Nuclear forensic analysis of uranium oxide powders interdicted in Victoria, Australia

Journal Article · 13 April 2015 · Radiochimica Acta

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ract-2014-2363 · OSTI ID:1240953

Kristo, Michael Joseph ^[1]; Keegan, Elizabeth ^[2]; Colella, Michael ^[2]; Williams, Ross ^[1]; Lindvall, Rachel ^[1]; Eppich, Gary ^[1]; Roberts, Sarah ^[1]; Borg, Lars ^[1]; Gaffney, Amy ^[1]; Plaue, Jonathan ^[1]; Knight, Kim ^[1]; Loi, Elaine ^[2]; Hotchkis, Michael ^[2]; Moody, Kenton ^[1]; Singleton, Michael ^[1]; Robel, Martin ^[1]; Hutcheon, Ian ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
2. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Kirrawee, NSW (Australia)

Nuclear forensic analysis was conducted on two uranium samples confiscated during a police investigation in Victoria, Australia. The first sample, designated NSR-F-270409-1, was a depleted uranium powder of moderate purity (~1000 μg/g total elemental impurities). The chemical form of the uranium was a compound similar to K₂(UO₂)₃O₄·4H₂O. While aliquoting NSR-F-270409-1 for analysis, the body and head of a Tineid moth was discovered in the sample. The second sample, designated NSR-F-270409-2, was also a depleted uranium powder. It was of reasonably high purity (~380 μg/g total elemental impurities). The chemical form of the uranium was primarily UO₃·2H₂O, with minor phases of U₃O₈ and UO₂. While aliquoting NSR-F-270409-2 for analysis, a metal staple of unknown origin was discovered in the sample. The presence of ²³⁶U and ²³²U in both samples indicates that the uranium feed stocks for these samples experienced a neutron flux at some point in their history. The reactor burn-up calculated from the isotopic composition of the uranium is consistent with that of spent fuel from natural uranium (NU) fueled Pu production. These nuclear forensic conclusions allow us to categorically exclude Australia as the origin of the material and greatly reduce the number of candidate sources.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344
• OSTI ID: 1240953
• Report Number(s): LLNL-JRNL--684417
• Journal Information: Radiochimica Acta, Journal Name: Radiochimica Acta Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 103; ISSN 0033-8230
• Publisher: de GruyterCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Nuclear forensics
X-ray diffraction
depleted uranium
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
origin assessment
scanning electron microscopy (SEM)