Assessment of super(137)Cs decontamination of concrete by the reagent method

The particulars of radioactive contamination of concrete wastes by super(137)Cs were studied. x-Ray phase analysis and chemical analysis show that clayey materials, including Al sub(2)O sub(3), Fe sub(2)O sub(3), K sub(2)O, and MgO, on which super(137)Cs sorption is possible, were present in the concrete wastes. The content and form in which super(137)Cs was found in radioactive concrete wastes from nuclear power facilities as well as in model samples were determined. When the wastes were treated with nitric acid the binder dissolved and a polydisperse suspension formed. The suspension consisted of three phases: solution, fine suspension, and rapidly settling precipitate of heavy filler particles. x-Ray phase analysis was performed and the super(137)Cs mass ratio and distribution in the phases were determined. The possibility of decontaminating the concrete by a reagent method was evaluated.