PNNL

Abstract

Technology enabling real-time analysis is currently being developed to assess and advance processes used for the fluorination of actinides, which have increasing demands in the fields of forensics and molten salt reactor applications. Well established methods of fluorination use HF, a toxic and corrosive gas, which greatly limits materials of construction for probes and interfaces and is typically incompatible with detectors at greater than part per million quantities. The technology being developed utilizes Raman spectroscopy interrogation of the off-gas stream, providing detailed instantaneous process information in conditions up to 100% HF. The real-time data not only provides detailed reaction information, but also allows for a reduction, via process optimization, in the use of HF benefitting worker health and safety, minimizing waste, and prolonging equipment life.