Process for reducing beta activity in uranium
Abstract
This invention is a method for lowering the beta radiation hazards associated with the casting of uranium. The method reduces the beta radiation emitted from the as-cast surfaces of uranium ingots. The method also reduces the amount of beta radiation emitters retained on the interiors of the crucibles that have been used to melt the uranium charges and which undergone cleaning in a remote handling facility. The lowering of the radioactivity is done by scavenging the beta emitters from the molten uranium with a molten mixture containing the fluorides of magnesium and calcium. The method provides a means of collection and disposal of the beta emitters in a manner that reduces radiation exposure to operating personnel in the work area where the ingots are cast and processed. 5 tabs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- NLO, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (USA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5535756
- Application Number:
- ON: DE86013803
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76OR01156
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; CASTING; HEALTH HAZARDS; URANIUM; CALCIUM FLUORIDES; DAUGHTER PRODUCTS; MAGNESIUM FLUORIDES; SEPARATION PROCESSES; THORIUM 234; ACTINIDE ISOTOPES; ACTINIDE NUCLEI; ACTINIDES; ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS; BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; CALCIUM COMPOUNDS; CALCIUM HALIDES; DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES; ELEMENTS; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; FABRICATION; FLUORIDES; FLUORINE COMPOUNDS; HALIDES; HALOGEN COMPOUNDS; HAZARDS; HEAVY NUCLEI; ISOTOPES; MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS; METALS; NUCLEI; RADIOISOTOPES; THORIUM ISOTOPES; 360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication
Citation Formats
Briggs, G G, Kato, T R, and Schonegg, E. Process for reducing beta activity in uranium. United States: N. p., 1985.
Web.
Briggs, G G, Kato, T R, & Schonegg, E. Process for reducing beta activity in uranium. United States.
Briggs, G G, Kato, T R, and Schonegg, E. Thu .
"Process for reducing beta activity in uranium". United States.
@article{osti_5535756,
title = {Process for reducing beta activity in uranium},
author = {Briggs, G G and Kato, T R and Schonegg, E},
abstractNote = {This invention is a method for lowering the beta radiation hazards associated with the casting of uranium. The method reduces the beta radiation emitted from the as-cast surfaces of uranium ingots. The method also reduces the amount of beta radiation emitters retained on the interiors of the crucibles that have been used to melt the uranium charges and which undergone cleaning in a remote handling facility. The lowering of the radioactivity is done by scavenging the beta emitters from the molten uranium with a molten mixture containing the fluorides of magnesium and calcium. The method provides a means of collection and disposal of the beta emitters in a manner that reduces radiation exposure to operating personnel in the work area where the ingots are cast and processed. 5 tabs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Apr 11 00:00:00 EST 1985},
month = {Thu Apr 11 00:00:00 EST 1985}
}