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Report 1904

FIELD EXPEDIENTS FOR DECONTAMINATING WATER

CONTAINING NUCLEAR BOMB DEBRIS

by

Don C. Lindstenand

Maurice Pressman

July 1967 . AUG 2 8 13,; "i

Distribution of this document is unlimited.

U. S. ARMY ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORIESFORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA

C L E. A ~I N '(, H- 0 U S E

U. S. ARMY ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORIESFORT 3ELVOIR, VIRGINIA

Report 1904

FIELD EXPEDIENTS FOR DECONTAMINATING WATER

CONTAINING NUCLEAR BOMB DEBRIS

Ta--k 1M624101D55107

July 1967

Distributed by

The Commanding OfficerU. S, Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratories

Prepared by

Don C. Lindstenand

Maurice PressnmanSanitary Sciences Laboratory

Military Technology Depar'tment

Distribution of this documen, is unhlmitjd.

V

~"I

lISUMMARY

This report covers k field study conducted by the Sanitary SciencesLaboratory of the U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Labor-atories (USAERDL) at the Nevada rest Site during the summer of 1962,

! ~The purpose of the Investigation was to study tihe following:

Sa. The solubilit- -f radioactive debris in water.

Sb. Field methods of determining the concentration of radioactiveS, materials In water.

c. Field expedient methods for removing radioactive materials|I from water.I

d. A squad-type, universal method for the removal of chemical,biological, and radiological (CBR) agents from water.

The results of this study indicate that:

a. The solubility of radioactive debris in water increases with adecrease in pH and an increase in temperature, but the change is not sig-nificant in the range of p1H and temperature variations of normal drinkingwater supplies.

b. The solubility of radioactive debris in water is not markedlyaffected by contact time. Increases in solubility with time are offset bydecreases in contamination resulting from radioactive decay.

c. The solubility of radioactive debris fi: water may be significantenough to require de mincralization to produce water safe for drinking,

d. Radioactive debris from surface detonations can be colloidaland remain in suspension in water for extended periods of time and be read-ily transported to downstream water sources.

e. Field expedient water purification methods such as filtrationthrough clay, paper, cellulose pads, and molded filter candles; and batchcoagulation and filtration can effectively accomplish radioactivity removalsof about 75 percent or more. Higher removals of activity approaching 100p,-rcent are obtainable by ion exchange demineralivation following filtration.

ii

II.

-- -----------

* I f. The standard military IM-141/PDR-27J Radlacmeter and the ICivil Defense CDV-700 metcr catn be used satisfactorily in the field to de-termine the radioactivity nontent of water at le'.Pels higher than 1,000, 000

I picocuries per liter (pc/i).

'1

iii 'I

FOREWORD

The study covered by this report was sponsored jointly by USAERDLI and the Defense Atomic Support Agency. Fniding was vrovided widerUSAERDL Task 8M75-05-001-07, "Removal or CBR Contaminants fromWater" (now Task 1iM62410ID55 i07), and alo by Office of Civil DefenseProject 3103C, "Use of Clay Materi-'d f-~r Emergency Dcc ...... aination ofS~Water Supplies."

The study was conducted during the sumimer of 1962.

The following personnel of the Sanitary Sciences Latboratory,i' USAERDL, were responsible for conductin~g the study:

Don C. Lindsten - Project Officer

Richard P. Schmitt - Sanitary Engineer

Maurice Pressman - Chemist

Frederick W. Wolfes - Water Supply Technician

The analysis of the water used as feewheater in all tests was furnishedby the U. S. Geological Survey.

iv

ivi1

71-|

CONTENTS

Section Title PaD

SUMMARY ti

r fl\V(,R D iv

INTIODJC'ION

1. SubJect 12, Background and Previous Investigation 1

1I INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION

3. General 14. Contamiwnants 26. Test Water 46. Solubility Study 57. Emergency Decontamination Methods Study 68. Field Detection Study 109. Squad CDR Decontamination Study 15

III CONCLUSIONS

10. Conclusions 16

APPENDIX - Detailed 'rest Data 17

v

o A

ILLUSTRATIONS

j Figure Tite 10gS1 Specific Acttvity of Radioaettv(. Soil Samples na aSrFunction of T'Imo for Four Nuclear Detonations 3

AI 1' 2 DLtomh.•Quus Cauidle Filtt"

1 3 llesinhCarbon Filte, Unit 8

4 UnIted States Arnky 1/4-gpm Filter Unit 9

5 United States ArnV' IM-141/PDlI-27J Radiauzotoer 11

6 Office of Civil Defense CDV-700 Beta-GanmmaSurvey Moter 12

7 Response of the CDV-700 Surv,•y Meter Using theCDV-787 Comparator Source 13

8 Response of the IM-141/PDR-27J lnadiaometer 14

vi

TAB LES

Mile Litl P.gE

I Water Aimlvsis, Well No, 3. Nevada Test Situ 4

1I Solubility of Shot 1 Debris as a Function of p11.-*- !R till 1 1

111 Solubility of Shot 2 Debriass a fliunction cf p1l,Run 2 18

IV Solubtitty of Shot 3 Debris as a Function of pH,Run 3 it)

V Solubility of Shot 4 Debris as a Fiunetion of p1H,1mu 4 20

VI Solubility of Shot 3 Debris as a Function of Time,ltt 6 21

VII Solubility of Shot 3 Dobria as a Function ofTemperature, Rui 6 22

VIII Decontamination of Water Contaminmted withNuclear Bomb Debris by the Flowerpot Procedure,Run 7 21

IX Decontamnination• of Water Contamimited withNuclear lBomb Debris by fhlt Papor Procedure,

Run 8 24,-25

X Decontamintiation of Watcr Contimiinated withNucle.- Bon"b Debris by the Paper Procedure,Run 9 26

XT Effect of Added Soil in the Decontamination byFiltration of Water Contaminated with NuclearBomb Debrisý RiUL 10 27

!i

*1

TABLES (cont'd)

r'abl. Titlo PAR9

XII Dcoontamnination of Water Contaminated withNuclear Bomb Debris by Filtratiov ThroughVarious Medica, Run 11 28

XuII Ieonntaminntion of Water Contaminated withNuolear Bomb Debris by a Diatornaooous CandleFilter, Run 12 20

j XIV DoonotaIuIIltion of Water Contamintated withNuoloar Bomb Dobris by a Ro8in-Carbon FilterUnit, Run 13 30

XV Decontamination of Water Contaminated withNuolear Bomb Debrici by a Standard Army 1/4-gpmWater Purificatlon Unit, Run 14 31

XVI Field Detection with IM-141/PDR-27J Radiaomoter,Riu 16 32

XVII Field Detection with IM-141/PDR-27J Radinomotorand CDV-700 Meter. Run 16 33

XVIII Evaluation of Civil Dofonso 10-Day Wator StandardUnit CDV-787, Rum 17 34

XLX Use of Squad CBR Decontaminatio•n Proceduro forIRemoval of Nuclear Debris from Water, Run 18 35-36

viii

r .7

YI;' L ) EXPiUIEN- S FOil DECONTAMINATING WA.'1'I.

.Wf AfMq U!CLEAR 13n0MIB DEBRIS

I, INTRODUCTION

1. SubjOc. The objectives of the InVtj,1tion covered by thisreport wore to study the followtng: (1) The effect of p1I, temperature, andoont010t lime upon the solubility of radloactivo bonib dubris tin wter:(V) c•norgelicy, unmill-sonlo methods of rmoingor radlonctlvo contaminantsfrom water; (3) oemergeney. field-type methodls of determining the conseen-

tration of radionctivo contaminants in water; and (4) a ,roposed Armysquad(i-type. gen•eral, CBR dueontaminlatlon method for removin)g radio-activity from wvator.

2. Background and Previous Investi•atien. One of the assignedresponsilbilities of USAERDL i8 the dovelopmont of processes and e(juip-meat for the treatment of field Army Witter supplies contamtnatod with CBRagents, S•inm 1948, numerous laboratory and field studies on the removalof radtoaotive materials from natural waters have beon conducted by the

KSanitary Solstces Labor-, Ey of USAT-DM, Most of the information derivedfrom these studios has been sumnmirized i•n a report by Lindston andSchmitt, publshod in 1061. 1 The prosent study was a continuation of thiswork i•nto aroeas whore limited information Is available. These areas aroe(1) Solubility of nuclear bomb dobris In wator. (2) emergency, small-scalemethods of water decontarmination; (3) water monitoring with field radiationIsurvey Instruments; and (4) efficiency of a proposed batch water purifieation mathod for removing radioactive materials from water.

HI. INVESTIGATION ANI) DISCUSSION

3. General, The oxporiniontal work was conducted at the NevadaTest Site in the vicinity of the AEC-operatod Iladiologicad Safety Deconttain-illation Station in the mounta in pass between Frenchman Flat and Yucca Flat,The installation consisted primarily of a mobile chemical laboratory and amobile radiac laboratory.

1. Don C, L•ndsten and Richard P. Sohmitt, lRemovl of ChenicaL Biolo•-ical. add~ioa mcal contamin'ant. from Water Willt Corps of Engkovers

oield Water Stli2pl•vIpnXe~t, PBAI) 274300, OTS. (12 December 1961).

I,.

All chemical tests and jar test experiments were conducted inthe chemical laborator~y. Analytical procedures used were those given in"Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 112 Allcounting was done in the radiac laboratory, Both laboratories were elec -trifled by means of a connection to the local power system. Fresh water

I ~was supplied to the chemical laboratory by connection to the local drinkingwater line. The wastewater line from the chemical laboratory drained intoa retention pond receiving runoff from a nearby decontamination pad.

I

Sample preparation for counting was accomplished in the cheni-ical Laboratory by evaporating to dryness wider an infrared lamp an appro-priataa volume of sample water in a planchet. The residue was counted byplacing the planchet on the top shelf of a Nuclear -Chicago shield containinga Model DS-5 anthracene crystal beta detector connected to a Model 151Adecade scaler. The geometry of the instrument was established at 7. 1 per-cent with a standard thallium -204 solution.

The general area background was monitored continuously bymeans of a Nuclear -Chicago Model DS-5 sodium iodide (thallium activated)gamma s-intillation detector connected to a Model 1620 count rate meterand a Texas Instrument continuously recording Recti/riter.

4. Contaminants. The radioactive soils used as contaminants inall experiments were obtained at the indicated locations after the followingfour nuclear bursts:

car a. Shot 1. The soil sample was taken from the center of the•i crater.

Lt

b. Shot 2. The soil sample was taken from the surface ofthe ground at the 10-roentgen-per-hour (r/hr) line.

c. Shot 3. The soil sample was scraped from the surface ofthe ground at the 10-r/hr line.

d. Shot 4. The soil sample was taken from the center of thecrater.

2, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Ameri-can Public Health Association, American Water Works Association,Water Pollution Control Federation, New York, 11th edition (1960).

2

It

After each batch of soil was collected, it was taken to an area of low radia-tion and sieved through a U. S. Standard Number 40 sieve. The materialretained on the sieve was rejected. The material passing the sieve was Iplaced into several 1-qt bottles and stored in a locked magazine for use asthe water contaminant. Figure 1 shows the characteristic decay (in micro- Icuries per gram (Pc'gm)) versus time curve for each soil sample,

I II

60o

10s-o . ______ , __.

• ' -" --

% I:

20

a SHIOT 1

-10_!- - -______ -- , l.1 .

S-_ 1SH0T 4

SHOT 3

U 4.

C""I

SHOT 2

6 8 10 20 30 40 60 80 IOU

TIUL AFTL& )OMTION (DAYS)

Fig. 1. Specific activity of radioactive soil samples

as a function of time for four nuclear detonations.

3 1• ,

5, Test Water. The water used for all experiments was taken fromWell No, 3, Nevada Test Site. An analysis of the water is showvn in Table 1.

Table I. Water Analysis, * Well No. 3, Nevada Test Site

Chemical Components ppm Physical Characteristics andComputed Values

Silica (SIO2) 76

Dissolved Solids (ppm)Aluminum (Al) 0.27

Residue on EvaporationIron (Fe) 0.00 (1800 C) 254

Manganese (Mn) 0.00 Calculated 285

Calcium (Ca) 20 Hardness (CaCO3 ) (ppm)

Magnesium (Mg) 11 Total 95

Sodium (Na) 39 Noncarbonate 0

Potassium (K) 7.6 Specific Conductance(Mmhos at 250 C) 376

Lithium (Li) 0.00pH1 7.5

Bicarbonate (HCO 3) 189

Carbonate (C0 3 ) 0 Radiochemical Data

Sulfate (SO 4 ) 23 Beta Activity (pc/l)as of 3/22/62 12 +t 2

Chloride (Cl) 6.5Strontium 90 (pc/l) 0.4

Fluoride (F) 0.9

Nitrate (NO 3 ) 7.4

Phosphate (PO4) 0.12

* From U. S. Geological Survey, Nevada Test Site.(Sample collected 19 Dec 61.)

4

I -

6. Solubiity Study,

a. Procedure. Four experiments were enducted to deter-mine the soluble activity of the four soil samples as a function of pH. Twoexperiments were conducted to determine the solubility of Shot 3 soil activ-ity as a function of time, and as a function of temperature. The deiailedprocedures are given in the appendix, Tables II through Table VII.

b. Results. The results obtained in the six experir-nts ofthis solubility study are given in the appendix, Tables II through Table VII.

c. Discussion. The results of the solubility study indicatedthat the soluble radioactive component of the soil dissolved in water in thepH range of 10. 1 to 2. 1 to the extent of 2. 6 to 14 percent. Most of the solu-tion took place within minutes following the contact of debris and water.Prolonged contact increased the solubility only insignificantly. The solubleradioactivity of Shot 3 debris was 5.5 percent of the total activity after1-min contact and only 5. 9 percent after 24 hr. Temperature had only asmall effect on solubility. Shot 3 debris was 4. 3 percent soluble at 360 F(1-hr contact) and 6. 8 percent soluble at 2120 F (1-hr contact). The pH hadsurprisingly little effect on the solubility, although there was a trend towardhigher solubility wider acidic conditions. This was most pronounced for theShot 4 soil, where the soluble activity went from 9 percent at pH 10 to 14percent at p11 2. 1. The results of all solubility tests indicate that there isprobably a surface coating of radioactive material on the soil particleswhich goes into solution very quickly, essentially independent of pH, tem-pera'nure, and time of contact. The radioactive material on the inside ofthe particle is not soluble, probably because of encapsulation by inert, fuseisoil produced by melting and subsequent solidification of soil during thefireball period.

These solubility considerations are important factors infield Army water purification practice. The efficiency of the standardArmy Erdlator water purification unit in removing radioactive contaminantsfrom water is dependent on whether the contaminant is soluble or insoluble.These units utilize the processes of coagulation and filtration, which aredesigned to remove insoluble suspended matter; therefore, if radioactivesubstances are present in the form of turbidity, the contaminant removalis essentially complete. If the radioactive contaminant is present in solubleform, very little soluble activity removal is accomplished by coagulationand filtration. One of the most effective methods of removing dissolvedradioisotopes from water is by the ion exchange process. The Army has

5

under development a mobile ion exchange unit for in-series operation withthe coagulation-filtration Erdlator equipment,

The results of this study indicate that there can be appre-o iable soluble radioactivity imparted to a water supply by the presence ofnuclear bomb debris. The essentially comlplete removal of particulate mat-ter from this turbid water may still leave the water contaminated to asignificant degree by the soluble component of the debris.

7. Emergency Decontamination Methods Study.IIrc ra. Procedure. Eight experiments were conducted to study

various emergency, small-scale water decontamination procedures. TheseSprocedures entailed the filtration of a few liters of water contaminated withradioartive soil through the following filters!

(1) Flowerpots filled with various soils and other media.

(2) Various paper filters.

(3) A diatomaceous candle filter (Fig. 2).

(4) A resin-carbon filter unit (Fig. 3).

(5) Cellulose pads in a 1/4-gpm Army unit (Fig. 4).

The detailed procedures for these experiments are given in the appendix,Tables VHlI through XV.

b. Results. The results obtained in the eight experiments ofthis part of the study are given in the appendix, Tables V.II through XV.

c. Discussion. The procedures enumerated in paragraph 2

could be used in emergency situations by small groups of soldiers in thefield when drinking water from an engineer water point was not available.Radioactivity removals attained by the various devices ranged from 76 per-cent for a standard 1/4-gpm Army unit using cellulose pad filtration to 99. 9percent for the device utilizing activated carbon and ion exchange resingranules.

The various emergency methods used materials readilyavailable In the civilian economy. One procedure, utilizing a filter madeof a flowerpot or comparable container, toilet tissue, a piece of screening,

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and a column of subsoil 8 am deep, removed from 92. 7 to 98. 0 percent ofthe radioactivity from contaminated water. A second procedure, based onthe uso of toilet tissue as a filter and filtration through a household slevelined with a paper towel, removed 88 to 89 percent of the radioactivity fromsimilarly contaminated water. A simplified variation of this latter proce-dure produced a removal of 84 percent, Various household materials suclhas vermiculite, peat moss, aquarium svnd, and cereal, when used as filtermedia in flowerpots, gave inferior results for clarIflcatlon and activity re-

nmoval compa-red with a skfsoil column.

hi tests with the three commercially available units, theumit employing aotivwted carbon and ion exchange resins wan the most effec-tive. The lowest radioactivity removal efficiency was exhibited by tie U. S.Army 1/4-gpm filter unit.

In general, the degree of decontamination accomplishedj in these small-scale studies was dependent on the effectiveness of turbidity

removal of the filter and the ion exchange or activity adsorption character-istios of the filter media. The use of a small iOn dxchange cartridge corn-monky used for demineralizing water for steam Irons effectively removedall soluble radioactivity remaining in water which had boon passed throughthe small-scale filtration devices.

In the tests with the resin-carbon ulit and the U. S. Army1/4-gpnl unit, feedwater to tie units was water which had been contaminat-ed with Shot 3 debris and allowed to settle for .18 hr and 1 hr, respectively.The activity values of these two settled waters were 3, 200, 000 pc/i and28,000, 000 pc/l. The turbidity of tihe water which had settled 48 hir wasstill 140 units. T2is indicated thai radioactive deb•ais om [r .tsurface d.ion.t-tioas canl be colloidal and remain in suspension for extendod pcr ,xls of time

land be readily transported to dowr stream water sources.

8. Field Detection Study.

a. Procedure. The two radiation deteetlon meters used inthe field detection study to determine radioactivity in water were the stand-ard Army IM-141/PDR-27J fldincweter and the Office of Civil DefenseCDV-700 beta-gamina survey meter, The meters are sl)own in Figs. 5 anid6. The detailed procedures used in these tests are outlined in the appendix,Fables XVI, XVIt, and XVIII.

I. Results. The results obtained in the experiments wit], thetwo field detection instruments are given in the appendix, Tables XVI, XVII,

ind XVIII.

10

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Fig. 7. lloeponse of the CDV-700 survey motor usingthe CDV-787 comparator source (background 0. 1 mr/hr),

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F For determining radioactivity in water with the CDV-700meter, a standard long-lived source, designated as CDV-787, is used on a"go - no go" babis as a 10-day water standard unit. If the response of the

F CDV-700 meter placed over the water in the container provided with thesource exceeds the response obtained when the meter is placed over theCDV-787 standard unit, the activity of the water exceeds the tolerance levelfor 10-day consumption. The data illustrated in Fig. 7 indicated that thestandard CV-787 activity corresponded to a water activity of 195, 000, 000pc/I.

9. Squad CBR Decontamination Study,

a. Procedure. The procedure used in the squad CBR decon- -

tamination study entailed the decontamination of a Lyster bag quantity(36 gal) of water by means of a method proposed for the treatment of watercontaminated with CDR materials. The method consists of a series of steps:(1) Chlorination with calcium hypochlorite, (2) dechlorination with powderedcarbon, (3) coagulation with ferric chloride and limestone, (4) settling, and(5) filtration through the standard U. S. Army 1/4-gpm filter and a mixed-bed ion exchange cartridge. Details of the procedure are given in theappendix, Table XIX.

b. Results. The results obtained in this study are given inthe appendix, Table XIX.

c. Discussion. The method proved to be very effective forreducing radioactivity to an undetectable level, indicating essentially corn- 5

plete removal. Coagulation and filtration removed 96 percent of the activity."Passage of the filtrate through a mixed-bed ion exchange cartridge removedthe remaining 4 percent of activity. Even though 96 percent of the activitywas removed by coagulation and filtration, the remaining 4 percent repre-sented a soluble radioactivity concentration of 1,900, 000 pc/l. Theremoval of this soluble activity by a mixed-bed ion exchange resin columndemonstrates the usefulness of ion exchange resins for removing solubleradioactivity from water.

151

IIl. CONCLUSIONS

10. Conclusions. From the results of this study, the followingconclusions are made:

I a. The solubility of radioactive debris increases with a de-crease in p1l and an increase in temperature, but the change is not signifi-cant in the range of pil and temperature variations of nornmal drinking water

F * supplies.kI

b. The solubility of radioactive debris in water is not mark-edly affected by contact time. Increases in solubility with time are offsetby decreases in contamination resulting from radioactive decay.

c. Soluble radioactivity imparted to water contaminated withradioactive bomb debris can be removed effectively by ion exchange resins.

d. Radioactive debris from surface detonations can be col-

loidal and remain in suspension in water for extended periods of time andbe readily transported to downstream water sources.

e. Field expedient water purification methods such as filtra-tion through clay, paper, cellulose pads, and molded filter candles; andbatch coagulation and filtration can effectively accomplish radioactivity re-movals of about 75 percent or more. Higher removals of activity approach-ing 100 percent are obtainable by ion exchange demineralization followingfiltration.

f. The standard military IM-141/PDR-27J Radiacmeter andthe Civil Defense CDV-700 meter can be used satisfactorily in the field todetermine the radioactivity content of water at lev: higher than 1,000,000pc/i.

16 :

I.-

APPENDIX

DETAILED TEST DATA

Table II. Solubility of Shot 1 Debris as a Function of pH, Run 1

PROCEDURE:

1. Add 70 gm Shot 1 debris (17 days old, specific activity 45 Ic/gm)to 35 liters of water in an 11-gal plastic drum. Agitate.

2. Add 600 ml of the suspension to each of four, 1, 000-ml beakers.[

3. Agitate, and add the following: (1) beaker 1, 1 ml concentratedhydrochloric acid; (2) beaker 2, 0. 2 ml concentrated hydrochloric acid;(3) beaker 3, nothing; and (4) beaker 4, 20 ml N110 NaOH solution.

4. Stir for 1 hr at high speed.

5. Sample suspensions, filter through Whatman paper, and checkfiltrate for pH, alkalinity, hardness, and radioactivity count,

Radiological DataRadioactivity Concentration

Beaker Suspension Filtrate Solubility(pCA (pc/l))

1 90,000,000 4,600,000 5.12 90,000,000 3,600,000 4.03 90,000,000 6,300,000 7.04 90,000,000 3,600,000 4.0

Chemical DataBeaker pH Alkalinity Hardness

(ppm) (ppm)

1 2.1 -820 1082 3.5 -14 1083 8.4 163 1034 10.0 300 66

17

II

Table III, Solubility of Shot 2 Debris as a Function of pil, Run 2

PROCEDURE: Same as Run 1 (Table II, Shot 2 debris 14 clays old, speci-fic activity 5. 2 m c/gin.

Radiological Data .... _ __Radioactivity Concentration

j Beaker Suspension Filtrate Solubility.c/!) ipcC/) (%)11

1 10,0)00,000 550,000 5,5

2 10,000,000 460,000 4.63 10,000,000 340,000 3.44 10,000,000 260,000 2.6

Chemical DataBeaker pH1 Alkalinity Hardness

V - pm) h(ppm)

1 2.1 -859 1422 4.5 4 1363 8.5 174 1044 10.1 298 55

b

)18

A A

Table iV. Solubility of Shot 3 Debris as a Function of pH, Run 3 -

PROCEDURE. Same as Run 1 (Table II). Shot 3 debris 12 days old,specific activity 22 uc/gm.

Radiological DataRadioactivity Concentration

Beaker Suspension Filtrate Solubility

1 44,000,000 3,600,000 8.22 44,000,000 2,000,000 4.63 44,000,000 2.200,000 5.04 44,000,000 1,700,000 3.9

Chemical DataBeaker pHt Alkalinity Hardness

(ppm CaCOA) (ppm CaC al.

1 2.4 -342 5922 8.2 94 2413 8.6 183 1144 10.0 279 42

19

tI

Table V. Solubility of Shot 4 Debris as a Function of p1l, Hun 4

PROCEDURE: Same as Rml 1 (Table U), except weigh separately 1. 2 gmquantities of debris directly Into each beaker (specific activity of debris45 m c/gm).

____....._--__ Radiologtcal DataRadioactivityConcentr'ation

Beaker Suspension Filtrate Solubility1 90..(pc/i. (c-/0) 14

1 90,000,000 13,000,000 142 90,000,000 9,900,000 133 90,000,000 12,000,000 13

S4 90,000,000 8,300,000 9

-- _._..__ _ Chemical DataBeaker pH Alkalinity Hardness

(ppm CaCO). (I)PM CaCO.p)

1 2, 1 -181 194S2 6 .5 20 1543 8.5 178 1064 10.0 240 60

20

I

Table Vt. Solubility of Shot 3 Debris as a Function of Time, Run 6 1

PROCEDURE:

1. Add 1. 2 gm of Shot 3 debris (10 days old, specific activity28 pc/gin) to 600 ml water in a 1, 000-mi! beaker.

2. Agitate at high speed, sample, filtor, and count: 1-min,

10-min, 1-hr, and 24-hr contact time.

3. Analyze 24-hr filtrate for pli, alkalinity, and hardness.

Radiolo cal DataContact Radioactivity Concentration

Time Suspension Filtrate Solubility

I miil 56,000,000 3,100,000 5,510 min 56,000,000 3,400,000 6.1

1 hr 56,000,000 3,800,000 6.824 hr 56,000,000 3,300,000 5.9

_. .. ...___.Chemical Data _ ,

24-hr Filtrate

JAI 8. 6Alkalinity (ppm) 189Hardness (ppm) 113

21

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i

Table VII, Solubility of Shot 3 Debris as a Ftuiction

I PROCEDURE: of Temperature. Run~ 6

1. Weigh out three 1. 2-gmi Iorttons of debr is.

I 2. Add 600 ml t0np waiter to ouch of three 1, 000-mil beakers.

1 3. Chill beaker I •n tee bath, maintain beaker 2 at room tompora-ture, and heat beaker 3 to boiling point.

4. Stabilize temperatures, add debris to each beaker, and btir for

I 5. Sample, centrifuge, and count supernatant.

Beaker Water Radioactivity ConcentrationTemperature Suspension Centrifugate Solubility

b_ _,_) ..... (10c/lb . c6l0)

1 36 44,000,000 1,900,000 4,32 79 44,000,000 2,200,000 5.03 212 44,000,000 3,000,000 6,8

22

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Table X. Decontamination of Water Contaminated withNuclear Bomb Debris by the Paper Procedure Modified, Run 9

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of not adding 1 gm of soil in thepaper procedure as described in Table IX.

CONTAMINATED WATER- Same as Table IX.

F ý:Q.)CEDURE: 1. Take 1 liter of contaminated water in an Erlenmeyerflask.

2. Settle 15 min.3. Decant into second flask.4. Add 10 sheets of shredded toilet tissue.

T 5. Shake vigorously, to pulp, for 5 min.6. Filter, thru household strainer (16-mesh) lined with

paper towel, collecting filtrate in saucepan,7. Check filtrate for activity.

Sample No. Filtrate Activity Activity Removal• . . p o/l) (1/) -

1 8,100,000 842 7,400,000 85

Note: An average removal of 87 percent was obtained with the paperprocedure with soil addition (1, 000 ppm Belvoir soil) (Table DX.

26

I iI

Table XI. Effect of Added Soil in the Decontamination byFiltration of Water Contaminated with Nuclear Bomb Debris, Run 10

OwECTrIVE: To evaluate the benefit of adding soil to contaminated water

before filtration.

CONTAMINATED WATER: Stnie as Table IX.

PRfl' K JURE: 1. Take five i-liter quantities of contaminated water inErtenmeyer flasks.

2. To each of three flasks add 1 gm of Belvoir soil andshake intermittently for 30 min.

3. Filter all samples through membrane filter (0, 45 M). : -

4. Analyze filtrate for activity.

Sample No. Belvoir Soil Added Filtrate Activity Activity Removal(ppm) (pc/!) .0%)

1 0 4,600,000 912 0 5,100,000 903 1,000 4,500,000 914 1,000 4,200,000 925 1,000 4,900,000 90

27-

I -

27 •

I:

Table XII. Decontamination of Water Contaminated withNuclear Bomb Debris by Filtration through Various Media, Run 11

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the activity removal efficiency of the flowerpotfilter containing as filter medium various common house-

hold materials.CONTAMINATED WATER: Suspension of 70 gm Shot I debris (specific

activity 25 Lic/gm) in 35 liters of well water,activity 50,000,000 pc/l.

PROCEDURE: 1. Prepare flowerpot filter as follows:a. Cut circular screen and fit over bottom of pot.

j b. Lay two sheets of toilet tissue over screen.c. Cover with filter medium to level of 21 cm.d. Lay screen over medium (except sand),

compress with heavy rock.2. Pour 1 liter of contaminated water thru filter.3. Check activity of filtrate.

Sample No. Filter Medium Filtrate Activity Activity Removal(pc/lI . % .

I Vermiculite 3,500,000 932 Peat Moss 4,000,000 923 Aquarium Sand 3,500,000 934 Shredded Wheat 7,200,000 86

Biscuits (Crushed)

Note: Filtration of a clarified water (membrane filter) of 2, 100, 000 pc/lactivity through a vermiculite flowerpot filter produced an activityremoval of 5 percent.

28

I_

SN -I'

I ",Table XII1. Decontamination of Water Contaminated with

Nuclear Boi-b Debris by a Diatomaceous Candle Filter, Run 12

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a diatomaceous candle filterS~for removing radioactivity from well water contaminated

dwith Shot I debris.

F. CONTAMINATED WATER: Suspension of 70 gm of debris (specific activity

41 Ic/gm) in 35 liters of water.

CONTAMINATED WATER ANALYSIS: Activity 83,000,000 pc/l, turbidity190 units, pH 8.4, total hardness103 ppm (CaCO3 ), and alkalinity163 ppm (CaCO3).

PROCEDURE: 1. Stir suspension vigorously during entire pumpingoperation.

2. Sample and measure turbidity and count.3. Collect 500-ml fractions of filtrate.4. Operate unit until pumping becomes difficult.5. Analyze filtrate for turbidity and activity.

Beaker Volume Turbidity Activity Activity Removal(ml) _ (units) (12c/l) A)

1 500 -- 3,000,000 962 500 1 2,200,000 973 500 -- 3,000,000 964 300 -- 2,500,000 97

Note: Dashes indicate no determinations were made.

29

Table XIV. Decontamination of Water Contaminated withNuclear Bomb Debris by a Resin-Carbon Filter Unit, Run 13

I OBJECTIVE- To evaluate the effectiveness of a resin-carbon filter unit.combining ion exchange, carbon adsorption, and filtration,for removing radioactivity from well water contaminatedwith Shot 3 debris.

CONTAMINATED WATER- Supernatant from slurry of Shot 3 debris aftersettling 48 hr.

CONTAMINATED WATER ANALYSIS: Activity 3, 200, 000 pc/l, turbidit]

140 units, pH 8. 6, total hardnes,. i114 ppm (CaCO3 ), and alkalinity183 ppm (CaCO3).

PROCEDURE: 1. Add 1 liter of contaminated water to bag of unit.2. Mix water and solids in bag 1/2 hr.3. Suspend bag.4. Collect 200-mi fractions of product in calibrated

beakers, recycling first 800 ml before sampling foranalysis.

5. Analyze each fraction for pH, turbidity, conductivity,and activity.

-Beaker Volume pH Turbidity Conductivity Activity Activity( (ml) (units) (mg/I NaCI) (pc/l) Removal

1 200 7.6 5 1. 1 12,700 99.62 200 7.6 2 0.8 12,700 99.63 200 7.6 1 1. 3,800 99.94 85 7.6 1 1.6 5,100 99.8

30

I.

- L!

-I-Table XV. Decontamination of Water Contaminated with

Nuclear Bomb Debris by a Standard Army 1/4-gpmWater Purification Unit, Run 14

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the standard Army Set No. 1F water purification unit for removing radioactivity from well

water contaminated with Shot 3 debris.

CONTAMINATED WATER: Suspension of 126 gm of debris (specific activity11 vIc/gm) in 50 liters of water allowed to standovernight, agitated, and settled for 1 hr.Activity 28, 000,000 pc/I.

PROCEDURE: 1. Mix suspension well.

IC 2. Settle 1 hr; sample supernatant.

3. Pump supernatant through unit.4. Measure activity of supernatant and filtrate.

Sample Activity Process ActivityS(pc/I) Removal

Raw water, mixed 28,000,000Supernatant 4,600,000 Settling 84

Supernatant, centrifuged 990,000Filtrate 1,100,000 Settling plus filtration 96

Filtration of settled 76water (consideringsupernatant as rawwater)

3.1

Table XVI, Field Detection with IM-141/PDR-27J Radiacmeter,Run 15

PROCEDURE: 1. Add 1, 000-, 100-, and 1-gm quantities of Shot 3 debris(13 days old, specific activity 22 pc/gm) to each offour 20-gal plastic drums containing 50 liters of tMp5 water.

2. Agitate.

3. Leave beta shield of IM-141/PDR-27J Radiacmeter

intact and cover the entire probe assembly with a

I surgeon's rubber glove. Wrap and tape the looseI fingers of the glove around the probe to give a neat

appearance. Insert sheathed probe vertically intoI water. Take reading in milliroentgens per hour.

Time after IM-141/PDR-27J Concentration ofDetonation Reading Radioactivity

(days) (mr/hr).

13 0,2 440,00013 1,0 4,400,00013 15 44,000,000

4 13 72 440,000,000

17 0.16 320,00017 0.6 3,200,00017 9 32,000,00017 40 320,000,000

32

Table XVIL Field Detection with IM-141/PDR-27J Radiaometerand CDV-700 Meter, Run 16

PROCEDURE. 1. Add 1. 3, 4. 2, 12. 6, 42, 126, and 416 gm of Shot 3soil (specific activity 11 mc/grn) to each of six 20-galplastic drums containing 50 liters of tap water.

2. Agitate.I

3. Take reading with motors as Indicated,

Tank Concentration IM-141/PDR-27J Meter CDV-7•0of Surgeon's Glove Rubber Sheath Rubber Sheath

Radioactivity Around Probe on Each Prob6 on Probe,(poll) Assembly. Beta .(Separated), Beta Shield

Shield Closed Beta Shield Open Open(mr•hr)_- (mrhr)m (rr/hr)

t 1 290,000 0.10 0.14 0.13

2 920,000 0.23 0,23 0.18

3 2,800,000 0.55 0.65 0.454 9,200,000 1.65 1.85 1.605 28,000,000 4.8 6.0 4,76 92,000,000 14.5 19.0 18.0

Note: General area background 0. 07 mr/hr.

13

I -

--_- -- |

Table XVIII. Evaluation of Civil Defense 10-Day WaterStandard Unit CDV-7t37, Run 17

OBJECTIVE: To determine 'the radioactivity In water corresp)onding to theradioactivity of the Civil Defense CDV-787 10-day waterstandard unit.

CONTAMINANT: Debris from Shot 4 (speocific activity 25 nc/gm).

PROCEDURE: 1. Weigh out the desired weight of debris into C)V-700unit Con1(tainer.

2. Add 76 ml well water (to level of indentation),S3. Place probe of CDV-700 meter over container and

S| record reading for eaoh weight of debris.. 4. Place probe of CDV-700 meter over CDV-787 standard

S! unit and record reading.5, Measure area background.6. Plot meter responso for each weight of debris versus

calculated water activity.7. From plot, determine radioactivity of water correspond-

ing to the 10-day standard unit CDV-787.

Measurement Debris Activity Meter (CDV-700)No. Weight in Water Reading

gn) (pc/_l) (mr/`h r)

Standard 2.8Background 0. 1

1 0.003 1,000,000 0. 1

2 0.152 50,000,000 0.93 0.304 100,000,000 1.54 1.52 500,000,000 7.0

34

Table XIX. Use of Squad C1311 Deconitaminiation Prooedure

forl Removal of Nuc~lear Debris From Wator, Runi 18

P'ROCED)URE: 1. Fill Lyster bag to :)6-gal inark with wv~iter. Wator8.151111)10 anallysis: PH1 7. 9, alkalitlty 1601 -Vinhardness 104 1)1)lf, tomperatura 560 F.

2. Add 273 gui Shot 4 soil to wftte.r (2, 000 ppin, specificactivity 23 uc/gm). AgItato foil 1/2 lie. Tmo bidlity200 ppmn. Water sumple atialysis after centrifugattlow

1)11 8. 2, alkalhiity 111- ppml, hardiiess 1.60 pj)i1.

3. Add 20 gmn 70 -percent-stretigth calol urn hypochi onto(.100 1)1)11 avaiIlable chlorino). Agitate for 30 min.

r i4. Add 82 gui activated carbon Nuchar C-116 (600 ppmn).Agitate for 45 mit.

5. Add 28 gin powdered limestotie (9.00 ppmi) anid 21 ginf~erric chloride (150 ppmn). Give 5 iiii fast mnix anid5 inhif slow milx, mnd settle I hr.

6. Take sample. Noto: Stperiiatant vory -'loor. Watersample analysis: 1)11 6. 2, ailkalinity 54 ppm, hardniess228 ppmn.

7.Iiltm s~raattruhStN.uit.. Collect 20 litors filtrate. Filtrate water nawly-

sts: p)11 6. 2, alk-alinity 40 ppin, huardness 224 ppm.

B. Pass filtrate thr'ough mixed-bed ioni oxchmiger. Finialeffluenit atialysis: 0. 1 ppin total dissolved solids (as

9. Chloriniate effluent from inixed-bed ioni exchangor to2 ppmn residual, (Firnished product was used fordrinkitig purpIooes by a me-mber of the lest teamu.

35f

l-,

li-i

Table XIX (cont~d)

I fladiologcicml DataSample ladioactb ityv I

Conoentration

Rlaw contaminatod water 46, 000,000

(Soluble portion of raw contamlinated water) 4,400,000After eoagtilatiou 3,200,000(Soluble portion lifter eoagulnatio') 2,100,000After filtration 1,900,000After mixed-bed ion exchange 0

Procese RemovalProcess Removal

Coagulation 93Coagulation plus filtration 96Coagulation plus filtration lu)hs mixed-bed ion exohange 100

36

UNCLASSIFIEDSecurity Classification

DOCUMENT CONTROL DATA - R&Demtl - body of -b-flact end t eqkng a notetano s b6 en terd *often fthe oerafll report r ttacaefedj

I ORI&UtNATING ACTIVI' Y (Corporale aulhor) 2 CICIPORT SECURITY C LASSIFICATION

U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Uncl-ssifiedLaboratories 12b GROUP

Fort Bel;,oir, Virginia 22060 N/A3 (iEPORT TITLE

FIELD EXPEDIENTS FOR DECONTAMINATING WATER CONTAINING NUCLEAR BOMBDEBRIS

4 DESCRIPTIVE NOýES (Type of report and inclusive dates)

Final report5 AUTHOR(S) (L~st namne. fst nn0.e. ,nfeli)

Lindsten, Don C.Pressman, Maurice

6 REPORT DATE 17 & TOTAL NO OF PAGes C 7 NO O;7RE5S

July 1967 ! 48 92Be CONTRACT OR GRANT N•O 2 $. ORIGINATOR-S RPORT i tNUMERfS)

t , P Rojc ,CO 1904

'Task No. IM624101D55107 196b OTE •RE-oRT No(S) (A ny other num.bers that m,.y he aj.,dih report)

10 AVAILABILITY LIMITATION NOTICES

Distribution of this document Is unlimited.

,, SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 12 SPONSORING MILITARY ACTIVITY USAERDL

DASAOCD

13 ABSTRACT This report covers a field study conducted by the Sanitary Sciences Laboratory oftLŽ U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratories at the Nevada Test Siteduring the summer of 1962. The purpose of the investigation was to study the following:(a) The solubility of radioactive debris in water. (b) Field methods of determining the con-centration of radioactive materials in water. (c) Field expedient methods for removing rad-ioactive materials from water. (d) A squad-type, universal method for removal of chemical,biological, and radiological agents from water. The results of this study indicate that:(a) The solubility of radioactive debris in water increases with a decrease in pH and an in-crease in temperature, but the change is not significant In the range of pH and temperaturevariations of normal drinking water supplies. (b) The solubility of radioactive debris inwater is not markedly affected by contact time. Increases in solubility with time are offset1i v decreases in contamination resulting from radioactive decay. (c) The solubility of radio-active debris in water may be significant enough to require demineralization to producewater safe for drinking. (d) Radioactive debris from surface detonations can be colloidal andremain in suspension in water for extended periods of time and be readily transported todownstream water sources. (e) Field expedient water purification methods such as filtrationthrough c!ay, paper, cellulose pads, and molded filter candles; and batch coagulation andfiltration can effectively accomplish radioactivity removrls of about 75 percent or more.Higher removals of activity approaching 100 percent are obtainable by Ion exchange demineralization following filtration. (f) The standard military IM-141/PDR-27J Radiacmeter andthe Civil Defense CDV-700 meter can be used satisfactorily in the field to determine theradioactiviý.' content of water at levels higher than 1,000,000 picocuries per liter.

DD 1473 47 UNCLASSIFIEDSecurity Classification

-UNClASSIFIEDSecurity Clis sirm'icatl-iin

14. LINK A LINK B LINK CKEY WORDS- -

ItOo. a , OL WT o. !. 1OL ST

Water, decontamination, radioactivity, fieldexpedient, emergency, filtration, radioactivitydetection, survey meters.

INSTRUJCTIONS

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9eudrtV-Mfasi1T Tciihn-

1-2-3'4 -92,247-Ft Betvotr