Decontamination of PWRs

A method of decontaminating radionuclide-contaminated acid insoluble corrosion products from primary system surfaces in pressurized water reactors by oxidation and subsequent dissolution in an acidic decontamination solution of the corrosion products which have been made acid-soluble by the oxidation. The characterizing feature of the method is that the oxidation is carried out with a water-based oxidation agent having a below 7 and containing permanganate, chromic acid, pH, and ozone. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the method the oxidation is carried out at relatively low temperature, e.g. under about 60 degrees C and often below about 25 degrees C. (Author)