DOE Technology Demonstration
Pentek recently demonstrated its new ROTO-PEEN Scaler at the Large Scale Demonstration Project funded in part by DOE's Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) in support of their Decontamination and Decommissioning (D and D) Focus Area mission. Pentek participated in a cost-shared collaboration with the Strategic Alliance, who managed the demonstration at Argonne National Laboratory's CP-5 reactor. The demonstration benchmarked processes for the mechanical removal of radiologically contaminated coatings from concrete floors. The technology tested had to reduce the potential for exposure to workers and the environment while satisfying regulatory criteria to release the areas for unrestricted use. The ROTO-PEEN Scaler accomplished this by propelling flaps with tungsten carbide shot against the surface to mechanically fracture the contaminated coatings, while a vacuum attachment contained and collected the waste. Pentek's work scope required the removal of about 650 square feet (60 square meters) of up to 40-year old epoxy coatings, representing approximately one quadrant of the CP-5 reactor floor. Pre-decontamination surveys identified four locations where radiation levels exceeded the guidelines set forth in DOE Order 5400.5. Removal of just the surface coatings reduced the quantity of these locations to two. The ROTO-PEEN Scaler was then re-employed to remove an additional 1/8-inch (3 mm) of concrete substrate at these isolated 'hot spots' to achieve the desired release criteria for all locations. Demonstration Results Utilizing a combination three (3) tool, VAC-PAC Model 24 High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered and waste recovery system, production averaged 125 square feet per hour (10 square meters/hr), allowing project completion during a single shift. The production rate was well within the estimated range of 90 to 150 square feet per hour (8 to 14 square meters/hr) to be expected in the CP-5 application. When operating at full capacity, the VAC-PAC Model 24 is capable of supporting the operation of up to 10 Pentek power tools to remove coatings at maximum production rates of up to 300 to 500 square feet per hour (27 to 45 square meters/hr). Pentek's dustless decontamination system also performed as advertised in terms of protecting occupational health and environmental safety. Health physics personnel confirmed the lack of airborne contamination during coatings and concrete removal, providing the opportunity for future reductions in protection requirements. Reduction of workers' respiratory burden will result in dramatically higher labor productivity at DOE sites. These benefits are well documented and are based upon experience reported by users of Pentek systems at DOE sites such as Rocky Flats and Savannah River. 2.5 cubic feet (67 litres) of waste in the form of powdery concrete and paint chips was generated for the entire 650 square foot (60 square meters) demonstration area. This value correlates exactly with the anticipated single drum (55 US gallons/208 litre) waste generation rate for every 2,000 square feet (180 square meters) of epoxy coatings removed with the ROTO-PEEN Scaler from the concrete surfaces. Lessons Learned/Benefits
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