Supercritical fluid carbon dioxide cleaning of plutonium parts
Supercritical fluid carbon dioxide is under investigation in this work for use as a cleaning solvent for the final cleaning of plutonium parts. These parts must be free of organic residue to avoid corrosion in the stockpile. Initial studies on stainless steel and full-scale mock-up parts indicate that the oils of interest are easily and adequately cleaned from the metal surfaces with supercritical fluid carbon dioxide. Results from compatibility studies show that undesirable oxidation or other surface reactions are not occurring during exposure of plutonium to the supercritical fluid. Cleaning studies indicate that the oils of interest are removed from the plutonium surface under relatively mild conditions. These studies indicate that supercritical fluid carbon dioxide is a very promising cleaning medium for this application.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Rocky Flats, Inc., Golden, CO (United States). Rocky Flats Plant
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC34-90DP62349
- OSTI ID:
- 5911332
- Report Number(s):
- RFP-4530; CONF-911273--1; ON: DE92004003
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ACTINIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CLEANING
ELEMENTS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
METALS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM
REMOVAL
SUPERCRITICAL STATE
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS