Application of laser to decontamination and decommissioning of nuclear facilities at JAERI

摘要

In the research and development of various advanced technologies needed for decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) of nuclear facilities, laser was applied to decontamination of metal and concrete surfaces and to cutting of large metal of low level radioactive waste (LLW). (a) Laser decontamination for metal waste: Metal waste was irradiated by laser in the atmosphere of chloride gas, and contaminant was changed from oxide to chloride which is sublimable or soluble in water and could be easily removed; and also metal waste coated with gel-decontamination reagent was irradiated by laser, and contaminant could be removed through the laser-induced chemical reaction, (b) Laser decontamination for concrete surface: Concrete surface was bursted or vitrified by laser irradiation and easily removed, (c) Laser cutting: Laser cutter was applied to cutting of large metal wastes such as tanks arising from dismantling of nuclear facilities.