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Effect of bubble flow on radon transfer at the water–air interface: experimental studies using optical methods

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Abstract

This study investigates the impact of varying degrees of bubble flow on radon migration at the water–air interface. An apparatus was designed to monitor the change in the activity concentration of radon transferred from water to air at different levels of bubble flow, and high-speed cameras were used to capture the bubble flow. The optical method determined the captured images’ bubble size and average flow velocity. A mathematical model was used to estimate and experimentally measure the activity concentration of radon in air, resulting in the determination of the optimal radon transfer velocity coefficient (K). Based on the experimental and fitted results, empirical equations for the variation of the radon transfer velocity coefficient under different levels of bubble flow were derived. These formulas show that the radon transfer velocity coefficient does not always increase with increasing levels of bubble flow but increases to an upper limit and then stops.

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Availability statement

All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province of China (grant number 2023JJ30494), Scientific Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department (grant number 22A0296), Foundation of Equipment Pre-research Area (grant number 80927015101) and Science and Technology Plan Project of Hengyang City (grant number 202150063436).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resource Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China

    Hao Tang, Qifu Chen, Hong Wang, Yourui Jiang & Shengyang Feng

  2. Safety Technology Center, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China

    Shengyang Feng

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Tang, H., Chen, Q., Wang, H. et al. Effect of bubble flow on radon transfer at the water–air interface: experimental studies using optical methods. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 333, 1367–1377 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-024-09358-0

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