Radionuclides in Irradiated Graphite of Uranium–Graphite Reactors: Decontamination of Sleeves Using Liquid Reagents

Abstract

To examine the possibility of disposal of irradiated graphite in ground near-surface repositories, the concentration and spatial distribution of radionuclides in the volume of irradiated graphite sleeves of industrial uranium–graphite reactors was studied, and the efficiency of decontamination using liquid reagent treatment methods was evaluated. The radionuclide distribution in the graphite volume is extremely heterogeneous on the 10–100 μm scale. The degree of decontamination using solutions with high acid concentrations and fluoride ions added does not exceed 16–25% for ¹⁴C and 15–19% for ³⁶Cl. Under these treatment conditions, no structural changes occur in graphite, and ¹⁴С bound with the graphite surface via sorption is removed. Significant differences in the efficiency of the reagent decontamination of irradiated graphite from various producers were revealed.