Method of containing radioactive contamination
View Patent ↗A method of controlling or containing radioactive contamination by providing a neutron absorbing material to a radioactive contamination site. Preferably the neutron absorbing material is present as a powder, granule, slurry or suspension, allowing the neutron absorbing material to blanket cover the radioactive contamination site. Suitable neutron absorbing materials include lanthanide elements having a cross section of 100 Barns or greater, as well as hafnium, zirconium, tantalum, silver, indium, and hydrogen.
1. A method of controlling or containing radioactive contamination comprising:
providing a neutron absorbing material comprising one or more of the lanthanide elements selected from the group consisting of gadolinium, samarium, europium, erbium and dysprosium in a portable dispenser;
spraying said neutron absorbing material to a source of radioactive contamination from said portable dispenser;
absorbing emitted neutrons of said radioactive contamination and controlling an expansion of said radioactive contamination;
wherein said neutron absorbing material is mixed into cement or provided in an adhesive or provided in a high viscosity matrix.
2. The method of controlling or containing radioactive contamination according to claim 1 wherein said neutron absorbing material comprises a mixture further comprising at least one of hafnium, zirconium, tantalum, silver, indium, hydrogen, and mixtures thereof.
3. The method of controlling or containing radioactive contamination according to claim 1 wherein said neutron absorbing material is provided as one of a powder, a granule, a slurry, and a suspension.