Patent ID: 7147787
Filing Date: 2006-12-12
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
1. A process for treating an aqueous environment containing polyvinyl alcohol and radioactive material, said process comprising the steps of: a) introducing a sufficient amount of at least one photochemically reactive oxidizing agent into the aqueous environment containing polyvinyl alcohol and radioactive material in order to oxidize at least a portion of the polyvinyl alcohol and provide at least one organic acid upon irradiation; b) irradiating the aqueous environment containing polyvinyl alcohol and radioactive material with electromagnetic radiation for sufficient time to accelerate the oxidation of the polyvinyl alcohol; c) measuring the pH of the aqueous environment before and after irradiation to determine the degree of oxidation of the polyvinyl alcohol; and further comprising one or more steps of: filtering at least a portion of non-solubilizing material from the aqueous environment; heating the aqueous environment for a sufficient amount of time to form at least one organic acid; filtering at least a portion of radioactive material from the aqueous environment; and neutralizing the pH of the aqueous environment.