226Ra, 228Ra and 40K in scales from boilers of industrial installations

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to determine concentrations of 226 Ra, 228 Ra and 40 K in scales generated inside industrial boilers. Radionuclide activities were determined by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Activity concentrations of 226 Ra were in the range of 3.0 (22) to 1300 (6) Bq kg -1 and 228 Ra activity concentrations varied from \2.0 Bq kg -1 (Minimum detectable activity concentration) to 266 (3) Bq kg -1 . Activity concentrations of 40 K were in the range of \15 Bq kg -1 (Minimum detectable activity concentration) to 290 (5) Bq kg -1 . Activity concentrations were lower than the limits established by the Brazilian Commission of Nuclear Energy.