Isotopic hydrogen analysis via conventional and surface-enhanced fiber optic Raman spectroscopy

Conference · Thu Sep 23 00:00:00 EDT 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1117/12.571898· OSTI ID:834245

LASCOLA, ROBERT

This report describes laboratory development and process plant applications of Raman spectroscopy for detection of hydrogen isotopes in the Tritium Facilities at the Savannah River Site (SRS), a U.S. Department of Energy complex. Raman spectroscopy provides a lower-cost, in situ alternative to mass spectrometry techniques currently employed at SRS. Using conventional Raman and fiber optics, we have measured, in the production facility glove boxes, process mixtures of protium and deuterium at various compositions and total pressures ranging from 1000-4000 torr, with detection limits ranging from 1-2 percent for as low as 3-second integration times. We are currently investigating fabrication techniques for SERS surfaces in order to measure trace (0.01-0.1 percent) amounts of one isotope in the presence of the other. These efforts have concentrated on surfaces containing palladium, which promotes hydrogen dissociation and forms metal hydride bonds, essentially providing a chemical enhancement mechanism.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-96SR18500
• OSTI ID: 834245
• Report Number(s): WSRC-MS-2004-00677; TRN: US0407079
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 5586; Conference: Optics East, Philadelphia, PA (US), 10/24/2004--10/28/2004; Other Information: PBD: 23 Sep 2004
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DETECTION
DEUTERIUM
FABRICATION
FIBER OPTICS
GLOVES
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN 1
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MIXTURES
OPTICS
PALLADIUM
RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
SENSITIVITY
TRITIUM
PROCESS ANALYSIS
FIBER OPTIC PROBES
TRITIUM APPLICATION