Portable, Multi-Contaminant Detection Instrument for Research and Development

60424 A decontamination method that is safe, is easily deployed, minimizes secondary wastes, and is effective on a large scale is needed within the DOE nuclear weapons complex to support the deactivation and decommissioning (D & D) mission. Leaving this key need unmet results in continued excess waste generation, increased personnel radiation exposure, adverse environmental impact, excessive D & D costs, and chronic schedule delays. This project will combine the proven capabilities of electro-decontamination and strippable encapsulation coatings to produce a safe, cost-effective, and easily deployed decontamination system. Phase I proved the feasibility of formulating an electrolyte that possesses the chemical and physical properties needed for highly effective and practical field use, created a hardware package to prove that the proposed decontamination concept is acceptable to potential users and performs as desired, and successfully demonstrated the operation of the new D & D system on a number of test coupons. Phase II will optimize, field-test, and validate the new decontamination system for commercial introduction. Specific Phase II objectives include: (1) development of a fully optimized electrolyte gel formulation, and (2) design and fabrication of a deployment hardware package suitable for field-testing and immediate commercialization. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: While primarily targeted at D & D applications in the DOE nuclear weapons complex, many applications should exist in the civilian sector, such as cleaning conductive objects and surfaces contaminated with hazardous, toxic, and biohazardous materials. The technology should be particularly effective for rust removal and preliminary surface preparation welding, making the technology potentially useful in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and utilities, as well as vehicle and building restoration