Modification of targets and processes for conversion of {sup 99}Mo production from high- to low-enriched uranium.
As part of the U.S. nonproliferation effort, we are investigating the conversion of the production of fission-product {sup 99}Mo from use of high-enriched uranium (HEU) to low-enriched uranium (LEU). Successful conversion from HEU to LEU (<20% {sup 235}U) requires an irradiation target that contains 5 times more uranium but minimizes changes to target geometry and processing. The LEU target being developed uses thin foils of uranium metal that can be removed from the target hardware for dissolution and processing. This paper describes our recent successes in target fabrication, irradiation, and processing. Target fabrication has been improved by (1) heat-treating the uranium foil to produce a random, small-grain structure and (2) electrodepositing zinc and nickel fission-fragment barriers onto the foil. These fission-fragment barriers have been found to be stable during transport of the targets following irradiation. Recent irradiation tests have shown that the concept is sound. Progress was also made in broadening international cooperation in our development activities.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 942476
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/CMT/JA-31856; IECRED; TRN: US200916%%547
- Journal Information:
- Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 39, Issue 9 ; 2000; ISSN 0888-5885
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
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Continuing investigations for technology assessment of /sup 99/Mo production from LEU (low enriched Uranium) targets
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Related Subjects
CONVERSION
DISSOLUTION
FABRICATION
FOILS
GEOMETRY
HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
IRRADIATION
METALS
MODIFICATIONS
NICKEL
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
PROLIFERATION
SLIGHTLY ENRICHED URANIUM
SOUND WAVES
TARGETS
TRANSPORT
URANIUM
ZINC