EP0091646A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser decontamination method
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1983-04-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-04-06
Abstract
Abstract The laser decontamination method comprises directing a laser beam (58) at the surface of the radioactive component to be decontaminated for removing the radioactive oxide layer from the component without damaging the component. The method further comprises reflecting the laser beam from a reflective surface (36) for directing the reflected laser beam to inaccessible areas of the component to be decontaminated. In addition, the method may comprise isolating the area to be decontaminated so that the oxide film that is removed from the component may be collected so as to prevent recontamination or contamination of other components.
Inventors
- 👤 Thaddeus A. Wojcik
- 👤 Herbert E. Ferree
- 👤 William H. Kasner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:17
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/002; F22B37/003; G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; B; B08; B08B; B08B7/00; B08B7/0035; B08B7/0042; G21F9/001; G21F9/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for decontaminating radioactive nuclear components by removing a thin oxide layer of radioactively contaminated metal from the surface of said components thus lowering the radiation level associated with said components characterized in that the surface of said components is scanned by a laser beam of an energy density sufficient to achieve a thermal penetration corresponding to the thickness of said oxide layer and of a width substantially larger than the thickness of said oxide layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for decontaminating radioactive nuclear components by removing a thin oxide layer of radioactively contaminated metal from the surface of said components thus lowering the radiation level associated with said components characterized in that the surface of said components is scanned by a laser beam of an energy density sufficient to achieve a thermal penetration corresponding to the thickness of said oxide layer and of a width substantially larger than the thickness of said oxide layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the contaminants released from said surface are sucked off and transported away from said component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction stream is filtered for collecting said contaminants for disposal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said laser has an energy density at said surface of 4.6 to 23 joules/cm 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 4, characterized in that said laser produces an energy density at said surface of approximately 8.5 joules/cm .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 5, characterized in that a laser is used which emits pulses of approximately 0.3 joules/pulse with a pulse length of 30-40 nanoseconds and at a wavelength of approximately 1.06 micrometers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 6, characterized in that said laser is a Neodymium YAG pulsed laser.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
34 words
A method according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the laser beam is directed onto and moved along said surface by a remotely movable reflective mechanism arranged near said component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1382915A
Cited
FR2300632A1
Cited
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