A PROCEDURE FOR THE CONTINUOUS DETERMINATION OF RADON IN ATMOSPHERIC AIR. APPLICATION TO THE PROSPECTION OF URANIUM

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1960 · J. phys. radium.

OSTI ID:4081377

Blanc, D; Fontan, J; Vedrenne, G

The apparatus allows a continuous recording of the radon content of atmospheric air. A very powerful pump sucks the air being analyzed through a paper filter, the efficiency of which is great enough to eliminate all radioactive particles in the aspirated volume. Any excessive charge loss can be avoided by the use of filtere with large surface, in series. Then, the air goes into a leakproof disintegration chamber the capacity of which is several hundreds of liters. A part of the radon content is disintegrated in it; when leaving the chamber, the particles of radioactive products are collected by another paper filter having a great efficiency. The alpha activity of the filter is continuously measured with an integrator and a graphic meter. The device makes possible the dosage of radon concentration of 2 x 10/sup -14/ curie by liter. A "BABAR" type apparatus can be added to the device: it permits measurement of the activity of radioactive products of radon in air; the air passes through a filter of paper which unwinds before a photomultiplier, and such is the unwinding speed that activity due to the radioactive products of thoron is negligible. These devices, used together, allow a simultaneous registering of activity imputable to radon and to its radioactive products. The ratio between both activities is a function of the time at which the radon has been emitted from the ground; knowing wind direction and speed, localization of uranium deposits will be possible. This method is suitable for remote prospecting in regions of difficult access. (auth)

• Research Organization: Faculte des Sciences, Toulouse
• NSA Number: NSA-15-011341
• OSTI ID: 4081377
• Journal Information: J. phys. radium., Journal Name: J. phys. radium. Vol. Vol: 21: Suppl. No. 11
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: French

Related Subjects

AIR
ALPHA DECAY
ATMOSPHERE
DECAY
DEPOSITS
DISTRIBUTION
EFFICIENCY
FILTERS
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND METEOROLOGY
LOSSES
PAPER
PHOTOMULTIPLIERS
PRESSURE
PROSPECTING
PUMPS
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADON
RADON 220
RECORDING SYSTEMS
SAMPLING
URANIUM ORES
VELOCITY
WIND