Demonstration and evaluation of the CORPEX{trademark} Nuclear Decontamination Process, Technical task plan No. SR152005. Final Report

Technical Report · Wed Apr 30 04:00:00 EDT 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/537272· OSTI ID:537272

May, C G

In June, 1995, the Decontamination and Decommissioning Focus Area funded a demonstration of the CORPEX Nuclear Decontamination Process in an Old Metallography Laboratory glovebox at the Savannah River Site. The objective of the demonstration was to prove the effectiveness of a new and innovative technology that would reduce the risks associated with future cleanups of plutonium-238 contaminated equipment in the DOE complex. After facility and vendor preparations in support of the demonstration, Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC) was informed by the vendor that the chemistry proposed for use in the decontamination process was not effective on sintered plutonium, which was the form of plutonium in the selected glovebox. After further technical evaluation, the demonstration was canceled. This report describes the work performed in support of the demonstration and the present status of the project. The CORPEX chemical process is a nondestructive cleaning method that removes only the contaminant and the matrix that fixed the contaminant to the surface. It does not damage the substrate. The cleaning agent is destroyed by the addition of proprietary oxidizers, leaving water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases, and a sludge as waste.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-96SR18500
• OSTI ID: 537272
• Report Number(s): WSRC-RP--97-284; ON: DE97053958
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
CHELATING AGENTS
DECONTAMINATION
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
DISSOLUTION
FAILURES
GLOVEBOXES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PERFORMANCE
PLUTONIUM 238
PROGRESS REPORT
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SOLVENTS
SURFACE CLEANING