Process for reducing beta activity in uranium
Abstract
This invention is a method for lowering the beta radiation hazards associated with the casting of uranium. The method reduces the beta radiation emitted from the as-cast surfaces of uranium ingots. The method also reduces the amount of beta radiation emitters retained on the interiors of the crucibles that have been used to melt the uranium charges and which have undergone cleaning in a remote handling facility. The lowering of the radioactivity is done by scavenging the beta emitters from the molten uranium with a molten mixture containing the fluorides of magnesium and calcium. The method provides a means of collection and disposal of the beta emitters in a manner that reduces radiation exposure to operating personnel in the work area where the ingots are cast and processed.
- Inventors:
-
- Cincinnatti, OH
- Cleves, OH
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 875181
- Patent Number(s):
- H000137
- Application Number:
- 06/722023
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 1985 Apr 11
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- process; reducing; beta; activity; uranium; method; radiation; hazards; associated; casting; reduces; emitted; as-cast; surfaces; ingots; amount; emitters; retained; interiors; crucibles; melt; charges; undergone; cleaning; remote; handling; facility; lowering; radioactivity; scavenging; molten; mixture; containing; fluorides; magnesium; calcium; provides; means; collection; disposal; manner; exposure; operating; personnel; cast; processed; mixture containing; radiation emitted; method provides; beta radiation; radiation exposure; method provide; method reduces; molten uranium; molten mixture; hazards associated; handling facility; method reduce; beta activity; beta emitter; statutory invention registration; /75/
Citation Formats
Briggs, Gifford G., Kato, Takeo R., and Schonegg, Edward. Process for reducing beta activity in uranium. United States: N. p., 1986.
Web.
Briggs, Gifford G., Kato, Takeo R., & Schonegg, Edward. Process for reducing beta activity in uranium. United States.
Briggs, Gifford G., Kato, Takeo R., and Schonegg, Edward. Wed .
"Process for reducing beta activity in uranium". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/875181.
@article{osti_875181,
title = {Process for reducing beta activity in uranium},
author = {Briggs, Gifford G. and Kato, Takeo R. and Schonegg, Edward},
abstractNote = {This invention is a method for lowering the beta radiation hazards associated with the casting of uranium. The method reduces the beta radiation emitted from the as-cast surfaces of uranium ingots. The method also reduces the amount of beta radiation emitters retained on the interiors of the crucibles that have been used to melt the uranium charges and which have undergone cleaning in a remote handling facility. The lowering of the radioactivity is done by scavenging the beta emitters from the molten uranium with a molten mixture containing the fluorides of magnesium and calcium. The method provides a means of collection and disposal of the beta emitters in a manner that reduces radiation exposure to operating personnel in the work area where the ingots are cast and processed.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986}
}