摘要 |
Where a concrete structure (12) has been contaminated with tritium (whether as gas or as water) the tritium atoms take the place of ordinary hydrogen atoms in water and in hydroxyl groups in the concrete, rendering it radioactive. The degree of contamination may be reduced by irradiating the surface with microwaves to vaporize water, while extracting water vapor from the surface region through a dust filter (28) and a water trap (30). This can considerably reduce the radioactivity, and hence the cost of disposal of the concrete.
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