Evaluation of Street Sweeper Spray Systems for Effective Decontamination of Fixed and Loose Radioactive Contamination
Citation:
Kaminksi, M., N. Kivenas, K. Hepler, AND M. Magnuson. Evaluation of Street Sweeper Spray Systems for Effective Decontamination of Fixed and Loose Radioactive Contamination. Presented at 2021 EPA International Decontamination Research and Development Conference, Virtual, Ohio, November 01 - 05, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
Wide-area contamination of paved surfaces could challenge our ability to conduct evacuations or remediate for long-term restoration. Methods for decontaminating paved surfaces proposed or practiced in field trials or following actual release events include fire-hosing, pressure washing, surfacing removal, and surface stabilization. Engaging common equipment and familiar operations that are designed for roadways would expedite decontamination activities. Street sweepers generate minimal amounts of wastewater and can cover long expanses of road if their operations can be proven effective. To this end, this study partnered with a world-wide supplier of street sweepers to mimic the operation of their sweeper at the laboratory scale in order to study its capabilities and evaluate its efficacy against contaminated dust and dissolved forms of radioactive contamination. Although the study focused on radioactive contamination, the results might also be informative when street sweeping particulate forms of chemical and biological contaminants or contaminants that have similar interaction with the paved surface.
Description:
To this end, this study partnered with a world-wide supplier of street sweepers to mimic the operation of their sweeper at the laboratory scale in order to study its capabilities and evaluate its efficacy against contaminated dust and dissolved forms of radioactive contamination. Although the study focused on radioactive contamination, the results might also be informative when street sweeping particulate forms of chemical and biological contaminants or contaminants that have similar interaction with the paved surface.