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A radioanalytical phantom for assessing the efficacy of electrokinetic decontamination of entrained radioactivity within concrete media

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Abstract

A phantom for the evaluation of electrokinetic remediation of radioactive species from water saturated concrete is described. The phantom has been designed to be a general analogue for environments where structural concrete is saturated by radioactive aqueous solutions and where electrokinetic remediation may be deployed. It is also a specific analogue for the walls of storage ponds for legacy spend nuclear fuel pins where the pond water comprises a large volume of hazardous active waste that may penetrate the pond wall. The fabricated phantom was evaluated using a fixed electrical potential to monitor the rate of cationic transport of K+ through concrete samples of different thickness (20 and 35 mm respectively). Results of the evaluation show K+ diffusion coefficients of 5.20 × 10−13 and 7.61 × 10−13 m2 s−1 for the 20 mm and 35 mm samples, consistent with those seen in literature for the transport of caesium through concrete of similar thickness. The phantom offers a means of experimental validation of computational electrokinetic models as well as providing a basis to test the effects of electrode material on ionic transport rates, to interrogate the effects of pH on all components of the system, and as a basis for instruction, education and training in nuclear decommissioning and waste treatment.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) through a PhD bursary for Andrew Parker. Colin Boxall is supported by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, an independent charity that supports the advancement of engineering related education, and funds research and development that enhances the safety of life at sea, on land and in the air. Further thanks go to Pete Jones for helping in the fabrication of the phantom.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, LA1 4YR, UK

    Andrew J. Parker, Malcolm J. Joyce & Colin Boxall

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  1. Andrew J. Parker
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  2. Malcolm J. Joyce
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  3. Colin Boxall
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Correspondence to Andrew J. Parker.

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Parker, A.J., Joyce, M.J. & Boxall, C. A radioanalytical phantom for assessing the efficacy of electrokinetic decontamination of entrained radioactivity within concrete media. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 300, 769–777 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-3015-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-3015-3

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