Remote online process measurements by a fiber optic diode array spectrometer
The development of remote online monitors for radioactive process streams is an active research area at the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL). A remote offline spectrophotometric measurement system has been developed and used at the Savannah River Plant (SRP) for the past year to determine the plutonium concentration of process solution samples. The system consists of a commercial diode array spectrophotometer modified with fiber optic cables that allow the instrument to be located remotely from the measurement cell. Recently, a fiber optic multiplexer has been developed for this instrument, which allows online monitoring of five locations sequentially. The multiplexer uses a motorized micrometer to drive one of five sets of optical fibers into the optical path of the instrument. A sixth optical fiber is used as an external reference and eliminates the need to flush out process lines to re-reference the spectrophotometer. The fiber optic multiplexer has been installed in a process prototype facility to monitor uranium loading and breakthrough of ion exchange columns. The design of the fiber optic multiplexer is discussed and data from the prototype facility are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the measurement system.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Lab., Aiken, SC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-76SR00001
- OSTI ID:
- 6443445
- Report Number(s):
- DP-MS-86-69; CONF-8609260-1; ON: DE87005824
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ACTINIDES
ELEMENTS
FIBER OPTICS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
PHOTODIODES
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION HAZARDS
REMOTE MULTIPLEXING SYSTEMS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES
SPECTROPHOTOMETERS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
URANIUM
USES