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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Barriers for radon in uranium mines. Report of investigations 1977

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6869083
Water-based epoxy sealants were examined during a 2-year period to determine their effectiveness as barriers to radon release in uranium mines. Radon emanation rates from uranium ore samples were monitored for extended periods in the laboratory before and after sealant application. Reduction of radon flux due to the coating of lab samples was approximately 80 percent. Test chambers in a dormant uranium mine were monitored to determine both short and long-term barrier effectiveness. These field studies of the sealants indicated reductions greater than 50 percent relatively soon after application and nearly 75 percent more than 1 year later. An unexpected complication to early monitoring in the form of a large radon emanation increase, believed due to added moisture, is discussed.
Research Organization:
Bureau of Mines, Spokane, WA (USA). Spokane Mining Research Center
OSTI ID:
6869083
Report Number(s):
PB-277331; BM-RI-8259
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English