Decontamination solution and method of decontaminating nuclear reactor liquid-containing systems

摘要

An aqueous decontaminating solution comprising defined quantities of oxalic acid, sodium oxalate, hydrogen peroxide and 8-quinolinol and either aqueous peracetic acid or a mixture of sodium gluconate and gluconic acid is used to dissolve actinide oxides, e.g. UO2, U3O8, UO3, PuO2, actinide metal and fission products which contaminate a nuclear reactor liquid containing system of carbon or stainless steel, "Inconel" (Registered Trade Mark), zirconium, zircaloy or brass. Coolant or moderator water, heavy or light is removed from the contaminated system which is filled with the solution. After circulating the solution, part is removed and fresh added to the system until radio activity measurements indicate a safe level, when it is withdrawn and the system rinsed several times with fresh and if necessary heavy water.