REACTOR DECONTAMINATION PROCESS

摘要

A method of decontaminating a water cooled nuclear reactor and novel compositions employed therein are described. A relatively small quantity of acidic reagent composition is injected into the circulating coolant of the reactor, which is shut down but not defueled, so as to provide a dilute solution of reagent which dissolves radioactive contaminants in the system. The coolant is then passed through cationic exchange resin to remove the contaminant and leave the regenerated reagent which is returned to the cooling system. When the cationic resin stops removing contaminants it is removed and normally discarded. The reagent is finally removed from the system by anionic exchange resin. Suitable reagents include mixtures of certain organic acids with or without complexing agents.