Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control
- Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Visible) and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) optical techniques can permit on-line analysis of actinide elements in a solvent extraction process in real time. These techniques have been used for measuring actinide speciation and concentration under laboratory conditions and are easily adaptable to multiple sampling geometries, such as dip probes, fiber-optic sample cells, and flow-through cell geometries. To fully exploit these techniques, researchers must determine the fundamental speciation of target actinides and the resulting influence on spectroscopic properties. Detection limits, process conditions, and speciation of key actinide components can be established and utilized in a range of areas, particularly those related to materials accountability and process control. Through this project, researchers will develop tools and spectroscopic techniques to evaluate solution extraction conditions and concentrations of U, Pu, and Cm in extraction processes, addressing areas of process control and materials accountability. The team will evaluate UV– Visible and TRLFS for use in solvent extraction-based separations. Ongoing research is examining efficacy of UV-Visible spectroscopy to evaluate uranium and plutonium speciation under conditions found in the UREX process and using TRLFS to evaluate Cm speciation and concentration in the TALSPEAK process. A uranyl and plutonium nitrate UV–Visible spectroscopy study met with success, which supports the utility and continued exploration of spectroscopic methods for evaluation of actinide concentrations and solution conditions for other aspects of the UREX+ solvent extraction scheme. This project will examine U and Pu absorbance in TRUEX and TALSPEAK, perform detailed examination of Cm in TRUEX and TALSPEAK, study U laser fluorescence, and apply project data to contactors. The team will also determine peak ratios as a function of solution concentrations for the UV-Visible spectroscopy studies. The use of TRLFS to examine Cm and U will provide data to evaluate lifetime, peak location, and peak ratios (mainly for U). The bases for the spectroscopic techniques have been investigated, providing fundamental evidence for the application’s utility.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV (United States); Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1116520
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NEUP-09-820; TRN: US1600673
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
DISTRIBUTION OF ACTINIDES BETWEEN THE AQUEOUS AND ORGANIC PHASES IN THE TALSPEAK PROCESS
Preliminary evaluation of solvent-extraction and/or ion-exchange process for meeting AAA program multi-tier systems recovery and purification goals.
Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
PLUTONIUM
URANIUM
CURIUM
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
SOLUTIONS
PROCESS CONTROL
TALSPEAK PROCESS
TRUEX PROCESS
PLUTONIUM NITRATES
URANYL NITRATES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
VISIBLE RADIATION
LASER RADIATION
PEAKS
LIFETIME
PROBES
SAMPLING
SENSITIVITY
REPROCESSING
PODBIELNIAK CONTACTORS
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
REAL TIME SYSTEMS
ACCOUNTING