LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF DECONTAMINATING SOLUTIONS FOR PRESENT REACTORS

Technical Report · Wed Sep 14 04:00:00 EDT 1960

OSTI ID:4839281

Mendel, J E

ABS>A mixture of 0.9M sulfuric acid-0.3M oxalic acid-1 g/l phenylthiorea at 60 deg C was the best decontamination agent tested for both aluminum process tubing and stainless steel pigtail surfaces. Decontamination factors of more than ten were achieved with ten minutes contact time. The oxide film containing the radioactive contaminants was not dissolved but only loosened from the surface. A flushing action was necessary to achieve best decontamination. The sulfuric acid-oxalic acid mixture is much less corrosive to aluminum than is Sulfur-1. However, its attack on carbon and stainless steel is quite severe, and a corrosion inhibitor must be added to protect these metals. Several corrosion inhibitors were tested which provided adequate protection. From these phenylthiourea was chosen for use. The results of tests evaluating about twenty other candidate decontaminating agents, including several proprietary cleaners, are also reported. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-52
• NSA Number: NSA-15-031896
• OSTI ID: 4839281
• Report Number(s): HW-67037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALUMINUM
BIOCHEMISTRY
CARBON STEELS
CORROSION
CORROSION PROTECTION
DECONTAMINATION
EFFICIENCY
FILMS
INHIBITION
OXALIC ACID
OXIDES
STAINLESS STEELS
STERILIZATION
SULFURIC ACID
SURFACES
TESTING
TUBES
UREA
WASTE DISPOSAL AND PROCESSING