Radiochemical analysis of a copper beam dump irradiated with high-energetic protons

Schumann, D.; Neuhausen, Jörg; Eikenberg, J.; Rüthi, M.; Wohlmuther, M.; Kubik, Peter W.; Synal, Hans-Arno; Алфимов, М. В.; Korschinek, G.; Rugel, G.

doi:10.1524/ract.2009.1585

Cited by 21 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…After an extended radiochemical analysis [7], the inner part of 2 cm, where the highest activity concentration of 26 Al, 44 Ti, 53 Mn, 60 Fe, 59 Ni and others was found, had been drilled out and is stored for further use.…”

Section: Targets and Beam Dumpsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Possibilities of preparation of exotic radionuclide samples at PSI for scientific investigations

et al. 2013

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Summary. The interactions of high-energy protons with matter produce a large variety of radionuclides due to the diversity of the induced nuclear reactions. Some of those isotopes are very rare, exotic, and, in many cases, difficult to produce by complementary methods. Valuable isotopes, interesting for scientific and technological applications, can be extracted from samples stemming from the surroundings or components of a proton accelerator, in particular if the load of the initial particle current is relatively high (esp. in the Megawatt range).Since PSI operates one of the most powerful high-energy proton accelerators world-wide, this facility is best-suited for an R&D program aimed at "harvesting" such isotopes. An initiative called ERAWAST (Exotic Radionuclides from Accelerator Waste for Science and Technology) was started in 2006 in order to identify and motivate potential users. After six years, first achievements as well as realistic future plans for front-end experiments are available.The present contribution describes radiochemical separation techniques for selected examples, summarizes the most prominent results and gives an outlook on the upcoming experiments within the scope of the ERAWAST program.

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Section: Targets and Beam Dumpsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Possibilities of preparation of exotic radionuclide samples at PSI for scientific investigations

et al. 2013

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“…10 Be: After adding 2 mg of stable Be carrier, decomposition with aqua regia was used as described in [12]. Finally, the solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue dissolved in 1 M HNO 3 . This solution was fed onto a cation exchange column (DOWEX50x8, 200-400 mesh, H + -form).…”

Section: Chemical Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For PSI, that is operating the world-wide most powerful proton accelerator with up to 2.3 mA beam current and a beam energy of 590 MeV, it is mandatory to provide accurate data on the radionuclide inventory of its accelerator waste. While metallic components like stainless steel, cast iron, copper, aluminum and others are relatively frequently analyzed and evaluated [2,3], only one attempt was started some years ago to characterize a first set of con-*Author for correspondence (E-mail: dorothea.schumann@psi.ch).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiochemical analysis of concrete samples from accelerator waste

Schumann¹,

Kiselev²,

Teichmann³

et al. 2012

Radiochimica Acta

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For the decommissioning and disposal of shielding concrete from accelerator facilities, the Swiss Authorities require information on the radionuclide inventory. Besides the easy-to-measure γ-emitters 152Eu, 60Co, 44Sc, 133Ba, 154Eu, 134Cs, 144Ce, 22Na, also long-lived radionuclides emitting α- or β-radiation like 129I, 10Be, 36Cl, 239/240Pu and 238U have to be studied in order to obtain an overview to which extent they are produced and whether they represent a safety issue. In this study, we present the chemical separation and determination of selected radionuclides in shielding concrete from two different positions in the accelerator facilities at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the BX2 station, which was shut down in 1998, and the environment of the target M station, where the samples were taken in 1985 during reconstruction. The results of the measurements show that in no case the radionuclide content represents a safety risk. The components can be decommissioned corresponding to the Swiss safety regulations.

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“…The material that served for the separation of rare radionuclides is described in details elsewhere [5]. The expected radionuclide inventory of the collected copper sample (500 g) is listed in the Table 1 [5].…”

Section: Instrumentation and Reagentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results form the analytical procedures demonstrated that the cooper beam dump could serve as a valuable source for production of rare radionuclides such as 26 Al, 36 Cl, 32 Si, 59 Ni, 53 Mn, 44 Ti and 60 Fe. Therefore, based on the analytical results, a special research and development program has been started at PSI objecting on specific preparative extraction of long lived radioisotopes (ERAWAST-exotic radionuclides from accelerator waste for science and technology) [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation of 26Al, 59Ni, 44Ti, 53Mn and 60Fe from a proton irradiated copper beam dump

Ayranov

Schumann

2010

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

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The station for pions cancer therapy was operated at PSI from 1980 to 1992. After a cooling time of 12 years it's made of copper beam dump was cut and samples were taken for analytical purposes. The sampling collected about 500 g of high active copper chips that can be used for separation of exotic radionuclides. The analyses by gamma spectrometry, LSC and AMS showed main nuclides present to be 60 Ti with a daughter nuclide 44 Sc. In the frame of ERAWAST project a procedure combining selective precipitation and ion exchange for the separation of the rare radionuclides from the copper beam dump was developed. The proposed separation procedure is easy for remote controlled implementation in a hot cell. The ion exchange separation of Ni, Al, Mg, Ti and Fe was complete and high decontamination factors for copper and cobalt were achieved. Based on the developed procedure a remotely controlled system for separation of exotic radionuclides from the copper chips was set up. The full scale system was installed in a hot cell where high activity levels can be handled. In order to evaluate the reliability and functionality of the system extensive tests have been done. During the test period 13.86 g in total of the proton irradiated copper beam dump were processed for separation of 26 Al, 59 Ni, 53 Mn, 44 Ti and 60 Fe. The results showed that the system was operational and the radionuclide separation was selective with high chemical yield. The procedure manages as well the generated liquid wastes containing high level of 60 Co activity.

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Radiochemical analysis of a copper beam dump irradiated with high-energetic protons

Cited by 21 publications

References 3 publications

Possibilities of preparation of exotic radionuclide samples at PSI for scientific investigations

Possibilities of preparation of exotic radionuclide samples at PSI for scientific investigations

Radiochemical analysis of concrete samples from accelerator waste

Preparation of 26Al, 59Ni, 44Ti, 53Mn and 60Fe from a proton irradiated copper beam dump

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