ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESS FOR DECONTAMINATION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

摘要

A system (100) for decontamination of radioactive components includes an acidic decontamination solution which is exposed to radioactive components to remove a layer of contaminated material and an ion exchange cell (111) which removes the radioactive contamination from the decontamination solution. The ion exchange cell (111) has cathode (133), anode (135) and central compartments (109). The decontamination solution flows into the central compartment (109) and the radioactive cations in the solution are drawn towards the cathode (133). The acidity in the cathode chamber (105) is controlled so that small radioactive metal particles are deposited on the cathode(133). A cathode solution flows over the cathode which removes the deposited radioactive particles(161). The cathode solution and small particles (161) flow into a waste collection container where the metal particles (161) settle to the bottom of the container (151) where they are easily separated from the solution