Method for decontaminating a pressurized water nuclear reactor system

Patent · Tue Jun 18 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5559934

Murray, A P

This paper describes the method of decontaminating metal surfaces having an oxide coating containing radioactive substances comprising: providing an aqueous decontamination solution. It comprises: an aqueous solution of a weak chelating agent capable of forming multiligand complexes with metals, the chelating agent present in an amount of between about 0.1 to 2.0 percent based on the weight of the solution, and a ferrous salt in an amount to provide 50 to 500 parts per million iron based on the weight of the solution; and passing the decontamination solution over the metal surfaces. This patent also describes a method of dissolving radioactive corrosion products from the internal metallic surfaces of a pressurized water nuclear reactor. It comprises: providing an aqueous decontamination solution which comprises an aqueous solution of a weak chelating agent capable of forming multiligand complexes with metals of the metallic surfaces, the chelating agent present in an amount of between about 0.1 to 2.0 percent based on the weight of the solution, and a ferrous salt in an amount to provide 50 to 500 parts per million iron based on the weight of the solution; passing the decontamination solution over the metallic surfaces.

• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5024805
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-391263
• OSTI ID: 5559934
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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CHELATING AGENTS
CLEANING
COATINGS
DECONTAMINATION
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
PROTECTIVE COATINGS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
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THERMAL REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS