Decontamination of surfaces, e.g. radioactive decontamination, involves mixing acid aqueous cerium-IV solution and aqueous non-ionic surfactant solution in a foam generator and applying the foam to the surface

摘要

A method for decontaminating surfaces with aqueous foam containing cerium(IV) involves mixing an acid aqueous solution of cerium(IV) with an aqueous solution of non-ionic surfactant in a foam generator just before application to the contaminated surface. A method for decontaminating articles with contaminated particles on the surface comprises: (a) making an acid aqueous solution of cerium(IV) with a pH of less than 3 (solution 1); (b) making an aqueous solution of non-ionic surfactant(s) which is/are oxidised by Ce(IV) (solution 2) and keeping this is a separate container from solution 1; (c) feeding a mixture of solutions 1 and 2 into a foam generator in the proportions required for the formation of foam by the action of the surfactant; and (d) flooding the surface of the article with the foam. An independent claim is also included for a decontamination product for use in the above application, containing solutions 1 and 2 in separate containers.