Patent Number: 055457940
Section: summary

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a method for removing radioactive contaminants from metal surfaces by applying steam containing an inorganic acid and cerium IV. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The advantages and use of cerium IV in an aqueous solution for the decontamination and removal of radioactive contaminants from metal surfaces are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,229 discloses the use of cerium IV salts in aqueous solutions for decontaminating the metal surfaces of nuclear reactors. U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,559 discloses ceric acid in solution with an inorganic acid. In each of these disclosures, a cerium-containing solution is applied to metal parts which have been contaminated through the formation of radioactive elements at or near the surface. The reaction of cerium with the radioactive deposits renders the deposits soluble, allowing them to be removed from the contaminated metal. The cerium is maintained in a liquid phase, or in solution, either through the application of pressure or by maintaining the solution's temperature below its boiling point. While many methods utilizing cerium-containing solutions for removing radioactive elements from metals have been found, there remains a need for improved methods of decontamination. New methods are sought which perform cleanup more quickly and allow the decontamination of certain contaminated surfaces which, due to their orientation in space, are difficult to reach with decontamination materials, or which generate less waste volume. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, cerium IV is applied to contaminated metal surfaces by introducing cerium IV in solution into a steam spray directed at the contaminated metal surfaces. The cerium IV solution is converted to an essentially atomized or vapor phase by the steam. It is also carried along with the steam such that the cerium IV may be directed at a contaminated metal surface which is to be decontaminated. Upon contact with a contaminated metal surface, the cerium IV condenses or clings to the contaminated metal surface, and then reacts with radioactive contaminants on the surface to render the contaminants soluble in water. The present invention thus makes use of the discovery of the surprising result that despite the combination of air within the steam spray, the projection of the steam through air, the elevated temperatures of the steam, and the partial or complete vaporization or atomization of the cerium IV solution, the cerium will remain in a plus four oxidation state for a sufficient period of time to solubilize radioactive contaminants on the contaminated metal surfaces. In other words, the solubilization of radioactive contaminants occurs before the cerium IV is reduced to cerium III. In practice, the solubilization of the radioactive contaminants is essentially instantaneous upon contact with the cerium IV. This permits effective decontamination of contaminated metal surfaces with the application of a much smaller quantity of cerium IV and solute than is required by the methods presently known and used in the art. The introduction of cerium IV to the steam spray and subsequent conversion of the cerium IV to an essentially atomized or vapor phase allows another advantageous feature of the invention. In an essentially atomized or vapor phase, the cerium IV may be directed towards contaminated metal surfaces which, due to their orientation in space, are not readily or conveniently treated with solutions presently used in the art. For example, it may be difficult or dangerous to apply very hot cerium IV-containing solutions to contaminated metal surfaces which are vertical or past vertical because gravity will tend to pull the solution away from the contaminated metal surface. The present invention allows application of the cerium IV to a contaminated metal surface regardless of the orientation of the contaminated metal surface in space because the cerium IV is transported to the contaminated metal surface in an essentially atomized or vapor phase. By providing cerium III in a steam spray, the required volume for effective decontamination is small enough to permit the required volume of cerium IV to cling to a contaminated metal surface which is vertical or past vertical. Thus, the present invention significantly reduces the quantity of spent decontamination solution, allows effective decontamination of surfaces regardless of their orientation in space, and reduces the attendant cleanup or regeneration costs. The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description.