Combined electrochemical and ultrasonic decontamination of radioactively contaminated metal surfaces

Abstract

The paper considers a highly efficient technology of combined electrochemical and ultrasonic decontamination of metals to reduce the volume of waste disposed during the decommissioning of nuclear and/or radiation hazardous facilities. The possibility of a further increase in its efficiency by the use of dilute sulfuric acid as an electrolyte, preliminary exposure of the metal in the electrolyte, and variable polarization, as well as by the reduction in the distance from the treated surface to the emitter is experimentally demonstrated. Laboratory tests with real radioactively contaminated samples of steel from the Leningrad NPP, as well as pilot industrial tests on batches (~100 kg) of metal waste at the Angarsk Electrolysis Chemical Combine JSC were conducted. The obtained results prove high efficiency and productivity of combined decontamination.