• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.218-223
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• 2018

In this study, we proposed a new ultrasonic-chemical decontamination process for decontaminating radioactive corrosion products during the maintenance of reactor coolant pump (RCP). The actual decontamination process was reproduced in the laboratory. And the corrosion characteristics of stainless steel (STS), constituting the RCP interior parts, were examined. The weight-loss measurment and polarization experiment were carried out in order to determine the corrosion characteristics of STS 304 and STS 415 by repeated decontamination processes. The STS 304 presented a little corrosion damage, which was almost indistinguishable from visual observation. The weight-loss rate of STS 304 was also significantly lower. On the other hand, STS 415 showed severe corrosion damage on its surface, greater weight-loss rate and higher corrosion current density than STS 304.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.3293-3298
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• 2022

Removing radioactive contaminated metal materials is a vital task during the decommissioning of nuclear power plants to reduce the cost of the post-dismantling process. The laser decontamination technique has been recognized as a key tool for a successful dismantling process as it enables a remote operation in radioactive facilities. It also minimizes exposure of workers to hazardous materials and reduces secondary waste, increasing the environmental friendless of the post-dismantling processing. In this work, we present a thorough and efficient laser decontamination approach using a single-mode continuous-wave (CW) laser. We subjected stainless steels to a surface-removal process that repetitively exposes the laser to a confined region of ~75 ㎛ at a high scanning rate of 10 m/s. We evaluate the decontamination performance by measuring the removal depth with a 3D scanning microscope and further investigate optimal removal conditions given practical parameters such as the laser power and scan properties. We successfully removed the metal surface to a depth of more than 40 ㎛ with laser power of 300 W and ten scans, showing the potential to achieve an extremely high DF more than 1000 by simply increasing the number of scans and the laser power for the decontamination of primary circuits.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.481-487
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• 2021

This study was conducted for the purpose of efficient radioactive waste disposal and management. Experiment was evaluated the decontamination efficiencies of the four types decontamination materials(Water, Alcohol, Decontamination Water, Decontamination Gel) with radioactive wastes generated during radio-pharmaceutical production process at Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences(KIRAMS). The radioactive waste sample used in experiment is a lead plate of the fume hood that was disposed in April, 2019. In the experimental method, radioactive waste was measured before and after decontamination using a HPGe semiconductor detector and Gamma survey meter. The measured values before and after decontamination were evaluated for decontamination efficiency as a percentage. As a result, it was confirmed that a lot of specific activity and surface dose rate was removed from the radioactive wastes. In particular, when decontamination water was used, most of the radioactivity of radioactive wastes was removed. Considering these results, if decontamination water is used in decontamination of radioactive waste, decontamination efficiency equivalent to the disposition criteria can be expected with just one decontamination treatment. In addition, in the case of water and alcohol, only on decontamination was effective in approximately 75% and 95%. Otherwise, when decontamination gel was used, it was confirmed that the largest deviation occurred among all experimental results.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.720-724
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• 2003

In order to develop the decontamination process for self-disposal with authorization of duct waste generated from the decommissioning of retired TRIGA research reactors, the surface characterization of duct specimen taken from TRIGA research reactor was carried out and the adequate decontamination method was selected. It can be known that the paint coated internal surface of duct is contaminated with $^{60}Co$and $^{137}Cs$, which are penetrated into the paint layer and incorporated into zinc plated surface of galvanized iron as the material of duct. Two step chemical decontamination process, in which sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid solutions are used in turn, is quite successful to remove the surface contamination of duct waste.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.84-94
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• 2007

As a reactor coolant pump(RCP) is operated in the nuclear power system for a long time. so its surface is continuously contaminated by radioactive scales. In order to perform regular or emergency repair about RCP internals a special decontamination process should be used to reduce the radiation from the RCP surface by means of chemical cleaning. In this study, applicable possibility in chemical decontamination for RCP was investigated on the various materials. The STS 304 showed the best electrochemical properties for corrosion resistance than other materials. However, the pitting corrosion was slightly generated in both STS 415 and STS 431 with the increasing numbers of cycle and intergranular corrosion were sporadically observed. The size of their pitting corrosion and intergranular corrosion were also increased with increasing cycle numbers.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.295-305
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• 2023

Purpose: Various methods have been proposed to achieve the nearly complete decontamination of the surface of implants affected by peri-implantitis. We investigated the in vitro debridement efficiency of multiple decontamination methods (Gracey curettes [GC], glycine air-polishing [G-Air], erythritol air-polishing [E-Air] and titanium brushes [TiB]) using a novel spectrophotometric ink-model in 3 different bone defect settings (30°, 60°, and 90°). Methods: Forty-five dental implants were stained with indelible ink and mounted in resin models, which simulated standardised peri-implantitis defects with different bone defect angulations (30°, 60°, and 90°). After each run of instrumentation, the implants were removed from the resin model, and the ink was dissolved in ethanol (97%). A spectrophotometric analysis was performed to detect colour remnants in order to measure the cumulative uncleaned surface area of the implants. Scanning electron microscopy images were taken to assess micromorphological surface changes. Results: Generally, the 60° bone defects were the easiest to debride, and the 30° defects were the most difficult (ink absorption peak: 0.26±0.04 for 60° defects; 0.32±0.06 for 30° defects; 0.27±0.04 for 90° defects). The most effective debridement method was TiB, independently of the bone defect type (TiB vs. GC: P<0.0001; TiB vs. G-Air: P=0.0017; TiB vs. GE-Air: P=0.0007). GE-Air appeared to be the least efficient method for biofilm debridement. Conclusions: T-brushes seem to be a promising decontamination method compared to the other techniques, whereas G-Air was less aggressive on the implant surface. The use of a spectrophotometric model was shown to be a novel but promising assessment method for in vitro ink studies.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.632-638
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• 2006

There are numerous approaches available to cleanup a contaminated surface and subsurface ground currently in use, however, these methods all classify the decontamination after the contamination has penetrated into the soil masses and is costly. Unlike these approaches, in this study, utilization of soil's self-decontamination ability by rearranging and preplanning of the topographical features and surface and subsurface drainage systems for the potential contamination sites before or during contamination process has been considered as an another cleanup method. Step by step explanations on why and how to develop the self-decontamination procedure is proposed in detail. Two examples are presented including contaminated saltwater intrusion along a coastal region and control or prevention of radioactive toxic radon gas ($^{222}Rn$) in residential areas. The effectiveness of the proposed systems to these two examples using the soil's self-decontamination ability is well illustrated.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.298-315
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• 2021

Purpose: Peri-implantitis therapy and implant maintenance are fundamental practices to enhance the longevity of zirconia implants. However, the use of physical decontamination methods, including hand instruments, polishing devices, ultrasonic scalers, and laser systems, might damage the implant surfaces. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of physical decontamination methods on zirconia implant surfaces. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using 5 electronic databases: Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane. Hand searching of the OpenGrey database, reference lists, and 6 selected dental journals was also performed to identify relevant studies satisfying the eligibility criteria. Results: Overall, 1049 unique studies were identified, of which 11 studies were deemed suitable for final review. Air-abrasive devices with glycine powder, prophylaxis cups, and ultrasonic scalers with non-metal tips were found to cause minimal to no damage to implantgrade zirconia surfaces. However, hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers with metal tips have the potential to cause major damage to zirconia surfaces. In terms of laser systems, diode lasers appear to be the most promising, as no surface alterations were reported following their use. Conclusion: Air-abrasive devices and prophylaxis cups are safe for zirconia implant decontamination due to preservation of the implant surface integrity. In contrast, hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers with metal tips should be used with caution. Recommendations for the use of laser systems could not be fully established due to significant heterogeneity among included studies, but diode lasers may be the best-suited system. Further research-specifically, randomised controlled trials-would further confirm the effects of physical decontamination methods in a clinical setting.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2005

Ultrasonic decontamination of the type 304 stainless steel specimen loosely contaminated with $Eu_2O_3$ powders was investigated. Decontamination factors (DFs) by the three kinds of ultrasonic media such as water, pure PFC (Pefluorocarbon, $C_7F_{16}$) and a mixed solution of $99.9\;vol\%\;PFC\;and\;0.1\;vol\%$ anionic surfactant were determined. The determined DF values were 20, 50 and 200, respectively. This significant difference in the decontamination factors for the different decontamination solution was well explained by the surface tension of the media as well as the interaction between the positively charged surface of $Eu_2O_3$ powders and the anionic surfactant. Ultrasonic decontamination behavior of the loosely contaminated metal specimens such as plate, pipe, welding specimen and crevice specimen in the mixed solution of PFC and anionic surfactant was also investigated. The contaminants were completely removed for the tested specimens except for the longest specimen. For 6-cm long pipe specimen, however, $98.5\%$ of the contaminants were removed.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2024

Large amounts of liquid radioactive waste or radioactive contaminated water could be produced during the treatment of radiation accidents or during the dismantling and decontamination process of nuclear power plants. Since most of the decontamination agents to date are difficult to recover after adsorption of radioactive isotopes, their use in open environments such as rivers, reservoirs, or oceans is limited. In this study, as a radioactive decontamination agent that can overcome the current limitations when used in an open environment, a paramagnetic core inorganic composite (PMCIC) decomposite agent with high selectivity to cesium ions was developed. PMCore was prepared by synthesizing paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, and inorganic crystals such as metal-ferrocyanide were conjugated to the surface so that PMCore could be selective to cesium ions. The developed PMCIC could be easily recovered from the water by magnetism and could adsorb up to 94 μM of Cs atoms per 1 g of PMCIC.