A laser decontamination system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a laser generator generating a laser beam; an optical head inserted inside a pipe and focusing the laser beam on a contamination material inside the pipe for laser ablation; a first optical fiber connecting the laser generator and the optical head and transmitting the laser beam to the optical head; a spectroscope for analyzing a plasma spectrum generated in the pipe by the laser ablation; a second optical fiber connecting the spectroscope and the optical head and transmitting the plasma spectrum to the spectroscope; a dust collector for collecting a dust generated in the pipe by the laser ablation; a dust collection pipe connecting the dust collector and the inside of the pipe and transmitting the dust to the dust collector; and a blocking film positioned between the optical head and the pipe to block the dust.

A single integrated system for recycling used nuclear fuel (UNF) emerging from a reactor has a decladding vessel separating fuel pellets from nuclear fuel rods via oxidation to produce U.sub.3O.sub.8. A fluorination vessel is coupled to the decladding vessel to remove hexafluorides from the U.sub.3O.sub.8 produced by the decladding vessel. An electrowinning vessel is coupled to the fluorination vessel removing plutonium and actinides via electrowinning.

A method for decontaminating a metal surface exposed to radioactive liquid or gas during operation of a nuclear facility comprises an oxidation step wherein a metal oxide layer on the metal surface is contacted with an aqueous oxidation solution comprising a permanganate oxidant for converting chromium into a Cr(VI) compound and dissolving the Cr(VI) compound in the oxidation solution; and a first cleaning step wherein the oxidation solution containing the Cr(VI) compound is directly passed over an anion exchange material and the Cr(VI) compound is immobilized on the anion exchange material. The method provides for substantial savings of radioactive waste and produces chelate-free waste.

A method of decontaminating naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) from downhole equipment may include injecting a NORM dissolver into an isolated region of a wellbore in which NORM-contaminated production equipment is located; and removing the NORM contaminants from the production equipment. The method may also include recommencing production of hydrocarbons following the decontamination.

A chemical decontamination reagent containing a reducing agent, a reductive metal ion, and an inorganic acid is provided to remove a radioactive oxide layer on a metal surface. The reagent can dissolve the radioactive oxide layer on the metal surface effectively at a relatively low temperature and enables a simple process of contacting the reagent to the radioactive oxide, thus economically effective in terms of cost and time required for the process. Since the decontamination does not use a conventional organic chelating agent such as oxalic acid, but the reducing agent as a main substance, the residuals of the reducing agent remained after decontamination can be decomposed and removed with an oxidizing agent. Due to the easy decomposition with the chemical decontamination reagent, secondary wastes can be minimized and the radionuclides remained in the decontamination reagent solution can be removed effectively.

The present invention refers to a process for removing Cs, and optionally Rb, from aqueous fluids including body fluids by fluorine containing reagents, the synthesis of fluorine containing, water-insoluble salts of said Cs isotopes and their use as therapeutic agents.

The present invention refers to a process for removing Cs, and optionally Rb, from aqueous fluids including body fluids by fluorine containing reagents, the synthesis of fluorine containing, water-insoluble salts of said Cs isotopes and their use as therapeutic agents.

The invention relates to methods for mitigating the recontamination of carbon steel surfaces in a nuclear reactor or related water-containing systems and components, which have undergone a decontamination process. The methods include conducting a passivation process of the carbon steel surfaces directly following completion of the decontamination process, prior to the system or component being returned to service. In certain embodiments, a chelating agent is used in the decontamination process and is retained following completion of the process, for use in the subsequent passivation process. The passivation process forms a passivation film that is effective to reduce recontamination of the decontaminated carbon steel surfaces.

Mineralogical method and apparatus for removal of cesium ion in aqueous solution are provided. In particular, a mineralogical method for removal of cesium ion in aqueous solution including controlling a temperature of radioactive wastewater containing cesium from 25 to 45° C., controlling an initial pH of the radioactive wastewater from 6.0 to 8.5, and adding iron(II) and sulfide(−II) containing sulfur in the −2 oxidation state to the radioactive wastewater, to convert the cesium ion in aqueous solution into a cesium mineral, and a mineralogical apparatus for removal of cesium ion in aqueous solution, capable of being applied to such a method, are provided.

Radiation detectors and methods of using the radiation detectors that provide a route for surface decontamination during use are described. The detectors utilize light illumination of an internal surface during use. Light is in the longer UV-to-near-infrared spectra and desorbs contamination from internal surfaces of radiation detectors. The methods can be carried out while the detectors are in operation, preventing the appearance of the negative effects of radioactive and non-radioactive contamination during a detection regime and following a detection regime.