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An Innovative Electrodecontamination and Waste-Minimization System--ADA Technologies, Inc., 8100 Shaffer Parkway, Suite 130, Littleton, CO  80127-4107; 303-792-5615

Mr. Bradley D. Veatch, Principal Investigator

Dr. Martin J. Mastroianni, Business Official

DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-00ER82934

Amount:  $99,993

 

A decontamination method that is safe, is easily deployed, minimizes secondary wastes, and is effective on a large scale is needed within the DOE nuclear weapons complex to support the Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D) mission.  The absence of cost-effective, schedule-friendly decontamination methods frequently results in excess waste generation, increased personnel radiation exposure, adverse environmental impact, and chronic schedule delays.  ADA Technologies, Inc. proposes to combine the proven capabilities of electrodecontamination and strippable encapsulation coatings into a single, safe, and easily deployed decontamination system.  Using an innovative and unique engineered electrolyte formulation, many of the application problems that have limited the use of electrodecontamination and strippable coatings individually can be solved to yield a refined method practical for large-scale use in support of D&D programs.  Phase I efforts will focus on achieving two key objectives: 1) proving it is feasible to formulate an electrolyte that possesses the chemical and physical properties needed for highly effective and practical field use, and 2) creating a hardware package sufficient to prove the proposed decontamination concept is acceptable to potential users and performs as desired. 

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  While primarily targeted at D&D applications in the DOE nuclear weapons complex, many applications exist in the civilian sector, such as cleaning conductive objects and surfaces contaminated with hazardous, toxic, and biohazardous materials.  The technology is particularly effective for rust removal and preliminary surface preparation for welding.  This makes the technology potentially very useful in various industries such as manufacturing, construction, and utilities, as well as vehicle and building restoration.