Initial Feasibility Study for Remote Removal of Strippable Coatings

Many facilities slated for deactivation and decommissioning (D&D) across the DOE complex pose hazards (radiological, chemical, and
structural) which prevent the use of traditional manual techniques for performing D&D activities. These facilities will require the use of
remotely operated technologies to safely and efficiently perform D&D. In addition, the D&D of a radioactive facility often requires that
surfaces be cleaned and stabilized to allow demolition to occur while maintaining worker radiation exposure ALARA and without spreading
radioactive contamination. One typical step in the D&D process consists of applying a fixative or strippable coating to stabilize or remove
loose contamination before demolition. Florida International University (FIU) has demonstrated this step by spraying fixatives (November
2008) as well as strippable coatings and decontamination gels (June 2010) via a remote sprayer platform. The next challenge is to
determine if a remote platform can be used to remove strippable coatings and decontamination gels.