Sensitivity Studies and Experimental Evaluation for Optimizing Transcurium Isotope Production

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2017 · Nuclear Science and Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2016.1272973· OSTI ID:1348297

Hogle, Susan L. ^[1]; Alexander, Charles W. ^[1]; Burns, Jonathan D. ^[1]; Ezold, Julie G. ^[1]; Maldonado, G. Ivan ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
2. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering

This work applies to recent initiatives at the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to optimize the production of transcurium isotopes in the High Flux Isotope Reactor in such a way as to prolong the use of high quality heavy curium feedstock. By studying the sensitivity of fission and transmutation reaction rates to the neutron flux spectrum a means of increasing the fraction of (n,γ) reactions per neutron absorption is explored. Filter materials which preferentially absorb neutrons at energies considered detrimental to optimal transcurium production are identified and transmutation rates are examined with high energy resolution. Experimental capsules are irradiated employing filter materials and the resulting fission and activation products studied to validate the filtering methodology. Improvement is seen in the production efficiency of heavier curium isotopes in ²⁴⁴Cm and ²⁴⁵Cm targets, and potentially in production of ²⁵²Cf from mixed californium targets. Finally, further analysis is recommended to evaluate longer duration irradiations more representative of typical transcurium production.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1348297
• Journal Information: Nuclear Science and Engineering, Vol. 185, Issue 3; ISSN 0029-5639
• Publisher: American Nuclear Society - Taylor & Francis
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
Isotope production optimization
californium
High Flux Isotope Reactor