Radionuclide removal from reactor wastes by HGMF

This paper describes experiments conducted to support the use of a high gradient magnetic filter (HGMF) to remove radioactive particulate matter generated by internal decontamination of water-cooled nuclear reactors. Decontamination schemes for reduction of radiation exposure at power reactors call for the introduction of chemical reagents into the primary circuit to loosen and flush the radioactive corrosion products from the internal surfaces. This produces large volumes of liquid radioactive wastes which must be treated to remove the soluble and particulate material so that the water can be disposed of. Mechanical filters produce a large volume of filter material versus the volume of particulates removed and are limited as to the smallest particulate size removed, with resultant recontamination of the cleaned surfaces. The majority of the material removed is in the particulate form and is magnetically susceptible, therefore the HGMF has proved to be ideally suited to this application.