Alkali activation of different type of ash as a production of combustion process

Presented study deals with the final structure and radiological properties of different fly ash-based geopolymers. lignite fly-ash (lignite Kolubara - Serbia) and wood fly ash were obtained in combustion process together with commercial fly ash. Synthesis of the geopolymers was conducted by mixing fly ash, sodium silicate solution, NaOH and water. The samples were cured at 60?C for 48h after staying at room temperature in covering mold for 24 h. X - ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra - red and Scanning electron microscope measurements were conducted on the samples after 28 days of geopolymerization process. X-ray diffraction measurements of lignite fly ash samples show anhydrite as the main constituent, while wood fly ash samples consist of calcite, albite and gypsum minerals. Beside of determination of physical-chemical properties, the aim of this study was radiological characterization of lignite fly ash, wood fly ash and the obtained geopolymer products. Activity concentration of 40K and radionuclides from the 238U and 232Th decay series in ash samples and fly ash-based geopolymers were determined by means of gamma-ray spectrometry, and the absorbed dose rate rate (D) and the annual effective dose rate (E) were calculated in accordance with the UNSCEAR 2000 report.