ELECTROLYTIC DECONTAMINATION OF CONDUCTIVE MATERIALS

[摘要] Using the electrolytic method, we have demonstrated removal of Pu and Am from contaminated conductive material. At EG&G/Rocky Flats, we electrolytically decontaminated stainless steel. Results from this work show removal of fixed contamination, including the following geometries: planar, large radius, bolt holes, glove ports, and protruding studs. More specifically, fixed contamination was reduced from levels ranging from > 1 000 000 counts per minute (cpm) down to levels ranging from 1500 to 250 cpm using the electrolytic method. More recently, the electrolytic work has continued at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a joint project with EG&G/Rocky Flats, Impressively, electrolytic decontamination of Pu/Am from U surfaces (10 cm(2) per side) shows decreases in swipable contamination from 500 000-1 500 000 disintegrations per minute (dpm) down to 0-2 dpm. Moreover, the solid waste product of the electrolytic method is reduced in volume by more than 50 times compared with the liquid waste produced by the previous U decontamination method - a hot concentrated acid spray leach process.

[发布日期] 1994-10-01

[效力级别]  Proceedings Paper