Simultaneous determination of the radon diffusion coefficient and the free radon production rate from compact porous emanation media

The radon diffusion coefficient and the free radon production rate are important parameters for used to describe the migration of radon in porous emanation media. However, the method currently used to determine these two parameters is complicated. Based on a theory of the radon exhalation by diffusion from the inner and outer surfaces of a circular tube, a method to determine these two parameters in compact porous emanation media was proposed, and an experimental measuring device was designed and manufactured. The experimental device was used to simultaneously measure the radon exhalation rate from the inner and outer surfaces of a quarter-circular tubular concrete block filled with fine-grained uranium tailing sand. The measurements were used to calculate the radon diffusion coefficient and the free radon production rate. The result obtained by using this method shows that accuracy was within the accepted range of experimental error. This method has practical value for the simultaneous determination of the radon diffusion coefficient and the free radon production rate from compact porous emanation media.