Control of civilian plutonium inventories using burning in a non-fertile fuel

Oversby, V.M.; McPheeters, C.C.; Degueldre, C.; Paratte, J.M.

doi:10.1016/s0022-3115(96)00751-9

Cited by 77 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Because of these properties, ZrO 2 is one of the most important functional ceramics [10]. It is used, e.g., as inert fuel matrix in nuclear reactors [11,12,13] or as containment material for radioactive waste [14,15]. Important for our experiments is the existence of several structural polymorphs and the fact that ion irradiation at ambient pressure leads to a structural transition from the monoclinic to the tetragonal phase [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response behavior of ZrO2 under swift heavy ion irradiation with and without external pressure

Schuster

Fujara

Merk

et al. 2012

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B:

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In this study, we demonstrate that the combination of relativistic heavy ions with pressure can influence the phase behavior of ZrO 2 in ways none of those two extreme conditions alone could. The response behavior of ZrO 2 towards ion irradiation under different pressure conditions is investigated. ZrO 2 exposed to energetic particles is known to undergo a crystalline-to-crystalline phase transition from the monoclinic to the tetragonal phase. In agreement with earlier findings, this structural change requires also for heaviest ions, such as Au, Pb, and U, a multiple ion impact. If the irradiation is performed under high pressure, the monoclinic-to-tetragonal transformation occurs at a fluence that is more than one order of magnitude lower suggesting a single impact process. Raman measurements at ambient conditions and X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples irradiated under pressure revealed that the monoclinic-to-tetragonal transformation under pressure is not a direct process but involves a transition into the cubic high-temperature structure, before the tetragonal structure becomes stable under decompression. At even higher pressures, the additional ion irradiation forces ZrO 2 to transform to the higher orthorhombic-II phase that is far away from its stability field. straße

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response behavior of ZrO2 under swift heavy ion irradiation with and without external pressure

Schuster

Fujara

Merk

et al. 2012

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B:

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show abstract

“…[1][2][3] According to Ref. [4], yttria cubic stabilized ZrO 2 is the most appropriate material in comparison with other possible alternatives, since it satisfies the criteria for an inert matrix, such as phase stability over a large temperature range and under severe irradiation; inertness with regard to transmutation products, cladding, and reactor water; small thermal neutron adsorption cross-section, etc. Moreover, this material has the ability to form solid solutions over a wide range of solubility with compounds * Corresponding author.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compressibility and sinterability of CeO2–8YSZ powders synthesized by a wet chemical method

Bukaemskiy

Barrier

Modolo

2009

Journal of the European Ceramic Society

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“…This commercially generated plutonium is in two forms: (i) incorporated in spent fuel destined for direct geologic disposal (Ͼ600 metric tons of plutonium is in the spent fuel in the U.S.); and (ii) plutonium separated by reprocessing of commercial fuel, which is estimated to reach 300 tons by the year 2000. This is greater than the amount of plutonium presently in nuclear weapons (9). Considering that the bare critical mass for weapons grade plutonium is 15 kg of metal (this number is substantially reduced in the presence of a neutron reflector), safe-guarding this plutonium is essential.…”

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confidence: 99%

Nuclear waste forms for actinides

Ewing

1999

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

407

217

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The disposition of actinides, most recently 239 Pu from dismantled nuclear weapons, requires effective containment of waste generated by the nuclear fuel cycle. Because actinides (e.g., 239 Pu and 237 Np) are long-lived, they have a major impact on risk assessments of geologic repositories. Thus, demonstrable, long-term chemical and mechanical durability are essential properties of waste forms for the immobilization of actinides. Mineralogic and geologic studies provide excellent candidate phases for immobilization and a unique database that cannot be duplicated by a purely materials science approach. The ''mineralogic approach'' is illustrated by a discussion of zircon as a phase for the immobilization of excess weapons plutonium.

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Control of civilian plutonium inventories using burning in a non-fertile fuel

Cited by 77 publications

References 4 publications

Response behavior of ZrO2 under swift heavy ion irradiation with and without external pressure

Response behavior of ZrO2 under swift heavy ion irradiation with and without external pressure

Compressibility and sinterability of CeO2–8YSZ powders synthesized by a wet chemical method

Nuclear waste forms for actinides

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