Abstract: A system for decontamination of radioactive components includes an acidic decontamination solution which is exposed to radioactive components to remove a layer of contaminated material and an ion exchange cell which removes the radioactive contamination from the decontamination solution. The ion exchange cell has cathode, anode and central compartments. The decontamination solution flows into the central compartment and the radioactive cations in the solution are drawn towards the cathode. The acidity in the cathode chamber is controlled so that small radioactive metal particles are deposited on the cathode. A cathode solution flows over the cathode which removes the deposited radioactive particles. The cathode solution and small particles flow into a waste collection container where the metal particles settle to the bottom of the container where they are easily separated from the solution. The only waste product produced by the system are the small radioactive metal particles which are easily disposed of.

Abstract: An embodiment of a scanning system is described including optical elements that direct an excitation beam at a probe array, detectors that receive reflected intensity data responsive to the excitation beam, where the reflected intensity data is responsive to a focusing distance between an optical element and the probe array, a transport frame that adjusts the focusing distance in a direction with respect to the probe array, an auto-focuser that determines a best plane of focus based upon characteristics of the reflected intensity data of at least two focusing distances where the detectors further receive pixel intensity values based upon detected emissions from a plurality of probe features disposed on the probe array at the best plane of focus, and an image generator that associates each of the pixel intensity values with at least one image pixel position of a probe array based upon one or more position correction values.

Abstract: A process for the chemical decontamination of a radioactive system or a system containing one or more radioactive components, which method comprises applying a chemical decontamination reagent to the radioactive system or the system containing one or more radioactive components in the form of a foam characterised in that a dynamic foam is caused to move through or around the system by means of a gas introduced into the system.

Abstract: A system for decontamination of radioactive components includes an acidic decontamination solution which is exposed to radioactive components to remove a layer of contaminated material and an ion exchange cell which removes the radioactive contamination from the decontamination solution. The ion exchange cell has cathode, anode and central compartments. The decontamination solution flows into the central compartment and the radioactive cations in the solution are drawn towards the cathode. The acidity in the cathode chamber is controlled so that small radioactive metal particles are deposited on the cathode. A cathode solution flows over the cathode which removes the deposited radioactive particles. The cathode solution and small particles flow into a waste collection container where the metal particles settle to the bottom of the container where they are easily separated from the solution. The only waste product produced by the system are the small radioactive metal particles which are easily disposed of.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of radioactive graphite which includes the following steps: (i) reacting the radioactive graphite at a temperature in the range of from 250° C. to 900° C. with superheated steam or gases containing water vapor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (ii) reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide from step (i) to form water and carbon dioxide; and (iii) reacting the carbon dioxide of step (ii) with metal oxides to for carbonate salts. The process enables radioactive graphite, such as graphite moderator, to be treated either in-situ or externally of a decommissioned nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of radioactive graphite which includes the following steps: (i) reacting the radioactive graphite at a temperature in the range of from 250° C. to 900° C. with superheated steam or gases containing water vapor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (ii) reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide from step (i) to form water and carbon dioxide; and (iii) reacting the carbon dioxide of step (ii) with metal oxides to for carbonate salts. The process enables radioactive graphite, such as graphite moderator, to be treated either in-situ or externally of a decommissioned nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A process for removing undesirable material such as a radioactive contaminant from an underlying material. A solution containing fluoroboric acid and a material which affects the fluoroboric acid solution oxidation potential (Eh) is contacted with the contaminant material to cause its removal. The contaminant material is removed from the fluoroboric acid solution by contacting the fluoroboric acid solution which has been contacted with the contaminant material with a cation exchange resin.

Abstract: Magnetic particles which comprise a core of a magnetic material surrounded by a mixture of a fibrous material and a solid binding agent. The particles may be embedded in a polymer resin which incorporates sites, which are selective for particular ions, to form composite magnetic resin particles. The composite magnetic resin particles may be used for the removal of pollutant ions from an aqueous solution in which they are contained.

Abstract: A process for the decontamination of radioactive materials which process comprises the steps of: i) contacting the material to be decontaminated with a dilute carbonate containing solution in the presence of ion exchange particles which either contains or have a chelating function bond to them; and ii) separating the ion exchange particles from the dilute carbonate containing solution. The radioactive materials which are treated may be natural materials, such as soil, or man-made materials such as concrete or steel, which have been subjected to contamination.

Abstract: A method for operating the LOMI decontamination process in a regenerative manner. The method incorporates an initial injection of a dilute LOMI solution (vanadous formate, picolinic acid and sodium hydroxide) into a decontamination circuit followed by operation of a small cluster of cation exchange columns during the decontamination process. The cation exchange resin is used to remove metals in the same manner as in prior decontamination processes but operation of the cation exchange resin is continued to allow picolinic acid initially bound to the cation exchange resin to be released and recycled to the LOMI solution. Operation of the cation exchange columns ceases after the picolinic acid has been released but before the metals (e.g. sodium, iron and vanadium) are released back to the LOMI solution. The cluster of cation exchange columns are operated according to a sequence wherein one column is releasing picolinic acid while another is binding picolinic acid.

Abstract: A process for removing undesirable material such as a radioactive contaminant from an underlying material. A solution containing fluoroboric acid and a material which affects oxidation potential (Eh) is contacted with the undesirable material to cause its removal. The material is removed from the fluoroboric acid solution by contacting the solution with a cation exchange resin and fluoroboric acid is regenerated in situ for continuous removal of undesirable material.

Abstract: A method for the removal of pollutant ions from an aqueous solution in which they are contained, which method includes the steps of:i) contacting the solution to be treated with particles of a composite magnetic resin which includes magnetic particles embedded in an organic polymeric matrix which either contains, or has attached thereto sites which are selective for the pollutant ions in the presence of other ions it is not desired to remove;ii) separating by magnetic filtration the composite magnetic resin particles from the solution;iii) subjecting the separated composite magnetic resin particles to regeneration using an appropriate regenerant solution;iv) separating the regenerated composite magnetic resin particles from the regenerant solution; andv) recycling the separated composite magnetic resin particles to step (i) of the method.

Abstract: A process for decontaminating radioactive material comprises the step of contacting the material with a dissolving composition to dissolve the contaminants in the material, said composition comprising a dilute solution of about 0.05 molar ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, about 0.1 molar carbonate, about 10 grams per liter hydrogen peroxide and an effective amount of sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH of the composition to a pH from about 9 to about 11. Also included are the steps of separating the dissolving composition containing the dissolved contaminants from the contacted material and recovering dissolved contaminants from the dissolving composition that has been separated from the material. A composition for dissolving radioactive contaminants in a material, comprising a dilute solution having a basic pH and effective amounts of a chelating agent and a carbonate sufficient to dissolve radioactive contaminants is also provided.

Abstract: A method for the combined removal and destruction of nitrate ions in an electrochemical cell which includes an anode compartment containing electrolyte and an anode, a cathode compartment containing electrolyte and a cathode, and a central compartment containing an anion exchange resin, the central compartment being separated from the anode compartment and the cathode compartment by respective anion permeable membranes, includes the steps of(i) passing an aqueous solution containing nitrate ions through the anion exchange resin in the central compartment of the cell,(ii) passing an electric current through the cell in order to cause the nitrate ions captured on the anion exchange resin to migrate into the anode compartment of the cell, and(iii) destroying the nitrate ions by subjecting them to reduction and oxidation reactions to form nitrogen and oxygen or water.Step (i) may be replaced by passing an anion exchange resin washed with nitrate ion through the central compartment of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Spent nuclear reactor coolant system decontamination solutions are first processed to remove the radioactive burden and to separate metallic impurities using cation exchange resins. The cation-processed waste solution is then flowed through an anion exchange resin held between anion-permeable membranes within an electrochemical cell. The application of electric current to the electrochemical cell causes hydroxide ions to replace captured anions held on the ion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin for subsequent processing. The displaced anions migrate into the anode compartment where they can be oxidized to carbon dioxide for simple disposal.

Abstract: Spent nuclear reactor coolant system decontamination solutions are processed to remove the radioactive burden and to separate metallic impurities using ion exchange resins within an electrochemical cell. The application of electric current to the electrochemical cell causes hydrogen ions to replace captured cations held on the ion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the resin for subsequent processing. The displaced cations migrate into the cathode compartment. The radioactive burden and metallic impurities are removed from the cathode compartment of the electrochemical cell. In a particularly preferred process, the cations are plated onto the cathode and disposed of as solids.

Abstract: A method of applying a descaling reagent comprising a one-electron reducing agent which is a low oxidation state transition metal ion in combination with a complexing agent to a surface to be treated to descale the surface which method comprises:(i) maintaining a low oxidation state transition metal ion either in solution under an inert atmosphere in a container made of or lined with an inert material or as a solid salt under an inert atmosphere;(ii) preparing a solution of the complexing agent and removing oxygen therefrom; and(iii) mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) either in situ in contact with the surface to be treated, or mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) prior to application to the surface to be treated under conditions whereby no substantial decomposition of the so-formed reagent occurs.

Abstract: A process for the removal of deposits consisting essentially of the oxides of one or more transition metals from a surface, which process comprises contacting the said surface at a pH in the range of from 2.0 to 7.0 with a reagent comprising a one-electron reducing agent which is the complex formed between a low oxidation state transition metal ion and a complexing agent, for destabilizing the metal oxides deposited, thereby increasing their rate of dissolution, the complexing agent being thermally stable at the operating pH and present in order to form the necessary complex reagent and also to increase the thermodynamic solubility of the metal ions released.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing frosted cocktails and other frosted drinks. The drinks consist of a slush containing a liquid, frozen crystals of the liquid and other ingredients. The slush is circulated continuously between a freezing station and a dispensing head, and the product is available for delivery in relatively large quantities at all times.

Abstract: A method of applying a descaling reagent comprising a one-electron reducing agent which is a low oxidation state transition metal ion in combination with a complexing agent to a surface to be treated to descale the surface which method comprises:(i) maintaining a low oxidation state transition metal ion either in solution under an inert atmosphere in a container made of or lined with an inert material or as a solid salt under an inert atmosphere;(ii) preparing a solution of the complexing agent and removing oxygen therefrom; and(iii) mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) either in situ in contact with the surface to be treated, or mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) prior to application to the surface to be treated under conditions whereby no substantial decomposition of the so-formed reagent occurs.