Effects of some physical conditions on leaching rate of radon from radioactive minerals originating from some hot springs

Sakoda, Akihiro*   ; Hanamoto, Katsumi*; Ishimori, Yuu  ; Nagamatsu, Tomohiro*; Yamaoka, Kiyonori*

In order to determine the best physical conditions for leaching more radon from minerals into water, we measured the leaching rate of radon from radioactive minerals under the conditions of some different grain sizes and water temperatures. Water temperature affected the leaching rate of radon although the grain size did not significantly affect it. Furthermore, we proposed ultrasonic irradiation to the mixture of a mineral and water as the method of leaching more radon. Ultrasonic irradiation was efficient to leach more radon from the mineral soaked in water because of ultrasonic cavitation.