A new TEVA-DGA chromatography procedure to separate Pu, Am, and Np from bulk U materials
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Trace actinides present within uranium (U) material are diagnostic signatures of U processing history. For example, the emplacement of U material within the high neutron-flux environment of a nuclear reactor can cause neutron capture of U to form 241-plutonium (241Pu). Plutonium-241 then decays to progeny isotopes 241-americium (241Am) and 237-neptunium (237Np); therefore, the presence and relative abundances of these trace actinides is indicative of the material’s production history and intended employment (Mayer et al., 2013). During a pre-detonation nuclear forensics investigation, measurement of trace actinide 241Pu, 241Am, and 237Np concentrations by an analytical laboratory may be requested. However, chemically purifying these elements from bulk U is a challenging and involved procedure requiring several sequential chromatography columns across 4+ days. To expedite Pu-Am-Np separation from bulk U material, and to improve the yield recovery of these elements, this DHS Postdoc Fellowship has worked to create a new chromatography separation chemistry.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Homeland Security (DHS); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- 89233218CNA000001
- OSTI ID:
- 1902088
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-22-32619; TRN: US2309482
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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