Nuclear Laundry Using Supercritical Fluid Solutions

Cobalt and other metals, spiked onto lab coats, can be removed by supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) containing mixed chelating agents Cyanex 302 and dithiocarbamate, as well as by a water-in-CO2 microemulsion. The extraction efficiencies for both methods can exceed 90%. The mixed-ligand ap...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inIndustrial & engineering chemistry research Vol. 43; no. 7; pp. 1580 - 1585
Main Authors Wang, Joanna Shaofen, Koh, Moonsung, Wai, Chien M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington, DC American Chemical Society 31.03.2004
Subjects
Applied sciences
ENGINEERING
Exact sciences and technology
LIQUIDS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
Pollution
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Radioactive wastes
SUPERCRITICAL STATE
WASHING
Wastes
Radioactive waste
Waste treatment
Carbon dioxide
Supercritical solvent
Solvent extraction
Microemulsion
Supercritical fluid extraction
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Summary:Cobalt and other metals, spiked onto lab coats, can be removed by supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) containing mixed chelating agents Cyanex 302 and dithiocarbamate, as well as by a water-in-CO2 microemulsion. The extraction efficiencies for both methods can exceed 90%. The mixed-ligand approach suggests that effective metal extraction can be developed using two different ligands contributing to the solubility and stability of the resulting metal chelates in SC-CO2. The water-in-CO2 microemulsion method does not require chelating agents. This approach significantly reduces the amount of liquid waste generation. Dynamic extraction time, flow rate, temperature of outlet restrictor, and collection solvent must be taken into consideration for the recovery efficiency. The potential of utilizing supercritical fluid solutions for cleaning 60Co-contaminated protective coats used by nuclear power plant workers is discussed.
Bibliography:ark:/67375/TPS-6L39P6HG-D
istex:A730A473BFD683C3A19E1840F7C157161A58ACE9
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
ISSN:0888-5885
1520-5045
DOI:10.1021/ie030509d