초록 ▼

Apparatus and method for treating solids contaminated by alkaline earth metal scales which have naturally occurring radioactive material entrained throughout the scale. The equipment and method of the present invention may be used on site to clean stored contaminated solids so that as a result of th

Apparatus and method for treating solids contaminated by alkaline earth metal scales which have naturally occurring radioactive material entrained throughout the scale. The equipment and method of the present invention may be used on site to clean stored contaminated solids so that as a result of the treatment the solids may be disposed of as non-hazardous oil field waste and the radioactive isotopes may be dispersed in aqueous solution. The apparatus and method of the invention provide for placing contaminated solids and a treatment fluid in a fluid contact zone which is designed to provide optimum chemical activity for treating the contaminating scale so as to release the radioactive isotopes into solution. Once the release of the isotopes is complete to a target level of radioactivity, the treating fluid is then separated from the solids which are then reduced to non-hazardous oil field waste.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed:] [1.] A process for treating surface stored contaminated solids which are contaminated with alkaline earth metal or silica based scales which have entrained naturally occurring radioactive material, comprising:performing a pre-wash treatment to remove hydrocarbon material from the

[ What is claimed:] [1.] A process for treating surface stored contaminated solids which are contaminated with alkaline earth metal or silica based scales which have entrained naturally occurring radioactive material, comprising:performing a pre-wash treatment to remove hydrocarbon material from the contaminated solids;performing an acidizing step to acidize acid soluble material from the contaminated solids;transferring said contaminated solids into a fluid contact zone;contacting, in said contact zone, said contaminated solids with a treatment fluid capable of causing said entrained naturally occurring radioactive material to be released from the scale;agitating said treatment fluid in said contact zone to suspend said contaminated solids in said treatment fluid;heating said treatment fluid to a temperature high enough to increase chemical reaction, and maintaining said temperature of said treatment fluid throughout the time said contaminated solids are in said contact zone;shearing said contaminated solids that are in contact with said treatment fluid to increase the surface area of said contaminated solids that are in contact with said treatment fluid;determining the level of radioactivity of the solids being contacted in said contact zone through sampling, and if the level of activity has reached a preselected level of activity, then separating said solids from said treatment fluid.