Influence of aerosol concentration and multivariate processing on indication of radon progeny concentration in air

Indication of concentration of radon progeny gauge in air is sensitive to aerosol concentration. Minimum detectable concentration and accuracy of the measurement is determined by random errors of the gauge. Multivariate data processing can be used to decrease random errors. To investigate influence of aerosol concentration on indication of radon progeny concentration in air, measurements of mining radiometer, operating on the principle of alpha radiation detection from radon progeny deposited on air filter, were carried out in radon chamber. Aerosol concentration and radon concentration in radon chamber were controlled and measurements of radon progeny concentration was measured by radon progeny monitor. Additionally count rate from the monitor detector originating from alpha activity deposited on air filter was measured in 1 min. intervals that were later used for three interval, and Principal Component Regression (PCR) data processing. It was found that for aerosol concentration in air from 40 p/cm3 to approx. 9 000 p/cm3 indications of the radon progeny monitor depends considerably on aerosol concentration. Radon daughters concentration normalized to radon concentration against aerosol concentration varied from 0.3-0.9. In mines where the aerosol concentration generally is high, this phenomenon has a little effect on the indication of the radon progeny monitor, but is has to be taken into account where aerosol concentration is low. Comparison of random errors when measured signal of the monitor (count rate against time) was processed employing three interval method and PCR data processing shows that PCR ensures 2-3 times lower random error than three interval data processing. (author)