Hypohalite oxidation in decontaminating nuclear reactors

摘要

Disclosed is an oxidizing composition of water, about 0.1 to saturation of an alkali metal hypohalite, and sufficient alkali metal hydroxide to raise the pH of the solution to at least about 12. A method of decontaminating metal surfaces having a coating thereon which contains radioactive substances is also disclosed. The composition is passed over the coating at a temperature of about 50 DEG to about 120 DEG C. followed by passing a decontamination solution over the coating.