A method of decontaminating an object removed from a nuclear power plant utilizing a decontamination system is disclosed. The decontamination system includes a platform, an imaging system, a robotic arm including an end effector configured to discharge a decontamination medium, and a control system operably coupled to the imaging system and the robotic arm. The method includes placing the object on the platform, scanning, by the imaging system, the object, generating, by the control system, a three-dimensional model of the object based on the scanned object, planning, by the control system, a decontamination path based on the generated three-dimensional model, controlling, by the control system, a position of the robotic arm according to the planned decontamination path, and discharging, by the end effector, the decontamination medium onto the object at a plurality of positions along the planned decontamination path.

Provided is a laser ablation system and method for decontamination of radioactive particles. The system includes a laser head assembly, comprising a laser for ablating radioactive particles from an underlying material, a shroud surrounding the laser for containing the ablated radioactive particles; and a suction nozzle for receiving an airflow from the shroud and releasing the airflow, wherein the airflow contains the ablated radioactive particles, and the waste management system for removing and containing the ablated radioactive particles, comprising a gas pulse regenerable filtration system for removing radioactive particles from the airflow and depositing them in a containment flask, and a vacuum for moving the airflow through the hose into the containment flask.

A method of follow-up decontamination operation for the polluted storage canister of a high activity nuclear waste storage facility, using needle and steel brushes driven by pneumatic tools for abrading the bottom and the inner wall of the storage canister to remove contaminants, a multi-level filter system for air filtration and removing pollutants in the storage canister, and a cover to be used in association with the pneumatic tools and the multi-level filtration system suitable to cap the storage canister, thus effectively block the exposure of contaminant of the storage canister to the external environment, achieving effective decontamination of the radioactive waste and reducing spreading to the environment.

A method of decontaminating an object removed from a nuclear power plant utilizing a decontamination system is disclosed. The decontamination system includes a platform, an imaging system, a robotic arm including an end effector configured to discharge a decontamination medium, and a control system operably coupled to the imaging system and the robotic arm. The method includes placing the object on the platform, scanning, by the imaging system, the object, generating, by the control system, a three-dimensional model of the object based on the scanned object, planning, by the control system, a decontamination path based on the generated three-dimensional model, controlling, by the control system, a position of the robotic arm according to the planned decontamination path, and discharging, by the end effector, the decontamination medium onto the object at a plurality of positions along the planned decontamination path.

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 structural coupling for use within a laser system. In a preferred embodiment, a laser system for cleaning purposes would be displaced within a facility having dangerous conditions which could potentially damage the components of the laser, such as within a nuclear power facility. Protecting the laser components typically requires shielding which can fail, resulting in potential contamination of laser generator and components. The structural coupling would allow the laser to pass through a structural element to be used on the interior of the facility such that the end effector may be freely used within the facility while the mobile laser unit itself is safely stored outside of the dangerous area. The coupling allows the laser to pass through the structural element or opening to the end effector without exposing the laser itself to potential contamination

A system for ablating a predetermined area of a substrate material, the system comprising: a processor; a computer readable medium comprising at least one first set of program instructions associated with the ablating protocol stored thereon, the ablating protocol comprising calibration parameters; a laser head associated with a laser power controller for generating a laser pulse having a wavelength, pulse width and output level based on the calibration parameters, wherein the laser pulse is transmitted to the laser head having an optical assembly to shape and focus a beam of the laser pulse on the substrate material; wherein the laser pulse impinges the substrate material and the layer material and emits a plasma plume and sound; sensor to capture light emitted by the plasma plume and sound emitted during the ablation event; and detector means to capture emitted light of the plasma plume associated with the ablation event.

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.

Device for deactivating radioactive elements comprising a loading-unloading manipulator, a process chamber with a lid with a round turn-around table located inside, a waste disposal container and an exhaust ventilation unit. The process chamber is equipped with a remote handling unit mounted on its outer part, a device for a dust-free abrasive blast cleaning, a waterjet cutting unit, connected through a leak-tight installed hoses in the process chamber walls, an abrasive and slurry collection unit and at least one device for radiation control, located inside the process chamber, the solid and liquid waste separation unit and discharge liquid waste. The process chamber is equipped with a chemical-radiation-shock proof sound-absorbing coating, and the remote control unit is connected with the device for a dust-free abrasive blast cleaning, waterjet cutting unit, abrasive and slurry collection device, exhaust ventilation unit, the process chamber lid, the radiation unit and the waste separation unit.

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.