Portable Radon Measurement Device With Integrated Dehumidification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring radon in groundwater require separate dehumidifying devices and are either expensive, time-consuming, or not suitable for immediate field measurements, limiting their mobility and practicality.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device with a simple configuration that includes a groundwater sample chamber, air pump, buffer chamber, radon measurement part, and control system, which generates air bubbles, detects alpha particles, and calculates radon concentration in real-time without the need for a separate dehumidifying device, allowing for quick and reliable measurements on-site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate dehumidifying device is used in the gas emission method, then radon measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradon measurement reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the dehumidifying function directly into the radon measurement device by incorporating a dehumidifying agent chamber and airflow path within the main device body. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate external dehumidifying equipment, thereby maintaining measurement reliability while reducing overall system complexity and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dehumidifying agent as an intermediary substance placed within the device to remove excess moisture from the air before it reaches the measurement chamber. This intermediary component handles the dehumidification task internally, allowing the device to maintain reliable measurements without requiring complex external dehumidifying systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a separate dehumidifying device is used in the gas emission method, then radon measurement reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradon measurement reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the dehumidifying agent chamber, airflow generation means, and radon measurement chamber into a single integrated device. This merging allows the operator to perform radon measurement with a single piece of equipment rather than coordinating multiple separate devices, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to automatically manage the dehumidification process through its internal airflow generation means that circulates air through the dehumidifying agent and into the measurement chamber without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operators to manually set up or manage separate dehumidifying equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If liquid scintillation counting method is used, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dehumidifying agent that can be replaced periodically as a consumable component, rather than requiring expensive permanent infrastructure like liquid scintillation counters. This approach maintains adequate measurement precision for field applications while dramatically reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying device production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical and chemical systems of liquid scintillation counting with a simpler airflow-based gas emission method using a dehumidifying agent. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive scintillation cocktails, photomultiplier tubes, and complex sample preparation equipment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining practical measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If time-integrated method is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but productivity worsens due to long measurement time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidmeasurement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic airflow generated by the airflow generation means to continuously circulate air through the dehumidifying agent and into the measurement chamber. This periodic action enables active sampling and faster equilibration compared to passive time-integrated methods, achieving both low cost and improved measurement speed suitable for field productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device maintains continuous airflow through the measurement chamber during the measurement process, ensuring constant sampling and detection of radon gas. This continuous action eliminates the long waiting periods required by time-integrated methods, thereby improving productivity while keeping the device simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables reliable, cost-effective, and immediate radon concentration measurements in groundwater while moving from site to site, eliminating the need for a separate dehumidifying device and providing real-time data transmission and display.

Implementation Method 1

an air pump (300) provided inside the main body (100), and configured to inject air into the water sample stored in the groundwater sample chamber (200) at a constant pressure, and generating air bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas injection and bubble formation: Bubble

Implementation Method 2

a radon measurement part (500) provided inside the main body (100), and configured to suction the air temporarily stored in the buffer chamber (400), detect in real time alpha particles present in the buffer chamber (400)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlpha particle detection: Radioactive Decay

Implementation Method 3

the buffer chamber (400) is provided with a plurality of partitions (410) installed therein for increasing an inner surface area in order to maintain moisture in the air bubbled by the air pump (300) at a constant humidity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHumidity control through surface area: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3893026B1Portable groundwater radon measurement apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.11.22 FTLAB

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A mobile device for measuring radon in groundwater is proposed. The mobile device for measuring radon in groundwater has an effect in that the mobile device enables a user to achieve the same level of reliability as the conventional technology, a previously applied separate dehumidifying device is not required in measuring the radon concentration in groundwater, and while moving from site to site, the user is able to quickly measure the radon concentration in groundwater by the mobile device with a simple configuration and low cost.