Method for decontamination of nuclear plant components
AssigneeElectric Power Research Insitute, Inc.
InventorsChristopher J. Wood, David Bradbury, George R. Elder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for removing undesirable material such as a radioactive contaminant from an underlying material. A solution containing fluoroboric acid and a material which affects the fluoroboric acid solution oxidation potential (Eh) is contacted with the contaminant material to cause its removal. The contaminant material is removed from the fluoroboric acid solution by contacting the fluoroboric acid solution which has been contacted with the contaminant material with a cation exchange resin.
Claims11
A process for decontaminating a contaminated material comprising:
- providing a solution containing less than 50 milli-moles of fluoroboric acid per liter;
- contacting the fluoroboric acid solution with a material which causes the oxidation potential (Eh) of the solution to range from about 500 to about 1200 mV versus a Standard Calomel Electrode, wherein the material which causes the oxidation potential (Eh) of the solution to range from about 500 to 1200 mV is selected from the group consisting of hydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, potassium permanganate and combinations thereof;
- contacting the fluoroboric acid solution with the contaminated material;
- and,
- removing a contaminant from the contaminated material by continuously contacting the fluoroboric acid solution with a cation exchange resin to remove the contaminants from the solution and to regenerate the fluoroboric acid in situ for use in continuous decontamination.
A process for removing metal from a substrate comprising:
- providing a solution containing less than 50 milli-moles of fluoroboric acid per liter;
- contacting the fluoroboric acid solution with a material which causes the oxidation potential (Eh) of the solution to range from about 500 to about 1200 mV versus a Standard Calomel Electrode, wherein the material which causes the oxidation potential (Eh) of the solution to range from about 500 to 1200 mV is selected from the group consisting of hydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, potassium permanganate and combinations thereof;
- contacting the fluoroboric acid solution with the substrate;
- and,
- removing metal from the substrate by continuously contacting the fluoroboric acid solution with a cation exchange resin to remove the metal from the solution and to regenerate the fluoroboric acid in situ for use in continuous removal of metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.