Complete Characterization of Uranium Compounds

The Y-12 National Security Complex is a multiprogram US-DOE/NNSA site specializing in the handling, storage, production and characterization of uranium materials. For the past 50 years, Y-12 has supported efforts ranging from national defense, nuclear power and research reactors and nuclear nonproliferation. In support of this variety of programs, Y-12 has built exceptionally strong analytical capabilities and expertise to address the analysis of uranium materials in all process stages. The complete (isotopic and elemental) characterization of uranium materials is essential to a robust fuel program, as well as nonproliferation activities/monitoring. Full characterization requires a breadth of both analytical techniques and process expertise. This presentation will discuss analytical techniques deployed at Y-12 to fully characterize bulk uranium materials pertinent to the nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear non-proliferation activities: ?? Thermal ionization mass spectrometry and isotope dilution mass spectrometry for both bulk and low-level uranium isotopic characterization ?? 70-element trace impurity analysis by a combination of inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry and optical emission spectroscopy ?? Combustion and pyrohydrolysis techniques for non-metallic impurity analysis ?? Traditional radiochemical spectroscopy for radionuclide characterization The data and results presented in this proceeding describe analytical tests used at Y-12 for (i) trace inductively-couple plasma-based impurity analysis of uranium metal and pure oxides and (ii) g-U/g measurement by x-ray fluorescence of samples not typically amenable to isotope dilution mass spectrometry.