An improved mathematical model for prediction of air quantity to minimise radiation levels in underground uranium mines

Ventilation is the primary means of controlling radon and its daughter concentrations in an underground uranium mine environment. Therefore, prediction of air quantity is the vital component for planning and designing of ventilation systems to minimise the radiation exposure of miners in underground uranium mines. This paper comprehensively describes the derivation and verification of an improved mathematical model for prediction of air quantity, based on the growth of radon daughters in terms of potential alpha energy concentration (PAEC), to reduce the radiation levels in uranium mines. The model also explains the prediction of air quantity depending upon the quality of intake air to the stopes. This model can be used to evaluate the contribution of different sources to radon concentration in mine atmosphere based on the measurements of radon emanation and exhalation. Moreover, a mathematical relationship has been established for quick prediction of air quantity to achieve the desired radon daughter concentration in the mines. - Highlights: • Proposed an improved model to predict air quantity for underground uranium mines. • The model predicts the air quantity depending on the quality of intake air to the stope. • The model will be useful for designing ventilation systems of underground uranium mines. • The mathematical model was used to identify the main sources of radon in mine air. • Established a relationship between air quantity and potential alpha energy concentration