DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING METAL SURFACES FROM RADIOACTIVE POLLUTANTS Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: decontaminating metal parts polluted by radioactive materials such as those of nuclear reactors. SUBSTANCE: part 2, such as tube, to be decontaminated is connected to device 9 that sets it in rotary motion and placed in bath 1 filled with liquid or abrasive slurry. Electrode system 5 is inserted inside part 2. High-voltage pulse source 3 and device 4 synchronizing pulse repetition rate, speed of truck 10, and speed of part 2 are turned on. High-voltage pulses are passed through electrode system to nozzles 6. Working gap R between nozzle 6 and part 2 is broken down; in the process local metal surface is cleaned of radioactive deposits. This process is repeated many times while surface is being scanned until deposits are removed from entire metal surface. Electrode system 5 incorporates mechanism 8 that functions to maintain constant gap R in the course of operation so as to ensure uniform treatment of the surface of part 2 under same conditions. EFFECT: enhanced decontaminating efficiency and capacity, reduced power requirement. 5 cl, 3 dwg, 1 tbl