The first test involved the setup of an ion exchange system employing commercially available resins from Dow Chemicals and Reilly Industries arranged in column beds. Column effluents were sampled at 30-minute time intervals. However, the Dow resins were more efficient in meeting the standard than were the Reilly resins. Removing technetium using a chemical reduction method did not prove effective. Benefits Soda blasting and the associated waste treatment system hold promise as a surface decontamination method.
Sodium bicarbonate is non-toxic and water soluble.
Its dissolution in water means it is easily removed from contaminants, thus reducing waste volume. Soda blasting is cost effective and energy efficient. The average amount of sodium bicarbonate used was 1.39 pound per square foot blasted. It is estimated approximately 1 pound per square foot would be used during a full-scale decontamination. The volume of waste generated during the demonstration project averaged 11.9 gallons per test grid.