Patent ID: 6444276
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: C23G,G21F

Abstract:
A method for decontaminating a surface, the method which comprises:bringing a surface of a component formed of a base metal selected from the group consisting of an unalloyed steel and a low-alloy steel into contact with a solution containing an oxalic acid and dissolving a contaminated layer from the base metal of the component for providing an exposed base metal surface; providing ions of divalent iron in the solution for instantly forming a protective layer on the exposed base metal surface; converting iron(III) oxalate into iron(II) oxalate and carbon dioxide by irradiation with UV light; subsequent to dissolving the contaminated layer, dissolving the protective layer by lowering a level of the ions of the divalent iron in the solution; and binding ions of the divalent iron no longer required for forming a protective layer on the exposed base metal surface and a substance having caused the contaminated layer to an ion exchange resin.