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Zhang H, Xi H, Lin X, Liang L, Li Z, Pan X, Luo X. Biodegradable antifreeze foam stabilized by lauryl alcohol for radioactive surface decontamination. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08349-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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A State-of-the-Art Review of Radioactive Decontamination Technologies: Facing the Upcoming Wave of Decommissioning and Dismantling of Nuclear Facilities. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14074021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The average share of nuclear energy in electricity production is expected to increase under the background of the global pursuit towards carbon neutrality. Conjugating with its rapid development, the wave of decommissioning and dismantling (D&D) of nuclear facilities is coming. The surface decontamination is a prerequisite to D&D, which will make it easier and reduce the volume of radioactive wastes. However, there are no comprehensive studies on the decontamination methods, which is not helpful for the sustainable development of nuclear energy and environment protection. Therefore, in this work, the current status and future trends of global energy and nuclear energy are first analyzed. Then, various decontamination approaches are comparatively studied, including cleaning mechanisms, application subjects, and intrinsic advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the criteria and factors for selecting a decontamination process, the challenges, and future studies are directed. Among the mechanical methods, laser-based cleaning is high-speed, having automation ability, and thus is promising, although it creates a dust and airborne contaminant hazard. In further studies, factors such as selecting a proper laser facility, optimizing operating parameters, and designing a high-efficiency dust collection system could be studied. Regarding the chemical method, chemical gels are good for decontaminating complex shapes and vertical and overhead surfaces. In addition, they can enhance other decon agents’ efficiency by improving contact time. However, the formulation of colloidal gels is complex and no gel type is useful for all contaminants. Therefore, novel and versatile gels need be developed to enlarge their application field. Combining various decontamination methods will often have better results and thus a reasonable and effective combination of these decontamination methods has become the main direction.
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Zhang H, Xi H, Li Z, Pan X, Wang Y, Chen C, Lin X, Luo X. The stability and decontamination of surface radioactive contamination of biomass-based antifreeze foam. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Pyo JY, Um W, Heo J. Magnesium potassium phosphate cements to immobilize radioactive concrete wastes generated by decommissioning of nuclear power plants. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2021.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Synthesis and Preparation of (Acrylic Copolymer) Ternary System Peelable Sealing Decontamination Material. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12071556. [PMID: 32674314 PMCID: PMC7408277 DOI: 10.3390/polym12071556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional methods that are used to deal with radioactive surface contamination, which are time-consuming and expensive. As one effective measure of radioactive material purification, strippable coating, which effectively coats the pollutant, and settles them on the surface of objects. However, there are some shortcomings in terms of film formation and peelability, such as a brittle coating and poor peelability. Therefore, in order to meet the treatment methods for radioactive contaminants needs, the strippable coating must have excellent sealing, corrosion resistance, weather resistance, low environmental pollution, short film formation time, and good mechanical properties; in addition, the spraying process should be simple, with moderate adhesion, and it should be capable of being quickly and completely peeled off. In this paper, a ternary system was prepared by pre-emulsion polymerization with butyl-acrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid as the reactive monomer, sodium dodecyl sulfate as the active agent, potassium persulfate as the initiator, and water as the dispersion medium. The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), ICP emission spectrometer, surface tension tester, and universal testing machine were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the composite materials. The results show that the decontaminant can quickly wet the powder particles and the surface pollutants. The sealing efficiency of Fe and Cu was over 90%. After the decontaminant was cured, it could be continuously formed on the surface of different substrates and be completely peeled off, as well as having excellent film formation and peelability.
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Study on the Influencing Factors in the Process of Surface Strippable Decontaminant. COATINGS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/coatings10070649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
One effective measure of radioactive material purification is the use of strippable decontaminants, which effectively coat the pollutant, capture suspended particles in the air, and deposit them onto the surfaces of objects. However, there are some shortcomings in terms of film formation and peelability, such as a brittle coating and poor peelability. Therefore, in order to meet future military and emergency needs, this research investigated the influencing factors in the process of surface strippable decontamination. Experiments included tests for wettability, potential, particle size, strippable performance, tensile performance, ultraviolet transmittance reflectance, and film formation as well as image analysis of photomicrographs from an optical microscope system. These experiments indicate that the strippable decontaminant is a viable means of contamination removal.
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Yang HM, Park CW, Lee KW. Enhanced surface decontamination of radioactive Cs by self-generated, strippable hydrogels based on reversible cross-linking. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 362:72-81. [PMID: 30236944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.08.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A self-generated, strippable hydrogel containing adsorbents was developed to remove the radioactive cesium from surfaces by adsorption for wide-area surface decontamination. Two aqueous polymeric solutions of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and phenylboronic-acid-grafted alginate (PBA-Alg) were easily applied to surfaces and subsequently self-generated a hydrogel based on the PBA-diol ester bond. Compared to the strippable coating and chemical gels, the PBA-diol ester bond-based hydrogel was easily peeled off the surfaces without a drying step due to its high elasticity, which is more practical and time saving. The resulting hydrogel displayed high 137Cs removal efficiencies of 91.61% for painted cement, 97.505% for aluminum, 94.05% for stainless steel, and 53.5% for cement, which was 2.3 times higher than that of Decongel due to the presence of the adsorbent in the hydrogel having an excellent Cs distribution coefficient (3.34 × 104 mL/g). Moreover, the volume of radioactive waste generated after the surface decontamination could be reduced by a simple magnetic separation of the adsorbent from the used hydrogel, which can reduce the waste disposal cost. Therefore, our hydrogel system has great potential as a new, cost-effective surface decontaminant in various nuclear industry fields including wide-area environmental remediation after a nuclear accident or terrorist attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Man Yang
- Decommissioning Technology Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 989-111 Daedukdaero, Yuseong, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chan Woo Park
- Decommissioning Technology Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 989-111 Daedukdaero, Yuseong, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea
| | - Kune-Woo Lee
- Decommissioning Technology Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 989-111 Daedukdaero, Yuseong, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea
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Semmler J, Snaglewski A, Toor A, Khan Z, Kuang W, Volchek K, Azmi P, Blinov V, Brown C. Decontamination of select infrastructure materials after a radiological incident using a water-based formulation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 193-194:57-67. [PMID: 30195154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper summarizes the results of the decontamination of the infrastructure materials concrete, limestone, brick and asphalt contaminated with 60Co, 85Sr, 137Cs and 241Am. The paper focuses on the effect of differences in substrate properties and of the pH of the radionuclide solution used for surface contamination on adsorption or ion exchange of the radionuclides and how these factors affect the decontamination effectiveness. A six-component chemical formulation was used and a process effectiveness of up to 76% was obtained depending on the substrate and radionuclide. Asphalt was the easiest material to decontaminate because of its more hydrophobic nature. Concrete and limestone (and to some extent brick) were less effectively decontaminated as their porous surfaces allowed penetration of radionuclides into water-filled pores in the substrate facilitating adsorption or ion exchange and making them difficult to remove. Brick was the most difficult material to decontaminate because the major component of brick is clay which retains most mono- and divalent ions. The removal of 60Co, 85Sr and 137Cs from the surfaces of concrete, limestone and brick increased when the pH of the radionuclide solutions was moderately acidic to neutral compared to when they were highly acidic. The variability in the test results was similar to that observed in other studies using other decontamination methods, attributed to the inhomogeneity of the substrates used and considered representative of real infrastructure materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaleh Semmler
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Reactor Chemistry and Corrosion Branch, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, ON K0J 1J0, Canada.
| | - Anthony Snaglewski
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Reactor Chemistry and Corrosion Branch, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, ON K0J 1J0, Canada
| | - Arshad Toor
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Reactor Chemistry and Corrosion Branch, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, ON K0J 1J0, Canada
| | - Zahid Khan
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Reactor Chemistry and Corrosion Branch, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, ON K0J 1J0, Canada
| | - Wenxing Kuang
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Emergencies Science and Technology Section, 335 River Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Konstantin Volchek
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Emergencies Science and Technology Section, 335 River Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Pervez Azmi
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Emergencies Science and Technology Section, 335 River Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Vladimir Blinov
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Emergencies Science and Technology Section, 335 River Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Carl Brown
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Emergencies Science and Technology Section, 335 River Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
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Leybros A, Segond N, Grandjean A. Remediation of 137Cs-contaminated concrete rubble by supercritical CO 2 extraction. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 208:838-845. [PMID: 30068026 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The removal of cesium contamination is a critical issue for the recycling of concrete rubble in most decommissioning operations. The high solvent strength and diffusivity of supercritical CO2 make it an attractive choice as vector for extractant system in this context. Experimental extraction runs have been carried out in a radioactive environment on rubble contaminated with 137Cs. The best extraction system was found to be CalixOctyl (25,27-Bis(1-octyloxy)calix[4]arene-crown-6, 1,3-alternate) with pentadecafluorooctanoic acid as a modifier. The effects of various operating parameters were investigated, namely the coarseness of rubble, the temperature of supercritical CO2, the residual water and initial cesium concentrations, and the amounts of extractant and modifier used. The yields from direct extraction were low (<30%), because of the virtually irreversible sorption of Cs in concrete. The best extraction yield of ∼55% was achieved by leaching concrete rubble with nitric acid prior to supercritical CO2 extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Leybros
- CEA, DEN, Univ. Montpellier, DE2D, SEAD, LPSD, F30207 Bagnols sur Cèze, France.
| | - Nathalie Segond
- ORANO Cycle, 1 place Jean Millier, F92084 La Defense, France
| | - Agnès Grandjean
- CEA, DEN, Univ. Montpellier, DE2D, SEAD, LPSD, F30207 Bagnols sur Cèze, France
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Polymeric coatings for surface decontamination and ecofriendly volume reduction of radioactive waste after use. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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11
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Polyvinyl alcohol-borate hydrogel containing Prussian blue for surface decontamination. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-5745-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Yang HM, Hwang KS, Park CW, Lee KW. Polyvinyl alcohol-borate hydrogel containing magnetic adsorbent for surface decontamination. ANN NUCL ENERGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2017.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Jolin WC, Kaminski M. Sorbent materials for rapid remediation of wash water during radiological event relief. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 162:165-71. [PMID: 27494317 PMCID: PMC6468322 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.07.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Procedures for removing harmful radiation from interior and exterior surfaces of homes and businesses after a nuclear or radiological disaster may generate large volumes of radiologically contaminated waste water. Rather than releasing this waste water to potentially contaminate surrounding areas, it is preferable to treat it onsite. Retention barrels are a viable option because of their simplicity in preparation and availability of possible sorbent materials. This study investigated the use of aluminosilicate clay minerals as sorbent materials to retain (137)Cs, (85)Sr, and (152)Eu. Vermiculite strongly retained (137)Cs, though other radionuclides displayed diminished affinity for the surface. Montmorillonite exhibited increased affinity to sorb (85)Sr and (152)Eu in the presence of higher concentrations of (137)Cs. To simulate flow within retention barrels, vermiculite was mixed with sand and used in small-scale column experiments. The GoldSim contaminate fate module was used to model breakthrough and assess the feasibility of using clay minerals as sorbent materials in retention barrels. The modeled radionuclide breakthrough profiles suggest that vermiculite-sand and montmorillonite-sand filled barrels could be used for treatment of contaminated water generated from field operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Jolin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Michael Kaminski
- Nuclear Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA.
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Kaminski MD, Lee SD, Magnuson M. Wide-area decontamination in an urban environment after radiological dispersion: A review and perspectives. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 305:67-86. [PMID: 26642448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear or radiological terrorism in the form of uncontrolled radioactive contamination presents a unique challenge in the field of nuclear decontamination. Potential targets require an immediate decontamination response, or mitigation plan to limit the social and economic impact. To date, experience with urban decontamination of building materials - specifically hard, porous, external surfaces - is limited to nuclear weapon fallout and nuclear reactor accidents. Methods are lacking for performing wide-area decontamination in an urban environment so that in all release scenarios the area may be re-occupied without evaluation and/or restriction. Also lacking is experience in developing mitigation strategies, that is, methods of mitigating contamination and its resultant radiation dose in key areas during the immediate aftermath of an event and after lifesaving operations. To date, the tremendous strategy development effort primarily by the European community has focused on the recovery phase, which extends years beyond the release event. In this review, we summarize the methods and data collected over the past 70 years in the field of hard, external surface decontamination of radionuclide contaminations, with emphasis on methods suitable for response to radiological dispersal devices and their potentially unique physico-chemical characteristics. This review concludes that although a tremendous amount of work has been completed primarily by the European Community (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK), the few studies existing on each technique permit only very preliminary estimates of decontamination factors for various building materials and methods and extrapolation of those values for use in environments outside the EU and UK. This data shortage prevents us from developing an effective and detailed mitigation response plan and remediation effort. Perhaps most importantly, while the data available does include valuable information on the practical aspects of performing the various remediation methods including costs, coverage rates, manpower, pitfalls, etc., it lacks the details on lessons learned, best practices, and standard procedures, for instance, that would be required to develop a mitigation strategy. While the urban decontamination problem is difficult and there is much more research to do, the existing literature provides a framework for a response plan. Using this framework, in conjunction with computer modeling and relevant data collection, can lead to development of appropriate plans and exercises that would permit development of a mitigation and remediation response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Kaminski
- Nuclear Decontamination and Separations, Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, United States.
| | - Sang Don Lee
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center, United States
| | - Matthew Magnuson
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center, United States
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Polyakov EV, Volkov IV, Khelbnikov NA. Competitive sorption of cesium and other microelements onto iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) in the presence of humic acids. RADIOCHEMISTRY 2015. [DOI: 10.1134/s1066362215020083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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