Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons^™

Evaluation Of Fluorapatite As A Waste-Form Material: First Quarter Report (2004-05), October 1 - December 31, 2004, Dennis W. Lindle, Oliver Hemmers

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Fluorapatite, fluorinated calcium phosphate, has been identified as a potential matrix for the entombment of the zirconium fluoride fission product waste stream from the proposed FLEX process. If the efficacy of fluorapatite-based waste-storage can be demonstrated, then new and potentially more-efficient options for handling and separating high-level wastes, based on fluoride-salt extraction, will become feasible. This proposal will develop a dual-path research project to develop a process to fabricate a synthetic fluorapatite waste form for the ZrF₄, FP waste stream, characterize the waste form, examine its performance under environmental conditions, and correlate the behavior of the waste form …

Development Of Integrated Process Simulation System Model For Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (Sftf) Design: Quarterly Report October 1-December 31, 2004, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) and Transmutation Research Program- University Participation Program (TRP-UPP) supported by Department of Energy of the United States have been developing many important technologies for the transmutation of nuclear waste to address long-term disposal issues. While successfully embedding AMUSE module into a dedicated System Engineering Model (TRPSEMPro), developed by the Nevada Center for Advanced Computational Methods (NCACM) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas collaborating with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), ANL is interested in further simulating the Light Water Reactor (LWR) Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (SFTF) combining commercial process simulation and analysis packages and core …

The Electrochemical Separation Of Curium And Americium: Quaterly Report August-December 2004, David W. Hatchett, Kenneth Czerwinski

Separations Campaign (TRP)

This research report outlines the current status and progress associated with the electrochemical separation of Curium and Americium. The following pages outline the progress on our project to date. We have been actively performing research on this project for three months and are currently on schedule in terms of the proposed timelines.

The initial focus of the project involved setting up the laboratories for the studies outlined in the grant proposal. The instrumentation needed included an electrochemical work station that will perform the bulk of the electrochemical studies. This instrument will complement the electrochemical instrumentation in Dr. Hatchett’s laboratory and …

Immobilization Of Fission Iodine By Reaction With A Fullerene Containing Carbon Compound And Insoluble Natural Organic Matrix, Spencer M. Steinberg, Gary Cerefice, David W. Emerson

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The recovery of iodine released during the processing of used nuclear fuel poses a significant challenge to the transmutation of radioactive iodine. During the first two years of this program we have examined the potential of Fullerene Containing Carbon compounds (FCC) developed by KRI, and natural organic matter (NOM) as sorbents for iodine released during the reprocessing of nuclear fuel. This work involved the development of bench-scale testing of the FCC and NOM material in a simulated process off-gas environment.

Research Objectives and Goals

• Develop bench-scale experimental set-up and procedures for simulating PUREX head-end vapor phase; Develop experimental procedures …

Immobilization Of Fission Iodine By Reaction With A Fullerene Containing Carbon Compound And Insoluble Natural Organic Matrix: Quarterly Report August-September 2004, Spencer M. Steinberg

Separations Campaign (TRP)

During first year of the project we were able to demonstrate iodine sorption by a sphagnum peat and Ca(OH)2 mixture. We decided to explore varying the ratio of Ca(OH)2 to sphagnum on the retention of iodine in both the iodine generator experiments and the fuel rod simulator experiments.

We also constructed a device for simulating the dissolution of fuel rods. Early experiments were impacted by sorption of iodine onto various components of the sorption train. We have eliminated or minimized iodine sorption by the system components. We retested both FCC and the sphagnum using this device. In these experiments a …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The whole chemical separation process is complex to the point that definitely requires certain level of systematic coordination. To perform smoothly and meet the target extraction rates among those processes, this research proposed a general-purpose systems engineering model.

A general purposed systems engineering model, Transmutation Research Program System Engineering Model Project (TRPSEMPro), was developed based on the above design concept. The system model includes four main parts: System Manager, Model Integration, Study Plan, and Solution Viewer. System Manager supervises all the case (problem) creation, and functionality definition. Model Integration identifies chemical extraction processes and their execution sequence. Study Plan is …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process: Final Report, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The whole chemical separation process is complex to the point that definitely requires certain level of systematic coordination. To perform smoothly and meet the target extraction rates among those processes, this research proposed a general-purpose systems engineering model.

A general purposed systems engineering model, Transmutation Research Program System Engineering Model Project (TRPSEMPro), was developed based on the above design concept. The system model includes four main parts: System Manager, Model Integration, Study Plan, and Solution Viewer. TRPSEMPro can apply not only to chemical separation process, but also a general system model.

Software engineering and Object Oriented Analysis and Design (OOA&D) …

Evaluation Of Fluorapatite As A Waste-Form Material: Fourth Quarter Report, June 1 - September 30, 2004, Dennis W. Lindle, Oliver Hemmers

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Fluorapatite, fluorinated calcium phosphate, has been identified as a potential matrix for the entombment of the zirconium fluoride fission product waste stream from the proposed FLEX process. If the efficacy of fluorapatite-based waste-storage can be demonstrated, then new and potentially more-efficient options for handling and separating high-level wastes, based on fluoride-salt extraction, will become feasible. This proposal will develop a dual-path research project to develop a process to fabricate a synthetic fluorapatite waste form for the ZrF₄, FP waste stream, characterize the waste form, examine its performance under environmental conditions, and correlate the behavior of the waste form …

Immobilization Of Fission Iodine By Reaction With A Fullerene Containing Carbon Compound And Insoluble Natural Organic Matrix: Quaterly Report April-June 2004, Spencer M. Steinberg

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The recovery of iodine released during the processing of used nuclear fuel poses a significant challenge to the transmutation of radioactive iodine. This proposal will develop and examine the use of Fullerene Containing Carbon (FCC) compounds as potential sorbents for iodine release from the reprocessing of nuclear fuel. This work will also include the development of bench-scale testing capabilities at UNLV to allow the testing of the FCC material in a simulated process off-gas environment. This experimental capability will also be used to test other potential sorption materials and processes, such as natural organic matter (NOM) and other promising alternatives. …

Evaluation Of Fluorapatite As A Waste-Form Material: Third Quarter Report, March 1- May 31, 2004, Dennis W. Lindle, Oliver Hemmers

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Fluorapatite, fluorinated calcium phosphate, has been identified as a potential matrix for the entombment of the zirconium fluoride fission product waste stream from the proposed FLEX process. If the efficacy of fluorapatite-based waste-storage can be demonstrated, then new and potentially more-efficient options for handling and separating high-level wastes, based on fluoride-salt extraction, will become feasible. This proposal will develop a dual-path research project to develop a process to fabricate a synthetic fluorapatite waste form for the ZrF₄, FP waste stream, characterize the waste form, examine its performance under environmental conditions, and correlate the behavior of the waste form …

Electrochemical Separation Of Curium And Americium, David W. Hatchett, Kenneth Czerwinski

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The objective of this project is to develop a method for the separation of Am from Cm based on electrochemical techniques. Electrochemical systems that allow the thermodynamics of actinide and lanthanide complexes to be systematically evaluated and tuned will be examined. The influence of complex formation on the ability to selectively isolate a given species electrochemically will be evaluated. Metal-ligand complex formation provides a useful derivation technique to increase solubility in solution environments that favor precipitation. In addition, the thermodynamic properties of a complex relative to the isolated species may be shifted to more suitably measurable electrochemical separation regimes. Electrochemical …

Fundamental Chemistry Of U And Pu In The Tbp-Dodecane-Nitric Acid System, Kenneth Czerwinski, Byron Bennett

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The speciation of hexavalent U and tetravalent Pu will be examined in the TBP-dodecane-nitric acid systems. This topic is chosen based on data needs for separation modeling identified by the AFCI. Emphasis will be placed on studying the influence of nitrate and acetohydroxamic acid on U and Pu speciation as well as conditions where a third phase forms in the organic phase. The organic phase will be 30% TBP in dodecane. Equal volumes of aqueous and organic phase will be used. The speciation of the actinides in the aqueous and organic phase will be determined by a number of different …

Immobilization Of Fission Iodine By Reaction With A Fullerene Containing Carbon Compound And Insoluble Natural Organic Matrix, Spencer M. Steinberg

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The recovery of iodine released during the processing of used nuclear fuel poses a significant challenge to the transmutation of radioactive iodine. During the first two years of this program the use of Fullerene Containing Carbon (FCC) compounds and Natural Organic Matter (NOM) as potential sorbents for iodine release from the reprocessing of nuclear fuel was examined. This work also included the development of bench-scale testing capabilities at UNLV to allow the testing of the FCC and NOM materials in a simulated process off-gas environment. In the final year of the project we will complete studies of FCC and NOM …

Development Of Integrated Process Simulation System Model For Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (Sftf) Design, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) and Transmutation Research Program-University Participation Program (TRP-UPP) supported by Department of Energy of the United States have been developing many important technologies for the transmutation of nuclear waste to address long-term disposal issues. While successfully embedding AMUSE module into a dedicated System Engineering Model (TRPSEMPro), developed by the Nevada Center for Advanced Computational Methods (NCACM) at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas collaborating with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), ANL is interested in further simulating the Light Water Reactor (LWR) Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (SFTF) combining commercial process simulation and analysis packages and core calculation of …

The Electrochemical Separation Of Curium And Americium: Quaterly Report January - March 2004, David W. Hatchett, Kenneth Czerwinski

Separations Campaign (TRP)

This research report outlines the current status and progress associated with the electrochemical separation of Curium and Americium.

Data collection and analysis of the Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ redox couple in various supporting electrolytes has continued. All electrolyte systems were investigated at Pt, Au, and Glassy Carbon working electrodes. Analysis of these data was accomplished by performing appropriate background subtractions to reveal net peaks due to Ce redox behavior. Successful identification of the Ce redox couple was achieved with all electrolyte/electrode systems, although a decline in peak resolution was observed with increasing acid concentration. Optimal conditions in this experiment were …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process, Yitung Chen, Darrell Pepper, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The chemical processing of used nuclear fuel is an integral component of any strategy for the transmutation of nuclear waste. Due to the large volume of material that must be handled in this first step of the transmutation process, the efficiency of the separations process is a key factor in the potential economic viability of the transmutation strategies. The ability to optimize the chemical separation systems is vital to ensure the feasibility of the transmutation program.

Systems analysis, or total systems modeling, is one of the strongest tools available to researchers for understanding and optimizing complex systems such as chemical …

Nuclear Criticality, Shielding, And Thermal Analyses Of Separations Processes For The Transmutation Fuel Cycle, William Culbreth

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The first step in any transmutation strategy is the separation of radionuclides in used nuclear fuel. The current separation strategy supporting the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) program is based on the use of a solvent extraction separation process to separate the actinides, fission products, and uranium from used commercial nuclear fuel, and on the use of pyrochemical separation technologies to process used transmuter fuels. To separate the fission products and transuranic elements from the uranium in used fuel, the national program is developing a new solvent extraction process, the Uranium Extraction Plus, or UREX+, process based on the traditional …

Development, Fabrication And Study Of Fullerene-Containing Carbon Material (Fcc) For Immobilization Of Iodine: Progress Reports 1-1 And 1-2, Michael Savopulo, Boris E. Burakov

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Immobilization of highly radioactive and long-lived isotope of ¹²⁹I, which is a fission product in spent nuclear fuel, requires development of new durable host-materials. Such materials should be characterized with the following principal features:

• High loading capacity to iodine incorporation
• Chemical durability and radiation resistance in order to prevent iodine release over long time (higher than 105 years) storage under conditions of underground repository of radioactive wastes
• Possibility to use iodine-doped material as a target for iodine transmutation.

Iodine is a very volatile chemical element, and even its chemically strong compounds such as AgI and CuI are not stable …

Development, Fabrication And Study Of Fullerene-Containing Carbon Material (Fcc) For Immobilization Of Iodine: Final Report #1, Michael Savopulo, Boris E. Burakov

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Immobilization of highly radioactive and long-lived isotope of ¹²⁹I, which is a fission product in spent nuclear fuel, requires development of new durable host-materials.

Iodine is a very volatile chemical element, and even its chemically strong compounds such as AgI and CuI are not stable under ultraviolet irradiation or oxidizing conditions. Therefore, development of host materials for iodine immobilization is based on unusual approach – the search and testing of new compounds which were not studied before in respect of iodine sorption and strong fixation.

Laboratory of Applied Mineralogy and Radiogeochemistry of the V.G. Khlopin Radium Institute carries out …

Development, Fabrication And Study Of Fullerene-Containing Carbon Material (Fcc) For Immobilization Of Iodine: Progress Report 1-3, Michael Savopulo, Boris E. Burakov

Separations Campaign (TRP)

During previous reporting periods we studied properties of iodine doped FCC in comparison with activated carbon. An additional goal was to investigate the possibility to convert iodine doped FCC and activated carbon into ceramic-like material avoiding iodine loss. In order to obtain ceramic based on C_xN_y with fullerene structure we decided to carry out gamma irradiation of iodine doped samples in nitrogen atmosphere (0.7 atm. N₂). It was found that iodine doping and irradiation caused principal changes in composition of FCC such as substituting of fullerene C₆₀ and graphite (both formed by benzene-like carbon …

Evaluation Of Fluorapatite As A Waste-Form Material, Dennis W. Lindle, Oliver Hemmers

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Fluorapatite, fluorinated calcium phosphate, has been identified as a potential matrix for the entombment of the zirconium fluoride fission product waste stream from the proposed FLEX process. If the efficacy of fluorapatite based waste-storage can be demonstrated, then new and potentially more-efficient options for handling and separating high-level wastes, based on fluoride-salt extraction, will become feasible. This proposal is for renewal of the UNLV portion of a dual-path research project to develop a process to fabricate a synthetic fluorapatite waste form for the ZrF₄, FP waste stream, characterize the waste form, examine its performance under environmental conditions, and …

Evaluation Of Fluorapatite As A Waste-Form Material, Dennis W. Lindle, Oliver Hemmers, Dale L. Perry

Separations Campaign (TRP)

This research attempts to develop a waste form for disposing of the zirconium fluoride fission product waste stream. Fluorapatite, a naturally-occurring fluorinated calcium phosphate, has been identified as a potential matrix for the entombment of this waste stream. If the efficacy of fluorapatite-based wastestorage can be demonstrated, then new and potentially more efficient options for handling and separating high-level wastes, based on fluoride-salt extraction, will become feasible.

The research effort has been divided along two parallel paths: the Fabrication Path, led by collaborators at the Khlopin Radium Institute (KRI) in St. Petersburg, Russia; and the Characterization Path, led by researchers …

Development Of Fluorapatite As A Waste Form: Progress Report 1-2, Boris E. Burakov

Separations Campaign (TRP)

In the framework of this stage of research the samples of Sr-fluorapatite synthesized earlier had to be studied using different methods.

These are samples of the following desired compositions:

1) Sr₁₀(PO₄)₆F₂ from precipitated precursor;

2) Sr₁₀(PO₄)₆F₂ from precipitated precursor and adding Sr(NO₃)₂;

3) Sr₈CsNd(PO₄)₆F_2.3;

4) Initial precursor for the synthesis of un-doped Sr-fluorapatite.

Development Of Fluorapatite As A Waste Form: Final Report 1, Boris E. Burakov

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Research on the apatite family of minerals to determine their suitability in the Flouride Extraction (FLEX) Process, which is part of the radioactive waste management stream.

1) KRI has fabricated and tested special high temperature furnace for fluorapatite synthesis. This equipment might be installed into glove box in order to carry out experiments with real actinides and technetium. The same equipment might be fabricated and installed in Actinide laboratory at HRC by KRI technical staff;

2) Samples of undoped polycrystalline apatite, Ca₅(PO₄)₃F, of low porosity were successfully obtained by sintering in air at 1300°C. …

Development Of Fluorapatite As A Waste Form: Progress Report 1-3, Boris E. Burakov

Separations Campaign (TRP)

In the framework of this stage of research we had to carry out synthesis and study of fluorapatite doped with fission product elements including Cs, Sr, noble metals and Zr. During previous reporting period different samples of ceramics based on Sr-fluorapatite have been synthesized. Sample of Cs-Nd-doped ceramic has been recognized as the most interesting for detailed examination by SEM and EMPA methods.

Fundamental Chemistry Of U And Pu In The Tbp-Dodecane-Nitric Acid System: Quaterly Report, Kenneth Czerwinski, Byron Bennett

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The speciation of hexavalent U and tetravalent Pu will be examined in the TBP-dodecane- nitric acid systems. This topic is chosen based on data needs for separation modeling identified by the AFCI. Emphasis will be placed on studying the influence of nitrate and acetohydroxamic acid on U and Pu speciation as well as conditions where a third phase forms in the organic phase. The organic phase will be 30 % TBP in dodecane. Equal volumes of aqueous and organic phase will be used. The speciation of the actinides in the aqueous and organic phase will be determined by a number …