Electrolytic decontamination process and process for reproducing decontaminating electrolyte by electrodeposition and apparatuses therefore
US4615776A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 1984 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25F7/02
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This disclosure relates to electrolytic decontamination of radioactively contaminated objects such as equipment or parts. The objects to be decontaminated are divided into two types: First, wastes resulting from dismantlement of radioactively contaminated equipment and parts, and second, equipment, vessels, pipes and tools that are to be reused. The electrolyte used for decontamination of the first type may be an inorganic acid aqueous solution of relatively low concentration that is inexpensive and rapid in polishing. A suitable inorganic acid is sulfuric acid that does not generate harmful gases in the process of electrolysis. The concentration of the sulfuric acid should be high to achieve polishing efficiency. About 5 Vol. % is the most suitable for uniform polishing and disposal of waste electrolyte. An electrolyte of this concentration is effective in macroscopic polishing but not in microscopic polishing (mirror finish), however. Therefore, an electrolyte for decontamination of the second type that requires microscopic polishing must be a high concentration acid solution, preferably 70% or higher phosphoric acid content. The electrolyte is reproduced by an electrodeposition …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.