Estimation of Po-210 and Pb-210 Emissions from Coal Energy Use in China

摘要

Surveys on Po-210 and Pb-210 levels in atmosphere in China were reviewed, and the average concentration of Po-210 and Pb-210 in atmosphere were 1.7 mBq/m~3 (ranging from 0.12 to 9.4 mBq/m~3) and 0.70 mBq/m~3(ranging from 0.03 to 1.83 mBq/m~3) respectively, which are apparently higher than that the world average level. Based on emission factors method, Po-210 and Pb-210 emissions from coal energy use in China were estimated and the result were 1.34×10~3 GBq/a and 9.38×10~2 GBq/a, among which utility boilers, industrial boilers and civil boilers contribute 8%, 31% and 60% respectively. Coal burning is the largest artificial source of excess Po-210 and Pb-210 in atmosphere in China and civil boilers is the most inefficient and polluted way of coal energy use as lacking of dust removal facilities and discharging exhaust air directly at a relatively lower height into the atmosphere. Coal-to-gas switch and coal-to-electricity switch in civil energy use should be advanced and dust removal technologies that can effectively retain volatile nuclides Po-210 and Pb-210 should be further studied.