Year
2019
Abstract
This year, the detailed characterizations of four irradiated curium target rod segments are being completed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to determine the post-irradiation chemical distribution. The Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the production, storage, and distribution center for the heavy-element research program of the U.S. Department of Energy. The REDC and the neighboring High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) were built to produce quantities of transuranium elements for use in national and international research programs and since 1966 has been the main center of production for transcurium elements in the United States. Californium production campaign 75 involved the dissolution and processing of 9 curium targets of similar composition. Five of these targets were irradiated for 9 cycles in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) while four were irradiated for only 1 cycle. Prior to dissolution of these targets, four segments were cut, two from each of two targets. The Nuclear Analytical Chemistry and Isotopics Laboratories at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is performing the detailed destructive post-irradiation examinations (PIE) on these selected segments. The analytical process involves quantitative dissolution of designated fuel segments in a shielded hot cell for high precision measurements of select fission products and actinide isotopes. The hot cell dissolution protocol to include the collection of the fuel’s acid resistant metallic particulates will be presented. The development of the robust dissolution apparatus capable of withstanding the high radiation generated in spent nuclear fuels coupled with the desire to minimize cross contamination in a hotcell or glovebox environment will be its focus.