Decontamination
TechXtract® from Matom
The TechXtract® process from Matom employs proprietary chemical formulations in successive steps to remove radionuclide fingerprints from the subsurface of materials such as concrete, brick, steel, and wood.
A proven technology, it has been used extensively in hot cell and high contamination environments, removing contamination and significantly reducing radioactive waste volumes.
The process is performed in multiple cycles, usually between 1 and 3. Each cycle consists of three stages: surface preparation, extraction, and rinsing.
Each stage employs a specific chemical mix.
The surface preparation step uses a solution that contains buffered organic and inorganic acids, sequestering agents, wetting agents, and special hydrotrope chemicals.
The extraction formula includes macro and micro emulsifiers in addition to electrolyte, flotation, wetting, and sequestering agents.
The rinsing formula is pH-balanced and contains wetting and complexing agents.
Emulsifiers in all the formulations help eliminate fugitive releases of volatile organic compounds or other vapours.
OPERATION
The chemical formulation in each stage is sprayed on the contaminated surface as a fine mist and worked into the surface with a stiff bristle brush or floor scrubber. The chemicals are allowed to penetrate into the subsurface and are then rinsed or vacuumed from the surface with a barrel-vacuum. No major capital equipment is required. Contaminant levels can be reduced from 70 to 90 percent per cycle. One cycle can take up to 24 hours. The total number of cycles is determined from initial contaminant concentrations and final concentration target levels.
APPLICATION
The TechXtract® process is designed to treat solid materials contaminated with radionuclides, heavy metals and chemical compounds such as PCB’s.
Because the contaminants are extracted from the surface, the materials can be left in place, reused, or recycled. After treatment, the contaminants are concentrated in a small volume of liquid waste and solidified using standard grouting or addition of absorbant polymer.
In commercial applications, the process has reduced PCB concentrations from 1,000,000 micrograms per 100 square centimeters (μg/100 cm²) to concentrations less than 0.2 μg/100cm². The echXtract® process has been used on concrete floors, walls and ceilings, tools and machine parts, internal piping, valves, and lead shielding.
The TechXtract® process has removed compounds that include, but not limited to, the radionuclides:
Actinium 227
Americium 241
Carbon 14
Caesium 134, 135, 137
Cobalt 58, 60
Iodine 131
Iron 55, 59
Plutonium 232, 246
Strontium 89 – 92
Technetium 99m
Thorium 227, 231, 232
Uranium 235, 238
Yttrium 90, 91, 91m, 92, 93
Zirconium 93, 95, 97
BENEFITS
Reduces both primary and secondary waste
Contaminant Migration
Contaminant Held in Solution
Electrostatically Bonded Contaminant
Non-destructive Technique
Non- RCRA
Non-Airborne
Over 96% success rate on first cycle
Highly targeted chemistry
Rapid transit through hard substrates
Engineered, sequential chemistry
Removes surface and subsurface contaminants
Effective on solid substrates
Non-hazardous materials
Highly scaleable manufacture and deployment globally
Wide Range of specific target reagents
Able to penetrate deep into gel pores of substrate
Sub surface penetration in wide range of metals including MIL and HY spec
Highly effective at removing radioactive contamination, alpha,beta and gamma emitting contaminants
