Известия Томского политехнического университета: Инжиниринг георесурсов (Nov 2022)

RESEARCH ON LASER DEACTIVATION CLEANING OF METAL SURFACES CONTAMINATED WITH RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

  • Vladimir L. Sofronov,
  • Evgeniy U. Kartashov,
  • Semen A. Tkachuk,
  • Alexander D. Pak,
  • Vasiliy V. Tinin,
  • Andrey A. Galata

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2022/11/3734
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 333, no. 11
pp. 171 – 182

Abstract

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The relevance of the study is caused by the need to find a new, more efficient method for decontamination of large volumes of metal waste contaminated with radioactive substances. The accumulation of this type of waste is associated with the production and subsequent reduction of nuclear warheads, the dismantling of nuclear industry facilities and the non-nuclear sector that have exhausted their resources. Purpose: to conduct research on the deactivation cleaning of metal surfaces contaminated with radioactive materials using a mobile laser unit of a modular type. Objects: systems consisting of samples of various metals and related layers of coatings of various morphologies (corrosion layer, paint coating, lubricants) contaminated with radioactive substances, as well as laser radiation. Methods: laser deactivation (installation «HTF Clean 500»), radiometric analysis (MKS-01A «MULTIRAD» and MKS-AT-1117M), optical microscopy (Miсromed Polar Nikon SMZ745T), photofixation (Sony α-6000), scanning electron microscopy (Carl Zeiss Sigma), grinding and cutting tools, electronic scales (SPV-60), linear measuring tool. Results. The authors developed the techniques for conducting research of laser deactivation of metal surfaces contaminated with radioactive substances and dosimetric studies of metal surface samples before and after their laser treatment. The optimal parameters of laser decontamination of surfaces of various morphology and composition were determined; graphs of dependences of the degree of removed contamination of various morphology and composition on the number of laser decontamination passes are plotted; conclusions are made about the expediency of applying the laser cleaning method for processing metals containing radioactive substances on the surface, and recommendations are given on laser deactivation for various metal waste contaminated with radioactive substances.

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