Mining, Minerals Processing and Metallurgical Engineering

Mechanism of radon exhalation suppression in radioactive tailings using Na2nSiO2−CaCl2 modified covering soil

Expand
  • 1. School of Resources, Environmental and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China;

    2. Key Laboratory of Emergency Safety Technology and Equipment of Nuclear Facilities in Hunan Province, Hengyang 421001, China

Online published: 2026-01-28

Abstract

The radon control mechanism of Na2nSiO2−CaCl2 modified soil was studied through the laboratory simulation experiment of tailing covering radon control. The radon exhalation rate (J) is negatively correlated with the coverage thickness (H), and it has a non-linear relationship with the temperature. The moisture content variation rate of the covering soil significantly decreases, which helps to reduce soil damage and enhance the resistance of the covering soil to ambient temperature interference. The formation of silicic gel and C−S−H gel effectively optimizes the pore structure and permeability, reduces the diffusion and migration of radon gas in the covering soil, and the average radon exhalation rate is decreased by 1.01×10−2 Bq/(m3·s). The research results show that the Na2nSiO2−CaCl2 modified covering soil can effectively improve the radon control performance of the covering soil and reduce the cost of cover treatment.

Cite this article

Guo-kai XIONG, Hong WANG, Xiang-jiang WANG . Mechanism of radon exhalation suppression in radioactive tailings using Na2nSiO2−CaCl2 modified covering soil[J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2025 , 35(12) : 4294 -4304 . DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(25)66945-7

Outlines

/