Patent ID: 8636887
Filing Date: 2014-01-28
Classification: C04B,G21F

Abstract:
1. A method for electrokinetically removing contaminating species from a depth of a porous solid material coming from a nuclear installation, the material comprising a matrix and an electrically conducting frame located within the matrix, which method comprises: (a) applying to an external surface of the porous solid material a layer of an electrolyte and a first electrode formed by an electrically conducting element, the electrolyte being an essentially inorganic gel comprising from 10 to 40% by mass of an inorganic viscosifying agent, dispersed in 60 to 90% by mass of an aqueous phase with a basic pH and no more than 5% by mass of an organic material, and the layer of the electrolyte ensuring an electrical contact between the external surface and the first electrode; (b) extracting the contaminating species from the depth of the porous solid material into the layer of the electrolyte, by applying an electric current between the first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode being formed by at least a portion of the electrically conducting frame; (c) drying the layer of the electrolyte containing the extracted contaminating species until a dry residue is obtained which fractures, and (d) removing the first electrode and the fractured dry residue from the external surface of the porous solid material.