Evaluation of microbially influenced degradation as a method for the decontamination of radioactively contaminated concrete
Conference
·
OSTI ID:572072
- Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States). Biotechnology Dept.
- British Nuclear Fuels PLC, Preston (United Kingdom). Company Research Lab.
Because there are literally square kilometers of radioactively contaminated concrete surfaces within the US Department of Energy (DOE) complex, the task (both scope and cost) of decontamination is staggering. Complex-wide cleanup using conventional methodology does not appear to be feasible for every facility because of prioritization, cost, and manual effort required. The authors are investigating the feasibility of using microbially influenced degradation (MID) of concrete as a unique, innovative approach for the decontamination of concrete. Currently, work is being conducted to determine the practicality and cost effectiveness of using this environmentally acceptable method for decontamination of large surface concrete structures. Under laboratory conditions, the biodecontamination process has successfully been used to remove 2 mm of the surface of concrete slabs. Subsequently, initial field application data from an ongoing pilot-scale demonstration have shown that an average of 2 mm of surface can be removed from meter-square areas of contaminated concrete. The cost for the process has been estimated as $1.29/m{sup 2}. Methodologies for field application of the process are being developed and will be tested. This paper provides information on the MID process, laboratory evaluation of its use for decontamination, and results from the pilot field application.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 572072
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961202--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Biodecontamination of concrete surfaces: Occupational and environmental benefits
Waste Volume Reduction Using surface Characterization and Decontamination Laser Ablation
Biodecontamination of concrete
Conference
·
Mon Dec 30 23:00:00 EST 1996
·
OSTI ID:541792
Waste Volume Reduction Using surface Characterization and Decontamination Laser Ablation
Technical Report
·
Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1999
·
OSTI ID:829912
Biodecontamination of concrete
Conference
·
Mon Dec 30 23:00:00 EST 1996
·
OSTI ID:476551