Process for the treatment of radioactive graphite

摘要

A process for the treatment of radioactive graphite which includes the following steps: (i) reacting the radioactive graphite at a temperature in the range of from 250° C. to 900° C. with superheated steam or gases containing water vapor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (ii) reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide from step (i) to form water and carbon dioxide; and (iii) reacting the carbon dioxide of step (ii) with metal oxides to for carbonate salts. The process enables radioactive graphite, such as graphite moderator, to be treated either in-situ or externally of a decommissioned nuclear reactor.