April 1, 2015
Journal Article

Measuring the Noble Metal and Iodine Composition of Extracted Noble Metal Phase from Spent Nuclear Fuel Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

Abstract

Mass quantities of noble metal and iodine nuclides in the metallic noble metal phase extracted from spent fuel are measured using instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA). Nuclide presence is predicted using fission yield analysis, and mass quantification is derived from standard gamma spectroscopy and radionuclide decay analysis. The nuclide compositions of noble metal phase derived from two dissolution methods, UO2 fuel dissolved in nitric acid and UO2 fuel dissolved in ammonium-carbonate and hydrogen-peroxide solution, are compared. Lastly, the implications of the rapid analytic speed of instrumental NAA are discussed in relation to potential nuclear forensics applications.

Revised: July 29, 2015 | Published: April 1, 2015

Citation

Palomares R.I., K.J. Dayman, S. Landsberger, S.R. Biegalski, C.Z. Soderquist, A.J. Casella, and M.C. Brady Raap, et al. 2015. Measuring the Noble Metal and Iodine Composition of Extracted Noble Metal Phase from Spent Nuclear Fuel Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 98. PNNL-SA-99634. doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.01.022