Integrated electrochemical nuclear decontamination system

• Main Authors: Andrade, Gabriel, Rodriguez, David Anthony Tyler, Ju, Taeho, Karmiol, Benjamin, Findikoglu, Alp Tugrul, McCulloch, Quinn, Weisbrod, Kirk, McKee, Steven Douglas, Droessler, Janelle, Stritzinger, Jared Tyler, Monroe, Jeremy Jacob, Walsh, Sean Peter
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.05.2024
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR; ELECTRICITY; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING; NUCLEAR PHYSICS; PHYSICS; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY; PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULARRADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL

An electrochemical cell that oxidizes a solution provides a continuous and stable supply of an oxidizing ion solution to a fixture or vessel used for the purposes of decontaminating metal and metal alloys. The electrochemical cell includes an anode compartment that oxidizes the solution in nitric acid or methane sulfonic acid at a rate equal to or greater than a rate of reduction, or generates the oxidizing ions prior to use in a batch. The electrochemical cell is part of a larger system that facilitates online measurement system which measures the oxidizing ion solution and the dissolved PuO2, UO2, AmO2, other radionuclides, or other contaminates in real-time. Solution decontamination system removes the dissolved PuO2/UO2/AmO2, other radionuclides, or other contaminates from the oxidizing ion solution, real time acoustic monitoring of the thickness of the surface being contaminated, and automation of a delivery system facilitates flow between surface and electrochemical cell.