Analysis of the 207Bi, 194Hg/Au and 173Lu distribution in the irradiated MEGAPIE target

Hammer, B.; Neuhausen, Jörg; Boutellier, V.; Linder, H.P.; Shcherbina, Natalia; Wohlmuther, M.; Türler, Α.; Schumann, D.

doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.09.016

Cited by 12 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…173 Lu [15,19], in the same steel samples used here showed that these nuclides are present as a layer on the steel surface that can be almost completely removed (>98%) by the leaching procedure described in the experimental section. We assume that the 129 I and 36 Cl detected on the steel specimens are also associated with this thin layer located on the interface of LBE and steel, and that they were removed completely from the steel surface by the leaching procedure.…”

Section: I and 36 Cl In Lbe/steel-interface Samplesmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…The liquid metal and the radionuclides therein are exposed to a complex flow field and temperature gradients, where the contact with construction materials and the cover gas -including impurities contained therein -may lead to chemical reactions causing inhomogeneous distribution of the nuclides [13,14]. In particular, accumulation of insoluble materials may occur on surfaces, as was reported for nuclides of electropositive elements such as 173 Lu [15]. A further complication arises from the possible release of volatile elements from the liquid metal to the cover gas system that can potentially lead to depletion in the target material.…”

Section: Radiological and Chemical Boundary Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This deposit was known from -spectrometric analyses [15] to be enriched in electropositive nuclear reaction products. It was suspected that a similar enrichment could also have occurred for iodine and chlorine.…”

Section: I and 36 Cl In The Lbe/cover Gas-interface Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radiochemical determination of ¹²⁹I and ³⁶Cl in MEGAPIE, a proton irradiated lead-bismuth eutectic spallation target

Hammer-Rotzler¹,

Neuhausen

Vockenhuber

et al. 2015

Radiochimica Acta

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Abstract:The concentrations of the long-lived nuclear reaction products 129 I and 36 Cl have been measured in samples from the MEGAPIE liquid metal spallation target. Samples from the bulk target material (lead-bismuth eutectic, LBE), from the interface of the metal free surface with the cover gas, from LBE/steel interfaces and from noble metal absorber foils installed in the cover gas system were analysed using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry at the Laboratory of Ion beam Physics at ETH Zürich. The major part of 129 I and 36 Cl was found accumulated on the interfaces, particularly at the interface of LBE and the steel walls of the target container, while bulk LBE samples contain only a minor fraction of these nuclides. Both nuclides were also detected on the absorber foils to a certain extent (≪ 1% of the total amount). The latter number is negligible concerning the radio-hazard of the irradiated target material; however it indicates a certain affinity of the absorber foils for halogens, thus proving the principle of using noble metal foils for catching these volatile radionuclides. The total amounts of 129 I and 36 Cl in the target were estimated from the analytical data by averaging within the different groups of samples and summing up these averages over the total target. This estimation could account for about half of the amount of 129 I and 36 Cl predicted to be produced using nuclear physics modelling codes for both nuclides. The significance of the results and the associated uncertainties are discussed.

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Section: I and 36 Cl In Lbe/steel-interface Samplesmentioning

confidence: 63%

Section: Radiological and Chemical Boundary Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radiochemical determination of ¹²⁹I and ³⁶Cl in MEGAPIE, a proton irradiated lead-bismuth eutectic spallation target

Hammer-Rotzler¹,

Neuhausen

Vockenhuber

et al. 2015

Radiochimica Acta

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“…Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is applied for the determination of some long-lived radionuclides emitting radiation that is difficult to measure ( 36 Cl, 10 Be, 26 Al, 129 I, etc. ), which occur in very low concentrations (collaboration with the Institute for Ion Beam Physics at ETH Zurich).…”

Section: Radioanalytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radioanalytics – An Indispensable Tool for Radiological and Nuclear Safety

Schumann

Heule

2020

Chimia

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The exact knowledge on the inventory of a radioactive sample is a precondition to act appropriately in terms of nuclear safety. Radioanalytical methods aimed to determine the radionuclide content of activated material play therefore a central role regarding safe operation of nuclear installations, protection of personnel, inhabitants and environment as well as for the design and construction of new facilities. The article gives an overview on the broad variety of analysis and measurement methods, describes necessary chemical separation procedures and explains the impact for nuclear safety assessment in the field of radioanalytics at the Paul Scherrer Institut Villigen, Switzerland. It addresses both the safe routine operation of nuclear installations, which can be a challenge to our radiometric capabilities and refers to selected radioanalytical research projects.

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“…Therefore, they are depleted in the bulk LBE. [23,[25][26][27][28] Surface enrichment was also found for electronegative elements such as chlorine and iodine. [23,29] These findings may be important for the safety assessment of nuclear installations, especially concerning dose rate estimations and the evaluation of structure material damage.…”

Section: Experimental Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radionuclide Chemistry in Nuclear Facilities Based on Heavy Liquid Metal Coolants: Past, Present and Future

Neuhausen

2020

Chimia

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Heavy liquid metals such as lead and lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) are considered as spallation target material for next-generation neutron sources and as coolant of fast spectrum nuclear reactors that are developed to facilitate more efficient use of nuclear fuel as well as transmutation of long-lived nuclear waste. During the operation of such facilities, the heavy liquid metal will be activated by nuclear reactions. Additionally, fission product radionuclides may be introduced into the liquid metal from leaking fuel pins or by fission of the target nuclei in spallation. The chemical behaviour of these radioactive contaminants in the liquid metal – especially their immediate volatilization or volatilization of formed secondary compounds – may affect the safety of such facilities. The present article summarizes the activities of PSI's Laboratory of Radiochemistry towards a better understanding of the chemistry of potentially hazardous radionuclides in LBE and discusses aspects that need to be addressed in future to support the licensing of heavy liquid metal-based nuclear facilities.

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Analysis of the 207Bi, 194Hg/Au and 173Lu distribution in the irradiated MEGAPIE target

Cited by 12 publications

References 19 publications

Radiochemical determination of ¹²⁹I and ³⁶Cl in MEGAPIE, a proton irradiated lead-bismuth eutectic spallation target

Radiochemical determination of ¹²⁹I and ³⁶Cl in MEGAPIE, a proton irradiated lead-bismuth eutectic spallation target

Radioanalytics – An Indispensable Tool for Radiological and Nuclear Safety

Radionuclide Chemistry in Nuclear Facilities Based on Heavy Liquid Metal Coolants: Past, Present and Future

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Analysis of the 207Bi, 194Hg/Au and 173Lu distribution in the irradiated MEGAPIE target

Cited by 12 publications

References 19 publications

Radiochemical determination of 129I and 36Cl in MEGAPIE, a proton irradiated lead-bismuth eutectic spallation target

Radiochemical determination of 129I and 36Cl in MEGAPIE, a proton irradiated lead-bismuth eutectic spallation target

Radioanalytics – An Indispensable Tool for Radiological and Nuclear Safety

Radionuclide Chemistry in Nuclear Facilities Based on Heavy Liquid Metal Coolants: Past, Present and Future

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Product

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Radiochemical determination of ¹²⁹I and ³⁶Cl in MEGAPIE, a proton irradiated lead-bismuth eutectic spallation target

Radiochemical determination of ¹²⁹I and ³⁶Cl in MEGAPIE, a proton irradiated lead-bismuth eutectic spallation target