Phosphogypsum barrier materials dataset

This dataset contains the experimental data generated during the evaluation of different materials as potential barriers against radon released from phosphogypsum. It includes the raw radon concentration measurements recorded in the source and receiver chambers during 148.5-hour tests, the main specifications of the experimental set-up used to perform the measurements, and the thickness measurements of the tested materials. The experimental data were used to determine the radon concentration reduction achieved by each material, as reported in the associated conference proceedings paper. The experimental data were generated using a two-chamber experimental set-up designed in accordance with ISO/TS 11665-13:2017 to evaluate the effectiveness of different materials as barriers against radon released from phosphogypsum. It consisted of two sealed AISI 316L stainless steel chambers (2 mm thickness, 0.801 L volume and 78.5 cm² test area) separated by the test sample. Phosphogypsum with an activity of 2.29 Bq was placed inside the source chamber, while the receiver chamber collected the radon that permeated through the sample. Radon concentration in both chambers was continuously monitored using two Durridge RAD7 detectors. Ten different materials were evaluated. Each test lasted 148.5 hours, during which radon concentrations in the source and receiver chambers were recorded at 1.5 hour intervals. These raw experimental data were used to determine the percentage reduction in radon concentration achieved by each material.The dataset also includes the main specifications of the experimental set-up, such as chamber characteristics, phosphogypsum activity and test area. The thickness of each material was determined from eight measurements taken at different locations, from which the mean thickness and the standard deviation were calculated. The radon concentration data recorded by the RAD7 detectors at 1.5 hour intervals were exported. For each experiment, the dataset includes the test date and the radon concentration values measured in the source and receiver chambers throughout the 148.5 hour test. No additional processing was applied to the concentration data. The experimental set-up specifications were compiled. For the thickness data, the reported mean thickness and standard deviation were calculated from eight thickness measurements taken at different locations on each material.