Optimization of filtration for the reduction of lung dose from Rn decay products: Part II--Experimental.
Research was performed to determine the validity of a model developed to theoretically predict the optimal characteristics of a recirculating filter system for minimizing the lung dose to a person breathing airborne Rn progeny. Four designs, each with different filter thicknesses, solidities, and fiber diameters, were tested to evaluate the accuracy of the model over a range of parameters. Increasing thicknesses were then tested for the most effective filter design to provide a more definitive comparison of experimental data and model predictions for this key parameter. The experimental data supported the conclusion that the most effective design was a thin filter of low solidity composed of coarse fibers. Although the maximum reduction in the dose-equivalent rate observed in these experiments was 50%, this was largely due to constraints on the experimental arrangements. With properly constructed filter units, much better removal efficiencies can undoubtedly be achieved.
Curling
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CA
Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Science and Physiology, Boston, MA 02115.
Rudnick
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Harrington
D P
DP
Moeller
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DW
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D001729:Bismuth; D004867:Equipment Design; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead; D008168:Lung; D011059:Polonium; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017687:Radon Daughters
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D017687:Radon Daughters; D007854:Lead; D011059:Polonium; D001729:Bismuth