Role of nuclear and radiation technologies in oil, gas and coal mining, distribution and power sector applications

Nuclear and radiation technologies play an important role in power sector, starting from fossil fuels exploitation, their transport and distribution and finally power generation. Application of environmental isotopes, stable and radioactive, in ground water monitoring in the vicinity of open cast lignite mine, radon monitor applied for miner’s safety in deep coal mines and nucleonic control systems for ash in coal control are discussed in the paper. Other applications of nuclear techniques reviewed, concern the oil industry, oil field recovery, transportation pipelines and refineries. Finally, the application of beta radiation-based gauges for air borne fly ash monitoring and radiation technology for flue gas treatment are the examples of using this technique in power sector equipped with coal and oil fired boilers.