The Applications of Intumescent Technologies in Support of D&D Activities Across The DOE Complex

Authors

Joshua Alan Nunez, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor's Name

Dr. Andres Tremante

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Dr. Leonel Lagos

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Dr. Yiding Cao

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Department of Energy, DOE, Intumescent, D&D

Date of Defense

11-14-2019

Abstract

Nuclear facilities in the process of Deactivation and Decommissioning (D&D) face several enormous challenges. Decommissioning is only part of the final shutdown process of a nuclear facility. The majority of the DOE facilities, like most industries, face fire hazards or extreme heat conditions. This study aims to research, test, and validate the operational performance of commercially available polyurethane expanding intumescent foams as potential fixatives for immobilizing residual contamination while preserving fire resiliency. Due to the novelty of this unique problem set and approach, existing international standards (ASTM/NIST/etc.) were reviewed for best-fit platforms with which to build testing protocols from. Once the test methods were implemented in a laboratory setting, results and data generated were reviewed by SRNL personnel.

The conclusion of this research resulted in establishing a safe and viable non-destructive evaluation method for detecting inconsistencies and anomalies in the application and foam curing process, which will lead to a more successful implementation of intumescent foam in areas that would otherwise be difficult to assess and increase the safety of workers and the environment within the DOE nuclear complex.

Identifier

FIDC008847

Recommended Citation

Nunez, Joshua Alan, "The Applications of Intumescent Technologies in Support of D&D Activities Across The DOE Complex" (2019). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4316.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4316