Dispersed Air Flotation Foam for Radioactive Soil Decontamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current soil decontamination methods are inefficient and costly, particularly for radioactive contaminants like cesium 137Cs, as they often require excavation, large volumes of water, and are not suitable for treating fine particles, which are difficult to handle and process effectively.

Innovation Solution

The use of dispersed air flotation foams to separate and remove radionuclides from contaminated soils by suspending the earth in water with surfactants and collectors, allowing air bubbles to carry contaminated particles to the surface, where they can be easily collected and treated, reducing the radionuclide load by up to 95%.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional soil decontamination methods are used, then radioactive contaminants can be removed, but the process requires large volumes of water and extensive excavation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater usageVSAvoiddecontamination efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by introducing air bubbles into the soil suspension to enable flotation separation. The air bubbles attach to contaminated particles, making them buoyant and allowing them to rise to the surface for easy removal. This pneumatic approach replaces water-based washing methods, dramatically reducing water usage while maintaining effective decontamination of radioactive contaminants including cesium-137

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition principles by transforming the removal mechanism from liquid-phase washing to gas-phase flotation. Air bubbles (gas phase) are introduced into the soil-water suspension, attach to contaminated particles, and transport them to the surface. This phase transition enables efficient separation with minimal water required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If conventional decontamination methods are used, then radioactive substances can be removed, but the process is costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination speedVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic flotation method dramatically accelerates the decontamination process by using air bubbles to rapidly lift contaminated particles to the surface. This eliminates the need for slow water-based washing and extensive excavation, reducing processing time while maintaining effectiveness against radioactive contaminants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical excavation and water-based washing systems with a pneumatic flotation system. The air bubble-mediated separation mechanism is inherently faster and more efficient, substituting time-consuming mechanical removal processes with a rapid flotation-based approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If conventional methods are used to treat fine particles, then contamination can be addressed, but the fine particles are difficult to handle and process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle handlingVSAvoidfine particle contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic flotation method excels at handling fine particles by using air bubbles that can attach to and lift even the smallest contaminated particles. The gas phase interaction with fine particles is more effective than water-based methods, making fine particle contamination removal straightforward and efficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The transition to gas-phase flotation enables effective processing of fine particles that are difficult to handle in liquid phases. Air bubbles provide a mechanism for transporting fine particles to the surface without the handling difficulties associated with water-based methods, improving ease of operation while addressing fine particle contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables high-volume treatment of contaminated soils with reduced water usage and minimal excavation, effectively removing radionuclides from fine particles, making it a more efficient and cost-effective solution for decontaminating large areas such as those affected by radioactive fallout.

Implementation Method 1

air bubbles to carry contaminated particles to the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

dispersed air flotation foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlotation: Froth Floatation

Implementation Method 3

suspending the earth in water with surfactants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS10105714B2Method for the radioactive decontamination of soil by dispersed air flotation foam and said foam

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for treating an earth contaminated by at least one radionuclide such as cesium 137Cs comprising at least one step of separating said radionuclide by dispersed air flotation foam produced by blowing air bubbles in a suspension comprising said earth and at least one collector. The present invention also relates to the flotation foam obtained by implementing such a process.