Characterization and radionuclides contents of diatomaceous earth from Kolubara mining basin, Serbia

Diatomaceous earth is of sedimentary origin consists mainly of accumulated skeletons formed as a protective covering of the diatoms. Usually, high absorption capacity of diatomaceous earth provides its wide use as heat insulation, filter and absorbent material. Starting raw material diatomaceous earth from surface coal mine Kolubara, Serbia, was characterized using, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD). Chemical composition of diatomaceous earth was determined by wet chemical methods. In addition, the absorbed gamma ray dose rates is estimated based on the measured activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in clay were determined by gamma spectrometry. This research shows that this material is environmentally safe for further use

Characterization of clay from Kolubara mining basin, Serbia

During coal exploitation in the Kolubara mining basin, Serbia, clay is deposited as accompanying mineral. The aim of the present study is to analyze the activity concentrations of terrestrial (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radionuclides in clay collected from Kolubara mining using the high resolution gamma spectrometer with HPGe detector and evaluate external ionizing radiation exposure in outdoor air. The total absorbed gamma dose was in the range of 39-44 nGy/h. In addition, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluoroscence (XRF), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) clay from Kolubara mining basin, Serbia, were used. Also, this study is indicative that clay from Kolubara mining is not a significant source of radiation and is suitable for potential use clay in advanced environmental protection area

Composition and natural radionuclides in clay from Kolubara mining basin, Serbia

The mining basin Kolubara lies about 50 km southwest of Belgrade and stretches across the river Kolubara from Lajkovac to its mouth in the Sava River. During coal exploitation a huge amount of clay is deposited as separate layer. Clay as a raw mineral material has a high economic potential due to their low price and high abundance. This material is used for various applications such as filters, heat insulators, absorbents, catalyst supports, building materialn and advanced environmental applications. Clay from Kolubara mining basin is caracterised by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in clay from Kolubara mining, were determined by gamma ray spectrometry with HP Ge detector

Characterization of diatomaceous earth from Kolubara mining basin, Serbia

Diatomaceous earth is of sedimentary origin consists mainly of accumulated skeletons formed as a protective covering of the diatoms. Usually, high absorption capacity of diatomaceous earth provides its wide use as heat insulation, filter, and absorbent material. Starting raw material, diatomaceous earth from surface coal mine Kolubara, Serbia, was characterized using X-ray fluoroscence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to the phases and microstructure of the diatomaceous earth. In addition, concentrations of activity of natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra and 232Th and anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs in diatomaceous earth were determined by gamma spectrometry with HPGe detector. It was found that the activity concentrations were in the range of 150-190 Bq / kg for 40K, 5-12 Bq / kg for 226Ra and 22-33 Bk / kg for 232Th. In all samples, the concentration of anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs was below the detection limit. This research shows that this material is environmentally safe for further use

The influence of hydrochloric acid on the features of SBA-15 particles

The template method synthesis of both SBA-15 materials with elongated and spherical particles was performed using a surfactant Pluronic P123. The HCl (p.a.) was used to synthesize material with elongated particles connected in chain structures grouped into shapes resembling sheaves of wheat. In the synthesis of spherical SBA-15 with diameters ranging from 0.5 to 2 μm, a spent HCl solution which was obtained after chemical treatment of clay was used where the dominant presence of the spheres was confirmed by the SEM method. In addition to the methods mentioned above, XRD, EDS and FTIR methods characterize SBA-15 materials