ELECTROLYTIC DECONTAMINATION OF CONDUCTIVE MATERIALS

Using the electrolytic method, we have demonstrated removal of Pu and Am from contaminated conductive material. At EG&G/Rocky Flats, we elec trolytically decontaminated stainless steel. Results from this work sh ow removal of fixed contamination, including the following geometries: planar, large radius, bolt holes, glove ports, and protruding studs. More specifically, fixed contamination was reduced from levels ranging from > 1 000 000 counts per minute (cpm) down to levels ranging from 1500 to 250 cpm using the electrolytic method. More recently, the elec trolytic work has continued at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a joi nt project with EG&G/Rocky Flats, Impressively, electrolytic decontami nation of Pu/Am from U surfaces (10 cm(2) per side) shows decreases in swipable contamination from 500 000-1 500 000 disintegrations per min ute (dpm) down to 0-2 dpm. Moreover, the solid waste product of the el ectrolytic method is reduced in volume by more than 50 times compared with the liquid waste produced by the previous U decontamination metho d - a hot concentrated acid spray leach process.