Evaluation of electro-oxidation using diamond anodes for the treatment of radioactive contaminated lubricants - preliminary report

摘要

Electrochemical oxidation with boron-doped, diamond-coated electrodes could potentially be applied to treat radioactively contaminated oils held at AWE (formerly known as the Atomic Weapons Establishment). Accordingly, a feasibility study was performed using two representative, non-radioactive oils (a cutting fluid and a hydraulic oil). The process was shown to remove between 92 and 99% of the organic material in an alkaline suspension of the cutting fluid, with 87% of the added organic carbon being recovered as carbonate. A further test demonstrated that the oxidation could be maintained during periodic addition of oil to the electrochemical cell. However, it was found that the hydraulic oil resisted oxidation. Because the hydraulic oil is not formulated to produce a stable emulsion of oil in water, it separated from the electrolyte, which effectively removed it from the active area around the electrodes. This limitation is not insurmountable and the preliminary results were considered to be sufficiently encouraging for AWE to continue to evaluate the technology with the aim of developing a process that could be applied in a radioactive area.