Inhibition of radioactive cobalt deposition in water-cooled nuclear reactors
First Claim
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1. A method for inhibiting the deposition of radioactive cobalt in a water-bearing vessel of a water-cooled nuclear reactor, said method comprising:
- adding zinc oxide to water entering said water-bearing vessel, continuously during operation of said water-cooled nuclear reactor.
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Abstract
Deposition of radioactive cobalt on the interior surfaces of a water-cooled nuclear reactor is inhibited or substantially prevented by the continuous injection of zinc oxide to the reactor water. The zinc oxide may be prepared in the form of a paste, a slurry, or a preformed aqueous solution.
43 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for inhibiting the deposition of radioactive cobalt in a water-bearing vessel of a water-cooled nuclear reactor, said method comprising:
adding zinc oxide to water entering said water-bearing vessel, continuously during operation of said water-cooled nuclear reactor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for inhibiting the deposition of radioactive cobalt in a water-bearing vessel of a water-cooled nuclear reactor, said method comprising:
adding a paste comprised of zinc oxide and water to water entering said water-bearing vessel, continuously during operation of said water-cooled nuclear reactor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for inhibiting the deposition of radioactive cobalt in a water-bearing vessel of a water-cooled nuclear reactor, said method comprising:
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(a) drawing water from a conduit supplying water to said water-bearing vessel and passing said drawn water through a recirculation loop discharging back into said conduit, continuously during the operation of said water-cooled nuclear reactor; and (b) continuously during said operation, injecting into said recirculation loop a paste comprised of zinc oxide at about 40% to about 80% by weight in water at an injection point at a rate selected to achieve a zinc oxide concentration of about 10 to about 100 ppb in said conduit.
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14. A method for inhibiting the deposition of radioactive cobalt in a water-bearing vessel of a water-cooled nuclear reactor, said method comprising:
adding an aqueous solution of zinc oxide to water entering said water-bearing vessel, continously during operation of said water-cooled nuclear reactor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for inhibiting the deposition of radioactive cobalt in a water-bearing vessel of a water-cooled nuclear reactor, said method comprising:
adding a slurry of zinc oxide in water to water entering said water-bearing vessel, continuously during operation of said water-cooled nuclear reactor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
Specification