Evaluating the influence of formation conditions on the speciation of uranium and plutonium in debris
Abstract
Evaluating the influence of formation conditions on the speciation of uranium and plutonium in debris PerF-Topic 1: Plasma Chemistry for Nuclear Forensics (Thrust Area 1) Ken Czerwinski, Frederic Poineau, and Daniel Koury,Radiochemistry Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Bethany Goldblum, Nuclear Engineering Department, University of California, Berkeley; Kim Knight, Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory The objective of the research, performed under PerF-Topic 1: Plasma Chemistry for Nuclear Forensics (Thrust Area 1), is to improve understanding of the chemistry responsible for the speciation of U and Pu in debris. This project will evaluate the role of temperature, time, and chemical composition to assess the impact on U and Pu speciation in simulated debris, leveraging ongoing activities in the analysis of debris and the formation of simulant material through laboratory studies and multivariate analysis. Emphasis is on the identification of parameters which result in conditions similar to U and Pu speciation in actual debris. Plutonium is correlated with iron and calcium. The role of viscosity in the resulting Pu phase correlation will be assessed. For U a variation in oxidations state has been observed, with differences expected to arise from soil composition, device materials, and quenching rate. Formation kinetics and thermodynamics of U and Pu species will be determined. Material morphology will be examined and compared with actual debris
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 09, 2017
- Source ID
- HDTRA11710012
Entities
People
- Kenneth Czerwinski
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas