Development of Decontamination Methods using Liquid/Supercritical $CO_2$

  • Park, Kwangheon (Green Nuclear Research Laboratory Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Moonsung Koh (Green Nuclear Research Laboratory Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Chunghyun Yoon (Green Nuclear Research Laboratory Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Kim, Hongdoo (Green Nuclear Research Laboratory Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Kim, Hakwon (Green Nuclear Research Laboratory Kyung Hee University)
  • Published : 2004.02.01

Abstract

A major problem of nuclear energy is the production of radioactive wastes. Needs for more environmentally favorable method to decontaminate radioactive contaminants make the use of liquid/Supercritical $CO_2$ as a solvent medium. In removing radioactive metallic contaminants under $CO_2$ solvent, two methods - use of chelating ligands and that of water in $CO_2$ emulsion - are possible. In the chelating ligand method, a combination of ligands that can make synergistic effects seems important. We discuss about the properties of microemulsion formed by F-AOT. By adding acid in water core, decontamination of metallic parts, soils were possible.

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