Numerical Simulation of Atmospheric Diffusion of Radon Emanating From Flat Ground Uranium Tailings Impoundment in Different Heights

Abstract:

The atmospheric diffusion and concentration distribution of radon (emanation rate is 6.06 Bq/m²s ) emanating from the flat ground uranium tailings impoundment at various heights(0m, 10m, 20m, and 30m) are simulated. The numerical results show that the different height of the tailings impoundment will mainly influence the radon concentration that could change in the range of 16~250 Bq/m3 at the downwind region of 0-300m. The radon concentration and annual effective doses for public from radon decrease sharply with the increasing distance away from tailings impoundment, are higher than that of the decommissioned uranium tailings impoundment (its height is 30m, radon emanation rate is 0.74 Bq/m²s ). The annual effective doses for public from radon are highly up to 1.12 mSv/a, and are 0.12 mSv/a greater than the national standard in the range of 800m. Considering the difference of average radon emanation rate and other factors, the protective distance from radon should be adjusted appropriately.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 518-523)
• Pages: 1677-1681
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.518-523.1677
• Online since: May 2012
• Authors: Xiao Yong Peng, Zhen Hao Liu, Qing Fang Xie, Xin Zhang, Fen Wan, Shuai Huang
• Keywords: Atmospheric Diffusion, Environmental Effect, Numerical Simulation, Radon Emanation, Uranium Tailings Impoundmen

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