Cálculo del coeficiente de exhalación de radón de la papa, usando la técnica Electret Ion Chamber

Abstract

This Degree Thesis, carried out at the Nuclear Techniques Laboratory of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, extends the use of the Electret Ion Chamber technique to to determine the surface and mass exhalation rate of radon from four different varieties of potato (Pusa, Superchola, Única and Pera) grown in the province of Bolívar. Nineteen independent experiments were carried out, using samples of 72 grams with a particle size of granulometry of 3mm and 6mm. In order to obtain more accurate results in the calculations of surface and mass exhalation, the elevation correction factor (ECF) was applied. The average rate of and mass exhalation corrected by the ECF show a value higher than 40% compared to the uncorrected ones. Superchola and Única potato samples with a particle size of 3 mm show equal mean surface and mass exhalation rate, within the uncertainties (0.65 Bq per square metre per hour and 0.05 Bq per square metre per hour). per square metre per hour and 0.05 Bq per kilogram per hour respectively), the same is true for the Pera and Pusa varieties. (0.45 Bq per square metre per hour and 0.03 Bq per kilogramme per hour respectively); however, the values for the varieties Superchola and Única are higher than for the varieties Pera and Pusa. Potato samples of Superchola, Única, Pera and Pusa with 6 mm particle size show the same average surface and mass radon exhalation rate (0.57 Bq per metre). (0.57 Bq per square metre per hour and 0.04 Bq per kilogram per hour respectively). The granulometry of the potato samples influences on the surface and mass exhalation rate of radon. Finally, in order to obtain a single exhalation value, the mean value of the 19 individual measurements was calculated, the results were 0.55 Bq per square metre per hour and 0.05 Bq per kilogram per hour respectively.