Technology:
Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System
- Hand-held (6.5 lb) tool with a cutting width of 2 inches
- Pneumatically driven
- Works with a variety of cutting media and cutting wheels
- Dust collection system - portable Pentek VAC-PAC® System; high-efficiency HEPA filter (scaler can be used with or without this system)
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Cleanup Authority:
Project performed as part of DOE's Large-Scale Demonstration Project, Office of Science and Technology, Deactivation and Decommissioning Focus Area
Regulatory Point of Contact:
Information not provided | Additional Contacts:
Susan C. Madaris
Leonel E. Lagos
Test Engineers
Florida International University
(305) 348-3727/1810 |
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Contaminants:
Radioactive-contaminated paint |
Waste Source:
Contaminated paint coating on concrete floor |
Type/Quantity of Media Treated:
Radioactively contaminated concrete floor - 650 ft2 of concrete flooring covered with contaminated paint |
Purpose/Significance of Application:
Demonstrate Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System and compare results to those for mechanical scabbing |
Regulatory Requirements/Cleanup Goals:
The objective of the demonstration was to evaluate the performance of the Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System to remove contaminated paint coating from 650 ft2 of concrete flooring and to compare the results of this technology with those from the baseline technology of mechanical scabbing. |
Results:
- Removed paint coating at an average rate of 40.6 ft2/hr/scaler; capable of removing coatings to within ½ inch of walls and obstructions - can be used in confined areas.
- Reduced total fixed beta/gamma contamination levels from pre-demonstration levels as high as 13,500 dpm/100 cm2 (hot spot) to below background levels, with the hot spot reduced to 5,900 dpm/100 cm2.
- Use of the dust collection system significantly reduced the amount of airborne dust generated during the scaling process and has the potential to lead to the use of less respiratory protection and PPE requirements |
Cost Factors:
- The report presents a detailed cost analysis of this technology compared to the baseline technology.
- Cost analysis results show the total cost for Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System was 40% lower than the baseline of mechanical scabbing (about $6,500 versus about $11,000). The major contributor to the savings was that the Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System did not require a temporary enclosure. |
Description:
The Pentek, Inc. Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System was demonstrated at the Chicago Pile 5 (CP-5) Research Reactor at Argonne National Laboratory. This demonstration was part of the Chicago Pile-5 (CP-5) Large-Scale Demonstration Project sponsored by DOE, Office of Science and Technology, Deactivation and Decommissioning Focus Area, to demonstrate the benefits of using innovative and improved decontamination and decommissioning technologies. CP-5 was a heavy-water moderated and cooled, highly enriched, uranium-fueled thermal reactor designed to supply neutrons for research and was operated for 25 years before being shut down in 1979.
The Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System is a hand-held tool weighing 6.5 lbs, with a cutting width of 2 inches. The scaler is designed to work with a variety of cutting media, including cutting wheels and the 3M Heavy Duty Roto Peen flaps. The unit can be used with or without the Pentek VAC-PAC® System. The VAC-PAC® is portable and has a patented controlled-seal drum fill system that allows the operator to fill, seal, and replace the waste drum under vacuum conditions. The demonstration showed that the main advantage of the Roto Peen Scaler with the VAC-PAC® System, compared to mechanical scabbing, was the simultaneous collection of dust and debris. The report includes a detailed comparison of the two technologies. In addition, the technology removed paint coating at an average rate of 40.6 ft2/hr/scaler and was able to remove coatings to within ½ inch of walls and obstructions. The scaler also reduced radiological levels to below background levels and use of the dust collection system significantly reduced the amount of airborne dust generated during the scaling process.
The report includes results of a detailed cost analysis comparing the Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System with mechanical scabbing. Cost analysis results show that the total cost for Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System was 40% lower than the baseline of mechanical scabbing. The major contributor to the savings was that the Roto Peen Scaler with VAC-PAC® System did not require a temporary enclosure. |
