Evaluation of accurate measurement methods for radon exhalation rate with advection effect and application in field

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2024-09, Vol.477, p.135339, Article 135339
• Main Authors: Xia, Ming, Ye, Yongjun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advection; Improved method; Numerical simulation; Radon exhalation rate; Uranium mill tailings
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135339

In decommissioning of a uranium tailings pond, radon exhalation rates on a beach surface should meet regulatory standards. Accurate measurements of the radon exhalation rate are demanded. However, current studies fail to consider the impact of advection under temperature variations or pressure gradients caused by gas movement on measurements using an accumulation chamber. Two proposed methods were therefore evaluated to accurately measure radon exhalation rates on the loose medium surface under advective conditions. Repeated experiments were conducted on a laboratory experimental platform filled with uranium tailings sand under advective flow rates of 0.03 and 0.3 L/min to validate the stability and reliability. Deviations between measured and true values were 0.1–6.1 % and 6.3–29.2 % for the two methods, respectively. Subsequently, numerical simulation was used to analyze defects of traditional methods and mechanisms of the new methods. In a field study, all methods were compared, and a predictive map of radon exhalation rates was created using interpolated data from 20 random sites using the new method. Results from the proposed methods, compared with traditional ones, were closer to true values under advective conditions, and accurate assessment of beach surface treatment was expected. [Display omitted] •Limitation of closed-loop and flow-through methods under advective conditions was disclosed.•Feasible methods for accurate measurement with sensing advection was proposed.•Dynamic patterns of radon migration during measurement were revealed in numerical simulations.•Predictive map of radon exhalation rates was established based on field data.