–3), 242–249; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.04.008.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
29. Shenghuang, C. A.; Rui, D. A.; Li, B. A Robust Aerogel Incorporated with Phthalocyanine-based Porous Organic Polymers for Highly Efffcient Gold Extraction. Sep. Puriff. Techno. 2025, 354, 129451.10.1016/j.seppur.2024.129451Suche in Google Scholar
© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
