Experimental and theoretical investigation of electrokinetic decontamination of concrete
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Contamination of concrete by radionuclides and metals is a widespread problem throughout the nuclear power industry and the Department of Energy. Electrokinetic decontamination appears to be an attractive technology for application to this problem due to the possibility for decontamination without removal of concrete and limited labor requirements; however, further experimental and theoretical work is necessary to fully understand the process and to define the capabilities and limitations of the technology. This paper presents details of experimental and theoretical studies of the process and their implications for field demonstrations. Preliminary results of these studies indicate that electroosmosis is not likely to be the dominant transport mechanism in most cases; rather, most species will be transported by electromigration. Batch equilibration tests have shown that removal of each contaminant will be governed largely by the chemistry of the concrete, contaminant, and lixiviant; in particular, precipitation of species such as cobalt and uranium will limit transport in the normally high-pH concrete pore solution. It is recommended that laboratory determination of site-specific isotherms be made prior to demonstrations of this technology. Dynamic experiments indicate that it is possible to transport non-precipitating species. The results of a computational model have been shown to be in good agreement with dynamic experiments; therefore, this model will provide a valuable tool for the further investigation and optimization of electrokinetic decontamination of concrete.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 210174
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9509139--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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