Containment and removal of radioactive spills by depositing a crosslinked ion exchange composition in a dry form over region of spill
OwnerCalvin Calmoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A new use for ion exchange compositions and a new method for utilizing such compositions in containing and removing spills of radioactive materials. The ion exchange compositions when used with liquid spills are arranged to have a cross-linking which, when they are deposited over the spill, permits them to absorb the liquid spill simultaneously with the occurrence of an exchange of the radioactive ions with the ions of the ion exchange compositions. A dry spill of radioactive material can be contained and removed by using a dampened ion exchange composition which is deposited over the spill. The wet or dry spills can then be readily and safely removed for appropriate disposal.
Claims18
A method of containing and removing spills of liquid radioactive material comprising the steps of
- depositing an ion exchange composition in a dry form over the region where a spill of liquid radioactive material has occurred and over the regions surrounding said spill region, the amount of cross-linking agent in said ion exchange composition being selected so that the radioactive ions of said radioactive material are exchanged with ions of said ion exchange composition, said radioactive ions being held in said ion exchange composition, and said liquid is simultaneously absorbed by said ion exchange composition and substantially confined to said spill region;
- removing said ion exchange composition from said spill region and from said surrounding regions after said ion exchange and said absorption operations have occurred.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.