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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Speciation And Spectroscopy Of The Uranyl And Tetravalent Plutonium Nitrate Systems: Fundamental Studies And Applications To Used Fuel Reprocessing, Nicholas A. Smith Dec 2010

Speciation And Spectroscopy Of The Uranyl And Tetravalent Plutonium Nitrate Systems: Fundamental Studies And Applications To Used Fuel Reprocessing, Nicholas A. Smith

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation explores the use of UV-Visible spectroscopy and Time Resolved Laser Induced Fluorescence spectroscopy as near real time process monitors of uranium and plutonium concentrations in aqueous reprocessing trains. The molar absorptivities and linear ranges of these metals were investigated under total nitrate and acid concentrations similar to those found in current reprocessing systems. Concurrent to this, a new multiple wavelength monitor was derived that is capable of determining the total nitrate concentration spectroscopically. This method uses the uranium absorbance spectrum to calculate the nitrate concentration in solution. When used as part of an Advanced Safeguard suite, this technique …


Characterization Of Plutonium Particles Originating From The Bomarc Accident -1960, Richard Charles Gostic May 2010

Characterization Of Plutonium Particles Originating From The Bomarc Accident -1960, Richard Charles Gostic

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Within the U.S. arsenal, 32 accidents with nuclear weapons were reported between 1950 and 1980. One of these accidents occurred at McGuire AFB in 1960. A BOMARC missile armed with a nuclear warhead caught on fire and as a result the warhead was destroyed. Sub-millimeter particles consisting of weapons grade plutonium (WGPu) produced by this accident were distributed around the site and remained in the environment for 47 years. Soil cores known to contain WGPu particles produced by this accident were obtained. The particles were localized and removed from the soil with the aid of high resolution computed tomography. The …


Preparation And Characterization Of Extraction Chromatography Resins Using N-Donor Extractants For Trivalent Actinide And Lanthanide Separations, Christopher L. Klug May 2010

Preparation And Characterization Of Extraction Chromatography Resins Using N-Donor Extractants For Trivalent Actinide And Lanthanide Separations, Christopher L. Klug

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Actinide and lanthanide elements exist in the geosphere and biosphere due to both natural abundances and anthropogenic activities. The investigation of the presence and transport of actinides through the environment is of great scientific interest. In order to prepare environmental samples for precise measurements, the individual actinides must be separated from the chemically similar lanthanides, and from neighboring actinides. Existing extraction chromatography resins are either poorly suited for this separation, have bleeding problems, are not reusable, or fail the CHON principle. In an effort to resolve these issues, malonamides and N-donor extractants from the BTP and BTBP classes of solvent …