Radon in Water Supply Wells: Treatment Facility Requirements and Costs

Hiltebrand, David J.; Dyksen, John E.; Raman, Kalyan

doi:10.1201/9781003069836-39

Cited by 1 publication

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“…The typical EBCT of activated carbon filters designed to remove solvents and pesticides is short, typically 10-30 minutes (Lykins et al 1990;Crittenden et al 2012), and the reduction of radon is only 40-60% (Lowry & Brandow 1985;Dixon & Lee 1988;Hiltebrand et al 1988). Instead, several previous radon studies have focused on the elimination of very high radon concentrations from raw water with activated carbon.…”

Section: Radon Adsorptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can activated carbon filtration of groundwater cause radiation safety problems?

2022

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Activated carbon filtration is commonly used to remove groundwater contaminants in water utilities. During its use, also groundwater radon is adsorbed on activated carbon where it radioactively decays to Pb-210 within a few days. The intermediate stages of radioactive decay produce gamma radiation outside the filter, which can be harmful to health. In addition, EU legislation sets a clearance level of 1 kBq/kg for the Pb-210 concentration of waste, above which disposal of carbon waste can be complicated, depending on national legislation. This study focused on activated carbon filters from two groundwater plants. Measurements were made over the service lifetime of the activated carbon and included measurements of adsorption of radon from water to carbon, radiation dose rates outside the filters and Pb-210 concentrations in the carbon. The study observed a rapid decrease in the radon adsorption rate of activated carbon during the first year of use. This phenomenon has a significant effect on the concentration of Pb-210 in the activated carbon waste at the end of service life. The calculated forecast model clearly showed that the risk of exceeding the clearance level of Pb-210 increases if the radon concentration in the raw water exceeds 100 Bq/L.

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Section: Radon Adsorptionmentioning

confidence: 99%