Modeling air flow dynamics in radon mitigation systems: A simplified approach

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1991.10466946· OSTI ID:5701595

Reddy, T A; Gadsby, K J; Black, III, H E; Harrje, D T ^[1]; Sextro, R G ^[2]

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1. Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
2. Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)

Subslab air flow dynamics provide important diagnostic information for designing optimal radon mitigation systems based on the subslab depressurization technique. In this paper, it is suggested that subslab air flow induced by a central suction point be treated as radial air flow through a porous bed contained between two impermeable disks. Next, the authors show that subslab air flow is most likely to be turbulent under actual field situations in houses with subslab gravel beds, while remaining laminar when soil is present under the slab. The physical significance of this model is discussed and simplified closed-form equations are derived to predict pressure and flows at various distances from a single central depressurization point. A laboratory apparatus was built in order to verify their model and experimentally determine the model coefficients of the pressure drop versus flow for commonly encountered subslab gravel materials. These pressure drop coefficients can be used in conjunction with the simplified model as a rational means of assessing subslab connectivity in actual houses, which is an important aspect of the pre-mitigation diagnostic phase. Preliminary field verification results in a house with gravel under the basement slab are presented and discussed.

• OSTI ID: 5701595
• Journal Information: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States) Vol. 41:11; ISSN JAWAE; ISSN 1047-3289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR FLOW
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
DEPRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GAS FLOW
GASES
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NONMETALS
POLLUTION
PRESSURE DROP
RADON
RARE GASES
REMEDIAL ACTION
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
TURBULENT FLOW