Decontamination using Deep Eutectic Solvents
and Waste Form Characterization
Radioactive waste treatment often involves working with corrosive, toxic, and oxidizing aqueous acid, which produces safety concerns and unwanted secondary wastes. DES (Deep Eutectic Solvents), composed of bio-based/bio-compatible materials which are already produced in bulk in the industry, has the advantages of being low-cost, non-toxic, non-volatile, non-flammable, and water-compatible. This new green solvent has the potential to solve the issues surrounding molten salt, ionic liquid, and aqueous acid use. As recovery methods, ion exchange (IX), covalent organic framework (COF), and electrodeposition have been studied.
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Research Topics
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​Treatment and volume reduction of radioactively contaminated metal waste
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Researchers: Richard I. Foster, Shuang Liu, Kwangseo Kim, Wooseok Chung
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Waste from dissolution and colloid characterization from waste forms
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Researchers: Stuart Aberdeen, Richard I. Foster, Woohyun Lim
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Sponsors: KETEP
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Waste form characterization using X-ray CT
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Researchers: Richard I. Foster
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Sponsors: NRF
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Characterization of radioactive aerosols and radiation protection from decommissioning
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Researchers: Joonsoo Ock, Inhye Hahm, Wonseok Yang
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Sponsors: NRF​
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- Electrochemistry of metals in deep eutectic solvents
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Researchers: Dongyoon Shin, Shuang Liu
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Sponsors: KIMS​
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Collaborating Partners:
Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), University of Sheffield, Kyoto University, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), Soonchunhyang University (SCH), FNC Technology, University of Manchester, University of Sheffield, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)