The potential re-use of red mud in the building and construction industry has
been the subject of research of many scientists. The presented research is a
contribution to the potential solution of this environmental issue through
the synthesis of potential construction materials based on red mud. A
promising way of recycling these secondary raw materials is the synthesis of
alkali-activated binders or alkali activated materials. Alkali-activated
materials or inorganic binders based on red mud are a new class of materials
obtained by activation of inorganic precursors mainly constituted by
silica, alumina and low content of calcium oxide. Since red mud contains
radioactive elements like 226Ra and 232Th, this may be a problem for its
further utilization. The content of naturally occurring radionuclides in
manufactured material products with potential application in the building
and construction industry is important from the standpoint of radiation
protection. Gamma radiation of the primordial radionuclides, 40K and members
of the uranium and thorium series, increases the external gamma dose rate.
However, more and more precedence is being given to limiting the
radiological dose originating from building materials on the population
these days. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible
influence of alkali activation-polymerization processes on the natural
radioactivity of alkali activated materials synthesized by red mud (BOKSIT
a. d. Milici, Zvornik, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and their structural
properties. This research confirmed that during the polymerization process
the natural radioactivity was reduced, and that the process of alkali
activation of raw materials has an influence on natural radioactivity of
synthesized materials.
Study of Natural Radioactivity, Radon Exhalation Rate and Radiation Doses in Coal and Flyash Samples from Thermal Power Plants, India