Improved Decontamination: Interfacial, Transport, and Chemical Properties of Aqueous Surfactant Cleaners

This investigation is focused on decontamination using environmentally benign aqueous solutions, specifically the removal of organics and associated radionuclide contaminants by synthetic surfactants. Facilities throughout DOE have need for removal of organics (oils, PCBs, etc.) and associated contaminants from solid substrates, particularly metals surfaces such as ductwork, pumps, tools, gloveboxes, etc. Aqueous-based solutions are attractive alternatives to chlorinated/fluorinated solvents that have been banned or are being phased out. They promise several advantages for decontamination processes, including low hazard potential, low cost, and reduced secondary waste volume through solvent recycle, solvent degradation, and/or incineration. The work aims at gaining an understanding of interfacial, transport, and chemical processes that govern the effectiveness of aqueous-based surfactant solutions for decontamination of surfaces. In addition, efficient means for separation of waste materials from aqueous-based cleaners will be investigated. It is intended that the understanding developed in this work will be directly applied to decontamination tasks by testing surface samples from DOE contaminated sites and that the tests will provide the basis for improved approaches for removal of organic contamination