Processes, systems, and methods for selectively regenerating an ion exchange resin generally comprises washing the ion exchange resin with an elution agent that encourages only selected contaminants, and especially selected radioactive isotopes, to disengage or decouple from the resin and enter solution in the elution agent, which thereafter is identified as the elution agent solution. The elution agent solution is then passed through a column of isotope-specific media (ISM). When the selected radioactive isotopes within the elution agent solution come into contact with the constituent media isotopes of the ISM, the selected radioactive isotopes are retained on the reactive surface areas of the ISM or within the interstitial spaces of the porous structures of the constituent media isotopes of the ISM. In some embodiments, the constituent media isotopes of the ISM are embedded, impregnated, or coated with the specific radioactive isotope that the particular ISM are adapted to separate.

An electrostatic induction system includes used activated carbon as electron-collecting units, to which electrons are supplied by an electrostatic induction apparatus so that impurities that have been absorbed by activated carbon are neutralized or reduced, and neutralized or reduced used activated carbon is acquired. The neutralized or reduced used activated carbon is buried in an environmental conservation implementation area in such a manner that an amount of the buried neutralized or reduced used activated carbon and a number of locations at which the neutralized or reduced used activated carbon are buried are adjusted depending on a property of the environmental conservation implementation area, and that the buried neutralized or reduced used activated carbon gradually decrease an earthing resistance of the environmental conservation implementation area so as to cause the earthing resistance to have a value less than or equal to 10.

An electrostatic induction system includes used activated carbon as electron-collecting units, to which electrons are supplied by an electrostatic induction apparatus so that impurities that have been absorbed by activated carbon are neutralized or reduced, and neutralized or reduced used activated carbon is acquired. The neutralized or reduced used activated carbon is buried in an environmental conservation implementation area in such a manner that an amount of the buried neutralized or reduced used activated carbon and a number of locations at which the neutralized or reduced used activated carbon are buried are adjusted depending on a property of the environmental conservation implementation area, and that the buried neutralized or reduced used activated carbon gradually decrease an earthing resistance of the environmental conservation implementation area so as to cause the earthing resistance to have a value less than or equal to 10.

The present invention relates to a method of separating radioactive elements from a mixture, wherein the mixture is treated with at least one alkanesulfonic acid and at least one further acid, selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, amidosulfonic acid and mixtures thereof and also the use of at least one alkanesulfonic acid and at least one further acid for separating radioactive elements from mixtures comprising these.

Embodiments disclosed herein include methods and systems for melting or augmenting a melt rate of material in a melter using electromagnetic radiation with a frequency between 0.9 GHz and 10 GHz. In some examples, a power and/or frequency of radiation used may be selected so as to control a temperature of a cold cap in the melter while maintaining emissions from the melter below a threshold level. In this manner, examples described herein may provide for efficient and safe melting and vitrification of radioactive wastes.

Provided herein are separation processes for metal ions present in aqueous solutions based on methods involving liquid-liquid extraction. The separation process involves a chelator that can selectively bind to at least one of the metals at a relatively low pH. This can be used, for example, for recovery and purification of actinides from lanthanides, separation of metal ions based on their valence, and separation of metal ions based on the pH of the extraction conditions.

A method of cleaning naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) from filtration socks utilizes a system that is equipped with a centrifuge, a disposal well, a surfactant and heated water. Through oil production, filtration socks become saturated with oil and NORMs. Typically, the used filtration socks are disposed of in a radioactive landfill or other proper disposal means. Through the method of cleaning NORMs, the used filtration socks are placed into a washing drum within a centrifuge and agitated with a surfactant and heated water to extract the NORMs from the used filtration socks. The centrifuge is spun to eject the waste solution from the washing drum, where the waste solution is pumped out of the centrifuge and into a class II disposal well to properly dispose the NORMs and brine from oil production processes. Cleaned filtration socks are then reusable or disposable in a more convenient manner.

A method of cleaning naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) from filtration socks utilizes a system that is equipped with a centrifuge, a disposal well, a surfactant and heated water. Through oil production, filtration socks become saturated with oil and NORMs. Typically, the used filtration socks are disposed of in a radioactive landfill or other proper disposal means. Through the method of cleaning NORMs, the used filtration socks are placed into a washing drum within a centrifuge and agitated with a surfactant and heated water to extract the NORMs from the used filtration socks. The centrifuge is spun to eject the waste solution from the washing drum, where the waste solution is pumped out of the centrifuge and into a class II disposal well to properly dispose the NORMs and brine from oil production processes. Cleaned filtration socks are then reusable or disposable in a more convenient manner.

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 PuO.sub.2, UO.sub.2, AmO.sub.2, other radionuclides, or other contaminates in real-time. Solution decontamination system removes the dissolved PuO.sub.2/UO.sub.2/AmO.sub.2, 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.

The invention provides electrochemical surface treatment apparatus (100) for the treatment of radioactively contaminated internal surfaces of a pipe (1). The apparatus (100) includes an electrode device (102). The device (102) includes an electrode (4), which, in use, is located in electrolyte liquid (2) within the pipe (1) adjacent a treatment surface (104) to be treated with a gap (106) defined between the electrode (4) and the treatment surface (104). The apparatus (100) includes a circulation arrangement (108). The electrode (4) defines an internal passage (110). In use, the circulation arrangement (108) causes a recirculating flow of electrolyte liquid (2) through the gap (106) in one direction and along the passage (110) in an opposite direction.