Aluminum Target Dissolution in Support of the Pu-238 Program

Technical Report · Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1158739· OSTI ID:1158739

McFarlane, Joanna ^[1]; Benker, Dennis ^[1]; DePaoli, David W ^[1]; Felker, Leslie Kevin ^[1]; Mattus, Catherine H ^[1]

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1. ORNL

Selection of an aluminum alloy for target cladding affects post-irradiation target dissolution and separations. Recent tests with aluminum alloy 6061 yielded greater than expected precipitation in the caustic dissolution step, forming up to 10 wt.% solids of aluminum hydroxides and aluminosilicates. We present a study to maximize dissolution of aluminum metal alloy, along with silicon, magnesium, and copper impurities, through control of temperature, the rate of reagent addition, and incubation time. Aluminum phase transformations have been identified as a function of time and temperature, using X-ray diffraction. Solutions have been analyzed using wet chemical methods and X-ray fluorescence. These data have been compared with published calculations of aluminum phase diagrams. Temperature logging during the transients has been investigated as a means to generate kinetic and mass transport data on the dissolution process. Approaches are given to enhance the dissolution of aluminum and aluminosilicate phases in caustic solution.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Work for Others (WFO)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1158739
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-2014/68; 400409900
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
aluminum alloy 6061
aluminum dissolution in caustic
Pu-238