Air and gas cleaning technology for nuclear applications

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · ASHRAE Trans.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7243063

First, M W

All large-scale uses of radioactive materials require rigid control of off-gases and generated aerosols. Nuclear air and gas cleaning technology has answered the need from the days of the Manhattan Project to the present with a variety of devices. The one with the longest and most noteworthy service is the HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter that originally was referred to as an absolute filter in recognition of its extraordinary particle retention characteristics. Activated-charcoal adsorbers have been employed worldwide for retention of volatile radioiodine in molecular and combined forms and, less frequently, for retention of radioactive noble gases. HEPA filters and activated -charcoal adsorbers are often used with auxiliary devices that serve to extend their effective service life or significantly improve collection efficiency under unfavorable operating conditions. Use of both air cleaning devices and their auxiliaries figure prominently in atomic energy, disposal of high- and low-level nuclear wastes, and in the production of fissile materials. The peaceful uses of nuclear energy would be impossible without these, or equivalent, air- and gas-cleaning devices.

• Research Organization: Environmental Health Engineering (Emeritus), Dept. of Environmental Science and Physiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 7243063
• Report Number(s): CONF-860106-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: ASHRAE Trans.; (United States) Journal Volume: 92:1B
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220503* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Environmental Aspects-- Chemical & Thermal Effluents
500300 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTIVATED CARBON
ADSORBENTS
ADSORPTION
AIR FILTERS
CARBON
CHARCOAL
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FILTERS
FILTRATION
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PERFORMANCE
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
POWER PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RARE GASES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SERVICE LIFE
SORPTION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES