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.

A chemical decontamination method capable of improving the decontamination efficiency of chemical decontamination of a steam dryer in the RPV is provided. In particular, the decontamination method includes feeding a chemical decontamination aqueous solution into a reactor pressure vessel in which a steam dryer is arranged, and after chemical decontamination of the steam dryer, the water level of the chemical decontamination aqueous solution existing in the reactor pressure vessel is lowered to a first water level below the lower end of the steam dryer.

A nuclear dismantling system for dismantling equipment contaminated with radioactive contamination, including a dismantling apparatus to be operated remotely while in a nuclear facility and a control system communicatively coupled to the dismantling apparatus to control the dismantling apparatus remotely.

A suctionable gel for eliminating a contaminating species contained in an organic layer on the surface of a material, consisting of a colloidal solution comprising, preferably consisting of: 1 wt % to 25 wt %, preferably 5 wt % to 20 wt % based on the total weight of the gel, of at least one inorganic viscosifying agent; 13 wt % to 99 wt %, preferably 80 wt % to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the gel, of an organic solvent selected among the terpenes and the mixtures thereof; optionally, 0.01 wt % to 10 wt %, based on the total weight of the gel, of at least one dye and/or pigment; optionally 0.1 wt % to 2 wt %, based on the total weight of the gel, of at least one surfactant. The disclosure further relates to a decontamination method using the gel.

Decontamination method for a nuclear reactor design component, comprising treating the nuclear reactor design component with a low-temperature plasma under the flow of reactionless gas. A selected site on the surface of the design component is supplied to the electrode. Plasma discharge is ignited between the surface of the design component chosen as the cathode, and the electrode chosen as the anode. Operating parameters of the discharge effective to sputtering of the cathode are chosen. The cathode is sputtered. The electrode and a gas pipeline diverting inert gas from the discharge zone are cooled to a temperature sufficient for the precipitation of the sputtered atoms on the surface of the electrode and lines. After sputtering the cathode to the specified depth, the electrode is moved to a new area of treatment and the process steps are repeated until the complete treatment of the entire surface of the design component.

The invention relates to means for protecting the environment from the consequences of fires complicated by a radiation factor. A composition for dust suppression and containment of radioactive products of combustion after a fire with a radiation factor has been extinguished comprises, as a surfactant, a mixture of an anionic, a non-ionic and an amphoteric surfactant, and has the following ratio of components: 3.0-7.0% by weight of an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (in terms of a mass fraction of dry product); 0.1-0.3% by weight of plasticizer; 11.0-29.0% by weight of surfactant; with water making up the remainder. The invention makes it possible to carry out dust suppression and containment of radioactive products of combustion which are formed on surfaces, including at elevated temperatures, after a fire has been extinguished.

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.

Plasma reactors and methods are provided for reducing the volume of radioactive nuclear wastes or toxic wastes where the surface contamination is the main source of radioactivity or toxicity. The radioactive or toxic wastes are prepared in the form of small particles and fed into a pulsed plasma reactor operating in fluidized bed configuration. The repetitively pulsed radio-frequency (rf) powered plasma reactor generates high power plasma for pulse duration between 10 s-10 ms. During the pulse, the plasma deliver a short burst of intense heat flux to the surface of waste feed particles. Due to the short pulse duration, the heat flux is concentrated on the surface without propagating much to the core of the particles. The localized heat flux preferentially removes the surface contaminants via vaporization. The removed waste in the vapor phase will be transferred out of the reactor where it may undergo additional treatments or disposed accordingly in a reduced volume. The residual particles which are free from surface contaminants can then be recycled or disposed as non-toxic or non-radioactive waste. By controlling the treatment time inside the plasma reactor along with the pulse power, duration and repetition rate, and the plasma chemical composition, the thickness of removed surface layers can be controlled to provide the efficient surface decontamination.

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.

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.