Method of decontaminating metal surfaces in a cooling system of a nuclear reactor
US10340050B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of decontaminating metal surfaces in a cooling system of a nuclear reactor comprises: an oxidation step, comprising at least one acidic oxidation step and at least one alkaline oxidation step wherein metal oxides and radioisotopes on the metal surfaces are contacted with aqueous permanganate oxidant solutions; followed by a decontamination step wherein an aqueous solution comprising oxalic acid, formic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, picolinic acid, gluconic acid glyoxylic acid or mixtures thereof is used to dissolve at least part of the metal oxides and radioisotopes; and a cleaning step wherein radioisotopes are immobilized on an ion exchange resin; wherein at least one treatment cycle includes a high temperature oxidation step, wherein the permanganate oxidant solution is kept at a temperature of at least 100° C.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.