241Am Ingrowth and Its Effect on Internal Dose
- CH2M-WG Idaho, LLC, Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Generally, plutonium has been manufactured to support commercial and military applications involving heat sources, weapons and reactor fuel. This work focuses on three typical plutonium mixtures, while observing the potential of 241Am ingrowth and its effect on internal dose. The term “ingrowth” is used to describe 241Am production due solely from the decay of 241Pu as part of a plutonium mixture, where it is initially absent or present in a smaller quantity. Dose calculation models do not account for 241Am ingrowth unless the 241Pu quantity is specified. This work suggested that 241Am ingrowth be considered in bioassay analysis when there is a potential of a 10% increase to the individual’s committed effective dose. It was determined that plutonium fuel mixtures, initially absent of 241Am, would likely exceed 10% for typical reactor grade fuel aged less than 30 years; however, heat source grade and aged weapons grade fuel would normally fall below this threshold. In conclusion, although this work addresses typical plutonium mixtures following separation, it may be extended to irradiated commercial uranium fuel and is expected to be a concern in the recycling of spent fuel.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Idaho Operations Office (IO)
- OSTI ID:
- 1368540
- Journal Information:
- Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 111; ISSN 0017-9078
- Publisher:
- Health Physics SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
241Pu in the environment: insight into the understudied isotope of plutonium
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journal | June 2018 |
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journal | June 2019 |
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