Chemical decontamination of metals

Conference · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5616293

Partridge, J. A.; Lerch, R. E.

A metal decontamination process based upon removal of contamination by treatment with a cerium (IV)-nitric acid solution (or other redox agent in nitric acid) is feasible and highly promising. The technique is effective in dissolving the surface layer of stainless steel. Dissolution rates of approximately 1.5 mils/h were demonstrated with cerium (IV)-nitric acid solutions. Removal of plutonium contamination from stainless steel was demonstrated in laboratory tests, in which activity levels were reduced from greater than 5 x 10/sup 5/ counts per minute to nondetectable levels in approximately one hour at 90/sup 0/C. Removal of paint from stainless steel surfaces was also demonstrated. Advantages of this process over other chemical solutions include: (1) The solutions are not high salt systems; therefore, there is potentially less waste generated. (2) Cerium(IV) in nitric acid is a good dissolution agent for plutonium oxide. (3) Regeneration of Ce(IV) during the decontamination is accomplished by electrolysis. (4) The process should be effective for irregularly shaped equipment. (5) It could be effective as a spray or a flow-through system. 13 figures.

• Research Organization: Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-14-2170
• OSTI ID: 5616293
• Report Number(s): HEDL-SA-1880; CONF-791103-66
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
400702* -- Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry-- Properties of Radioactive Materials
ACTINIDES
ALLOYS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CERIUM COMPOUNDS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CLEANING
COATINGS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
DECONTAMINATION
DISPERSIONS
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
METALS
MIXTURES
NITRIC ACID
PAINTS
PLUTONIUM
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
REMOVAL
SOLUTIONS
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS