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Preparation of americium amalgam
The authors describe a method for the electrochemical preparation of an americium amalgam from americium dioxide and americium 241 and 243 for use in determining the physicochemical properties of the alloy. Moessbauer spectra were made using neptunium dioxide, in the neptunium 237 form, as an absorber. Results show that electrolysis produces a homogeneous amalgam that gives an unoxidized product on vacuum distillation at 200 degrees C
Americium recovery from reduction residues
Conner, W.V.; Proctor, S.G.
A process for separation and recovery of americium values from container or bomb'' reduction residues comprising dissolving the residues in a suitable acid, adjusting the hydrogen ion concentration to a desired level by adding a base, precipitating the americium as americium oxalate by adding oxalic acid, digesting the solution, separating the precipitate, and thereafter calcining the americium oxalate precipitate to form americium oxide. (Official Gazette)
NTC 249 Course Tutorial/ Indigohelp
For more classes visit www.indigohelp.com NTC 249 Week 1 DQ 1 NTC 249 Week 1 DQ 2 NTC 249 Week 1 DQ 3 NTC 249 Week 1 Summary NTC 249 Week 2 DQ 1 NTC 249 Week 2 DQ 2 NTC 249 Week 2 DQ 3 NTC 249 Week 2 Summary NTC 249 Week 2 Team Assignment Network Design for Acme Manufacturing Network Draft NTC 249 Week 2 Individual Assignment OSI Model Paper...
Preparation of americium amalgam
Using the method of NGR-spectroscopy with the aid of 241Am isotope chemical state of transuranium elements in the volume and on the surface of amalgams is studied. Amalgam preparation was realized in a simplified electrolytic cell. It is shown that in the process of amalgam preparation the first order of reaction as to actinide is observed; americium is distributed gradually over the volume and it is partially sorbed by the surface of glass capillary. NGR spectrum of dry residue after mercury distillation at 200 deg C points to the presence of americium-mercury intermetal compounds
Schulz, W.W.
Essential features of the descriptive chemistry of americium are reviewed. Chapter titles are: discovery, atomic and nuclear properties, collateral reading, production and uses, chemistry in aqueous solution, metal, alloys, and compounds, and, recovery, separation, purification. Author and subject indexes are included. (JCB)
This sheet presents the characteristics of Americium-241, its origin, and its radio-physical and biological properties. It briefly describes its use in nuclear medicine. It indicates its dosimetric parameters for external exposure, cutaneous contamination, and internal exposure due to acute contamination or to chronic contamination. It indicates and comments the various exposure control techniques: ambient dose rate measurement, surface contamination measurement, atmosphere contamination. It addresses the means of protection: premise design, protection against external exposure and against internal exposure. It describes how areas are delimited and controlled within the premises: regulatory areas, controls to be performed. It addresses the personnel classification, training and medical survey. It addresses the issue of wastes and effluents. It briefly recalls the administrative procedures related to the authorization and declaration of possession and use of sealed and unsealed sources. It indicates regulatory aspects related to the road transport of Americium-241, describes what is to be done in case of incident or accident (for the different types of contamination or exposure)
The Biokinetic Model of Americium
To improve in vivo measurements for detecting internal exposure from transuranium radio nuclides, such as neptunium, plutonium, americium, the bioknetic model was studied. According to ICRP report (1993, 1995, 1997) and other research, the
Americium product solidification and disposal
The americium product from the TRUEX processing plant needs to be converted into a form suitable for ultimate disposal. An evaluation of the disposal based on safety, number of process steps, demonstrated operability of the processes, production of low-level alpha waste streams, and simplicity of maintenance with low radiation exposures to personnel during maintenance, has been made. The best process is to load the americium on a cation exchange resin followed by calcination or oxidation of the resin after loading
Science and Technology for Americium Transmutation
Americium could be seen as the most troublesome element that is present in nuclear fuel. This thesis offers different points of view on the possibility of americium transmutation. The first point of view elaborates simulations of americium-bearing facilities, namely nuclear data, a popular computational code and modeling techniques. The second point of view is focused on practical usage of the simulations to examine upper limit of americium in a specific reactor
Transmutation of Americium in Fast Neutron Facilities
Zhang, Youpeng
In this thesis, the feasibility to use a medium sized sodium cooled fast reactor fully loaded with MOX fuel for efficient transmutation of americium is investigated by simulating the safety performance of a BN600-type fast reactor loaded with different fractions of americium in the fuel, using the safety parameters obtained with the SERPENT Monte Carlo code. The focus is on americium mainly due to its long-term contribution to the radiotoxicity of spent nuclear fuel and its deterioration on c...
Production of americium isotopes in France
The program of productions of americium 241 and 243 isotopes is based respectively on the retreatment of aged plutonium alloys or plutonium dioxide and on the treatment of plutonium targets irradiated either in CELESTIN reactors for Pu-Al alloys or OSIRIS reactor for plutonium 242 dioxide. All the operations, including americium final purifications, are carried out in hot cells equipped with remote manipulators. The chemical processes are based on the use of extraction chromatography with hydrophobic SiO2 impregnated with extracting agents. Plutonium targets and aged plutonium alloys are dissolved in nitric acid using conventional techniques while plutonium dioxide dissolutions are performed routine at 300 grams scale with electrogenerated silver II in 4M HNO3 at room temperature. The separation between plutonium and americium is performed by extraction of Pu(IV) either on TBP/SiO2 or TOAHNO3/SiO2 column. Americium recovery from waste streams rid of plutonium is realized by chromatographic extraction of Am(III) using mainly TBP and episodically DHDECMP as extractant. The final purification of both americium isotopes uses the selective extraction of Am(VI) on HDDiBMP/SiO2 column at 60 grams scale. Using the overall process a total amount of 1000 grams of americium 241 and 100 grams of americium 243 has been produced nowadays and the AmO2 final product indicates a purity better than 98.5%
... 32 National Defense 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Policy. 249.4 Section 249.4 National Defense... OF DoD-RELATED SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL PAPERS AT MEETINGS § 249.4 Policy. It is DoD policy to: (a... understanding in accordance with foreign disclosure policies of the Department of Defense. Presentation of...
32 CFR 249.6 - Responsibilities.
... 32 National Defense 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Responsibilities. 249.6 Section 249.6 National Defense Department of Defense (Continued) OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS PRESENTATION OF DoD-RELATED SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL PAPERS AT MEETINGS § 249.6 Responsibilities. (a) The...
... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Eligibility. 249.4 Section 249.4 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIZED VESSELS AND OPERATORS APPROVAL OF UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.4 Eligibility. In General. All required marine hull insurance...
... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Waivers. 249.12 Section 249.12 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIZED VESSELS AND OPERATORS APPROVAL OF UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.12 Waivers. The provision of this part may be waived in...
46 CFR 249.11 - Confidentiality.
... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Confidentiality. 249.11 Section 249.11 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIZED VESSELS AND OPERATORS APPROVAL OF UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.11 Confidentiality. (a) If the data submitted under this...
Study of americium sorption by humic acids
The results of investigation of influence of the cation content and acidity of soil solution on americium sorption by the humic acids have been shown. The most influence on the interphase distribution coefficient in the system 'humic acid - model soil solution' is caused by the presence of the iron (III), calcium ions and acidity of the solution. The increase of the sodium ions concentration in the solution makes an insignificant impact on the americium sorption. (Authors)
Spectrochemical analysis of curium and americium samples
Spectrochemical procedures have been developed to determine impurities in americium and curium samples. The simultaneous separation of many impurity elements from the base material (americium and curium) is carried out with extraction and extraction-chromatographic methods using di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid. It is shown that part of the elements are separated with extraction or sorption of americium and curium; the other part with the Talspeak process. Two fractions in the extraction chromatography and three fractions in the extraction separation of americium and curium, containing impurities, are analyzed separately by a.c. or d.c. arc spectrography. To increase the sensitivity of the spectrographic analysis and accelerate the burn-up of impurities from the crater of the carbon electrode bismuth fluoride and sodium chloride were used as chemically active substances. The extraction of impurities from weighed quantities of americium and curium samples of 5 to 10 mg permits the lower limit of determined impurity concentrations to be extended to 1 x 10-4 to 5 x 10-3% m/m. (author)
Aqueous Chloride Operations Overview: Plutonium and Americium Purification/Recovery
Kimball, David Bryan [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Skidmore, Bradley Evan [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Acqueous Chloride mission is to recover plutonium and americium from pyrochemical residues (undesirable form for utilization and storage) and generate plutonium oxide and americium oxide. Plutonium oxide is recycled into Pu metal production flowsheet. It is suitable for storage. Americium oxide is a valuable product, sold through the DOE-OS isotope sales program.
Pyrochemical technology of plutonium and americium preparation and purification
Pyrochemical tecnology of metallic plutonium and americium preparation and purification is considered. Investigations into plutonium dioxide reduction up to metal; plutonium electrolytic refining in molten salts; plutonium extraction from the molten salts and preparation of americium dioxide and metallic americium from its tetrafluoride are described
Formation of americium and europium humate complexes
Binding constants of americium and europium with a humic acid were determined to study if complex formation of trivalent actinide-humates affects dissolved species of the actinides in hydrosphere. The purified humic acid was characterized by means of UV-vis, IR, and pH titration, indicating high carboxylate capacity and low aromaticity. Binding constants of americium and europium humates were determined at pH 4.6 and 6.0 by solvent extraction using 241Am or 152Eu as a tracer. The binding constants for americium-humate obtained preliminarily suggest that complexes with humic acid are not negligible in speciation of trivalent actinides in hydrosphere. The obtained binding constants were nearly identical with those determined previously by the same procedures, but with humic acids of different origin and compositions. (author)
Preparation of americium source for smoke detector
This report describes the method developed for the preparation of 241Am source for smoke detector. Americium was electrodeposited from iso-propyl alcohol medium on silver backing. Thin layer of gold (few hundred micro gram thick) was plated on the americium source to make it safe for handling. The thickness of plated gold was such that the alpha radiations from the 241Am source could escape out of the gold layer and cause ionisation in the surrounding air. The performance of the prepared sources were checked in a smoke detector and was found to be satisfactory and comparable to the imported sources. (author). 1 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab
Full Text Available SL (Link to library) SLB249 (Link to dictyBase) - - - Contig-U16455-1 SLB249Z (Link... to Original site) - - SLB249Z 727 - - - - Show SLB249 Library SL (Link to library) Clone ID SLB249 (Link to...ycdb.biol.tsukuba.ac.jp/CSM/SL/SLB2-C/SLB249Q.Seq.d/ Representative seq. ID SLB24...9Z (Link to Original site) Representative DNA sequence >SLB249 (SLB249Q) /CSM/SL/SLB2-C/SLB249Q.Seq.d/ XXXXX...NA Score E Sequences producing significant alignments: (bits) Value SLB249 (SLB249Q) /CSM/SL/SLB2-C/SLB249Q.
Recovery of americium-241 from raffinates of plutonium purification columns
Recovery and purification of americium from ion exchange raffinates generated during purification of aged plutonium is described. The method consists of the following stages: (i) co-precipitation of americium with kilogramme quantities of rare earth oxalates, (ii) destruction of oxalate and removal of residual plutonium from nitric acid medium using anion exchange process, (iii) preliminary separation of americium making use of its preferential uptake on an anion exchange column from thiocyanate medium and (iv) extraction of americium and remaining rare earths into di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phosphoric acid followed by preferential back washing of americium by lactic acid medium containing DTPA. (author)
7 CFR 249.13 - Program income.
... 7 Agriculture 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Program income. 249.13 Section 249.13 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.... Fines, penalties or assessments paid by local agencies or farmers, farmers' markets, roadside...
7 CFR 249.19 - Investigations.
... 7 Agriculture 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Investigations. 249.19 Section 249.19 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE... appropriate, a review of pertinent practices and policies of any State and local agency, the...
46 CFR 249.6 - Application procedures.
... OPERATORS APPROVAL OF UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.6 Application procedures. (a) MARAD may grant specific approval for underwriters described in § 249.5(c) to participate in the writing of marine hull insurance on MARAD program vessels, only in advance of any actual placement. (b) Only...
7 CFR 249.9 - Nutrition education.
... 7 Agriculture 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Nutrition education. 249.9 Section 249.9 Agriculture... Nutrition education. (a) Goal. Nutrition education shall emphasize the relationship of proper nutrition to... agency shall integrate nutrition education into SFMNP operations and may satisfy nutrition...
1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: psychological aspects
Accidents involving exposure to radiation or radioactive materials may involve an unusual degree of emotional trauma. Methods that may be employed in dealing with such trauma are discussed in relation to a specific accident in which a radiation worker was injured and seriously contaminated with americium-241
Americium separations from high salt solutions
Americium (III) exhibits an unexpectedly high affinity for anion-exchange material from the high-salt evaporator bottoms solutions--an effect which has not been duplicated using simple salt solutions. Similar behavior is observed for its lanthanide homologue, Nd(III), in complex evaporator bottoms surrogate solutions. There appears to be no single controlling factor--acid concentration, total nitrate concentration or solution ionic strength--which accounts for the approximately 2-fold increase in retention of the trivalent ions from complex solutions relative to simple solutions. Calculation of species activities (i.e., water, proton and nitrate) in such concentrated mixed salt solutions is difficult and of questionable accuracy, but it is likely that the answer to forcing formation of anionic nitrate complexes of americium lies in the relative activities of water and nitrate. From a practical viewpoint, the modest americium removal needs (ca. 50--75%) from nitric acid evaporator bottoms allow sufficient latitude for the use of non-optimized conditions such as running existing columns filled with older, well-used Reillex HPQ. Newer materials, such as HPQ-100 and the experimental bifunctional resins, which exhibit higher distribution coefficients, would allow for either increased Am removal or the use of smaller columns. It is also of interest that one of the experimental neutral-donor solid-support extractants, DHDECMP, exhibits a similarly high level of americium (total alpha) removal from EV bottoms and is much less sensitive to total acid content than commercially-available material
Decontaminaion of metals containing plutonium and americium
Melt-slagging (melt-refining) techniques were evaluated as a decontamination and consolidation step for metals contaminated with oxides of plutonium and americium. Experiments were performed in which mild steel, stainless steel, and nickel contaminated with oxides of plutonium and americium were melted in the presence of silicate slags of various compositions. The metal products were low in contamination, with the plutonium and americium strongly fractionated to the slags. Partition coefficients (plutonium in slag/plutonium in steel) of 7 x 106 were measured with boro-silicate slag and of 3 x 106 with calcium, magnesium silicate slag. Decontamination of metals containing as much as 14,000 ppM plutonium appears to be as efficient as for metals with plutonium levels of 400 ppM. Staged extraction, that is, a remelting of processed metal with clean slag, results in further decontamination of the metal. The second extraction is effective with either resistance-furnace melting or electric-arc melting. Slag adhering to the metal ingots and in defects within the ingots is in the important contributors to plutonium retained in processed metals. If these sources of plutonium are controlled, the melt-refining process can be used on a large scale to convert highly contaminated metals to homogeneous and compact forms with very low concentrations of plutonium and americium. A conceptual design of a melt-refining process to decontaminate plutonium- and americium-contaminated metals is described. The process includes single-stage refining of contaminated metals to produce a metal product which would have less than 10 nCi/g of TRU-element contamination. Two plant sizes were considered. The smaller conceptual plant processes 77 kg of metal per 8-h period and may be portable.The larger one processes 140 kg of metal per 8-h period, is stationary, and may be near te maximum size that is practical for a metal decontamination process
Full Text Available utative transporter protein SSA662 (ssa662) mRNA, complete cds. 40 9e-04 2 AC1155...SS (Link to library) SSA249 (Link to dictyBase) - - - Contig-U07966-1 - (Link to Original site) SSA...249F 236 - - - - - - Show SSA249 Library SS (Link to library) Clone ID SSA249 (Link to dicty...iol.tsukuba.ac.jp/CSM/SS/SSA2-C/SSA249Q.Seq.d/ Representative seq. ID - (Link to ...Original site) Representative DNA sequence >SSA249 (SSA249Q) /CSM/SS/SSA2-C/SSA249Q.Seq.d/ ACTTATCGTCACAATTC
Full Text Available CH (Link to library) CHR249 (Link to dictyBase) - - - Contig-U16497-1 - (Link to Original site) - - CHR...249Z 694 - - - - Show CHR249 Library CH (Link to library) Clone ID CHR249 (Link to dicty...iol.tsukuba.ac.jp/CSM/CH/CHR2-C/CHR249Q.Seq.d/ Representative seq. ID - (Link to ...Original site) Representative DNA sequence >CHR249 (CHR249Q) /CSM/CH/CHR2-C/CHR249Q.Seq.d/ XXXXXXXXXXAAATGGT...xxixknqemfnsvvqiiihfmnkiq Frame C: ---w*yfphtn*qmfrlydl*ssfw*l*firxrlprw**myyqcl*ik**cpwcmyklns *mrcyqh**mypill**shr
Status of Americium-241 recovery at Rocky Flats Plant
This paper is presented in two parts: Part I, Molten Salt Extraction of Americium from Molten Plutonium Metal, and Part II, Aqueous Recovery of Americium from Extraction Salts. The Rocky Flats recovery process used for waste salts includes (1) dilute hydrochloric acid dissolution of residues; (2) cation exchange to convert from the chloride to the nitrate system and to remove gross amounts of monovalent impurities; (3) anion exchange separation of plutonium; (4) oxalate precipitation of americium; and (5) calcination of the oxalate at 6000C to yield americium oxide. The aqueous process portion describes attempts to improve the recovery of americium. The first part deals with modifications to the cation exchange step; the second describes development of a solvent extractions process that will recovery americium from residues containing aluminium as well as other common impurities. Results of laboratory work are described. 3 figures, 6 tables. (DP)
Plutonium and americium in soil organic matter
A gley soil from west Cumbria, with specific activities in its surface horizon of 5-10 kBq kg-1239,240Pu and comparable 241Am levels, has been used as a source of actinide-enriched organic fractions. Humic and fulvic acids were isolated by conventional alkali extraction and investigated by gel filtration, treatment with organic solvents and differential flocculation procedures. All these techniques are capable of resolving the organics into two or more fractions, with specific activities up to 80 kBq kg-239,240Pu. There is evidence for differentiation of plutonium and americium, with americium being concentrated, to some extent, in the lower molecular weight fractions from gel filtration. (author)
Incentives for transmutation of americium in thermal reactors
This report describes possible benefits when americium is irradiated in a thermal reactor. If all plutonium is partitioned from spent fuel, americium is the main contributor to the radiotoxicity of spent fuel upto several thousands of years of storage. It is shown that americium can be transmuted to other nuclides upon irradiation in a thermal reactor, leading to a 50% reduction of the radiotoxicity of neptunium, which can be an important contributor to the dose due to leakage of nuclides after one million years of storage. The radiotoxicity of americium can be reduced considerably after irradiation for 3 to 6 years in a thermal reactor with thermal neutron flux of 1014 cm-2s-1. The strongly α and neutron emitting transmutation products can most probably not be recycled again, so a transmutation process is suggested in which americium is irradiated for 3 to 6 years and then put to final storage. It is shown that the radiotoxicity of the transmuation products after a storage time of about one hundred years can be considerably reduced compared to the radiotoxicity of the initial americium. The same holds for the α activity and heat emission of the transmutation products. Because plutonium in spent fuel contributes for about 80% to the radiotoxicity upto 105 years of storage, recycling and transmutation of plutonium has first priority. Transmutation of americium is only meaningful when the radiotoxicity of plutonium is reduced far below the radiotoxicity of americium. (orig.)
Americium transfer studies using hollow fiber/extractant membranes
Americium can be removed from low acid/high nitrate feeds using hollow fiber membrane modules. Americium can be concentrated in the stripping solution. (Maximum observed concentration was a factor of 3.1). Accurel hollow fibers are less prone to leakage problems
Electronic structure of compressed americium metal
Kolorenč, Jindřich; Shick, Alexander; Caciuffo, R.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,, 2012 - (Anderson, D.; Boot, C.; Burns, P.), s. 177-182. (Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings. 1444). ISBN 978-1-60511-421-7. ISSN 0272-9172. [2012 MRS Spring Meeting. Sacramento (CA), 09.04.2012-13.04.2012] R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GAP204/10/0330; GA AV ČR IAA100100912 Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10100520 Keywords : americium * X-ray spectroscopy * LDA+DMFT Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism http://journals.cambridge.org/article_S1946427412009463
... identify and certify eligible SFMNP participants, provide program information and nutrition education to... CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM (SFMNP) General § 249.3 Administration...' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), one consolidated State Plan may be submitted for both programs,...
... UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.2 Policy. (a) It is the policy of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) that companies subject to requirements for the placement of marine hull insurance shall be... vessels with ODS or Title XI obligation guarantees to allow the American marine insurance market...
... UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.1 Purpose. This part prescribes certain regulations governing the placement of marine hull insurance on vessels built or operated with subsidy or covered by vessel obligation guarantees issued pursuant to Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (Act). (46 U.S.C....
... UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.7 Approval. (a) Approval of the applicant will be based upon an.... hull insurance market, if U.S. insurers are denied similar access to the hull insurance market in the... to MARAD's attention any discriminatory laws or practices relating to the placement of marine...
46 CFR 249.5 - Eligibility criteria.
... OPERATORS APPROVAL OF UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.5 Eligibility criteria. (a) U.S...'s Insurance Reports, and the amount of insurance does not exceed the limitation on risk prescribed... paragraphs (b) (1) and (2) of this section, may also be eligible to participate in the writing of marine...
Electrochemical oxidation of americium in nitric medium: study of reaction mechanisms; Oxydation de l'americium par voie electrochimique: etude des mecanismes
Picart, S.; Chartier, D.; Donnet, L.; Adnet, J.M. [CEA Valrho, (DCC/DRRV/SPHA), 30 - Marcoule (France)
One alternative selected by the CEA for partitioning minor actinides from aqueous solutions containing fission products is the selective extraction of oxidized americium. This is the SESAME process (Selective Extraction and Separation of Americium by Means of Electrolysis) aimed to convert americium to oxidation state (VI) and then extract it with a specific extractant of high valences. This paper presents the study of the electrochemical oxidation of americium in nitric medium which represents an important stage of the process. The reaction can be divided into two main steps: oxidation of americium (III) to americium (IV), and then of americium (IV) to americium (VI). For the first oxidation step, a ligand L is needed to stabilize the intermediate species americium (IV) which disproportionates in its free form into americium (III) and (V). Phospho-tungstate or silico-tungstate are appropriate ligands because they are stable in concentrated nitric acid and show a great affinity for metallic cations at oxidation state (IV) (Table 1 lists the stability constants of americium (IV) complexes). The presence of the lacunary poly-anion lowers the potential of the americium (IV) / americium (Ill) redox pair (see Figure 5 for the diagram of the apparent formal potential of americium versus ligand concentration). This makes it thermodynamically possible to oxidize americium (III) into americium (IV) at the anode of an electrolyzer in nitric acid. For the second oxidation step, a strong oxidant redox mediator, like silver (II), is needed to convert complexed americium at oxidation state (IV) to oxidation state (V). The AmVL complex is then hydrolyzed to yield americyle (V) aqua ion. A spectroscopic Raman study with {sup 18}O labeled species showed that the oxygen atoms of the americyle moiety came from water. This indicates that water hydrolyzes the americium (V) complex to produce americyle (V) aqua ion, AmO{sub 2}{sup +}. This cation reacts with silver (Il) to give
Modelling of americium stripping in the EXAm process
The EXAm process aims at recovering americium alone contained in the PUREX raffinate. The americium stripping model has been revised to take into account a change of stripping aqueous phase and up-to-date experimental results conducted within DRCP to improve knowledge about complexes. This work represents a first approximation at modelling americium stripping. The modelling work has led to synthesize the knowledge on chemical phenomenology and adopt assumptions that best reflect experimental results. The modelling has been implemented in PAREX code in order to simulate this step to prepare and understand tests to be carried out in mixer settlers. (authors)
7 CFR 58.249 - Instant nonfat dry milk.
... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Instant nonfat dry milk. 58.249 Section 58.249... Products Bearing Usda Official Identification § 58.249 Instant nonfat dry milk. (a) Only instant nonfat dry milk manufactured and packaged in accordance with the requirements of this part and with the...
7 CFR 249.11 - Financial management system.
... 7 Agriculture 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Financial management system. 249.11 Section 249.11... § 249.11 Financial management system. (a) Disclosure of expenditures. The State agency must maintain a financial management system that provides accurate, current and complete disclosure of the financial...
12 CFR 303.249 - Management official interlocks.
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46 CFR 249.3 - Amounts of insurance.
... OPERATORS APPROVAL OF UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.3 Amounts of insurance. MARAD will inform... 46 Shipping 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Amounts of insurance. 249.3 Section 249.3 Shipping... initial placement and at least annually thereafter, of the minimum amount of insurance required to...
46 CFR 249.8 - Limitation on risk.
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46 CFR 249.10 - Non-discrimination policy.
... OPERATORS APPROVAL OF UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.10 Non-discrimination policy. To... described in §§ 249.6(b)(3) and 249.7(a), MARAD seeks the assistance of the American marine insurance...) concerning the existence of any discriminatory laws or practices in the marine hull insurance market...
Higher Americium Oxidation State Research Roadmap
Mincher, Bruce J. [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Law, Jack D. [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Goff, George S. [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Moyer, Bruce A. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Burns, Jon D. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Lumetta, Gregg J. [Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Sinkov, Sergey I. [Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Shehee, Thomas C. [Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River National Lab. (SRNL); Hobbs, David T. [Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River National Lab. (SRNL)
The partitioning of hexavalent Am from dissolved nuclear fuel requires the ability to efficiently oxidize Am(III) to Am(VI) and to maintain that oxidation state for a length of time sufficient to perform the separation. Several oxidants have been, or are being developed. Chemical oxidants include Ag-catalyzed ozone, Ag-catalyzed peroxydisulfate, Cu(III) periodate, and sodium bismuthate. Hexavalent americium has also now successfully been prepared by electrolysis, using functionalized electrodes. So-called auto-reduction rates of Am(VI) are sufficiently slow to allow for separations. However, for separations based on solvent extraction or ion exchange using organic resins, the high valence state must be maintained under the reducing conditions of the organic phase contact, and a holding oxidant is probably necessary. Until now, only Cu(III) periodate and sodium bismuthate oxidation have been successfully combined with solvent extraction separations. Bismuthate oxidation provided the higher DAm, since it acts as its own holding oxidant, and a successful hot test using centrifugal contactors was performed. For the other oxidants, Ag-catalyzed peroxydisulfate will not oxidize americium in nitric acid concentrations above 0.3 M, and it is not being further investigated. Peroxydisulfate in the absence of Ag catalysis is being used to prepare Am(V) in ion exchange work, discussed below. Preliminary work with Ag-catalyzed ozone has been unsuccessful for extractions of Am(VI) from 6.5 M HNO3, and only one attempt at extraction, also from 6.5 M HNO3, using the electrolytic oxidation has been attempted. However, this high acid concentration was based on the highest Am extraction efficiency using the bismuthate oxidant; which is only sparingly soluble, and thus the oxidation yield is based on bismuthate solubility. Lower acid concentrations may be sufficient with alternative oxidants and work with Ag-ozone, Cu(III) and electrolysis is on-going. Two non
Mixed chelation therapy for removal of plutonium and americium
Iron-binding compounds, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), and 2-(acetyloxy)benzoic acid (ABA), were tested for their ability to remove americium and plutonium from rats following intraperitioneal injection of the radionuclides as citrates (pH 5). Treatments, 2 mmol/kg, were given on days 3, 6, 10, 12 and 14 following the actinide injection. DHBA and HBA caused about a 20% decrease in liver retention of americium compared to the control value, and DHB caused a similar effect for plutonium. The above agents, co-administered with 0.5 mmol polyaminopolycarboxylic acid (PAPCA)-type chelons, did not change tissue retention of americium and plutonium from that due to the PAPCAs alone. Administration of americium and plutonium to the same rats is useful for studying removal agents since the two actinides behave independently in their biological disposition and response to removal
Plutonium and Americium Geochemistry at Hanford: A Site Wide Review
Cantrell, Kirk J.; Felmy, Andrew R.
This report was produced to provide a systematic review of the state-of-knowledge of plutonium and americium geochemistry at the Hanford Site. The report integrates existing knowledge of the subsurface migration behavior of plutonium and americium at the Hanford Site with available information in the scientific literature regarding the geochemistry of plutonium and americium in systems that are environmentally relevant to the Hanford Site. As a part of the report, key research needs are identified and prioritized, with the ultimate goal of developing a science-based capability to quantitatively assess risk at sites contaminated with plutonium and americium at the Hanford Site and the impact of remediation technologies and closure strategies.
Americium/Curium Disposition Life Cycle Planning Study
At the request of the Department of Energy Savannah River Office (DOE- SR), Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC) evaluated concepts to complete disposition of Americium and Curium (Am/Cm) bearing materials currently located at the Savannah River Site (SRS)
Gamma-sources on the basis of metallic americium-241
A batch of gamma-radiation sources has been manufactured from metallic americium-241 of isotopic purity, its activity varying from 0.08 to 0.93 GBq. The cores of the sources are high-purity americium metal condensate on a tantalum or stainless steel substrate prepared by thermal decomposition of 241Pu-241Am alloy in a high vacuum. 7 refs., 1 tab
Pyrochemical investigations into recovering plutonium from americium extraction salt residues
Progress into developing a pyrochemical technique for separating and recovering plutonium from spent americium extraction waste salts has concentrated on selective chemical reduction with lanthanum metal and calcium metal and on the solvent extraction of americium with calcium metal. Both techniques are effective for recovering plutonium from the waste salt, although neither appears suitable as a separation technique for recycling a plutonium stream back to mainline purification processes. 17 refs., 13 figs., 2 tabs
1976 Hanford americium-exposure incident: external decontamination procedures
An accident resulted in the deposition on an injured workman's skin surfaces, in acid-burned areas and in lacerations, of something in excess of 6 mCi americium-241. The external decontamination procedures used, the change in americium content of the skin during the course of treatment, and some of the unusual problems encountered from the extrusion of foreign material and flaking of skin and scar tissue are described
Electrochemical oxidation of americium in nitric medium: study of reaction mechanisms
One alternative selected by the CEA for partitioning minor actinides from aqueous solutions containing fission products is the selective extraction of oxidized americium. This is the SESAME process (Selective Extraction and Separation of Americium by Means of Electrolysis) aimed to convert americium to oxidation state (VI) and then extract it with a specific extractant of high valences. This paper presents the study of the electrochemical oxidation of americium in nitric medium which represents an important stage of the process. The reaction can be divided into two main steps: oxidation of americium (III) to americium (IV), and then of americium (IV) to americium (VI). For the first oxidation step, a ligand L is needed to stabilize the intermediate species americium (IV) which disproportionates in its free form into americium (III) and (V). Phospho-tungstate or silico-tungstate are appropriate ligands because they are stable in concentrated nitric acid and show a great affinity for metallic cations at oxidation state (IV) (Table 1 lists the stability constants of americium (IV) complexes). The presence of the lacunary poly-anion lowers the potential of the americium (IV) / americium (Ill) redox pair (see Figure 5 for the diagram of the apparent formal potential of americium versus ligand concentration). This makes it thermodynamically possible to oxidize americium (III) into americium (IV) at the anode of an electrolyzer in nitric acid. For the second oxidation step, a strong oxidant redox mediator, like silver (II), is needed to convert complexed americium at oxidation state (IV) to oxidation state (V). The AmVL complex is then hydrolyzed to yield americyle (V) aqua ion. A spectroscopic Raman study with 18O labeled species showed that the oxygen atoms of the americyle moiety came from water. This indicates that water hydrolyzes the americium (V) complex to produce americyle (V) aqua ion, AmO2+. This cation reacts with silver (Il) to give americyle (VI) ion. Figure
Complexation of americium with humic acid
As a part of the interlaboratory comparison exercise for the complexation of humic acid and colloid generation (COCO-Club activities) in the CEC project MIRAGE-II, the complexation of americium with humic acid has been studied in our laboratory. Two humic acids were used for the study: Aldrich-HA(H+) which is a reference humic acid of the COCO-Club and Bradford-HA(H+) from Lake Bradford, Florida. A wide concentration range of humic acid and different ratios of Am to humic acid have been investigated between pH 5 and 6 with the ionic strength of 0.1 M and 1.0 M. The complexation has been studied by UV-spectroscopy, Laser-induced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (LPAS) and ultrafiltration. LPAS is used for the submicromolar concentration range where the sensitivity of UV spectroscopy is not accessible. Ultrafiltration is used for low Am to humic acid ratios where both spectroscopic methods are not applicable. Varying the humic acid concentration over three orders of magnitude, only a 1:1 type of binding is observed. No significant variation of the stability constant is found in the investigated range of pH and ionic strength. However, the precipitation tendency and the loading capacity of humic acid are found to depend sensitively on pH and ionic strength. The complexation study provides a deep insight into the influence of humic acid on the migration behaviour of fission products and actinides in the geosphere. (orig.)
Analysis of BWR lattices to recycle americium
This study was carried out to assess the ability to eliminate meaningful quantities of americium in a primarily thermal neutron flux by 'spiking' modern BWR fuel with this minor actinide (MA). The studies carried out so far include the simulation of modern 10 x 10 BWR lattices employing the Westinghouse lattice physics code PHOENIX-4 alongside validation studies using MCNP5 models of the same lattices that were spatially depleted via the MONTEBURNS code coupling to ORIGEN. When considering the total inventory of minor actinides in Am-spiked pins, excluding isotopes of uranium and plutonium, the results indicate that a reduction of approximately 50% or more in the total mass inventory of these minor actinides is viable within the selected pins. Therefore, these preliminary results have encouraged the extension of this work to the development of improved lattice designs to help optimize the transmutation rates as well as absolute MA inventory reductions. The ultimate goal being to design batches of these advanced BWR bundles alongside multi-cycle core reload strategies. (authors)
Applicability of insoluble tannin to treatment of waste containing americium
The applicability of insoluble tannin adsorbent to the treatment of aqueous waste contaminated with americium has been investigated. Insoluble tannin is considered highly applicable because it consists of only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and so its volume can be easily reduced by incineration. This report describes measurements of the americium distribution coefficient in low concentration nitric acid. The americium distribution coefficients were found to decrease with increasing concentration of nitric acid and sodium nitrate, and with increasing temperature. At 25 C in 2.0 x 10-3 M HNO3, the distribution coefficient was found to be 2000 ml g-1. The adsorption capacity was determined by column experiments using europium as a simulant of americium, and found to be 7 x 10-3 mmol g-1-dried tannin in 0.01 M HNO3 at 25 C, which corresponds to approximately 1.7 mg-241Am/g-adsorbent(dried). The prospect of applying the adsorbent to the treatment of aqueous waste contaminated with americium appears promising. (orig.)
A TRUEX-based separation of americium from the lanthanides
Bruce J. Mincher; Nicholas C. Schmitt; Mary E. Case
Abstract: The inextractability of the actinide AnO2+ ions in the TRUEX process suggests the possibility of a separation of americium from the lanthanides using oxidation to Am(V). The only current method for the direct oxidation of americium to Am(V) in strongly acidic media is with sodium bismuthate. We prepared Am(V) over a wide range of nitric acid concentrations and investigated its solvent extraction behavior for comparison to europium. While a separation is achievable in principal, the presence of macro amounts of cerium competes for the sparingly soluble oxidant and the oxidant itself competes for CMPO complexation. These factors conspire to reduce the Eu/Am separation factor from ~40 using tracer solutions to ~5 for extractions from first cycle raffinate simulant solution. To separate pentavalent americium directly from the lanthanides using the TRUEX process, an alternative oxidizing agent will be necessary.
Salvage of plutonium-and americium-contaminated metals
Melt-slagging techniques were evaluated as a decontamination and consolidation step for metals contaminated with oxides of plutonium and americium. Experiments were performed in which mild steel, stainless steel, and nickel metals contaminated with oxides of plutonium and americium were melted in the presence of silicate slags of various compositions. The metal products were low in contamination, with the plutonium and americium strongly fractionated to the slags. Partition coefficients (plutonium in slag/plutonium in steel) of 7*10/sup 6/ with borosilicate slag and 3*10/sup 6/ for calcium, magnesium silicate slag were measured. Decontamination of metals containing as much as 14,000 p.p.m. plutonium appears to be as efficient as that of metals with plutonium levels of 400 p.p.m. Staged extraction, that is, a remelting of processed metal with clean slag, results in further decontamination of the metal. 10 refs
Uptake of americium-241 by algae and bacteria
The uptake of americium by three algae, scenedesmus obliquus, selenastrum capricomutum and chlorella pyrenosdosa and a bacterium aeromonas hydrophila was studied. Live and fixed cells of each algal species and live bacterial cells were used. it is shown that algae and bacteria concentrate americium 241 to a high degree which makes them important links in the biomagnification phenomenon which may ultimately lead to a human hazard and be potentially important in recycling Am 241 in the water column and mobilization from sediments. Chemical fixation of algal cells caused increased uptake which indicated that uptake is by passive diffusion and probably due to chemical alteration of surface binding sites. (U.K.)
Americium incineration by recycling in target rods using coated particles
This paper proposes a type of target rod based on the use of coated particles, for an efficient incineration of americium in nuclear reactors. The analysis takes advantage of the experience gained in the past from long duration irradiation without damage of coated particles with plutonium oxide kernels. A conservative theoretical evaluation of the gas pressure inside the coated particles at the end of irradiation allows comparing the well known conditions of the plutonium oxide particles which were successfully irradiated to high burn-up, with a preliminary design of americium oxide particles. (authors)
42 CFR 24.9 - Removal from the Service.
... in making such answer; and (4) A written decision on the proposal. (c) The decision may be made by an... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Removal from the Service. 24.9 Section 24.9 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PERSONNEL SENIOR...
1976 Hanford americium exposure incident: overview and perspective
Salient features of the 1976 Hanford americium exposure incident are discussed. Comparisons are made with previous human and animal exposure data, and conclusions drawn relative to the injured workman, to health physics practices, and to the adequacy of current exposure limits
Americium retention by the smectite hectorite
Document available in extended abstract form only. Clay minerals may play an important role in a high level nuclear waste disposal site. Smectites may be major components of backfill material used to enhance the retention properties of engineered barriers. Furthermore, they have also been detected in the alteration layer of nuclear waste glass corroded in laboratory experiments. For example, the smectite hectorite (Na0.33[Mg2.67Li0.33Si4O10(OH)2]) was identified as phase forming upon waste matrix dissolution and subsequent reprecipitation. Smectites are known to be highly reactive with respect to cations in aqueous systems. Several distinct molecular scale binding mechanisms may operate, but the most effective retention may occur by incorporation in the bulk structure, especially if a (meta)stable solid solution forms. Investigations showed the possibility to incorporate Lu(III) in a clay-like octahedral site in hectorite by coprecipitation. Furthermore, luminescence studies on hectorite synthesized in the presence of Cm(III) or Eu(III) were consistent with an incorporation in the bulk structure. However, structural data such as coordination numbers and bond lengths are still missing for the actinides. In the present study, Am(III) was coprecipitated with and adsorbed on hectorite to decipher the actual retention mechanism(s). Hectorite was synthesized in the presence of Am(III) (sample AmCopHec) from an Am-containing brucite precursor phase. Briefly, brucite was freshly precipitated in the presence of Am(III) (Am:Mg molar ratio of 1:1175) and washed. The resulting sol was aged in a tightly closed vessel in the presence of LiF and silica sol for several days at 90 C. Separately, an Am-containing brucite phase (sample AmCopBru) was prepared under identical conditions as described above, and the americium aqua ions were adsorbed on hectorite (m/V = 2 g/L, [Am(III)]tot = 105 μmol/L, 0.5 mol/L NaClO4, pH = 6.4(1), sample AmSorbHec) and used as reference samples. X
Synthesis and characterization of uranium-americium mixed oxides
Americium isotopes represent a significant part of high-level and long-lived nuclear waste in spent fuels. Among the envisaged reprocessing scenarios, their transmutation in fast neutron reactors using uranium-americium mixed-oxide pellets (U1-xAmxO2±δ) is a promising option which would help decrease the ecological footprint of ultimate waste repository sites. In this context, this thesis is dedicated to the study of such compounds over a wide range of americium contents (7.5 at.% ≤ Am/(U+Am) ≤ 70 at.%), with an emphasis on their fabrication from single-oxide precursors and the assessment of their structural and thermodynamic stabilities, also taking self-irradiation effects into account. Results highlight the main influence of americium reduction to Am(+III), not only on the mechanisms of solid-state formation of the U1-xAmxO2±δ solid solution, but also on the stabilization of oxidized uranium cations and the formation of defects in the oxygen sublattice such as vacancies and cub-octahedral clusters. In addition, the data acquired concerning the stability of U1-xAmxO2±δ compounds (existence of a miscibility gap, vaporization behavior) were compared to calculations based on new thermodynamic modelling of the U-Am-O ternary system. Finally, α-self-irradiation-induced structural effects on U1-xAmxO2±δ compounds were analyzed using XRD, XAS and TEM, allowing the influence of americium content on the structural swelling to be studied as well as the description of the evolution of radiation-induced structural defects. (author)
Reduction Rates for Higher Americium Oxidation States in Nitric Acid
Grimes, Travis Shane [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Mincher, Bruce Jay [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Schmitt, Nicholas C [Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
The stability of hexavalent americium was measured using multiple americium concentrations and nitric acid concentrations after contact with the strong oxidant sodium bismuthate. Contrary to our hypotheses Am(VI) was not reduced faster at higher americium concentrations, and the reduction was only zero-order at short time scales. Attempts to model the reduction kinetics using zero order kinetic models showed Am(VI) reduction in nitric acid is more complex than the autoreduction processes reported by others in perchloric acid. The classical zero-order reduction of Am(VI) was found here only for short times on the order of a few hours. We did show that the rate of Am(V) production was less than the rate of Am(VI) reduction, indicating that some Am(VI) undergoes two electron-reduction to Am(IV). We also monitored the Am(VI) reduction in contact with the organic diluent dodecane. A direct comparison of these results with those in the absence of the organic diluent showed the reduction rates for Am(VI) were not statistically different for both systems. Additional americium oxidations conducted in the presence of Ce(IV)/Ce(III) ions showed that Am(VI) is reduced without the typical growth of Am(V) observed in the systems sans Ce ion. This was an interesting result which suggests a potential new reduction/oxidation pathway for Am in the presence of Ce; however, these results were very preliminary, and will require additional experiments to understand the mechanism by which this occurs. Overall, these studies have shown that hexavalent americium is fundamentally stable enough in nitric acid to run a separations process. However, the complicated nature of the reduction pathways based on the system components is far from being rigorously understood.
Full Text Available CH (Link to library) CHP249 (Link to dictyBase) - - - Contig-U14444-1 - (Link to Original site) ... XXXXKIFFLKK--- Translated Amino Acid sequence (All Frames ) Frame A: KKXKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKXKKKKXXXXX ...
Liquid-liquid extraction separation and determination of plutonium and americium
A procedure is described for the determination of plutonium and americium after their initial separation on barium sulfate. The barium sulfate is dissolved in perchloric acid and the antinides and lanthanides are extracted into bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP). Americium along with other tervalent actinides and lanthanides is stripped from HDEHP with nitric acid. The lanthanides are removed on a column of HDEHP supported on Teflon powder, and the americium and other tervalent actinides are electrodeposited for their determination by α spectrometry. The plutonium is stripped with nitric acid after reduction to the tervalent state with 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone and electrodeposited for α spectrometry. Decontamination factors for plutonium and americium from each other and from other α emitters are 104 to 105. Two hours are required for the liquid-liquid extraction separations of plutonium and americium from eight samples. Recoveries of americium and plutonium through the HDEHP separatons are 99% and 95%, respectively
Calculational study on irradiation of americium fuel samples in the Petten High Flux Reactor
A calculational study on the irradiation of americium samples in the Petten High Flux Reactor (HFR) has been performed. This has been done in the framework of the international EFTTRA cooperation. For several reasons the americium in the samples is supposed to be diluted with a neutron inert matrix, but the main reason is to limit the power density in the sample. The low americium nuclide density in the sample (10 weight % americium oxide) leads to a low radial dependence of the burnup. Three different calculational methods have been used to calculate the burnup in the americium sample: Two-dimensional calculations with WIMS-6, one-dimensional calculations with WIMS-6, and one-dimensional calculations with SCALE. The results of the different methods agree fairly well. It is concluded that the radiotoxicity of the americium sample can be reduced upon irradiation in our scenario. This is especially the case for the radiotoxicity between 100 and 1000 years after storage. (orig.)
Neptunium and americium control for international non-proliferation regime
It was decided in the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting held in Sept. 1999 that Neptunium and Americium could be diverted for manufacturing nuclear weapon or explosives, so that appropriate measures should be taken for the prevention of proliferation of these materials. It is expected to take relatively long time for settling down the aligned system dealing with the above materials because the present regulatory statement was prepared on the basis of voluntary offers from the States concerned. The necessity of preventive measures is being convinced among Member States, but it would not be easy to take voluntary participation in detail because of their respective interests. It is expected that this paper could contribute to the effective response as to the international commitments as well as for protecting the domestic nuclear industry and R and D area through analysis on the IAEA's approach on Neptunium and Americium
Thermophysical properties of americium-containing barium plutonate
Polycrystalline specimens of americium-containing barium plutonate have been prepared by mixing the appropriate amounts of (Pu0.91Am0.09)O2 and BaCO3 powders followed by reacting and sintering at 1600 K under the flowing gas atmosphere of dry-air. The sintered specimens had a single phase of orthorhombic perovskite structure and were crack-free. Elastic moduli were determined from longitudinal and shear sound velocities. Debye temperature was also determined from sound velocities and lattice parameter measurements. Thermal conductivity was calculated from measured density at room temperature, literature values of heat capacity and thermal diffusivity measured by laser flash method in vacuum. Thermal conductivity of americium-containing barium plutonate was roughly independent of temperature and registered almost the same magnitude as that of BaPuO3 and BaUO3. (author)
1976 Hanford americium-exposure incident: decontamination and treatment facility
An injured worker, contaminated with over 6 mCi of americium-241, required special treatment and housing for 4 months. This paper is a description of the design and management of the facility in which most of the treatment and housing occurred. The problems associated with contamination control, waste handling, supplies, and radiological concerns during the two-stage transfer of the patient from a controlled situation to his normal living environment are discussed in detail
Recycling heterogeneous americium targets in a boiling water reactor
One of the limiting contributors to the heat load constraint for a long term spent fuel repository is the decay of americium-241. A possible option to reduce the heat load produced by Am-241 is to eliminate it via transmutation in a light water reactor thermal neutron environment, in particular, by taking advantage of the large thermal fission cross section of Am-242 and Am-242m. In this study we employ lattice loading optimization techniques to define the loadings and arrangements of fuel pins with blended americium and uranium oxide in boiling water reactor bundles, specifically, by defining the incineration of pre-loaded americium as an objective function to maximize americium transmutation. Subsequently, the viability of these optimized lattices is tested by assembling them into bundles with Am-spiked fuel pins and by loading these bundles into realistic three-dimensional BWR core-wide simulations that model multiple reload cycles and observe standard operational constraints. These simulations are possible via our collaboration with the Westinghouse Electric Co. which facilitates the use of industrial-caliber design tools such as the PHOENIX-4/POLCA-7 sequence and the Core Master 2 GUI work environment for fuel management. The resulting analysis confirms the ability to axially uniformly eliminating roughly 90% of the pre-loaded inventory of recycled Am-241 in BWR bundles with heterogeneous target pins. This high level of incineration was achieved within three to four 18-month operational cycles, which is equivalent to a typical in-core residence time of a BWR bundle.
Ingestion Pathway Transfer Factors for Plutonium and Americium
Blanchard, A.
Overall transfer factors for major ingestion pathways are derived for plutonium and americium. These transfer factors relate the radionuclide concentration in a given foodstuff to deposition on the soil. Equations describing basic relationships consistent with Regulatory Guide 1.109 are followed. Updated values and coefficients from IAEA Technical Reports Series No. 364 are used when a available. Preference is given to using factors specific to the Savannah River Site.
Gut uptake factors for plutonium, americium and curium
Data on estimates of the absorption of plutonium, americium and curium from the human gut based on measurements of uptake in other mammalian species are reviewed. It is proposed that for all adult members of the public ingesting low concentrations of plutonium in food and water, 0.05% would be an appropriate value of absorption except when the conditions of exposure are known and a lower value can be justified. For dietary intakes of americium and curium, the available data do not warrant a change from the ICRP value of 0.05%. For newborn children ingesting americium, curium and soluble forms of plutonium, a value of 1% absorption is proposed for the first 3 months of life during which the infant is maintained on a milk diet. It is proposed that a value of 0.5% should be used for the first year of life to take account of the gradual maturation of the gut. In considering the ingestion of insoluble oxides of plutonium by infants, it is proposed that absorption is taken as 0.1% for the first 3 months and 0.05% for the first year. (author)
75 FR 69870 - Delegation of Authority Under 18 U.S.C. 249
... Part 0 Delegation of Authority Under 18 U.S.C. 249 AGENCY: Department of Justice. ACTION: Final rule... 18 U.S.C. 249, relating to hate crimes, to the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights....S.C. 249. The Shepard-Byrd Act expressly provides that no prosecution under section 249 may...
Airborne plutonium-239 and americium-241 concentrations measured from the 125-meter Hanford Meteorological Tower
Airborne plutonium-239 and americium-241 concentrations and fluxes were measured at six heights from 1.9 to 122 m on the Hanford meteorological tower. The data show that plutonium-239 was transported on nonrespirable and small particles at all heights. Airborne americium-241 concentrations on small particles were maximum at the 91 m height
Effect of 241-americium on bone marrow stroma
The regulation of haemopoiesis occurs via complex interactions between the stroma and the haemopoietic cells. An attempt to further clarifying the mechanisms and the exact role of the stroma in the regulation was made in a study. Results revealed that the murine bone marrow stromal cells are highly radiosensitive after injection with 241-americium and can thus be considered as a target population after internal contamination. In addition, observations are made which may be important for risk estimation for the developing animal and during pregnancy. Contamination in utero and by lactation shows persistent damage up to 1 year after contamination at an average annual dose of 5 cGy. (author)
Recovery of americium-241 from aged plutonium metal
After separation and purification, both actinides were precipitated as oxalates and calcined. A large-scale process was developed using dissolution, separation, purification, precipitation, and calcination. Efforts were made to control corrosion, to avoid product contamination, to keep the volume of process and waste solutions manageable, and to denitrate solutions with formic acid. The Multipurpose Processing Facility (MPPF), designed for recovery of transplutonium isotopes, was used for the first time for the precipitation and calcination of americium. Also, for the first time,, large-scale formic acid denitration was performed in a canyon vessel at SRP
Preferential decorporation of americium by pulmonary administration of DTPA dry powder after inhalation of aged PuO2 containing americium in rats
After inhalation of plutonium oxides containing various percentages of americium in rats, we identified an acellular transient pulmonary compartment, the epithelial lining fluid (ELF), in which a fraction of actinide oxides dissolve prior to absorption and subsequent extrapulmonary deposit. Chelation therapy is usually considered to be poorly efficient after inhalation of actinide oxides. However, in the present study, prompt pulmonary administration of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) as a dry powder led to a decrease in actinide content in ELF together with a limitation of bone and liver deposits. Because americium is more soluble than plutonium, higher amounts of americium were found in ELF, extrapulmonary tissues and urine. Our results also demonstrated that the higher efficacy of DTPA on americium compared to plutonium in ELF induced a preferential inhibition of extrapulmonary deposit and a greater urinary excretion of americium compared to plutonium. All together, our data justify the use of an early and local DTPA treatment after inhalation of plutonium oxide aerosols in which americium can be in high proportion such as in aged compounds. (authors)
Study of the high-j states in 249Cm
The authors have performed the reaction 248Cm(4He, 3He) using 98.5-MeV alpha particles from the IUCF cyclotron to populate high-j states in 249Cm. A tentative assignment of the K17/2 component of the 1/2+[880] Nilsson state has been made
46 CFR 249.9 - American market participation.
... OPERATORS APPROVAL OF UNDERWRITERS FOR MARINE HULL INSURANCE § 249.9 American market participation. (a... to the American marine insurance market the opportunity to compete for the placement of marine hull... less than 50 percent of the placement is made with the American marine insurance market, the owners,...
40 CFR 180.249 - Alachlor; tolerances for residues.
... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Alachlor; tolerances for residues. 180... PROGRAMS TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD Specific Tolerances § 180.249 Alachlor; tolerances for residues. (a) General. Tolerances are established for combined residues...
Analytical performance of radiochemical method for americium determination in urine
This paper presents an analytical method developed and adapted for separation and analysis of Plutonium (Pu) isotopes and Americium (Am) in urine samples. The proposed method will attend the demand of internal exposure monitoring program for workers involved mainly with dismantling rods and radioactive smoke detectors. In this experimental procedure four steps are involved as preparation of samples, sequential radiochemical separation, preparation of the source for electroplating and quantification by alpha spectrometry. In the first stage of radiochemical separation, plutonium is conventionally isolated employing the anion exchange technique. Americium isolation is achieved sequentially by chromatographic extraction (Tru.spec column) from the load and rinse solutions coming from the anion exchange column. The 243Am tracer is added into the sample as chemical yield monitors and to correct the results improving the precision and accuracy. The mean recovery obtained is 60%, and the detection limit for 24h urine sample is 1.0 mBq L-1 in accordance with the literature. Based in the preliminary results, the method is appropriate to be used in monitoring programme of workers with a potential risk of internal contamination. (author)
Placental transfer of americium and plutonium in mice
Actinide element release to the environment and subsequent transfer through food chains to pregnant women may present a radiation hazard to fetuses in utero. To measure americium incorporation, four groups of pregnant mice were intravenously dosed with four concentrations of 243Am citrate in late pregnancy. Concentrations of 243Am in fetuses, placentas, and maternal femur, liver, carcass and pelt were determined 48 hr after injection. Doses were chosen so that the number of atoms of 243Am in each injected dose was equal to the number of atoms of 239Pu used in an earlier study of transplacental movement. Results indicate that, atom for atom, americium is incorporated into fetal tissue in lesser amounts (10-25 times) than is plutonium when intravenously administered to pregnant mice in equal atom amounts. Tissue analyses indicated that, at low dose levels, the average fraction of the dose incorporated into the fetuses decreased as the dose to the pregnant mouse was increased. A similar pattern was noted for placentas and maternal femurs. Data indicate that one must make extrapolations from low dose data only to make reasonable and realistic estimates of the transplacental movement and fetal incorporation of environmental levels of actinide elements in man and other species. (author)
Development of separation techniques of americium from reprocessing solution
Americium(Am) and neptunium(Np) finally transfer to the waste stream in the current PUREX reprocessing process. As an option, some methods have been developed to recover Am and Np from the waste stream to decrease long-term toxicity of the high level waste. The most stable valence state of Am is III, but TBP (tri-n-butyl phosphate) which is an extractant used in the PUREX reprocessing does not extract Am(III). Therefore, some special extractants have been developed to recover Am(III). However, they also extract rare-earth elements(REs), which necessitates the separation process for Am from REs. We have been developing a separation process which consists of valence control of Am to the VI state and its extraction with TBP. This process allows Am recovery from reprocessing solution and Am separation from REs simultaneously. Americium(III) is oxidized to Am(VI) by electrochemical oxidation and chemical oxidation using peroxodisulfate ammonium and silver nitrate. The latter was adopted here because the chemical oxidation reaction proceeds faster than the electrochemical method. Reaction mechanisms of oxidation and extraction were investigated. Based on the mechanisms, we found that extraction efficiency could be improved and waste generation could be minimized. (author)
Solubility of Plutonium (IV) Oxalate During Americium/Curium Pretreatment
Rudisill, T.S.
Approximately 15,000 L of solution containing isotopes of americium and curium (Am/Cm) will undergo stabilization by vitrification at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Prior to vitrification, an in-tank pretreatment will be used to remove metal impurities from the solution using an oxalate precipitation process. Material balance calculations for this process, based on solubility data in pure nitric acid, predict approximately 80 percent of the plutonium in the solution will be lost to waste. Due to the uncertainty associated with the plutonium losses during processing, solubility experiments were performed to measure the recovery of plutonium during pretreatment and a subsequent precipitation process to prepare a slurry feed for a batch melter. A good estimate of the plutonium content of the glass is required for planning the shipment of the vitrified Am/Cm product to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).The plutonium solubility in the oxalate precipitation supernate during pretreatment was 10 mg/mL at 35 degrees C. In two subsequent washes with a 0.25M oxalic acid/0.5M nitric acid solution, the solubility dropped to less than 5 mg/mL. During the precipitation and washing steps, lanthanide fission products in the solution were mostly insoluble. Uranium, and alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal impurities were soluble as expected. An elemental material balance for plutonium showed that greater than 94 percent of the plutonium was recovered in the dissolved precipitate. The recovery of the lanthanide elements was generally 94 percent or higher except for the more soluble lanthanum. The recovery of soluble metal impurities from the precipitate slurry ranged from 15 to 22 percent. Theoretically, 16 percent of the soluble oxalates should have been present in the dissolved slurry based on the dilution effects and volumes of supernate and wash solutions removed. A trace level material balance showed greater than 97 percent recovery of americium-241 (from the beta dec
Solubility of Plutonium (IV) Oxalate During Americium/Curium Pretreatment
Approximately 15,000 L of solution containing isotopes of americium and curium (Am/Cm) will undergo stabilization by vitrification at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Prior to vitrification, an in-tank pretreatment will be used to remove metal impurities from the solution using an oxalate precipitation process. Material balance calculations for this process, based on solubility data in pure nitric acid, predict approximately 80 percent of the plutonium in the solution will be lost to waste. Due to the uncertainty associated with the plutonium losses during processing, solubility experiments were performed to measure the recovery of plutonium during pretreatment and a subsequent precipitation process to prepare a slurry feed for a batch melter. A good estimate of the plutonium content of the glass is required for planning the shipment of the vitrified Am/Cm product to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).The plutonium solubility in the oxalate precipitation supernate during pretreatment was 10 mg/mL at 35 degrees C. In two subsequent washes with a 0.25M oxalic acid/0.5M nitric acid solution, the solubility dropped to less than 5 mg/mL. During the precipitation and washing steps, lanthanide fission products in the solution were mostly insoluble. Uranium, and alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal impurities were soluble as expected. An elemental material balance for plutonium showed that greater than 94 percent of the plutonium was recovered in the dissolved precipitate. The recovery of the lanthanide elements was generally 94 percent or higher except for the more soluble lanthanum. The recovery of soluble metal impurities from the precipitate slurry ranged from 15 to 22 percent. Theoretically, 16 percent of the soluble oxalates should have been present in the dissolved slurry based on the dilution effects and volumes of supernate and wash solutions removed. A trace level material balance showed greater than 97 percent recovery of americium-241 (from the beta dec
Americium Transmutation Feasibility When Used as Burnable Absorbers - 12392
The use of plutonium in Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel in traditional Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) assemblies leads to greater americium production which is not addressed in MOX recycling. The transuranic nuclides (TRU) contribute the most to the radiotoxicity of nuclear waste and a reduction of the TRU stockpile would greatly reduce the overall radiotoxicity of what must be managed. Am-241 is a TRU of particular concern because it is the dominant contributor of total radiotoxicity for the first 1000 years in a repository. This research explored the feasibility of transmuting Am-241 by using varying amounts in MOX rods being used in place of burnable absorbers and evaluated with respect to the impact on incineration and transmutation of transuranics in MOX fuel as well as the impact on safety. This research concludes that the addition of americium to a non-uniform fuel assembly is a viable method of transmuting Am-241, holding down excess reactivity in the core while serving as a burnable poison, as well as reducing the radiotoxicity of high level waste that must be managed. The use of Am/MOX hybrid fuel assemblies to transmute americium was researched using multiple computer codes. Am-241 was shown in this study to be able to hold down excess reactivity at the beginning of cycle and shape the power distribution in the core with assemblies of varying americium content loaded in a pattern similar to the traditional use of assemblies with varying amounts of burnable absorbers. The feasibility, safety, and utility of using americium to create an Am/MOX hybrid non-uniform core were also evaluated. The core remained critical to a burnup of 22,000 MWD/MTM. The power coefficient of reactivity as well as the temperature and power defects were sufficiently negative to provide a prompt feedback mechanism in case of a transient and prevent a power excursion, thus ensuring inherent safety and protection of the core. As shown here as well as many other studies, this non
Removal of americium from effluent generated during the purification of plutonium by anion exchange
Noronha, Donald M.; Pius, Illipparambil C.; Chaudhury, Satyajeet [Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai (India). Fuel Chemistry Div.
Studies have been carried out on removal of americium from the effluent generated during anion exchange purification of plutonium. Americium 241, generated by the beta decay of Plutonium-241, is the major source of a activity in this highly acidic effluent and its removal would render the waste easily disposable. A simple and effective co-precipitation method, using thorium oxalate has been investigated for the treatment of this alpha active aqueous waste. Experiments have been carried out to identify optimum conditions to obtain high percentage co-precipitation with minimum amount of co-precipitant. Efforts were carried out to correlate the optimum conditions of co-precipitation of americium obtained in these experiments with solubility of thorium oxalate and americium oxalate calculated from solubility products of these compounds, stability constants of thorium and americium oxalate complexes taken from literature. The saturation capacity of thorium oxalate for Am(III) was also calculated by analyzing the K{sub d} value data using Langmuir adsorption equation. The strong tendency of americium to get co-precipitated and the high capacity exhibited by thorium oxalate for the uptake of americium indicate feasibility of using this method for the treatment of anion exchange effluent.
Removal of americium from effluent generated during the purification of plutonium by anion exchange
Studies have been carried out on removal of americium from the effluent generated during anion exchange purification of plutonium. Americium 241, generated by the beta decay of Plutonium-241, is the major source of a activity in this highly acidic effluent and its removal would render the waste easily disposable. A simple and effective co-precipitation method, using thorium oxalate has been investigated for the treatment of this alpha active aqueous waste. Experiments have been carried out to identify optimum conditions to obtain high percentage co-precipitation with minimum amount of co-precipitant. Efforts were carried out to correlate the optimum conditions of co-precipitation of americium obtained in these experiments with solubility of thorium oxalate and americium oxalate calculated from solubility products of these compounds, stability constants of thorium and americium oxalate complexes taken from literature. The saturation capacity of thorium oxalate for Am(III) was also calculated by analyzing the Kd value data using Langmuir adsorption equation. The strong tendency of americium to get co-precipitated and the high capacity exhibited by thorium oxalate for the uptake of americium indicate feasibility of using this method for the treatment of anion exchange effluent.
Selective leaching studies of deep-sea sediments loaded with americium, neptunium and plutonium
A series of selective leaching experiments were undertaken to investigate the solid phase speciation and distribution of americium, neptunium and plutonium which had been experimentally loaded onto different marine sediment types. The chemical leaches employed showed rather poor selectivity but certain trends were evident. Adsorption was not by ion exchange. Americium showed a preferential affinity for carbonate and plutonium for organic matter. Neptunium appeared to have no preferential affinities. Americium was sorbed by acetic acid residues (CaCO3 removed) and by unleached carbonate-rich sediments with equal efficiency. This indicates that it is able to diversify its solid phase affinity/distribution depending upon which solid phases are available. (author)
48 CFR 52.249-4 - Termination for Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form).
... Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form). 52.249-4 Section 52.249-4 Federal Acquisition... termination: Termination for Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form) (APR 1984) The Contracting... CONTRACT CLAUSES Text of Provisions and Clauses 52.249-4 Termination for Convenience of the...
17 CFR 249.331 - Form N-CSR, certified shareholder report.
... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Form N-CSR, certified shareholder report. 249.331 Section 249.331 Commodity and Securities Exchanges SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE... Required Under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 § 249.331 Form N-CSR,...
Solubility of americium collected on an aerosol filter
Kinetics of dissolution of undefined americium aerosol in simulated serum ultrafiltrate was studied. 241Am was present in aerosol collected at a workplace, where an intake of 241Am had occurred formerly. Dissolution experiments in four parts of an aerosol filter were carried out either in ambient air or under CO2 and pH was kept within physiological range. Two?phase kinetics was found in both cases with dissolution half?times for rapid and slow phases ranging from 0.16 to 0.23 d and from 150 to 500 d, respectively. Regardless data dispersion, found half?times justify use of class M model in intake assessment. (author)
The 1976 Hanford Americium Accident: Then and Now
Carbaugh, Eugene H.
The 1976 chemical explosion of an 241Am ion exchange column at a Hanford Site waste management facility resulted in the extreme contamination of a worker with 241Am, nitric acid and debris. The worker underwent medical treatment for acid burns, as well as wound debridement, extensive personal skin decontamination and long-term DTPA chelation therapy for decorporation of americium-241. Because of the contamination levels and prolonged decontamination efforts, care was provided for the first three months at the unique Emergency Decontamination Facility with gradual transition to the patient's home occurring over another two months. The medical treatment, management, and dosimetry of the patient have been well documented in numerous reports and journal articles. The lessons learned with regard to patient treatment and effectiveness of therapy still form the underlying philosophy of treatment for contaminated injuries. Changes in infrastructure and facilities as well as societal expectations make for interesting speculation as to how responses might differ today.
Separation of americium from curium by oxidation and ion exchange.
Burns, Jonathan D; Shehee, Thomas C; Clearfield, Abraham; Hobbs, David T
Nuclear energy has the potential to be a clean alternative to fossil fuels, but in order for it to play a major role in the US, many questions about the back end of the fuel cycle must be addressed. One of these questions is the difficult separation of americium from curium. Here, we report the oxidation of Am in two systems, perchloric acid and nitric acid and the affect of changing the acid has on the oxidation. K(d) values were observed and a direct separation factor was calculated and was seen to be as high as 20 for four metal(IV) pillared phosphate phosphonate inorganic organic hybrid ion exchange materials. These ion exchangers are characterized by very low selectivity for cations with low charge but extremely high uptake of ions of high charge. PMID:22827724
Monte Carlo modeling of spallation targets containing uranium and americium
Neutron production and transport in spallation targets made of uranium and americium are studied with a Geant4-based code MCADS (Monte Carlo model for Accelerator Driven Systems). A good agreement of MCADS results with experimental data on neutron- and proton-induced reactions on 241Am and 243Am nuclei allows to use this model for simulations with extended Am targets. It was demonstrated that MCADS model can be used for calculating the values of critical mass for 233,235U, 237Np, 239Pu and 241Am. Several geometry options and material compositions (U, U + Am, Am, Am2O3) are considered for spallation targets to be used in Accelerator Driven Systems. All considered options operate as deep subcritical targets having neutron multiplication factor of k∼0.5. It is found that more than 4 kg of Am can be burned in one spallation target during the first year of operation
Pretreatment of americium/curium solutions for vitrification
Vitrification will be used to stabilize an americium/curium (Am/Cm) solution presently stored in F-Canyon for eventual transport to the heavy isotope programs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Prior to vitrification, an in-tank oxalate precipitation and a series of oxalic/nitric acid washes will be used to separate these elements and lanthanide fission products from the bulk of the uranium and metal impurities present in the solution. Pretreatment development experiments were performed to understand the behavior of the lanthanides and the metal impurities during the oxalate precipitation and properties of the precipitate slurry. The results of these experiments will be used to refine the target glass composition allowing optimization of the primary processing parameters and design of the solution transfer equipment
Plutonium and americium in sediments of Lithuanian lakes
The assessment of contribution of the global and the Chernobyl NPP (Nuclear Power Plant) accident plutonium and americium to plutonium pollution in sediments of Lithuanian lakes is presented. Theoretical evaluation of activity ratios of 238Pu/239+240Pu and 241Pu/239+240Pu in the reactor of unit 4 of the Chernobyl NPP before the accident was performed by means of the ORIGEN-ARP code from the SCALE 4.4A program package. Non-uniform distribution of radionuclides in depositions on the Lithuanian territory after nuclear weapon tests and the Chernobyl NPP accident is experimentally observed by measuring the lake sediment pollution with actinides. The activity concentration of sediments polluted with plutonium ranges from 2.0 ± 0.5 Bq/kg d.w. (dry weight) in Lake Asavelis to 14 ± 2 Bq/kg d.w. in Lake Juodis. The ratio of activity concentrations of plutonium isotopes 238Pu/239+240Pu measured by α-spectrometry in the 10-cm-thick upper layer of bottom sediment varies from 0.03 in Lake Juodis to 0.3 in Lake Zuvintas. The analysis of the ratio values shows that the deposition of the Chernobyl origin plutonium is prevailing in southern and south-western regions of Lithuania. Plutonium of nuclear weapon tests origin in sediments of lakes is observed on the whole territory of Lithuania, and it is especially distinct in central Lithuania. The americium activity due to 241Pu decay after the Chernobyl NPP accident and global depositions in bottom sediments of Lithuanian lakes has been evaluated to be from 0.9 to 5.7 Bq/kg. (author)
Kinetic parameters of transformation of americium and plutonium physicochemical forms in podsol soils
Kinetic parameters of transformation of americium and plutonium physicochemical forms have been estimated and the prognosis of fixing and remobilization of these nuclides in podsol soils have been made on that basis in the work. (authors)
Calibration procedures for in vivo sodium iodide spectrometry of plutonium and americium in the human lung
This paper describes the calibration techniques and associated error analysis for the in vivo measurement by NaI spectrometry of heavy elements in the lung, specifically plutonium and americium. A very brief description of the instrumentation system is included
Relativistic density functional theory modeling of plutonium and americium higher oxide molecules
Zaitsevskii, Andréi; Mosyagin, Nikolai S.; Titov, Anatoly V.; Kiselev, Yuri M.
The results of electronic structure modeling of plutonium and americium higher oxide molecules (actinide oxidation states VI through VIII) by two-component relativistic density functional theory are presented. Ground-state equilibrium molecular structures, main features of charge distributions, and energetics of AnO3, AnO4, An2On (An=Pu, Am), and PuAmOn, n = 6-8, are determined. In all cases, molecular geometries of americium and mixed plutonium-americium oxides are similar to those of the corresponding plutonium compounds, though chemical bonding in americium oxides is markedly weaker. Relatively high stability of the mixed heptoxide PuAmO7 is noticed; the Pu(VIII) and especially Am(VIII) oxides are expected to be unstable.
Distribution of uranium, americium and plutonium in the biomass of freshwater macrophytes
Zotina, T.A.; Kalacheva, G.S.; Bolsunovsky, A.YA. [Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation)
Accumulation of uranium ({sup 238}U), americium ({sup 241}Am) and plutonium ({sup 242}Pu) and their distribution in cell compartments and biochemical components of the biomass of aquatic plants Elodea canadensis, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myrioplyllum spicatum and aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica have been investigated in laboratory batch experiments. Isotopes of uranium, americium and plutonium taken up from the water by Elodea canadensis apical shoots were mainly absorbed by cell walls, plasmalemma and organelles. A small portion of isotopes (about 6-13 %) could be dissolved in cytoplasm. The major portion (76-92 %) of americium was bound to cell wall cellulose-like polysaccharides of Elodea canadensis, Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum demersum and Fontinalis antipyretica, 8-23 % of americium activity was registered in the fraction of proteins and carbohydrates, and just a small portion (< 1%) in lipid fraction. The distribution of plutonium in the biomass fraction of Elodea was similar to that of americium. Hence, americium and plutonium had the highest affinity to cellulose-like polysaccharides in Elodea biomass. Distribution of uranium in the biomass of Elodea differed essentially from that of transuranium elements: a considerable portion of uranium was recorded in the fraction of protein and carbohydrates (51 %). From our data we can assume that uranium has higher affinity to carbohydrates than proteins. (authors)
Separation of curium and americium microquantities by chromatographic method with introduction of separating ions. 2. Effect of cadmium ion quantity and method of it introduction in the system on efficiency of curium and americium separation
Effect of fractionating cadmium ion and a method of it introduction in the system on efficiency of separation of curium and americium with the use of NTA solutions as an eluent is investigated. It is established that in contrast to mutual sorption of curium, americium and cadmium their selective sorption contributes more complete separation of curium and americium. It is shown that growth of quantity of introduced cadmium increased efficiency of separation. Elution rate not products effect on separation process
Americium(3) solvent extraction by oxides of dialkyl(diaryl)[dialkylcarbamoylmethyl]phosphines (CMPO) from perchloric acid solutions
Extraction of americium(3) from perchloric acid solutions by CMPO was investigated. It is shown that americium(3) is much more effectively extracted from perchloric acid solutions, than from nitric acid ones, and increase in americium distribution coefficient depends considerably on reagent nature. As a consequence, anomalous aryl effect increases significantly in perchloric acid solutions. The value of anomalous aryl effect depends directly on stoichiometry of extracted complexes in nitric acid and perchloric acid media. Conditions for extractional concentration of americium up to the 100-fold one with small reagent consumption were suggested
Extraction of Americium(III) by diglycolamides in ionic liquids
In the present work, the extraction behavior of Am(lII) in the three isomeric DGAs, TODGA, DEHDODGA and TEHDGA in two ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(triflouromethane sulphonyl)imide (C4mimNTf2) and 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(triflouromethanesulphonyl)imide (C4mpyNTf2) is compared. The distribution ratio of americium was determined at various acidities ranging from 1M to 8M. The distribution values were found to decrease with increase in aqueous phase acidity upto 3M. The DAm values then marginally increased with increase of acidity from 3 to 4M followed by a decrease in distribution values. The distribution ratio obtained for various DGAs followed the order TEHDGA < TODGA < DEHDODGA at aqueous phase acidities ranging from 1-4 M. When the aqueous nitric acid concentration was higher than 4M, the distribution values followed the order DEHDODGA < TEHDGA < TODGA. The anomalous behaviour of unsymmetrical diglycolamide in ionic liquid medium was investigated by IR spectroscopy. The study revealed that the unprotonated fraction of DGA (i.e. the free DGA) increased in the order TEHDGA < TODGA < DEHDODGA, which seems to be responsible for the observed anomalous extraction trend in DEHDODGA in ionic liquid medium
Extraction of americium and europium by CMPO-substituted adamantylcalixarenes
Eight p-adamantylcalix[4]arene derivatives, bearing four CMPO-like functions [-(CH2)n-NH-C(O)-CH2-P(O)Ph2] at the wide (4a,b, n = 0, 1) or narrow (5a-c and 6a-c, n = 2-4) rims were synthesized for the first time. Studies of the extraction of americium(III) and europium(III) from 3 M HNO3 solutions to organic phases (dichloromethane, m-nitro-trifluoromethylbenzene) showed: (i) The extraction ability for all the adamantylcalixarene ligands is much better than for their monomeric analogues -N-(1-adamantyl)-, N-(1-adamantylmethyl)- and N,N-(dibutyl)carbamoylmethyldiphenylphosphine oxides 7a, 7b, 8; (ii) The extraction percentage increases strongly with increasing length of the spacer for all types of ligands 4-6, and best extraction results were found for 4b (n = 1) and 5c (n = 4); (iii) The separation coefficient DAm/DEu for the investigated compounds did not exceed 2, which is close to the narrow rim CMPO calixarenes, studied earlier; (iv) Variation of the spacer length between CMPO groups attached to the 1,3- and 2,4-positions of the calixarene platform in 6 did not lead to appreciably improved extractants, neither with respect to the extraction abilities (D) nor to the selectivities (DAm/DEu). (orig.)
Effect of americium-241 on luminous bacteria. Role of peroxides
Alexandrova, M., E-mail: email@example.com [Siberian Federal University, Svobodny 79, 660041 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Rozhko, T. [Siberian Federal University, Svobodny 79, 660041 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Vydryakova, G. [Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Akademgorodok 50, 660036 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Kudryasheva, N. [Siberian Federal University, Svobodny 79, 660041 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Akademgorodok 50, 660036 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation)
The effect of americium-241 ({sup 241}Am), an alpha-emitting radionuclide of high specific activity, on luminous bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum was studied. Traces of {sup 241}Am in nutrient media (0.16-6.67 kBq/L) suppressed the growth of bacteria, but enhanced luminescence intensity and quantum yield at room temperature. Lower temperature (4 {sup o}C) increased the time of bacterial luminescence and revealed a stage of bioluminescence inhibition after 150 h of bioluminescence registration start. The role of conditions of exposure the bacterial cells to the {sup 241}Am is discussed. The effect of {sup 241}Am on luminous bacteria was attributed to peroxide compounds generated in water solutions as secondary products of radioactive decay. Increase of peroxide concentration in {sup 241}Am solutions was demonstrated; and the similarity of {sup 241}Am and hydrogen peroxide effects on bacterial luminescence was revealed. The study provides a scientific basis for elaboration of bioluminescence-based assay to monitor radiotoxicity of alpha-emitting radionuclides in aquatic solutions. - Highlights: {yields} Am-241 in water solutions (A = 0.16-6.7 kBq/L) suppresses bacterial growth.{yields} Am-241 (A = 0.16-6.7 kBq/L) stimulate bacterial luminescence. {yields} Peroxides, secondary radiolysis products, cause increase of bacterial luminescence.
Separation and determination of americium in low-level alkaline waste of NPP origin
Todorov, B.; Djingova, R.; Nikiforova, A.
The aim of this work is to develop a short and cost-saving procedure for the determination of 241Am in sludge sample of the alkaline low-level radioactive waste (LL LRAW) collected from Nuclear Power Plant "Kozloduy". The determination of americium was a part of a complex analytical approach, where group actinide separation was achieved. An anion exchange was used for separation of americium from uranium, plutonium and iron. For the separation of americium extraction with diethylhexyl phosphoric acid (DEHPA) was studied. The final radioactive samples were prepared by micro co-precipitation with NdF3, counted by alpha and gamma spectrometry. The procedure takes 2 hours. The recovery yield of the procedure amounts to (95 ± 1.5)% and the detection limit is 53 mBq/kg 241Am (t=150 000 s). The analytical procedure was applied for actual liquid wastes and results were compared to standard procedure.
Actinide production in 136Xe bombardments of 249Cf
The production cross sections for the actinide products from 136Xe bombardments of 249Cf at energies 1.02, 1.09, and 1.16 times the Coulomb barrier were determined. Fractions of the individual actinide elements were chemically separated from recoil catcher foils. The production cross sections of the actinide products were determined by measuring the radiations emitted from the nuclides within the chemical fractions. The chemical separation techniques used in this work are described in detail, and a description of the data analysis procedure is included. The actinide production cross section distributions from these 136Xe + 249Cf bombardments are compared with the production cross section distributions from other heavy ion bombardments of actinide targets, with emphasis on the comparison with the 136Xe + 248Cm reaction. A technique for modeling the final actinide cross section distributions has been developed and is presented. In this model, the initial (before deexcitation) cross section distribution with respect to the separation energy of a dinuclear complex and with respect to the Z of the target-like fragment is given by an empirical procedure. It is then assumed that the N/Z equilibration in the dinuclear complex occurs by the transfer of neutrons between the two participants in the dinuclear complex. The neutrons and the excitation energy are statistically distributed between the two fragments using a simple Fermi gas level density formalism. The resulting target-like fragment initial cross section distribution with respect to Z, N, and excitation energy is then allowed to deexcite by emission of neutrons in competition with fission. The result is a final cross section distribution with respect to Z and N for the actinide products. 68 refs., 33 figs., 6 tabs
Americium 241 in vegetation of natural biocenoses and agrocenoses on Belarus territories contaminated with Chernobyl fall-out
As a result of beta-decay of plutonium 241 the content of americium 241 increases progressively in soils, contaminated with Chernobyl trans uranium elements. Americium 241 displayed higher (0,5 - 1,5-fold) biological mobility than isotopes of plutonium 239, 240. Activity of americium 241 in surface phyto mass of wild and cultural plants varies from 0,04 to 5,9 Bq/kg of dry weight. Americium 241 contribution to the total trans uranium elements contamination of plants made up 60 - 80% in 1996 - 1998. Investigation of trials from the areas adjacent to the 30-km zone showed that mobility of americium 241 and plutonium was 5 - 15 times as high as in the zone
Isotopic and elemental composition of plutonium/americium oxides influence pulmonary and extra-pulmonary distribution after inhalation in rats
The biodistribution of plutonium and americium has been studied in a rat model after inhalation of two PuO2 powders in lungs and extra-pulmonary organs from 3 d to 3 mo. The main difference between the two powders was the content of americium (approximately 46% and 4.5% of total alpha activity). The PuO2 with a higher proportion of americium shows an accelerated transfer of activity from lungs to blood as compared to PuO2 with the lower americium content, illustrated by increased urinary excretion and higher bone and liver actinide retention. The total alpha activity measured reflects mostly the americium biological behavior. The activity contained in epithelial lining fluid, recovered in the acellular phase of broncho-alveolar lavages, mainly contains americium, whereas plutonium remains trapped in macrophages. Epithelial lining fluid could represent a transitional pulmonary compartment prior to translocation of actinides to the blood and subsequent deposition in extra-pulmonary retention organs. In addition, differential behaviors of plutonium and americium are also observed between the PuO2 powders with a higher dissolution rate for both plutonium and americium being obtained for the PuO2 with the highest americium content. Our results indicate that the biological behavior of plutonium and americium after translocation into blood differ two-fold: (1) for the two actinides for the same PuO2 aerosol, and (2) for the same actinide from the two different aerosols. These results highlight the importance of considering the specific behavior of each contaminant after accidental pulmonary intake when assessing extra-pulmonary deposits from the level of activity excreted in urine or for therapeutic strategy decisions. (authors)
Determination of trace concentration of uranium in americium oxide samples by ICP-AES
A solvent extraction method has been developed for the determination of uranium (200-2000 ppm) in americium oxide samples. The method involves the quantitative separation of uranium from americium matrix using mixed solvent comprising 1.1M tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) +1% trialkyl phosphine oxide (TRPO) + 0.3 M tertiary butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) in n-dodecane. Uranium from the organic is stripped into the aqueous phase with 0.8 M oxalic acid and determined by ICP-AES. The reliability of the method was ascertained by analytical recovery, which is found to be nearly 100%. (author)
Fusion and quasifission dynamics in the reactions $^{48}$Ca+$^{249}$Bk and $^{50}$Ti+$^{249}$Bk using TDHF
Umar, A S; Simenel, C
Background: Synthesis of superheavy elements (SHE) with fusion-evaporation reactions is strongly hindered by the quasifission (QF) mechanism which prevents the formation of an equilibrated compound nucleus and which depends on the structure of the reactants. New SHE have been recently produced with doubly-magic $^{48}$Ca beams. However, SHE synthesis experiments with single-magic $^{50}$Ti beams have so far been unsuccessful. Purpose: In connection with experimental searches for $Z=117,119$ superheavy elements, we perform a theoretical study of fusion and quasifission mechanisms in $^{48}$Ca,$^{50}$Ti+$^{249}$Bk reactions in order to investigate possible differences in reaction mechanisms induced by these two projectiles. Methods: The collision dynamics and the outcome of the reactions are studied using unrestricted time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) calculations as well as the density-constrained TDHF method to extract the nucleus-nucleus potentials and the excitation energy in each fragment. Results: Nucleu...
7 CFR 249.22 - Nonprocurement debarment/suspension, drug-free workplace, and lobbying restrictions.
... workplace, and lobbying restrictions. 249.22 Section 249.22 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of.../suspension, drug-free workplace, and lobbying restrictions. The State agency must ensure compliance with the... lobbying (part 3018 of this title), where applicable....
14 CFR 249.8 - Premature loss or destruction of records.
... 14 Aeronautics and Space 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Premature loss or destruction of records. 249.8 Section 249.8 Aeronautics and Space OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION... Premature loss or destruction of records. If records are destroyed or lost before the expiration of...
Adsorption-desorption characteristics of plutonium and americium with sediment particles in the estuarine environment: studies using plutonium-237 and americium-241
The particle formation of plutonium and americium, their adsorption onto fresh water sediments and the desorption from the sediments in sea water were studied in the Laboratory under simulated river-estuary conditions, using γ-emitting plutonium-237 and americium-241. The results of the experiments show that the particle formation of plutonium depends on its valence states, on pH and on the salinity of the medium. For river water at pH4, some 25%, 20% and 30% of the added 237Pu was in particulate form, larger than 0.45 μm, for Pu (III), Pu (IV) and Pu (VI), respectively, while 65%, 90% and 50% of the respective valence states was associated with particles at pH 8. In sea water the general pattern remains similar, although Pu (VI) is more soluble in sea water owing to higher ligand concentrations for carbonate and bicarbonate complexes. The pH-dependency of particle formation of Am (III) is more steep than that of plutonium and seems to be influenced by colloidal substances occurring in the experimental media. The adsorption-desorption characteristics of plutonium and americium with the sediment in river water as well as sea water reflect the characteristics of their particle formation, being dependent upon such properties as valence states, the pH and salinity of the medium. A sewage effluent added to the media has small but measurable effects on the adsorption-desorption processes of plutonium. (author)
Impact of ionic liquids on europium and americium extraction by an upper rim phosphorylated calixarene
The solvent extraction of europium and americium using the calixarene 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[dipropylphosphinylmethyl] 25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene (conical conformation) in the presence of ionic liquids with different natures was studied. It was shown that upper rim phosphorylated calixarene is able to extract europium and americium from nitric acid to dichloroethane by forming a 1:1 complex without the addition of ionic liquids. The distribution coefficients of americium are higher than those of europium in this case, but the isolation degrees of both elements are insufficient for this system to be useful in extraction technologies. The addition of the ionic liquid trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate increases the europium distribution coefficient by values ranging from twofold to more than two orders of magnitude at ionic liquid concentrations of 1 and 50 %, respectively. The values of the distribution coefficients for americium are increased by approximately 25-fold after a 50 % addition of the ionic liquid. (author)
Understanding the Chemistry of Uncommon Americium Oxidation States for Application to Actinide/Lanthanide Separations
Leigh Martin; Bruce J. Mincher; Nicholas C. Schmitt
A spectroscopic study of the stability of Am(V) and Am(VI) produced by oxidizing Am(III) with sodium bismuthate is presented, varying the initial americium concentration, temperature and length of the oxidation was seen to have profound effects on the resultant solutions.
Speciation and bioavailability of plutonium and americium in the Irish Sea and other marine ecosystems
Since the late 1960s, the Irish Sea has become a repository for a variety of radio-elements originating mainly in discharges from the British Nuclear Fuels (BNF) plc. Sellafield reprocessing complex located on the Cumbrian coast. In particular, transuranium nuclides such as plutonium, americium and curium (the main constituents of the α-emitting discharges) have become incorporated into every marine compartment by a variety of mechanisms, many of which are not well understood. Although extensive studies have been carried out in the near-field (eastern Irish Sea, especially in the vicinity of the discharge point and collateral muddy sediments), comparatively little had been done to assess the long-term behaviour and bioavailability of plutonium and americium in the far-field, e.g., the western Irish Sea, prior to the present study. In this dissertation, the results of an extensive research programme, undertaken in order to improve and refine our understanding of the behaviour of plutonium and americium in the marine environment, are presented. Specifically, the thesis details the results of (and conclusions deduced from) a series of experiments in which the physical and chemical speciation, colloidal association, mobility and bioavailability of plutonium and americium were examined in diverse environments including the Irish Sea and the Mediterranean. (author)
Evaluation of the readsorption of plutonium and americium in dynamic fractionations of environmental solid samples
Petersen, Roongrat; Hou, Xiaolin; Hansen, Elo Harald
extractions. The degree of readsorption in dynamic and conventional batch extraction systems are compared and evaluated by using a double-spiking technique. A high degree of readsorption of plutonium and americium (>75%) was observed in both systems, and they also exhibited similar distribution patterns...
Extraction chromatographic recovery of americium from acidic raffinate solutions using CMPO adsorbed on Chromosorb-102
Microgram amounts of americium have been separated and purified from large amounts of uranium present in effluent solutions resulting from the anion-exchange columns during the purification and recovery of plutonium by using TBP extraction followed by extraction chromatography using CMPO adsorbed on Chromosorb-102. (author). 4 refs., 1 tab
Cesium-137 and americium-241 distribution by granulometric fractions of soil at Azgir test site grounds
In measurements of radionuclide specific content in surface soil layer of contaminated territories it is important to determine in what agglomerations of soil particles there is the highest radionuclide concentration. For this purpose granulometric composition of soil at Azgir test site was studied and cesium-137 and americium-241 distribution by soil fractions was researched. (author)
Development of analytical methods for the separation of plutonium, americium, curium and neptunium from environmental samples
Salminen, Susanna
In this work, separation methods have been developed for the analysis of anthropogenic transuranium elements plutonium, americium, curium and neptunium from environmental samples contaminated by global nuclear weapons testing and the Chernobyl accident. The analytical methods utilized in this study are based on extraction chromatography. Highly varying atmospheric plutonium isotope concentrations and activity ratios were found at both Kurchatov (Kazakhstan), near the former Semipalatinsk...
Determination of specific activity of americium and plutonium in selected environmental samples
The aim of this work was development of method for determination of americium and plutonium in environmental samples. Developed method was evaluated on soil samples and after they was applied on selected samples of fishes (smoked mackerel, herring and fillet from Alaska hake). The method for separation of americium is based on liquid separation with Aliquate-336, precipitation with oxalic acid and using of chromatographic material TRU-SpecTM.The intervals of radiochemical yields were from 13.0% to 80.9% for plutonium-236 and from 10.5% to 100% for americium-241. Determined specific activities of plutonium-239,240 were from (2.3 ± 1.4) mBq/kg to (82 ± 29) mBq/kg, the specific activities of plutonium-238 were from (14.2 ± 3.7) mBq/kg to (708 ± 86) mBq/kg. The specific activities of americium-241 were from (1.4 ± 0.9) mBq/kg to (3360 ± 210) mBq/kg. The fishes from Baltic Sea as well as from North Sea show highest specific activities then fresh-water fishes from Slovakia. Therefore the monitoring of alpha radionuclides in foods imported from territories with nuclear testing is recommended
Application of hollow fiber supported liquid membrane for the separation of americium from the analytical waste
Americium from analytical solid waste containing U and metallic impurities was separated using hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) technique impregnated with DHOA-TODGA from nitric acid medium. An aliquot of 5 g of the solid waste containing Am (19.95 mg) as minor actinide and of U (2,588 mg), Fe (1,360 mg), Ca (1,810 mg) and Na (3,130 mg) as major impurities was processed. The feed solution obtained after the dissolution of the residue in ∼4 M HNO3 was passed through HFSLM module. In the first stage using 1 M DHOA-dodecane was used for the separation of Am from other impurities. Though, majority of the elements were separated in this cycle, Ca was co extracted along with the americium. CMPO extraction chromatographic technique was used for further separation of americium from Ca. Significant decontamination factors were achieved in this three step separation process with respect to U, Fe, Na and Ca with ∼77 % recovery of americium. (author)
Determination of α-emitters (plutonium, americium, curium ...) in feces and urine ashes
A description is given of the methods used to determine a number of radionuclides to be found in feces and urine, and obtain samples thin enough for counting and α-spectrometry. These methods can be applied to plutonium, americium and curium especially
Upper Limits to Americium Concentration in Medium Size Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor
Zhang, Y.P.; Wallenius, J. [Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Centre, S-106 91, Stockholm (Sweden)
The fastest way to realize transmutation of minor actinides would be using existing reactor types, adding some proper modifications to allow for insertion of MA in the fuel. According to calculations by Fazio and co-workers, the consumption rate of TRU in a low conversion ratio fast reactor may reach 70-75 % of that of an ADS with uranium free fuel [1]. However, americium introduction brings a negative influence on several safety parameters such as {beta}{sub eff}, Doppler coefficient, coolant temperature coefficient and void worth. Therefore the upper limit of americium that can be included into the fuel needs to be carefully evaluated. In this paper, fast reactor fuels with various minor actinide fractions are loaded into a SAS4A model of the semi-commercial BN600 reactor. Unprotected loss of flow (ULOF) and transient over power (UTOP) accidents are modelled using safety parameters obtained from Monte Carlo simulations as well as from the deterministic calculations published by Fazio et al. Applying the latter parameters (obtained with VARI3D), the upper limit to MA concentration in the fuel of a medium sized SFR of BN-600 type appears at 12%, corresponding to 8% of americium. We note however that the Doppler constants displayed by Fazio et al for MA concentrations above 10% have a considerably larger magnitude than those obtained with MCNP. Applying the safety parameters obtained with Monte Carlo simulations and updated nuclear data evaluations, we find that the upper limit to the americium concentration allowing to survive a ULOF is about half of that inferred by the use of parameters from VARI-3D. Since such a difference has a major impact on the predicted americium transmutation capability of SFR, it is of high priority to analyse the reasons for the apparent discrepancies. We note here that the major contribution to the Doppler feedback comes from capture resonance in U-238 and Pu-240 residing below the sodium scattering resonance located at 3 keV, and that
Effect of bone-status on retention and distribution of americium-241 in bones of small rodents
Forced physical exercise before and after application of americium-241 resulted in only small changes in bone-structure and behaviour of the radionuclide in bone. Feeding of a low phosphorus or low calcium diet resulted in an increased excretion of americium from bone, whereby Zn-DTPA as chelating agent removed an additional fraction of the radionuclide from bone. Low calcium diet and simultaneous continuous infusion of pharmacological doses of vitamin D-hormones didn't increase the excretion of americium more than the low calcium diet alone. (orig.)
17 CFR 249.1200 - Form X-17F-1A-Report for missing, lost, stolen or counterfeit securities.
... Register citations affecting Form X-17F-1A, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the... missing, lost, stolen or counterfeit securities. 249.1200 Section 249.1200 Commodity and Securities... Reporting and Inquiry With Respect to Missing, Lost, Stolen, or Counterfeit Securities § 249.1200 Form...
48 CFR 52.249-1 - Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (Short Form).
... Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (Short Form). 52.249-1 Section 52.249-1 Federal Acquisition... Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (Short Form) (APR 1984) The Contracting Officer, by written notice... CONTRACT CLAUSES Text of Provisions and Clauses 52.249-1 Termination for Convenience of the...
17 CFR 249.332 - Form N-Q, quarterly schedule of portfolio holdings of registered management investment company.
... of portfolio holdings of registered management investment company. 249.332 Section 249.332 Commodity... Securities Exchange Act of 1934 § 249.332 Form N-Q, quarterly schedule of portfolio holdings of registered management investment company. This form shall be used by registered management investment companies,...
Interaction and diffusion transport of americium in soils
The final disposal of High Level Radioactive Wastes (HLRW) is based on its long-term storage in underground facilities located in geological stable sites with a multi-barrier system, the so called Deep Geological Repositories (DGR), that will keep HLRW confined for >10.000 years. After this period of time, leachates rich in long-live radioisotopes might escape from DGR and start to transport towards the biosphere. There is still a lack of information concerning the interaction and transport in soils of some radionuclides present in HLRW, especially for radionuclides that present a high sorption, such as americium (Am). Having reliable information about the mobility of radionuclides in soils is crucial in order to develop risk assessment models and to take proper decisions in case of soil contamination. The aim of the present work was, by means of laboratory scale experiments, to study the interaction and, for first time, to evaluate the diffusion transport of 241Am in soils. The 241Am interaction in soils was assessed by applying sorption batch assays to 20 soil samples with contrasted edaphic properties which allowed us to quantify the solid-liquid distribution coefficient (Kd) and desorption percentage. Kd (Am) values ranged from 103 to 105 L kg-1 and desorption percentages were always less than 2% which denoted a high capacity of the soil to incorporate the Am and a low reversibility of the sorption process. The influence of soil properties in 241Am interaction was studied by means of multiple linear and multivariate regressions. Although a single correlation between Kd (Am) values and a soil property was not found, the main properties affecting 241Am interaction in soils were soil pH, carbonate and organic matter contents in the soil. Finally, additional batch assays at different controlled pH were done to study Am sorption as a function of the contact solution pH. A variation of the Am sorption capacity was observed in all soils due to the dissolution of soil
Interaction and diffusion transport of americium in soils
Ramirez-Guinart, Oriol; Rigol, Anna; Vidal, Miquel [Analytical Chemistry department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Marti i Franques 1-11, 08028, Barcelona (Spain)
The final disposal of High Level Radioactive Wastes (HLRW) is based on its long-term storage in underground facilities located in geological stable sites with a multi-barrier system, the so called Deep Geological Repositories (DGR), that will keep HLRW confined for >10.000 years. After this period of time, leachates rich in long-live radioisotopes might escape from DGR and start to transport towards the biosphere. There is still a lack of information concerning the interaction and transport in soils of some radionuclides present in HLRW, especially for radionuclides that present a high sorption, such as americium (Am). Having reliable information about the mobility of radionuclides in soils is crucial in order to develop risk assessment models and to take proper decisions in case of soil contamination. The aim of the present work was, by means of laboratory scale experiments, to study the interaction and, for first time, to evaluate the diffusion transport of {sup 241}Am in soils. The {sup 241}Am interaction in soils was assessed by applying sorption batch assays to 20 soil samples with contrasted edaphic properties which allowed us to quantify the solid-liquid distribution coefficient (K{sub d}) and desorption percentage. K{sub d} (Am) values ranged from 10{sup 3} to 10{sup 5} L kg{sup -1} and desorption percentages were always less than 2% which denoted a high capacity of the soil to incorporate the Am and a low reversibility of the sorption process. The influence of soil properties in {sup 241}Am interaction was studied by means of multiple linear and multivariate regressions. Although a single correlation between K{sub d} (Am) values and a soil property was not found, the main properties affecting {sup 241}Am interaction in soils were soil pH, carbonate and organic matter contents in the soil. Finally, additional batch assays at different controlled pH were done to study Am sorption as a function of the contact solution pH. A variation of the Am sorption
E. B. Ershov
Full Text Available The article considers, on the basis of experimental data, the issue of assessing dose burdens to the skin basal layer in conditions of its permanent contamination with solutions of plutonium-239 and americium-241 and subsequent decontamination.
Metabolism of americium-241 in man: an unusual case of internal contamination of a child and his father
The metabolism of americium-241 was studied during an 8-yr period of an adult male and his son who, at the ages of 50 and 4, respectively, were accidentally and unknowingly contaminated within their home by means of inhalation. Chelation therapy with Na3(Ca-DTPA) was more effective in enhancing the removal of americium-241 from the child than from his father
17 CFR 249.322 - Form 12b-25-Notification of late filing.
... CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO...-annual, annual, or transition report on Form N-SAR (§§ 249.330; 274.101) or Form N-CSR (§§ 249.331; 274... to electronic difficulties should comply with either Rule 201 or Rule 202 of Regulation S-T (§...
Influence of biofilms on migration of uranium, americium and europium in the environment; Einfluss von Biofilmen auf das Migrationsverhalten von Uran, Americium und Europium in der Umwelt
Baumann, Nils; Zirnstein, Isabel; Arnold, Thuro
The report on the influence of biofilms on migration of uranium, americium and europium in the environment deals with the contamination problems of uranium mines such as SDAG WISMUT in Saxonia and Thuringia. In mine waters microorganisms form a complex microbiological biocoenosis in spite of low pH values and high heavy metal concentrations including high uranium concentrations. The analyses used microbiological methods like confocal laser scanning microscopy and molecular-biological techniques. The interactions of microorganism with fluorescent radioactive heavy metal ions were performed with TRLFS (time resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy).
Liquid-liquid extraction separation and sequential determination of plutonium and americium in environmental samples by alpha-spectrometry
A procedure is described by which plutonium and americium can be determined in environmental samples. The sample is leached with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, and the two elements are co-precipitated with ferric hydroxide and calcium oxalate. The calcium oxalate is incinerated at 4500 and the ash is dissolved in nitric acid. Plutonium is extracted with tri-n-octylamine solution in xylene from 4M nitric acid and stripped with ammonium iodide/hydrochloric acid. Americium is extracted with thenoyltrifluoroacetone solution in xylene at pH 4 together with rare-earth elements and stripped with 1M nitric acid. Americium and the rare-earth elements thus separated are sorbed on Dowex 1 x 4 resin from 1M nitric acid in 93% methanol, the rare-earth elements are eluted with 0.1M hydrochloric acid/0.5M ammonium thiocyanate/80% methanol and the americium is finally eluted with 1.5M hydrochloric acid in 86% methanol. Plutonium and americium in each fraction are electro-deposited and determined by alpha-spectrometry. Overall average recoveries are 81% for plutonium and 59% for americium. (author)
Bk and Cf chromatographic separation and 249Bk/248Cm and 249Cf/248Cm elemental ratios determination by inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry
The French Atomic Energy Commission has carried out several experiments for the study of minor-actinide transmutation processes in high intensity thermal neutron flux. In this context a Cm sample enriched in 248Cm (97%) was irradiated in a thermal neutron flux at the High Flux Reactor (HFR) of the Laue-Langevin Institute (ILL). The precise and accurate determination of Cf isotope ratios and of 249Bk/248Cm and 249Cf/248Cm elemental ratios in the 248Cm irradiated sample is crucial for the calculation of actinide neutron capture cross-sections.This work describes an analytical procedure for the separation and the isotope ratio measurement of Bk and Cf in the irradiated sample.The Bk and Cf separation is based on a lanthanides separation protocol previously developed by the laboratory. Well-defined retention times for Bk and Cf were obtained by coupling the Ionic Chromatography (IC) with an ICP-QMS. All conditions of element separation by IC and the different steps of the analytical protocol in order to obtain the isotopic and elemental ratios are presented. Relative uncertainties of Cf isotopic ratios range from 0.3% to 0.5% and the uncertainty of the 249Bk/248Cm and 249Cf/248Cm elemental ratios are respectively 6.1% and 3.2%.This level of uncertainty for both isotopic and elemental ratios is in perfect agreement with the requirement for transmutation studies. (authors)
Electrodeposition of americium on a liquid cadmium cathode from a molten salt bath
A high-activity experiment involving the electrode position of americium on a liquid cadmium cathode from a LiCl-KCl eutectic with about 3 g of AmO2 was conducted in a shielded cell in the ATALANTE complex. After describing the electrolyzer and the experimental conditions, the authors discuss the preparation of the LiCl-KCl-AmCl3 solution and briefly review its electrochemical properties. It was clearly confirmed that Am(III) reduction on an inert solid cathode occurs in two steps forming Am(II) before Am(0), whereas only one reduction step was observed on liquid cadmium. The main results of this study concern americium electrode position on the liquid cadmium cathode (recovery yields, current densities, problems encountered). The solvent properties of cadmium for actinide/lanthanide separation are discussed. (authors)
Experimental Insight into the Radiation Resistance of Zirconia-Based Americium Ceramics
Our works shows that the americium pyrochlore 241Am2Zr2O7 undergoes a phase transition to a defect-fluorite structure along with an unusual volume contraction when subjected to internal radiation from α-emitting actinides. Disorder relaxation proceeds through the simultaneous formation of cation anti sites and oxygen Frenkel pairs. X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Am-LII and the Zr-K edges reveals that Am-O polyhedra show an increasing disorder with increasing exposure. In contrast, the Zr-O polyhedral units remain highly ordered, while rotating along edges and corners, thereby reducing the structural strain imposed by the growing disorder around americium. We believe it is this particular property of the compound that provides the remarkable resistance to radiation (≥9.4 * 1018) α-decay events g-1 or 0.80 dpa). (authors)
Influence of some organic additives on the extractive separation of americium(III) by sulfoxides
The solvent extraction behavior of americium(III) from aqueous nitrate media by two long-chain aliphatic sulfoxides has been examined systematically in the presence of several water-miscible organic solvents to study their possible synergistic effect on metal ion extraction. Methanol, ethanol, n- and isopropanol, n-butanol, dioxane, acetone, as well as acetonitrile, were employed as the organic component of the mixed (polar) phase. These additives affected the extraction to varying degrees. Extractability of Am increased 5 to 10-fold with increasing concentration of some of these additives, with the maximum enhancement being observed in the presence of acetone or acetonitrile. However, alcohols are generally very poor in this respect. Possible reasons for such behavior are briefly discussed. The distribution of several common contaminants was also investigated at the optimum condition for americium extraction
Transmutation of americium and curium incorporated in zirconia-based host materials
Presented are studies involving the incorporation of americium and curium in zirconia-based materials. First explored was the pseudo ternary system AmO2-ZrO2-Y2O3. It was determined that selected Y-CSZ materials can incorporate significant quantities of americium oxide and remain cubic single-phase. The cell parameters of these fluorite-type products were established to be linear with the AmO2 content. The Cm2O3-ZrO2 system was also investigated. It was found that at 25 mol% of CmO1.5, the Cm(III) stabilized zirconia in its cubic form (a = 5.21 ±0.01 Angstrom). At higher and lower concentrations, diphasic materials were encountered. At 50 mol% of CmO1.5, a pyrochlore oxide - Cm2Zr2O7 - is formed (a = 10.63 ±0.02 Angstrom). (author)
Americium and samarium determination in aqueous solutions after separation by cation-exchange
The concentration of trivalent americium and samarium in aqueous samples has been determined by means of alpha-radiometry and UV-Vis photometry, respectively, after chemical separation and pre-concentration of the elements by cation-exchange using Chelex-100 resin. Method calibration was performed using americium (241Am) and samarium standard solutions and resulted in a high chemical recovery for cation-exchange. Regarding, the effect of physicochemical parameters (e.g. pH, salinity, competitive cations and colloidal species) on the separation recovery of the trivalent elements from aqueous solutions by cation-exchange has also been investigated. The investigation was performed to evaluate the applicability of cation-exchange as separation and pre-concentration method prior to the quantitative analysis of trivalent f-elements in water samples, and has shown that the method could be successfully applied to waters with relatively low dissolved solid content. (author)
Analysis of americium-beryllium neutron source composition using the FRAM code
Hypes, P. A. (Philip A.); Bracken, D. S. (David S.); Sampson, Thomas E.; Taylor, W. A. (Wayne A.)
The FRAM code was originally developed to analyze high-resolution gamma spectra from plutonium items. Its capabilities have since been expanded to include analysis of uranium spectra. The flexibility of the software also enables a capable spectroscopist to use FRAM to analyze spectra in which neither plutonium nor uranium is present in significant amounts. This paper documents the use of FRAM to determine the {sup 239}Pu/{sup 241}Am, {sup 243}Am/{sup 241}Am, {sup 237}Np/{sup 241}Am, and {sup 239}Np/{sup 241}Am ratios in americium-beryllium neutron sources. The effective specific power of each neutron source was calculated from the ratios determined by FRAM in order to determine the americium mass of each of these neutron sources using calorimetric assay. We will also discuss the use of FRAM for the general case of isotopic analysis of nonplutonium, nonuranium items.
Influence of environmental factors on the gastrointestinal absorption of plutonium and americium
The absorption of plutonium and americium from the gastrointestinal tract was studied, using adult hamsters and rabbits. Both actinides were administered as inorganic compounds, as organic complexes with naturally occurring chelating agents, and in a biologically incorporated form in liver tissues. The absorption of the tetravalent and hexavalent forms of plutonium were compared and the effect of protracted administration at very low concentrations was investigated. In addition, plutonium uptake from contaminated sediments and grass, collected near a nuclear-fuel reprocessing plant, was measured. The results of these studies suggest that chronic exposure of man to plutonium and americium in food and water will not lead to any substantial increase in their gastrointestinal absorption above the values currently recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection to define the occupational exposure of workers
Contemporary state of plutonium and americium in the soils of Palesse state radiation-ecological reserve
Full text: At present, the most important alpha-emitting radionuclides of Chernobyl origin are Pu 238, Pu 239, Pu 240 and Am 241. They are classified as the most dangerous group of radionuclides in view of the long half-lives and high radiotoxicity. The main part of alpha-emitted radionuclides is located within the Palesse State Radiation-Ecological Reserve. One of the most important factors determining the radioecological situation in the contaminated ecosystems is the physicochemical forms of radionuclides in a soil medium. Radionuclide species determine the radionuclide entrance into the soil solutions, their redistribution in soil profiles and the 'soil - plant' and the 'soil - surface, ground or underground water' systems as well as spreading beyond the contaminated area. The present work is devoted to investigation of state and migration ability of plutonium and americium in soils of the Palesse state radiation-ecological reserve after more than 20 years from the Chernobyl accident. The objects of investigation were mineral and organic soils sampled in 2008 with the step of 5 cm to the depth of 25-30 cm. The forms of plutonium and americium distinguishing by association with the different components of soil and by potential for migration in the soil medium were studied using the method of sequential selective extraction according to the modified Tessier scheme. Activities of Pu 238, Pu 239, Pu 240 and Am 241 in the samples were determined by the method of radiochemical analysis with alpha-spectrometer radionuclide identification. The dominant part of plutonium and americium in the soils is in immobile forms. Nowadays, radionuclide portions in water soluble and reversibly bound forms do not exceed 9.4 % of radionuclide content in the soil. In mineral soil samples, the radionuclide portions in these fractions exceed the corresponding portions in organic ones. In both mineral and organic soils, the portions of mobile americium are higher than plutonium. The
Standard test method for quantitative determination of americium 241 in plutonium by Gamma-Ray spectrometry
American Society for Testing and Materials. Philadelphia
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination of americium 241 by gamma-ray spectrometry in plutonium nitrate solution samples that do not contain significant amounts of radioactive fission products or other high specific activity gamma-ray emitters. 1.2 This test method can be used to determine the americium 241 in samples of plutonium metal, oxide and other solid forms, when the solid is appropriately sampled and dissolved. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Fabrication of neptunium, plutonium, americium and curium metals for fuel research
The techniques for the fabrication of actinide metals; neptunium, americium and curium called as minor actinides, and plutonium, are surveied in a viewpoint of the preparation of starting materials for fuel property measurements. In this report, the processes of the conversion to metals, purification et al. are reviewed. The concept related to the apparatus design is also proposed and the considerable subjects are discussed. (author)
Final Radiological Assessment of External Exposure for CLEAR-Line Americium Recovery Operations
Davis, Adam C. [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Belooussova, Olga N. [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Hetrick, Lucas Duane [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Los Alamos National Laboratory is currently planning to implement an americium recovery program. The americium, ordinarily isotopically pure 241Am, would be extracted from existing Pu materials, converted to an oxide and shipped to support fabrication of americium oxide-beryllium neutron sources. These operations would occur in the currently proposed Chloride Extraction and Actinide Recovery (CLEAR) line of glove boxes. This glove box line would be collocated with the currently-operational Experimental Chloride Extraction Line (EXCEL). The focus of this document is to provide an in-depth assessment of the currently planned radiation protection measures and to determine whether or not further design work is required to satisfy design-goal and ALARA requirements. Further, this document presents a history of americium recovery operations in the Department of Energy and high-level descriptions of the CLEAR line operations to provide a basis of comparison. Under the working assumptions adopted by this study, it was found that the evaluated design appears to mitigate doses to a level that satisfies the ALARA-in-design requirements of 10 CFR 835 as implemented by the Los Alamos National Laboratory procedure P121. The analyses indicate that extremity doses would also meet design requirements. Dose-rate calculations were performed using the radiation transport code MCNP5 and doses were estimated using a time-motion study developed in consort with the subject matter expert. A copy of this report and all supporting documentation are located on the Radiological Engineering server at Y:\\Rad Engineering\\2013 PROJECTS\\TA-55 Clear Line.
Fabrication of uranium–americium mixed oxide pellet from microsphere precursors: Application of CRMP process
Highlights: • Dust free process for (U,Am)O2 transmutation target fabrication. • Synthesis of U0.9Am0.1O2 mixed oxide microspheres from ion exchange resin. • Fabrication of dense U0.9Am0.1O2 pellet with 95% TD from mixed oxide microspheres. - Abstract: Mixed uranium–americium oxides are one of the materials envisaged for Americium Bearing Blankets dedicated to transmutation in fast neutron reactors. Recently, several processes have been developed in order to validate fabrication flowchart in terms of material specifications such as density and homogeneity but also to suggest simplifications for lowering industrial costs and hazards linked to dust generation of highly contaminating and irradiating compounds. This study deals with the application of an innovative route using mixed oxide microspheres obtained from metal loaded resin bead calcination, called Calcined Resin Microsphere Pelletization (CRMP). The synthesis of mixed oxide microsphere precursor of U0.9Am0.1O2±δ is described as well as its characterisation. The use of this free-flowing precursor allows the pressing and sintering of one pellet of U0.9Am0.1O2±δ. The ceramic obtained was characterised and results showed that its microstructure is dense and homogeneous and its density attains 95% of the theoretical density. This study validates the scientific feasibility of the CRMP process applied to the fabrication of uranium and americium-containing materials
Influence of dissolved organic substances in groundwater on sorption behavior of americium and neptunium
Groundwaters typically contain dissolved organic carbon consisting largely of high molecular weight compounds of humic and fulvic acids. To evaluate whether these dissolved organic substances can enhance the tranport of radionuclides through the groundwater system, experiments were conducted to examine the sorption of americium and neptunium onto crushed basalt in the presence of dissolved humic- and fulvic-acid organic carbon introduced into synthetic groundwater. The partitioning experiments with synthetic groundwater show that increasing the concentration of either humic or fulvic acid in the water has a significant inhibiting effect on sorption of both americium and neptunium. At 220C, adsorption of these radionuclides, as measured by distribution ratios (the ratio of nuclide sorbed onto the solid to nuclide in solution at the end of the experiment), decreased by 25% to 50% by addition of as little as 1 mg/L dissolved organic carbon and by one to two orders of magnitude by addition of 100 to 200 mg/L dissolved organic carbon. Distribution ratios measured in solutions reacted at 900C similarly decreased with the addition of dissolved organic carbon but generally ranged from one to two orders of magnitude higher than those determined in the 220C experiment. These results suggest that organic carbon dissolved in deep groundwaters may significantly enhance the mobility of radionuclides of americium and neptunium. 23 references, 5 figures, 11 tables
Bidentate organophosphorus extraction of americium and plutonium from Hanford Plutonium Reclamation Facility waste
Schulz, W.W.
Applicability of bidentate organiphosphorus reagents to recovery of americium and plutonium from Hanford's Plutonium Reclamation Facility acid (approx. 2M HNO/sub 3/) waste stream (CAW solution) was studied. A solvent extraction process which employs a 30% DHDECMP (dihexyl-N, N-diethylcarbamylmethylene phosphonate)-CCl/sub 4/ extractant was devised and successfully tested in mixer-settler runs with actual CAW solution. Substitution of DHDECMP for DBBP eliminates the need to perform careful neutralization of unbuffered CAW soluton and increases overall americium recovery from the present 60 to 80% level to greater than or equal to 90%. Disadvantages to such substitution include the high cost (approx. $50/liter) of DHDECMP and the need to purify it (by acid (6M HCl) hydrolysis and alkaline washing) from small amounts of an unidentified impurity which prevents stripping of americium with dilute HNO/sub 3/. Distribution data obtained in this study confirm Siddall's earlier contention that bidentate organophosphorus regents can be used to remove actinides from concentrated high-level Purex process acid waste; a conceptual flowsheet for such an extraction process is given.
Selective recovery of americium alone from PUREX or COEXTM raffinate by the EXAm process
Americium is the main contributor to the long-term radiotoxicity and to the heat generation of glasses used for the HLW conditioning. To decrease both impact on the ultimate waste and to avoid the difficult recycling of curium, the CEA has developed the EXAm process for the the separation and the recovery of the sole americium directly from PUREX or COEXTM raffinates. The principle of the EXAm process is to extract americium and light lanthanides from high nitric acid media, leaving curium and heavy lanthanides in the raffinate. A water-soluble amide molecule, TEDGA, is added in aqueous phase to increase Am/Cm and Am/heavy lanthanides selectivity, because of the preferential complexation of curium and heavy lanthanides by this diglycolamide. Many experimental data have been acquired mainly at the extraction-scrubbing step (Am/Cm separation) and were used for the development of a phenomenological model implemented in the PAREX process simulation code. The scientific feasibility demonstration of the EXAm process was then performed on a genuine PUREX raffinate in Atalante CBP hot cell in 2010. (author)
Uptake and effects of americium-241 on a brackish-water amphipod
The present paper reports the results of experimental work undertaken using the brackish-water amphipod Gammarus duebeni duebeni and the transuranium nuclide americium-241. Data on the accumulation of this actinide showed that the larger fraction of the total body burden is associated with the exoskeleton. It was found that the body burden remained constant in the range pH 8.0-6.5 even though the water concentration changed markedly. It would thus appear that the concept of a concentration factor should be re-examined and it is proposed that a factor should be defined in terms of environmental and chemical parameters which represent the bioavailable fraction of the actinide. The effect of americium on survival and moulting was studied at two activity concentrations; the dose rates and absorbed doses under the experimental conditions employed have been estimated. The differences in survival rates between the control and irradiated groups were statistically analyzed and the significant difference at the higher concentration is believed to be due to a synergism between physiological stress and radiotoxicity of americium rather than the chemical toxicity of the element. (orig.)
About the reaction between uranium-americium mixed oxides and sodium
The recycling and fission of the highly toxic minor actinides neptunium and americium is only possible in a liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor, for nuclear physical reasons. The present work is part of a research program dealing with the fuel-coolant interaction. Fuel pellets with equal parts of americium and uranium and varying oxygen-metal ratio were investigated. A behaviour comparable to that of uranium-plutonium mixed oxides was suggested as a first approach. The reaction of sodium with (U0.5Am0.5)O2-x results in a complete desintegration of the sintered pellet whereas (U, Pu)O2-x pellets show a small increase in volume. A first explanation of the strong reaction of uranium-americium mixed oxides compared to (U, Pu)O2-x or (U, Np)O2-x could be provided by the less negative oxygen potential of the former. Ternary and polynary oxides which are possible products of the fuel-coolant reaction were prepared and characterised by X-ray diffraction. Their oxygen potentials were measured using a solid state e.m.f. cell. Neither Na2AmO3 nor Na3AmO4 can coexist with sodium metal. The measured ΔGO2 values of the Am(IV) and Am (V)-compounds are much higher than those of the sodium uranates(VI) or sodium neptunates(VI). Only Na2O seems to be likely as product of the fuel-coolant interactions. It could be determined in reacted samples by X-ray diffraction. The relatively high oxygen potentials of (U0.5Am0.5)O2-x that are responsible for the reaction could be explained by a binding model which is based on an americium valency state of + 3 and U5+. The existence of both valency states could be proved by XPS measurements. Due to the similar behaviour of neptunium and uranium the problems that are expected for the recycling of Np are much smaller than for americium
249 TP53 mutation has high prevalence and is correlated with larger and poorly differentiated HCC in Brazilian patients
Paranaguá-Vezozzo Denise C
Full Text Available Abstract Background Ser-249 TP53 mutation (249Ser is a molecular evidence for aflatoxin-related carcinogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC and it is frequent in some African and Asian regions, but it is unusual in Western countries. HBV has been claimed to add a synergic effect on genesis of this particular mutation with aflatoxin. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of 249Ser mutation in HCC from patients in Brazil. Methods We studied 74 HCC formalin fixed paraffin blocks samples of patients whom underwent surgical resection in Brazil. 249Ser mutation was analyzed by RFLP and DNA sequencing. HBV DNA presence was determined by Real-Time PCR. Results 249Ser mutation was found in 21/74 (28% samples while HBV DNA was detected in 13/74 (16%. 249Ser mutation was detected in 21/74 samples by RFLP assay, of which 14 were confirmed by 249Ser mutant-specific PCR, and 12 by nucleic acid sequencing. All HCC cases with p53-249ser mutation displayed also wild-type p53 sequences. Poorly differentiated HCC was more likely to have 249Ser mutation (OR = 2.415, 95% CI = 1.001 – 5.824, p = 0.05. The mean size of 249Ser HCC tumor was 9.4 cm versus 5.5 cm on wild type HCC (p = 0.012. HBV DNA detection was not related to 249Ser mutation. Conclusion Our results indicate that 249Ser mutation is a HCC important factor of carcinogenesis in Brazil and it is associated to large and poorly differentiated tumors.
Fusion and quasifission dynamics in the reactions 48Ca+249Bk and 50Ti+249Bk using a time-dependent Hartree-Fock approach
Umar, A. S.; Oberacker, V. E.; Simenel, C.
Background: Synthesis of superheavy elements (SHEs) with fusion-evaporation reactions is strongly hindered by the quasifission (QF) mechanism which prevents the formation of an equilibrated compound nucleus and which depends on the structure of the reactants. New SHEs have been recently produced with doubly-magic 48Ca beams. However, SHE synthesis experiments with single-magic 50Ti beams have so far been unsuccessful. Purpose: In connection with experimental searches for Z =117 ,119 superheavy elements, we perform a theoretical study of fusion and quasifission mechanisms in 48Ca,50Ti+249Bk reactions in order to investigate possible differences in reaction mechanisms induced by these two projectiles. Methods: The collision dynamics and the outcome of the reactions are studied using unrestricted time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) calculations as well as the density-constrained TDHF method to extract the nucleus-nucleus potentials and the excitation energy in each fragment. Results: Nucleus-nucleus potentials, nuclear contact times, masses and charges of the fragments, as well as their kinetic and excitation energies strongly depend on the orientation of the prolate 249Bk nucleus. Long contact times associated with fusion are observed in collisions of both projectiles with the side of the 249Bk nucleus, but not on collisions with its tip. The energy and impact parameter dependencies of the fragment properties, as well as their mass-angle and mass-total kinetic energy correlations are investigated. Conclusions: Entrance channel reaction dynamics are similar with both 48Ca and 50Ti projectiles. Both are expected to lead to the formation of a compound nucleus by fusion if they have enough energy to get in contact with the side of the 249Bk target.
Americium(3) coordination chemistry: An unexplored diversity of structure and bonding
Fedosseev, A.M.; Grigoriev, M.S.; Budantseva, N.A. [A.N. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Moscow (Russian Federation); Guillaumont, D.; Den Auwer, Ch.; Moisy, Ph. [CEA Marcoule, Nuclear Energy Division, RadioChemistry and Processes Department, 30 (France); Le Naour, C.; Simoni, E. [CNRS, University Paris-11 Orsay, IPN, 91 - Orsay (France)
The comparison of the physicochemical behavior of the actinides with that of the lanthanides can be justified by the analogy of their electronic structure, as each of the series is made up of elements corresponding to the filling of a given (n)f atomic shell. However relatively few points of comparison are available, given the lack of available structure for trans-plutonium(III) elements and the additional difficulty of stabilizing coordination complexes of uranium(III) to plutonium(III). This contribution is a focal point of trans-plutonium(III) chemistry and, more specifically, of some americium compounds that have been recently synthesized, all related with hard acid oxygen donor ligands that may be involved in the reprocessing chain of nuclear fuel. After a brief review of the solid hydrates and aquo species for the lanthanide and actinide families, we discuss two types of ligands that have in common three carboxylic groups, namely the amino-tri-acetic acid and the citric acid anions. The additional roles of the nitrogen atom for the first one and of the hydroxy function for the second one are discussed. Accordingly, five new complexes with either americium or lanthanides elements are described: [Co(NH{sub 3}){sub 6}][M(NTA){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O)].8H{sub 2}O with M Nd, Yb and Am, and [Co(NH{sub 3}){sub 6}]{sub 2}K[M{sub 3}(Cit){sub 4}(H{sub 2}O){sub 3}].18H{sub 2}O with Nd and Am cations. In all cases the americium complexes are isostructural with their lanthanide equivalents. (authors)
Americium(3) coordination chemistry: An unexplored diversity of structure and bonding
The comparison of the physicochemical behavior of the actinides with that of the lanthanides can be justified by the analogy of their electronic structure, as each of the series is made up of elements corresponding to the filling of a given (n)f atomic shell. However relatively few points of comparison are available, given the lack of available structure for trans-plutonium(III) elements and the additional difficulty of stabilizing coordination complexes of uranium(III) to plutonium(III). This contribution is a focal point of trans-plutonium(III) chemistry and, more specifically, of some americium compounds that have been recently synthesized, all related with hard acid oxygen donor ligands that may be involved in the reprocessing chain of nuclear fuel. After a brief review of the solid hydrates and aquo species for the lanthanide and actinide families, we discuss two types of ligands that have in common three carboxylic groups, namely the amino-tri-acetic acid and the citric acid anions. The additional roles of the nitrogen atom for the first one and of the hydroxy function for the second one are discussed. Accordingly, five new complexes with either americium or lanthanides elements are described: [Co(NH3)6][M(NTA)2(H2O)].8H2O with M Nd, Yb and Am, and [Co(NH3)6]2K[M3(Cit)4(H2O)3].18H2O with Nd and Am cations. In all cases the americium complexes are isostructural with their lanthanide equivalents. (authors)
Speciation of americium in seawater and accumulation in the marine sponge Aplysina cavernicola.
Maloubier, Melody; Michel, Hervé; Solari, Pier Lorenzo; Moisy, Philippe; Tribalat, Marie-Aude; Oberhaensli, François R; Dechraoui Bottein, Marie Yasmine; Thomas, Olivier P; Monfort, Marguerite; Moulin, Christophe; Den Auwer, Christophe
The fate of radionuclides in the environment is a cause of great concern for modern society, seen especially in 2011 after the Fukushima accident. Among the environmental compartments, seawater covers most of the earth's surface and may be directly or indirectly impacted. The interaction between radionuclides and the marine compartment is therefore essential for better understanding the transfer mechanisms from the hydrosphere to the biosphere. This information allows for the evaluation of the impact on humans via our interaction with the biotope that has been largely undocumented up to now. In this report, we attempt to make a link between the speciation of heavy elements in natural seawater and their uptake by a model marine organism. More specifically, because the interaction of actinides with marine invertebrates has been poorly studied, the accumulation in a representative member of the Mediterranean coralligenous habitat, the sponge Aplysina cavernicola, was investigated and its uptake curve exposed to a radiotracer (241)Am was estimated using a high-purity Ge gamma spectrometer. But in order to go beyond the phenomenological accumulation rate, the speciation of americium(III) in seawater must be assessed. The speciation of (241)Am (and natural europium as its chemically stable surrogate) in seawater was determined using a combination of different techniques: Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Fluorescence (TRLIF), Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) at the LIII edge, Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the resulting data were compared with the speciation modeling. In seawater, the americium(III) complex (as well as the corresponding europium complex, although with conformational differences) was identified as a ternary sodium biscarbonato complex, whose formula can be tentatively written as NaAm(CO3)2·nH2O. It is therefore this chemical form of americium that is
Fabrication of uranium–americium mixed oxide pellet from microsphere precursors: Application of CRMP process
Remy, E. [Radiochemistry and Processes Department, CEA, Nuclear Energy Division, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Picart, S., E-mail: email@example.com [Radiochemistry and Processes Department, CEA, Nuclear Energy Division, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Delahaye, T. [Fuel Cycle Technology Department, CEA, Nuclear Energy Division, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Jobelin, I. [Radiochemistry and Processes Department, CEA, Nuclear Energy Division, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Lebreton, F.; Horlait, D. [Fuel Cycle Technology Department, CEA, Nuclear Energy Division, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Bisel, I. [Radiochemistry and Processes Department, CEA, Nuclear Energy Division, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Blanchart, P. [Heterogeneous Materials Research Group, Centre Européen de la Céramique, F-87068 Limoges (France); Ayral, A. [Institut Européen des Membranes, CNRS-ENSCM-UM2, CC47, University Montpellier 2, F-34095 Montpellier cedex 5 (France)
Highlights: • Dust free process for (U,Am)O{sub 2} transmutation target fabrication. • Synthesis of U{sub 0.9}Am{sub 0.1}O{sub 2} mixed oxide microspheres from ion exchange resin. • Fabrication of dense U{sub 0.9}Am{sub 0.1}O{sub 2} pellet with 95% TD from mixed oxide microspheres. - Abstract: Mixed uranium–americium oxides are one of the materials envisaged for Americium Bearing Blankets dedicated to transmutation in fast neutron reactors. Recently, several processes have been developed in order to validate fabrication flowchart in terms of material specifications such as density and homogeneity but also to suggest simplifications for lowering industrial costs and hazards linked to dust generation of highly contaminating and irradiating compounds. This study deals with the application of an innovative route using mixed oxide microspheres obtained from metal loaded resin bead calcination, called Calcined Resin Microsphere Pelletization (CRMP). The synthesis of mixed oxide microsphere precursor of U{sub 0.9}Am{sub 0.1}O{sub 2±δ} is described as well as its characterisation. The use of this free-flowing precursor allows the pressing and sintering of one pellet of U{sub 0.9}Am{sub 0.1}O{sub 2±δ}. The ceramic obtained was characterised and results showed that its microstructure is dense and homogeneous and its density attains 95% of the theoretical density. This study validates the scientific feasibility of the CRMP process applied to the fabrication of uranium and americium-containing materials.
Americium characterization by X-ray fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy in plutonium uranium mixed oxide
Plutonium uranium mixed oxide (MOX) fuels are currently used in nuclear reactors. The actinides in these fuels need to be analyzed after irradiation for assessing their behaviour with regard to their environment and the coolant. In this work the study of the atomic structure and next-neighbour environment of Am in the (Pu,U)O2 lattice in an irradiated (60 MW d kg−1) MOX sample was performed employing micro-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) and micro-X-ray absorption fine structure (µ-XAFS) spectroscopy. The chemical bonds, valences and stoichiometry of Am (∼0.66 wt%) are determined from the experimental data gained for the irradiated fuel material examined in its peripheral zone (rim) of the fuel. In the irradiated sample Am builds up as Am3+ species within an [AmO8]13− coordination environment (e.g. >90%) and no (III XAFS spectra recorded for the irradiated MOX sub-sample in the rim zone for a 300 μm×300 μm beam size area investigated over six scans of 4 h. The records remain constant during multi-scan. The analysis of the XAFS signal shows that Am is found as trivalent in the UO2 matrix. This analytical work shall open the door of very challenging analysis (speciation of fission product and actinides) in irradiated nuclear fuels. - Highlights: • Americium was characterized by microX-ray absorption spectroscopy in irradiated MOX fuel. • The americium redox state as determined from XAS data of irradiated fuel material was Am(III). • In the sample, the Am3+ face an AmO813− coordination environment in the (Pu,U)O2 matrix. • The americium dioxide is reduced by the uranium dioxide matrix
Recovery of Americium-241 from lightning rod by the method of chemical treatment
About 95% of the lightning rods installed in the Peruvian territory have set in their structures, pose small amounts of radioactive sources such as Americium-241 (241Am), fewer and Radium 226 (226Ra) these are alpha emitters and have a half life of 432 years and 1600 years respectively. In this paper describes the recovery of radioactive sources of 241Am radioactive lightning rods using the conventional chemical treatment method using agents and acids to break down the slides. The 241Am recovered was as excitation source and alpha particle generator for analysing samples by X Ray Fluorescence, for fixing the stainless steel 241Am technique was used electrodeposition. (author)
Report of scouting study on precipitation of strontium, plutonium, and americium from Hanford complexant concentrate waste
A laboratory scouting test was conducted of precipitation methods for reducing the solubility of radionuclides in complexant concentrate (CC) waste solution. The results show that addition of strontium nitrate solution is effective in reducing the liquid phase activity of 90Sr (Strontium) in CC waste from tank 107-AN by 94% when the total strontium concentration is adjusted to 0.1 M. Addition of ferric nitrate solution effective in reducing the 241Am (Americium) activity in CC waste by 96% under the conditions described in the report. Ferric nitrate was also marginally effective in reducing the solubility of 239/240Pu (Plutonium) in CC waste
Plutonium and americium in arctic waters, the North Sea and Scottish and Irish coastal zones
Hallstadius, L.; Aarkrog, Asker; Dahlgaard, Henning;
Plutonium and americium have been measured in surface waters of the Greenland and Barents Seas and in the northern North Sea from 1980 through 1984. Measurements in water and biota, Fucus, Mytilus and Patella, were carried out in North-English and Scottish waters in 1982 and Fucus samples were...... plutonium from the latter to Spitsbergen waters. Fallout plutonium in Arctic waters has a residence time of the order of several years, while for Pu from Sellafield we estimate mean residence times of 11–15 months in Scottish waters and, tentatively, 1·5-3 y during transport from the North Channel (north...
Americium and curium heterogeneous transmutation in moderated S/ A in the framework of CNE scenarios studies
This paper presents the transmutation of Americium and Curium in a heterogeneous mode in the framework of the 1991 French Law concerning waste management. Two scenarios with moderated targets are presented: a 100% frit reactor (EFR) scenario multi-recycling Pu+Np with targets of Am+Cm placed in core and a mixed PWR (UOX fuel) and fast reactor (50% of EFR) multi-recycling Pu+Np and containing targets in core and in the blanket region. The design of the target is based on classical fast fuel S/A technology (pins, spacer wires,...) and should reach the goal of 90% fission rate. (authors)
Laboratory investigation of the role of desorption kinetics on americium transport associated with bentonite colloids.
Dittrich, Timothy Mark; Boukhalfa, Hakim; Ware, Stuart Douglas; Reimus, Paul William
Understanding the parameters that control colloid-mediated transport of radionuclides is important for the safe disposal of used nuclear fuel. We report an experimental and reactive transport modeling examination of americium transport in a groundwater-bentonite-fracture fill material system. A series of batch sorption and column transport experiments were conducted to determine the role of desorption kinetics from bentonite colloids in the transport of americium through fracture materials. We used fracture fill material from a shear zone in altered granodiorite collected from the Grimsel Test Site (GTS) in Switzerland and colloidal suspensions generated from FEBEX bentonite, a potential repository backfill material. The colloidal suspension (100 mg L(-1)) was prepared in synthetic groundwater that matched the natural water chemistry at GTS and was spiked with 5.5 × 10(-10) M (241)Am. Batch characterizations indicated that 97% of the americium in the stock suspension was adsorbed to the colloids. Breakthrough experiments conducted by injecting the americium colloidal suspension through three identical columns in series, each with mean residence times of 6 h, show that more than 95% of the bentonite colloids were transported through each of the columns, with modeled colloid filtration rates (k(f)) of 0.01-0.02 h(-1). Am recoveries in each column were 55-60%, and Am desorption rate constants from the colloids, determined from 1-D transport modeling, were 0.96, 0.98, and 0.91 h(-1) in the three columns, respectively. The consistency in Am recoveries and desorption rate constants in each column indicates that the Am was not associated with binding sites of widely-varying strengths on the colloids, as one binding site with fast kinetics represented the system accurately for all three sequential columns. Our data suggest that colloid-mediated transport of Am in a bentonite-fracture fill material system is unlikely to result in transport over long distance scales because
Purification of used scintillation liquids containing the alpha emitters americium and plutonium
In Sweden, alpha radioactive waste liquids with an activity over some kBq per waste container cannot be sent for final storage. Therefore, in this work, a method for a purification of alpha active scintillation cocktails was developed. Until today (March, 2013) more than 20 L of scintillation liquids have successfully been purified from americium and plutonium. The products of the process are a solid fraction that can be sent to final storage and a practically non-radioactive liquid fraction that can be sent to municipal incineration. (author)
Comparison of acid leachate and fusion methods to determine plutonium and americium in environmental samples
The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at Argonne National Laboratory performs radiochemical analyses for a wide variety of sites within the Department of Energy complex. Since the chemical history of the samples may vary drastically from site to site, the effectiveness of any analytical technique may also vary. This study compares a potassium fluoride-pyrosulfate fusion technique with an acid leachate method. Both normal and high-fired soils and vegetation samples were analyzed for both americium and plutonium. Results show both methods work well, except for plutonium in high-fired soils. Here the fusion method provides higher accuracy
Plutonium and americium in arctic waters, the North Sea and Scottish and Irish coastal zones
Hallstadius, L.; Aarkrog, Asker; Dahlgaard, Henning; Holm, E.; Boelskifte, S.; Duniec, S.; Persson, B.
Plutonium and americium have been measured in surface waters of the Greenland and Barents Seas and in the northern North Sea from 1980 through 1984. Measurements in water and biota, Fucus, Mytilus and Patella, were carried out in North-English and Scottish waters in 1982 and Fucus samples were...... plutonium from the latter to Spitsbergen waters. Fallout plutonium in Arctic waters has a residence time of the order of several years, while for Pu from Sellafield we estimate mean residence times of 11–15 months in Scottish waters and, tentatively, 1·5-3 y during transport from the North Channel (north of...
Influence of biofilms on migration of uranium, americium and europium in the environment
The report on the influence of biofilms on migration of uranium, americium and europium in the environment deals with the contamination problems of uranium mines such as SDAG WISMUT in Saxonia and Thuringia. In mine waters microorganisms form a complex microbiological biocoenosis in spite of low pH values and high heavy metal concentrations including high uranium concentrations. The analyses used microbiological methods like confocal laser scanning microscopy and molecular-biological techniques. The interactions of microorganism with fluorescent radioactive heavy metal ions were performed with TRLFS (time resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy).
Numerical simulation for concentration profiles of americium and lanthanides in the CMPO-TBP solvent extraction system
A numerical simulation code is developed to predict the extraction behavior of americium and lanthanides in the TRUEX (TRansUranium EXtraction)process. This code gives the concentration profiles of the components at steady state. The stage efficiency is included in this code as a parameter in order to simulate the extraction behavior of the components accurately. Concentration profiles of americium and typical lanthanides in some counter current experiments are calculated by means of the present code. The calculated concentration profiles are compared with the experimental results. The efficiency value for the mixer-settlers, which gives good agreement between the calculated and the experimental profiles, is evaluated. (author)
Numerical simulation for concentration profiles of americium and lanthanides in the CMPO-TBP solvent extraction system
A numerical simulation code for the TRUEX (TRansUranium EXtraction) process is developed to predict the extraction behavior of americium and lanthanides. This code gives the concentrations of the components at the steady state of the TRUEX process. The stage efficiency is applied to this code in order to simulate the extraction behavior of the components accurately. Concentration profiles of americium and typical lanthanides in some counter current experiments are calculated by means of the present code. The calculated profiles are compared with the experimental ones. The efficiency value for the mixer-settlers, which gives the best agreement between the two profiles, is investigated
Study of the extraction and the purification of americium and trivalent actinides contained in effluents with supported liquid membranes
The supported liquid membrane technique is studied and developed for americium recovery from uranium or plutonium matrices and decontamination of liquid radioactive wastes. First tests on uranium-nickel solutions with a flat membrane showed the easiness of the operation and the efficiency of the process. Acid-resistant (10 N), interchangeable elements with hollow fibers, are developed and also a computerized automatic device. The different tests on americium solutions demonstrate the feasibility and the reliability of the system. Influence of various parameters on transfer kinetics is investigated
Experimental and in situ investigations on americium, curium and plutonium behaviour in marine benthic species: transfer from water or sediments
The tranfer of transuranic elements -americium, curium and plutonium- from the sediments containing them to some marine benthic species (endofauna and epifauna) was studied with a twofold approach - laboratory and in-situ investigation. The experimental investigations, divided into three parts, made it possible to specify concentration factors (F.C.), transfer factors (F.T.) and to understand the process involved for 5 benthic species. The result were refined by an in-situ study that brought new data on the marine distribution of the transuranic elements released by the La Hague plant. Finally, the localization of americium and plutonium in the tissues and cells of these species was determined by autoradiography
17 CFR 249.218 - Form 18, for foreign governments and political subdivisions thereof.
... Federal Register citations affecting Form 18, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Form 18, for foreign... for Registration of Securities on National Securities Exchanges and Similar Matters § 249.218 Form...
Vitrification of F-area americium/curium: feasibility study and preliminary process recommendation
Work was performed to identify a process to vitrify the contents of F- canyon Tank 17.1. Tank 17.1 contains the majority of americium (Am) and curium (Cm) contained in the DOE Complex. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has made a formal request for this material as fuel for production of Cf252 and other transplutonium actinides. The Am and Cm (and associated lanthanide fission products) are currently in nitric acid solution. Transportation of the intensely radioactive Am/Cm in liquid form is not considered possible. As a result, the material will either be solidified and shipped to ORNL or discarded to the Tank Farm. Nuclear Materials Processing Technology (NMPT), therefore, requested Defense Waste Processing Technology (DWPT) to determine if the Tank 17.1 material could be vitrified, and if it was vitrified could the americium and curium be successfully recovered. Research was performed to determine if the Tank 17.1 contents could indeed be mixed with glass formers and vitrified. Additional studies identified critical process parameters such as heat loading, melter requirements, off-gas evolution, etc. Discussions with NMPT personnel were initiated to determine existing facilities where this work could be accomplished safely. A process has been identified which will convert the Am/Cm material into approximately 300kg of glass
Transfer of radiocaesium, plutonium and americium to sheep after ingestion of contaminated soil
A dual isotope method has been used to study the transfer of 137Cs, 239/240Pu and 241Am to sheep following ingestion of contaminated soil. Two soils were used; an alluvial gley contaminated by Sellafield discharges, and an organic soil, artificially contaminated in a lysimeter. Values of the true absorption coefficient of radiocaesium of 0.19 +/- 0.03 and 0.03 +/- 0.01 respectively were obtained for these soils. This implies an availability factor for soil-associated radiocaesium of up to about 20 pc compared to radiocaesium ingested in soluble form. The absorption of plutonium and americium was not significantly different for the two soils tested. Absorption of both plutonium and americium was in the range 10-5 - 10-4, with mean values of 7 x 10-5 and 4 x 10-5 obtained respectively. These values imply availability factors of around 10 pc, compared to the value of 5 x 10-4 recommended by ICRP for plutonium ingested in a comparatively available form. These results are compared with estimates of availability made using an in-vitro approach
Transfer of radiocaesium, plutonium and americium to sheep after ingestion of contaminated soil
Cooke, A.I.; Weekes, T.E.C. [Newcastle upon Tyne Univ. (United Kingdom). Dept. of Biological and Nutritional Sciences; Rimmer, D.L. [Newcastle upon Tyne Univ. (United Kingdom). Dept. of Agricultural and Environmental Science; Green, N.; Wilkins, B.T. [National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton (United Kingdom)
A dual isotope method has been used to study the transfer of {sup 137}Cs, {sup 239/240}Pu and {sup 241}Am to sheep following ingestion of contaminated soil. Two soils were used; an alluvial gley contaminated by Sellafield discharges, and an organic soil, artificially contaminated in a lysimeter. Values of the true absorption coefficient of radiocaesium of 0.19 +/- 0.03 and 0.03 +/- 0.01 respectively were obtained for these soils. This implies an availability factor for soil-associated radiocaesium of up to about 20 pc compared to radiocaesium ingested in soluble form. The absorption of plutonium and americium was not significantly different for the two soils tested. Absorption of both plutonium and americium was in the range 10{sup -5} - 10{sup -4}, with mean values of 7 x 10{sup -5} and 4 x 10{sup -5} obtained respectively. These values imply availability factors of around 10 pc, compared to the value of 5 x 10{sup -4} recommended by ICRP for plutonium ingested in a comparatively available form. These results are compared with estimates of availability made using an in-vitro approach
Americium and europium extraction from carbonate solutions by 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolone -5
Trivalent TPEs and REEs are extractable from carbonate solutions by 1-pheny-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolone-5 (PMBP). The effect of concentration of KHCO3 and K2CO3, extractant, metal, and other factors on the extent of extraction of the elements has been clarified. The kinetics of extraction of the elements from carbonate solutions has been studied. It has been shown that in the KHCO3 concentration range 0.2-2.0 M americium and europium are extracted by PMBP solutions in different diluents with distribution coefficients lying within n x 102-n x 103. From K2CO3 solutions the elements are extracted better by PMBP solutions in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). It has been shown that metal concentration in the range 1x10-5. 5x10-3 g-ion x liter-1 does not affect extraction (log E = 3). Extracts based on PMBP with a metal content higher than 5x10-3g-ion x liter-1 were obtained by absolute concentrating method and were used for the study of 13C NMR spectra. The composition of thecompounds extracted by PMBP from carbonate solutions was determined by 13C NMR spectroscopy and extraction. The conditions of europium and americium reextraction from extracts based on PMBP by complexones, their mixtures with alkalis and other substances were studied. The scopes for using the system PMBP-carbonate solutions to separate and concentrate TPEs and REEs has been examined
Evaluation of americium-241 toxicity influence on the microbial growth of organic wastes
Available in abstract form only. Full text of publication follows: Since the licenses for using radioactive sources in radioactive lightning rods were lifted by the Brazilian national nuclear authority, in 1989, the radioactive devices have been replaced by Franklin type and collected as radioactive waste. However, only 20 percent of the estimated total number of installed rods was delivered to Brazilian Nuclear Commission. This situation causes concern, due to, first, the possibility of the rods being disposed as domestic waste, and second, the americium, the most commonly employed radionuclide, is classified as a high-toxicity element. In the present study, Am-241 migration experiments were performed by a lysimeter system, in order to evaluate the risk of contamination caused by radioactive lightning rods disposed as a common solid waste. Besides the risk evaluation, it is important to know the mechanism of the Am-241 release or retention in waste as well as its influence in the waste decomposition processes. Many factors are involved, but microorganisms present in the waste play an important role in its degradation, which control the physical and chemical processes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the Am-241 influence on the microbial population by counting number of cells in lysimeters leachate. Preliminary results suggest that americium may influence significantly the bacteria growth in organic waste, evidenced by culture under aerobiosis and an-aerobiosis and the antimicrobial resistance test. (authors)
Contribution to the prediction of americium, plutonium and neptunium behaviour in the geosphere: chemical data
An exhaustive bibliographic review on hydrolysis of americium gives the stability constants, at zero ionic strength. No evidence of Am(OH)4- formation was found by solubility studies up to pH 2 (CO3)3 characterised by its X-ray diffraction pattern is studied at a high ionic strength. All the published results on Am in carbonate media are reinterpreted using these stability constants (Am-OH-CO3 complexes are not needed). No evidence of Am(CO3)45- formation was found by spectrophotometry up to 3M. Literature results are used to determine the formal redox potentials at pH = 9.4 and to calculate the formation constants, at zero ionic strength. The formation of complexes between americium and humic materials (purified fulvic and humic acids) has been studied by a spectrophotometric technique. The results are interpreted by the formation of a 1:1 complexe. Solubility of the solid PuO2(CO3) is measured in bicarbonate media at high ionic strength, to obtain the solubility product and formation constants of the PuO2(CO3)i2-2i complexes
Antibiotic Allergic Analysis on 249 Griess Test Negatives%249株革兰阴性杆菌抗生素敏感性分析
张月明; 刘新焕; 卢立新; 路向东; 步金慧
@@ 随着新的抗生素不断使用,细菌对抗生素的敏感性也发生变化.为了解临床革兰阴性杆菌对抗生素的敏感性,将2000年1月~2001年7月分离的249株革兰阴性杆菌进行抗生素敏感性分析,现报告如下.
EURADOS intercomparison on measurements and Monte Carlo modelling for the assessment of Americium in a USTUR leg phantom
A collaboration of the EURADOS working group on 'Internal Dosimetry' and the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR) has taken place to carry out an intercomparison on measurements and Monte Carlo modelling determining americium deposited in the bone of a USTUR leg phantom. Preliminary results and conclusions of this intercomparison exercise are presented here. (authors)
An economic analysis of a light and heavy water moderated reactor synergy: burning americium using recycled uranium
An economic analysis is presented for a proposed synergistic system between 2 nuclear utilities, one operating light water reactors (LWR) and another running a fleet of heavy water moderated reactors (HWR). Americium is partitioned from LWR spent nuclear fuel (SNF) to be transmuted in HWRs, with a consequent averted disposal cost to the LWR operator. In return, reprocessed uranium (RU) is supplied to the HWRs in sufficient quantities to support their operation both as power generators and americium burners. Two simplifying assumptions have been made. First, the economic value of RU is a linear function of the cost of fresh natural uranium (NU), and secondly, plutonium recycling for a third utility running a mixed oxide (MOX) fuelled reactor fleet has been already taking place, so that the extra cost of americium recycling is manageable. We conclude that, in order for this scenario to be economically attractive to the LWR operator, the averted disposal cost due to partitioning americium from LWR spent fuel must exceed 214 dollars per kg, comparable to estimates of the permanent disposal cost of the high level waste (HLW) from reprocessing spent LWR fuel. (authors)
Effects of Hanford high-level waste components on sorption of cobalt, strontium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium on Hanford sediments
Delegard, C H; Barney, G S
To judge the feasibility of continued storage of high-level waste solutions in existing tanks, effects of chemical waste components on the sorption of hazardous radioelements were determined. Experiments identified the effects of 12 Hanford high-level waste-solution components on the sorption of cobalt, strontium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium on 3 Hanford 200 Area sediments. The degree of sorption of strontium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium on two Hanford sediments was then quantified in terms of the concentrations of the influential waste components. Preliminary information on the influence of the waste components on radioelement solubility was gathered. Of the 12 Hanford waste-solution components studied, the most influential on radioelement sorption were NaOH, NaAlO/sub 2/, HEDTA, and EDTA. The chelating complexants, HEDTA and EDTA, generally decreased sorption by complexation of the radioelement metal ions. The components NaOH and NaAlO/sub 2/ decreased neptunium and plutonium sorption and increased cobalt sorption. Americium sorption was increased by NaOH. The three Hanford sediments' radioelement sorption behaviors were similar, implying that their sorption reactions were also similar. Sorption prediction equations were generated for strontium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium sorption reactions on two Hanford sediments. The equations yielded values of the distribution coefficient, K/sub d/, as quadratic functions of waste-component concentrations and showed that postulated radioelement migration rates through Hanford sediment could change by factors of 13 to 40 by changes in Hanford waste composition.
Effects of Hanford high-level waste components on sorption of cobalt, strontium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium on Hanford sediments
To judge the feasibility of continued storage of high-level waste solutions in existing tanks, effects of chemical waste components on the sorption of hazardous radioelements were determined. Experiments identified the effects of 12 Hanford high-level waste-solution components on the sorption of cobalt, strontium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium on 3 Hanford 200 Area sediments. The degree of sorption of strontium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium on two Hanford sediments was then quantified in terms of the concentrations of the influential waste components. Preliminary information on the influence of the waste components on radioelement solubility was gathered. Of the 12 Hanford waste-solution components studied, the most influential on radioelement sorption were NaOH, NaAlO2, HEDTA, and EDTA. The chelating complexants, HEDTA and EDTA, generally decreased sorption by complexation of the radioelement metal ions. The components NaOH and NaAlO2 decreased neptunium and plutonium sorption and increased cobalt sorption. Americium sorption was increased by NaOH. The three Hanford sediments' radioelement sorption behaviors were similar, implying that their sorption reactions were also similar. Sorption prediction equations were generated for strontium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium sorption reactions on two Hanford sediments. The equations yielded values of the distribution coefficient, K/sub d/, as quadratic functions of waste-component concentrations and showed that postulated radioelement migration rates through Hanford sediment could change by factors of 13 to 40 by changes in Hanford waste composition
Anomalous aryl strengthening of americium and europium complexes during extraction by alkylenediphosphine dioxides from perchloric acid media
Extraction of americium and europium from perchlorate environments by solutions of three types of methylenediphosphine dioxides, namely (C6H5)P(O)(CH2)sub(n)(O)P(C6H5)2, (C6H5)2P(O)CH2(O)P(C8H17)2 and (C8H17)2P(O)(CH2)sub(n)(O)P(C8H17)2 has been studied (n is 1 or 2 ) The diluents used have been dichlorethane and chloroform. In perchlorate environments the distribuiton coefficients of americium and europium have proved to be by about 3 orders of magnitude higher than in nitric acid environments, i.e. in perchlorate media the complexes are far more stable. Separation coefficients of americium and REE in perchloric acid soutions are much higher than in nitrate environments. The average value of Am/Eu separation coeffecient at 1-5 M acidity was about 6 (with dichlorethane as diluent) or about 7 (with chloroform as diluent). The complexes essentially exist as trisolvated. Americium complexes display anomalous stability increase upon being diluted: by about 2 orders of magnitude with dichlorethane and by up to 3 orders of magnitude with chloroform used as diluent
Investigations of neutron characteristics for salt blanket models; integral fission cross section measurements of neptunium, plutonium, americium and curium isotopes
Neutron characteristics of salt blanket micromodels containing eutectic mixtures of sodium, zirconium, and uranium fluorides were measured on FKBN-2M, BIGR and MAKET facilities. The effective fission cross sections of neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium isotopes were measured on the neutron spectra formed by micromodels. (author)
The distribution of plutonium-239 and americium-241 in the Syrian hamster following its intravenous administration as citrate
Actinide distribution in various tissues and the skeleton of hamsters by liquid scintillation counting or isotope dilution. For plutonium 57% of activity was concentrated in the skeleton and more than 90% in the liver and skeleton after seven days. For americium the liver retained more than 50% of total activity and 25% was excreted in urine within seven days. (U.K.)
Application of ion-exchange chromatography to eliminate the curium from americium by his determination by the method of liquid scintillation spectrometry
The aim of this work is to eliminate curium in determining of americium by the method of liquid scintillation spectrometry. The paper introduces a method that has been done to eliminate curium from americium by determining of americium with liquid scintillation spectrometry method. In the research we used ion-exchange chromatography and ion-exchange sorbents DOWEX. We also observed the effect of geometry organization of column on the separation course. Resources for alpha spectrometry were prepared by micro-precipitation with neodymium chloride. High radiochemical yields were achieved, but separation did not take place according to a pre-separation scheme. (authors)
Purification of scintillation cocktails containing the alpha emitters americium and plutonium
One efficient way of measuring alpha emitters is by the usage of liquid scintillation counting (LSC). A liquid sample is placed in a vial containing a scintillation cocktail. The alpha particles excite electrons in the surrounding liquid, and when they are de-excited photons are emitted. The photons are detected and the activity can be quantified. LSC has a high efficiency for alpha radiation and is therefore a fast and easy way for measuring alpha emitting samples. One drawback is that it does not differentiate very well between alpha energies; measurements of for example curium and plutonium simultaneously are impossible and demand other techniques. Another drawback is the production of a liquid alpha active waste. In Sweden alpha radioactive waste liquids with an activity over some kBq per waste container cannot be sent for final storage. If, however, the activity of the liquids could be reduced by precipitation of the actinides, it would be possible to send away the liquid samples to municipal incineration. In this work a method for a purification of alpha active scintillation cocktails was developed. The method was first tried on a lab scale, and then scaled up. Until today (March, 2013) more than 20 liters of scintillation liquids have successfully been purified from americium and plutonium at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. The four scintillation cocktails used were Emulsifier Safe®, Hionic-Fluor®, Ultima Gold AB® and Ultima Gold XR®. The scintillation cocktails could all be purified from americium with higher yield than 95%. The yield was kept when the liquids were mixed. Also plutonium could be precipitated with a yield over 95% in all cocktails except in Hionic-Fluor® (>55%). However, that liquid in particular could be purified (>95%) by mixing it with the three other cocktails. Up-scaling was performed to a batch size of 6-8 L of scintillation cocktail. In neither the americium nor the plutonium system, adverse effects of increasing the
Imitators of plutonium and americium in a mixed uranium- plutonium nitride fuel
Nikitin, S. N.; Shornikov, D. P.; Tarasov, B. A.; Baranov, V. G.; Burlakova, M. A.
Uranium nitride and mix uranium nitride (U-Pu)N is most popular nuclear fuel for Russian Fast Breeder Reactor. The works in hot cells associated with the radiation exposure of personnel and methodological difficulties. To know the main physical-chemical properties of uranium-plutonium nitride it necessary research to hot cells. In this paper, based on an assessment of physicochemical and thermodynamic properties of selected simulators Pu and Am. Analogues of Pu is are Ce and Y, and analogues Am - Dy. The technique of obtaining a model nitride fuel based on lanthanides nitrides and UN. Hydrogenation-dehydrogenation- nitration method of derived powders nitrides uranium, cerium, yttrium and dysprosium, held their mixing, pressing and sintering, the samples obtained model nitride fuel with plutonium and americium imitation. According to the results of structural studies have shown that all the samples are solid solution nitrides rare earth (REE) elements in UN.
Recovery of plutonium and americium from chloride salt wastes by solvent extraction
Plutonium and americium can be recovered from aqueous waste solutions containing a mixture of HCl and chloride salt wastes by the coupling of two solvent extraction systems: tributyl phosphate (TBP) in tetrachloroethylene (TCE) and octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) in TCE. In the flowsheet developed, the salt wastes are dissolved in HCl, the Pu(III) is oxidized to the IV state with NaClO2 and recovered in the TBP-TCE cycle, and the Am is then removed from the resultant raffinate by the CMPO-TCE cycle. The consequences of the feed solution composition and extraction behavior of these species on the process flowsheet design, the Pu-product purity, and the decontamination of the aqueous raffinate from transuranic elements are discussed. 16 refs., 6 figs
Recovery of plutonium and americium from chloride salt wastes by solvent extraction
Plutonium and americium can be recovered from aqueous waste solutions containing a mixture of HCl and chloride salt wastes by the coupling of two solvent extraction systems: tributyl phosphate (TBP) in tetrachloroethylene (TCE) and octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) in TCE. In the flowsheet developed, the salt wastes are dissolved in HCl, the Pu(III) is oxidized to the IV state with NaClO2 and recovered in the TBP-TCE cycle, and the Am is then removed from the resultant raffinate by the CMPO-TCE cycle. The consequences of the feed solution composition and extraction behavior of these species on the process flowsheet design, the Pu-product purity, and the decontamination of the aqueous raffinate from transuranic elements are discussed
The uptake of plutonium-239, 240, americium-241, strontium-90 into plants
This report describes the results of measurements on the uptake of plutonium, americium, strontium-90 and caesium-137 into peas, beet, oats, sweet corn, tomatoes and vegetable marrow grown in tubs containing radioactively-contaminated silts. The silts had been taken from an area of West Cumbria commonly referred to as the Ravenglass estuary. The experiments are categorised as being carried out under non-standard conditions because of the manner in which the radioactivity came to be incorporated into the growth medium. The growth medium was representative of conditions which could arise when the estuarine silt moves inland under the influence of wind and tide and mixes with the adjacent farm land. The silt had been contaminated by radioactive effluents from the nuclear fuels reprocessing plant at Sellafield and this contamination had been brought about by natural means. (Auth.)
Mutual separation of americium(III) and europium(III) using glycolamic acid and thioglycolamic acid
The extractants, bis(2-ethylhexyl)diglycolamicacid (HDEHDGA) and bis(2-ethylhexy)thiodiglycolamic acid (HDEHSDGA) were synthesized and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, mass and IR spectroscopy. The extraction behaviour of (152+154)Eu(III) and 241Am(III) from nitric acid medium by a solution of HDEHDGA (or HDEHSDGA) in n-dodecane (n-DD) was studied for the mutual separation of actinides and lanthanides. The effect of various parameters such as the pH, concentrations of HDEHDGA, HDEHSDGA, sodium nitrate, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) on the separation factor (SF) of americium(III) over europium(III) and vice versa was studied, and the conditions needed for the preferential separation were optimised. The results show that HDEHDGA exhibits higher extraction for (152+154)Eu(III) and HDEHSDGA shows the superior selectivity for 241Am(III). (orig.)
Laboratory investigation of the role of desorption kinetics on americium transport associated with bentonite colloids
Understanding the parameters that control colloid-mediated transport of radionuclides is important for the safe disposal of used nuclear fuel. We report an experimental and reactive transport modeling examination of americium transport in a groundwater–bentonite–fracture fill material system. A series of batch sorption and column transport experiments were conducted to determine the role of desorption kinetics from bentonite colloids in the transport of americium through fracture materials. We used fracture fill material from a shear zone in altered granodiorite collected from the Grimsel Test Site (GTS) in Switzerland and colloidal suspensions generated from FEBEX bentonite, a potential repository backfill material. The colloidal suspension (100 mg L−1) was prepared in synthetic groundwater that matched the natural water chemistry at GTS and was spiked with 5.5 × 10−10 M 241Am. Batch characterizations indicated that 97% of the americium in the stock suspension was adsorbed to the colloids. Breakthrough experiments conducted by injecting the americium colloidal suspension through three identical columns in series, each with mean residence times of 6 h, show that more than 95% of the bentonite colloids were transported through each of the columns, with modeled colloid filtration rates (kf) of 0.01–0.02 h−1. Am recoveries in each column were 55–60%, and Am desorption rate constants from the colloids, determined from 1-D transport modeling, were 0.96, 0.98, and 0.91 h−1 in the three columns, respectively. The consistency in Am recoveries and desorption rate constants in each column indicates that the Am was not associated with binding sites of widely-varying strengths on the colloids, as one binding site with fast kinetics represented the system accurately for all three sequential columns. Our data suggest that colloid-mediated transport of Am in a bentonite-fracture fill material system is unlikely to result in transport over long distance
Comparative study of plutonium and americium bioaccumulation from two marine sediments contaminated in the natural environment
Plutonium and americium sediment-animal transfer was studied under controlled laboratory conditions by exposure of the benthic polychaete Nereis diversicolor (O. F. Mueller) to marine sediments contaminated by a nuclear bomb accident (near Thule, Greenland) and nuclear weapons testing (Enewetak Atoll). In both sediment regimes, the bioavailability of plutonium and 241Am was low, with specific activity in the tissues 241Am occurred and 241Am uptake from the Thule sediment was enhanced compared to that from lagoon sediments of Enewetak Atoll. Autoradiography studies indicated the presence of hot particles of plutonium in the sediments. The results highlight the importance of purging animals of their gut contents in order to obtain accurate estimates of transuranic transfer from ingested sediments into tissue. It is further suggested that enhanced transuranic uptake by some benthic species could arise from ingestion of highly activity particles and organic-rich detritus present in the sediments. (author)
A thermodynamic study of actinide oxide targets/fuels for americium transmutation
A thermodynamic study was performed on the systems Am-O, AmOx-MgO, AmOx-MgAl2O4, Pu-Mg-O and U-Mg-O. Both experimental work (X-ray analyses, oxygen potential measurements etc.) and calculations on the phase diagrams involved were made. The reaction between americium oxide and spinel is expected to form the compound AmAlO3. Isothermal sections have been calculated for AmOx-(MgO, Al2O3), Pu-Mg-O and U-Mg-O at 2000 K using the software package ''Thermo-Calc''. Thermodynamic equilibrium data were used to predict the behaviour of actinide oxides in a reactor. The implication of the results for the technological application is discussed, with emphasis on the effects of the high oxygen potential of AmO2 as compared to the conventional fuel, i.e. UO2. (author)
EURADOS action for determination of americium in skull measures in vivo and Monte Carlo simulation
From the Group of WG7 internal dosimetry of the EURADOS Organization (European Radiation Dosimetry group, e.V.) which It coordinates CIEMAT, international action for the vivo measurement of americium has been conducted in three mannequins type skull with detectors of Germanium by gamma spectrometry and simulation by Monte Carlo methods. Such action has been raised as two separate exercises, with the participation of institutions in Europe, America and Asia. Other actions similar precede this vivo intercomparison of measurement and modeling Monte Carlo1. The preliminary results and associated findings are presented in this work. The laboratory of the body radioactivity (CRC) of service counter of dosimetry staff internal (DPI) of the CIEMAT, it has been one of the participants in vivo measures exercise. On the other hand part, the Group of numerical dosimetry of CIEMAT is participant of the Monte Carlo2 simulation exercise. (Author)
Ab initio modelling of the behaviour of helium in americium and plutonium oxides
By means of an ab initio plane wave pseudo potential method, plutonium dioxide and americium dioxide are modelled, and the behaviour of helium in both these materials is studied. We first show that a pseudo potential approach in the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) can satisfactorily describe the cohesive properties of PuO2 and AmO2. We then calculate the formation energies of point defects (vacancies and interstitials), as well as the incorporation and solution energies of helium in PuO2 and AmO2. The results are discussed according to the incorporation site of the gas atom in the lattice and to the stoichiometry of PuO2±x and AmO2±x. (authors)
Removal of plutonium and americium from hydrochloric acid waste stream using extraction chromatography
Extraction chromatography is under development as a method to lower actinide activity levels in hydrochloric acid (HCl) effluent streams. Successful application of this technique would allow recycle of the largest portion of HCl, while lowering the quantity and improving the form of solid waste generated. The extraction of plutonium and americium from HCl solutions was examined for several commercial and similar laboratory-produced resins coated with n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyphosphine oxide (CMPO) and either tributyl phosphate (TBP), or diamyl amylphosphonate (DAAP). Distribution coefficients for Pu and Am were measured by contact studies in hydrochloric acid solutions over the range of 0.1 - 10.0 N HCl, whole varying REDOX conditions, actinide loading levels, and contact time intervals. Significant differences in the actinide distribution coefficients, and in the kinetics of actinide removal were observed as a function of resin formulation. The usefulness of these resins for actinide removal from HCl effluent streams is discussed
Complex formation of trivalent americium with salicylic acid at very low concentrations
For the first time, the complexation of americium(III) with salicylic acid was studied at trace metal concentrations using a 2.0 m Long Path Flow Cell for UV-vis spectroscopy. The detection limit of Am(III) in aqueous solution at pH 3.0 was found to be 5 x 10-9 M. Two Am(III)-salicylate complexes were formed at pH 5.0 in 0.1 M NaClO4, indicated by a clear red shift of the absorption maximum. The absorption spectra obtained from spectrophotometric titration were analyzed by means of factor analysis and complex stabilities were calculated to be log β110 = 2.56 ± 0.08 and log β120 = 3.93 ± 0.19. (author)
Standard practice for The separation of americium from plutonium by ion exchange
American Society for Testing and Materials. Philadelphia
1.1 This practice describes the use of an ion exchange technique to separate plutonium from solutions containing low concentrations of americium prior to measurement of the 241Am by gamma counting. 1.2 This practice covers the removal of plutonium, but not all the other radioactive isotopes that may interfere in the determination of 241Am. 1.3 This practice can be used when 241Am is to be determined in samples in which the plutonium is in the form of metal, oxide, or other solid provided that the solid is appropriately sampled and dissolved (See Test Methods C758, C759, and C1168). 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Transportability Class of Americium in K Basin Sludge under Ambient and Hydrothermal Processing Conditions
Delegard, Calvin H.; Schmitt, Bruce E.; Schmidt, Andrew J.
This report establishes the technical bases for using a ''slow uptake'' instead of a ''moderate uptake'' transportability class for americium-241 (241Am) for the K Basin Sludge Treatment Project (STP) dose consequence analysis. Slow uptake classes are used for most uranium and plutonium oxides. A moderate uptake class has been used in prior STP analyses for 241Am based on the properties of separated 241Am and its associated oxide. However, when 241Am exists as an ingrown progeny (and as a small mass fraction) within plutonium mixtures, it is appropriate to assign transportability factors of the predominant plutonium mixtures (typically slow) to the Am241. It is argued that the transportability factor for 241Am in sludge likewise should be slow because it exists as a small mass fraction as the ingrown progeny within the uranium oxide in sludge. In this report, the transportability class assignment for 241Am is underpinned with radiochemical characterization data on K Basin sludge and with studies conducted with other irradiated fuel exposed to elevated temperatures and conditions similar to the STP. Key findings and conclusions from evaluation of the characterization data and published literature are summarized here. Plutonium and 241Am make up very small fractions of the uranium within the K Basin sludge matrix. Plutonium is present at about 1 atom per 500 atoms of uranium and 241Am at about 1 atom per 19000 of uranium. Plutonium and americium are found to remain with uranium in the solid phase in all of the {approx}60 samples taken and analyzed from various sources of K Basin sludge. The uranium-specific concentrations of plutonium and americium also remain approximately constant over a uranium concentration range (in the dry sludge solids) from 0.2 to 94 wt%, a factor of {approx}460. This invariability demonstrates that 241Am does not partition from the uranium or plutonium fraction for any characterized sludge matrix. Most
Plutonium and americium concentrations and vertical profiles in some Italian mosses used as bioindicators
We have examined the uptake of actinide elements Am and Pu by different species of lichen and moss collected in two locations (Urbino, Central Italy; Alps region, North-east Italy). Plutonium and americium were separated and determined by extraction chromatography, electrodeposition and alpha-spectrometry. This paper summarizes our results with a special emphasis on the vertical profiles of these actinides in two different species of mosses. Several 1-2 cm depth sections were obtained and dated by 210Pb method. A typical peak for 239,240Pu and 241Am was found in the very old moss species ('Sphagnum Compactum') at a depth corresponding to the period 1960-1970 which was the period characterized by the maximum nuclear weapon tests. In a younger moss species ('Neckeria Crispa') no peak was observed and the regression curves showed that Am is more mobile than 239,240Pu and 238Pu. (author)
In vitro and in vivo cytotoxic effects of PRIMA-1 on hepatocellular carcinoma cells expressing mutant p53ser249.
Shi, Hong; Lambert, Jeremy M R; Hautefeuille, Agnes; Bykov, Vladimir J N; Wiman, Klas G; Hainaut, Pierre; Caron de Fromentel, Claude
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly lethal due to limited curative options. In high-incidence regions, such as parts of Africa and Southeastern Asia, >50% of cases carry an AGG to AGT mutation at codon 249 of the TP53 gene, considered as a 'signature' of mutagenesis by aflatoxins. The protein product, p53ser249, may represent a therapeutic target for HCC. The small molecule p53 reactivation and induction of massive apoptosis (PRIMA)-1 has been shown to induce apoptosis in tumour cells by reactivating the transactivation capacity of some p53 mutants. In this study, we have investigated the cytotoxic effects of PRIMA-1 on HCC cells expressing p53ser249. In p53-null Hep3B cells, over-expression of p53ser249 or p53gln248 by stable transfection increased the cytotoxicity of PRIMA-1 at 50 muM. Furthermore, PRIMA-1 treatment delayed the growth of p53ser249-expressing Hep3B cells xenografted in severe combined immunodeficiency mice. However, PRIMA-1 did not restore wild-type DNA binding and transactivation activities to p53ser249 or to p53gln248 in Hep3B cells. Moreover, in PLC/PRF/5, a HCC cell line constitutively expressing p53ser249, small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of the mutant increased the cytotoxic effect of PRIMA-1. These apparently contradictory effects can be reconciled by proposing that p53ser249 exerts a gain-of-function effect, which favours the survival of HCC cells. Thus, both inhibition of this effect by PRIMA-1 and removal of the mutant by siRNA can lead to the decrease of survival capacity of HCC cells. PMID:18048389
An electrochemical oxidation process of Am (III) into Am (VI) used to separate the americium of spent fuels reprocessing solutions
The aim of this invention is to oxidize by an electrochemical process Am (III) to Am (VI). This process can be used to separate the americium of spent fuels reprocessing solutions. The method consists to add to the aqueous nitric solution containing Am (III) an heteropolyanion able to complex the americium (as for instance the potassium tungstophosphate) and the Ag (II) ion. The Ag (II) ion oxidizes the Am (III) and is reduced into an Ag (I) ion. It is then regenerated by the electrolysis of the solution. After the oxidation of Am (III) into Am (VI), this last ion can be extracted by an adapted organic solvent. With this electrochemical method a yield of 100% Am (VI) is obtained in half a hour. (O.M.). 5 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs
Separation of oxidized americium from lanthanides by use of pillared metal(IV) phosphate-phosphonate hybrid materials
Closing the nuclear fuel cycle in the US poses many challenges, one of which is found in the waste streams, which contain both trivalent lanthanides and actinides. The separation of americium from the raffinate will dramatically reduce the long-term radiotoxicity of the waste. The sorption of americium in both the tri- and pentavalent oxidation states was observed for four M(IV) phosphate-phosphonate ion exchange materials in nitric acid at pH 2. High selectivity was observed for reduced Am(III) with Kd values ca. 6 x 105 mL/g, while the Kd values for Am(V) were much lower. A new method of synthesizing and stabilizing AmO2+ to yield a lifetime of at least 24 h in acidic media using a combination of sodium persulfate and calcium hypochlorite will be described.
Effects of impurities on the size and form of crystals of thorium and americium oxalates and oxides
The influence of impurity salts and certain surfactants on the shape and size of thorium and americium oxalate crystals, as well as crystals of their dioxides, prepared at thermolysis of oxalate precipitates, has been investigated. It is shown that during thorium oxalate deposition from solutions, containing 0.8 mol/l thorium and 2 mol/l nitric acid at 96 deg C in the presence of ammonium salts or surfactants larger and monodisperse crystals are grown than in the absence of the above-mentioned substances. Addition of ammonium nitrate in the amount of 0.6 mol/l to solution containing 7.6x10-3 mol/l of americium dioxide particles coincides with the shape of oxalate crystals but their size is reduced by (20-25)% as compared with the initial ones
Combined radiochemical procedure for determination of plutonium, americium and strontium-90 in the soil samples from SNTS
The results of combined radiochemical procedure for the determination of plutonium, americium and 90Sr (via measurement of 90Y) in the soil samples from SNTS (Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site) are presented. The processes of co-precipitation of these nuclides with calcium fluoride in the strong acid solutions have been investigated. The conditions for simultaneous separation of americium and yttrium using extraction chromatography have been studied. It follows from analyses of real soil samples that the procedure developed provides the chemical recovery of plutonium and yttrium in the range of 50-95 % and 60-95 %, respectively. The execution of the procedure requires 3.5 working days including a sample decomposition study. (author)
Extraction of americium(III) from nitric acid medium by CMPO-TBP extractants in ionic liquid diluent
Extraction of americium(III) from nitric acid medium by a solution of tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) and n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) in room temperature ionic liquid, l-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (bmimNTf2), was studied and the results were compared with that obtained with CMPO-TBP in n-doddecane (n-DD). The distribution ratio of 241Am(III) in TBP-CMPO/bmimNTf2 was measured as a function of various parameters such as concentrations of nitric acid, CMPO, bmimNO3, NaNO3 and TBP and temperature. Remarkably large distribution ratios were observed for the extraction of americium(III) when bmimNTf2 acted as diluent and the extraction was insignificant in the absence of CMPO. The stoichiometry of metal-solvate in organic phase was determined by the slope analysis of extraction data and it indicated the formation of 1:3 (Am: CMPO) complex in organic phase. Viscosity of TBP-CMPO/bmimNTf2 at various temperatures and enthalpy change accompanied by the extraction of americium(III) were determined and reported in this paper. (orig.)
The behaviour under irradiation of molybdenum matrix for inert matrix fuel containing americium oxide (CerMet concept)
D'Agata, E.; Knol, S.; Fedorov, A. V.; Fernandez, A.; Somers, J.; Klaassen, F.
Americium is a strong contributor to the long term radiotoxicity of high activity nuclear waste. Transmutation by irradiation in nuclear reactors or Accelerator Driven System (ADS, subcritical reactors dedicated to transmutation) of long-lived nuclides like 241Am is therefore an option for the reduction of radiotoxicity of waste packages to be stored in a repository. In order to safely burn americium in a fast reactor or ADS, it must be incorporated in a matrix that could be metallic (CerMet target) or ceramic (CerCer target). One of the most promising matrix to incorporate Am is molybdenum. In order to address the issues (swelling, stability under irradiation, gas retention and release) of using Mo as matrix to transmute Am, two irradiation experiments have been conducted recently at the High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten (The Netherland) namely HELIOS and BODEX. The BODEX experiment is a separate effect test, where the molybdenum behaviour is studied without the presence of fission products using 10B to "produce" helium, the HELIOS experiment included a more representative fuel target with the presence of Am and fission product. This paper covers the results of Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) of the two irradiation experiments mentioned above where molybdenum behaviour has been deeply investigated as possible matrix to transmute americium (CerMet fuel target). The behaviour of molybdenum looks satisfying at operating temperature but at high temperature (above 1000 °C) more investigation should be performed.
Consideration of the effect of lymph-node deposition upon the measurement of plutonium and americium in the lungs
Measurement of an inhaled radionuclide by external photon counting includes quantities which may be contained in lymph nodes, as well as quantities in the lungs. An overestimate of the lung burden can result, if a portion of the radionuclide were present in the lymph nodes. This problem is analyzed with respect to the measurement of inhaled plutonium containing plutonium-241 and americium-241, when americium-241 has been used as a tracer for the plutonium. Equations are derived which yield the amounts of americium and of plutonium in the lungs and in the lymph nodes as a function of time after exposure and for various translocation and retention parameters. Count histories (count profiles) of actual exposure cases are compared with calculated count profiles in order to gain insight into possible values of the translocation and retention parameters. Comparison is also made with calculated count profiles using values of translocation and retention parameters recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for use with the Task Group Lung Model. The magnitude of the possible overestimate (error factor) was calculated for combinations o
HELIOS: the new design of the irradiation of U-free fuels for americium transmutation
D' Agata, E. [European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Energy, P.O. Box 2, 1755 ZG Petten (Netherlands); Klaassen, F.; Sciolla, C. [Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group, Dept. Life Cycle and Innovations, P.O. Box 25 1755 ZG Petten (Netherlands); Fernandez-Carretero, A. [European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany); Bonnerot, J.M. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, DEC/SESC/LC2I CEA-Cadarache, 13108 St. Paul lez Durance Cedex (France)
Americium is one of the radioactive elements that mostly contribute to the radiotoxicity of the nuclear spent fuel. Transmutation of long-lived nuclides like Americium is an option for the reduction of the mass, the radiotoxicity and the decay heat of nuclear waste. The HELIOS irradiation experiment is the last evolution in a series of experiments on americium transmutation. The previous experiments, EFTTRA-T4 and T4bis, have shown that the release or trapping of helium is the key issue for the design of such kind of target. In fact, the production of helium, which is characteristic of {sup 241}Am transmutation, is quite significant. The experiment is carried out in the framework of the 4-year project EUROTRANS of the EURATOM 6. Framework Programme (FP6). Therefore, the main objective of the HELIOS experiment is to study the in-pile behaviour of U-free fuels such as CerCer (Pu, Am, Zr)O{sub 2} and Am{sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7}+MgO or CerMet (Pu, Am)O{sub 2}+Mo in order to gain knowledge on the role of the fuel microstructure and of the temperature on the gas release and on the fuel swelling. The experiment was planned to be conducted in the HFR (High Flux Reactor) in Petten (The Netherlands) starting the first quarter of 2007. Because of the innovative aspects of the fuel, the fabrication has had some delays as well as the final safety analyses of the original design showed some unexpected deviation. Besides, the HFR reactor has been unavailable since August 2008. Due to the reasons described above, the experiment has been postponed. HELIOS should start in the first quarter of 2009 and will last 300 full power days. The paper will cover the description of the new design of the irradiation experiment HELIOS. The experiment has been split in two parts (HELIOS1 and HELIOS2) which will be irradiated together. Moreover, due to the high temperature achieved in cladding and to the high amount of helium produced during transmutation the experiment previously designed for a
Uptake of americium-241 by plants from contaminated Chernobyl exclusive zone test site soils
Americium-241 was found to accumulate in soils and biological objects of the environment. Its concentration has increased many times after the Chernobyl disaster and can be expected to increase about 40 times in the future. This research concentrated on the contaminated exclusive Chernobyl zone polluted by trace radionuclides, their behavior and accumulation by various plant species. Special attention is devoted to the bioavailability of 241Am to the plants Galium rivale, G. tinctorium, G. aparine, G. intermedium, Berteroa incana, Artemisia absinthium, A. vulgaris, Centaurea borysthenica, C. arenaria, Cirsium arvense, Succissa pratensis, Solidago virgaurea, Linaria vulgaris, Lepidium ruderale, Stenactis annua, Veronica maxima, Verbascum lychnitis, Euphorbia cyparissias, Genista tinctoria, Erigeron canadensis, Oenothera biennis, Betula pendula and Quercus robur, which were collected from the Chernobyl, Kopachi, and Yanov districts. The plant samples of Oenothera biennis, Betula pendula and Quercus robur were collected from the Yanov district, where the soil contamination by 241Am and 137Cs was at the level of 660 and 27 MBq/m2, respectively. Gamma spectroscopy and radiochemical methods were used to estimate the activity concentration of 137Cs, 90Sr, 238Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am. The radionuclides were measured in the dry green mass of the plant samples and in the dry soils. The contamination of the Oenothera biennis, Betula pendula and Quercus robur samples by 137Cs was (5.8±1,5)x106, (7.4±1.1)x105, and (2.6±0.2)x106 Bq/kg dry mass, respectively, and contamination by 241Am was 47±5, 45±3 and 3.2±0.2 Bq/kg, respectively. The soil-to-plant transfer ratio for 137Cs ranged lay within the interval of 0.2 to 0.03 Bq/kg : Bq/m2, the the transfer ratio for 241Am did not exceed 7x10-5 Bq/kg : Bq/m2. The coefficient of the relative contents of the 241Am/239+240Pu radionuclides in the various plant samples varied from 3.2 to 8.3, while for soil from the Yanov district this
Anomalous aryl strengthening of complexes at americium and europium extraction with alkylenediphospine dioxide from perchloric media
Studied was the extraction of americium(3) and europium(3) from perchlorate solutions(0.001 M) with dioxides of alkylenediphosphines of three types: aryl Ph2P(O)CH2(O)PPh2(briefly 4P), and Ph2P(O)(CH2)2(O)PPh2, mixed Ph2P(O)CH2(O)P(C8H17)2 (or 2Ph2Oct) and alkyl (C8H17)2P(O)CH2(O)P(C8H17)2 (or 4 Oct). Trisolvates of MeS3x(ClO4)3 are predominantly formed but americium disolvates are also present upon dilution with dichloroethane. For 4Ph,2Ph2Oct and 4 Oct the concentration is, respectively, 1015, 2x1014, and 1013; for disolvates by 4 orders of magnitude lower which is, nevertheless, by 2 orders of magnitude higher than for nitric acid solutions. The separation coefficient of β Am/Eu for 4Ph attains 6-8. As in the case of nitrate solutions, an anomalous aryl strengthening of the complexes is observed: an increase in the distribution coefficients and extraction constants in the series of 4 Oct - 2Ph 2 Oct - 4Ph, in spite of the introduction of electronegative aryl substituents into the dioxide molecule, which reduce electron density on oxygen atoms and basicity of dioxides. In contrast to nitric acid solutions, observed is a nonlinear effect of a change in basicity on extraction properties upon dilution with dichloroethane (dioxide of 2Ph2 Oct does not occupy an intermediate position but is close to 4Ph). Upon dilution with chloroform the dependence is linear and anomalous effect rises due to a different nature of interactions of dioxides with chloroform. When the bridge increases up to ethylene, an anomalous strengthening of the complexes disappears. However, the distribution coefficients upon extraction with alkyl dioxide are considerably lower, which can be explained by a stronger extraction of perchloric acid
INTEGRAL and Swift observations of the hard X-ray transient MAXI J1828-249
Filippova, E; Ferrigno, C
In this paper we report on the observations performed with INTEGRAL and Swift of the first outburst detected from the hard X-ray transient MAXI J1828-249. During the first about two days of the outburst, the source was observed by MAXI to undergo a very rapid transition from a hard to a softer spectral state. While the hard state was not efficiently monitored because the transition occurred so rapidly, the evolution of the source outburst in the softer state was covered quasi-simultaneously in a broad energy range (0.6-150 keV) by the instruments on-board INTEGRAL and Swift. During these observations, the spectra measured from the source displayed both a prominent thermal emission with temperature kT 0.7 keV and a power-law hard component with a photon index gamma 2.2 extending to 200 keV. The properties of the source in the X-ray domain are reminiscent of those displayed by black hole transients during the soft intermediate state, which supports the association of MAXI J1828-249 with this class of objects.
Americium and plutonium in water, biota, and sediment from the central Oregon coast
Plutonium-239, 240 and americium-241 were measured in the mussel Mytilus californianus from the region of Coos Bay, OR. The flesh of this species has a plutonium concentration of about 90 fCi/kg, and an Am-241/Pu-239, 240 ratio that is high relative to mixed fallout, ranging between two and three. Transuranic concentrations in sediment, unfiltered water, and filterable particulates were also measured; none of these materials has an Am/Pu ratio as greatly elevated as the mussels, and there is no apparent difference in the Am/Pu ratio of terrestrial runoff and coastal water. Sediment core profiles do not allow accumulation rates or depositional histories to be identified, but it does not appear that material characterized by a high Am/Pu ratio has ever been introduced to this estuary. Other bivalves (Tresus capax and Macoma nasuta) and a polychaete (Abarenicola sp.) do not have an elevated Am/Pu ratio, although the absolute activity of plutonium in the infaunal bivalves is roughly four times that in the mussels
Americium-based oxides: Dense pellet fabrication from co-converted oxalates
Horlait, Denis; Lebreton, Florent [CEA, DEN, DTEC/SDTC/LEMA, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Gauthé, Aurélie [CEA, DEN, DRCP/SERA/LCAR, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Caisso, Marie [CEA, DEN, DTEC/SDTC/LEMA, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Arab-Chapelet, Bénédicte; Picart, Sébastien [CEA, DEN, DRCP/SERA/LCAR, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Delahaye, Thibaud, E-mail: email@example.com [CEA, DEN, DTEC/SDTC/LEMA, 30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France)
Mixed oxides are used as nuclear fuels and are notably envisaged for future fuel cycles including plutonium and minor actinide recycling. In this context, processes are being developed for the fabrication of uranium–americium mixed-oxide compounds for transmutation. The purpose of these processes is not only the compliance with fuel specifications in terms of density and homogeneity, but also the simplification of the process for its industrialization as well as lowering dust generation. In this paper, the use of a U{sub 0.85}Am{sub 0.15}O{sub 2±δ} powder synthesized by oxalate co-conversion as a precursor for dense fuel fabrications is assessed. This study notably focuses on sintering, which yielded pellets up to 96% of the theoretical density, taking advantage of the high reactivity and homogeneity of the powder. As-obtained pellets were further characterized to be compared to those obtained via processes based on the UMACS (Uranium Minor Actinide Conventional Sintering) process. This comparison highlights several advantages of co-converted powder as a precursor for simplified processes that generate little dust.
Influence of organic additives on the colour reaction between trivalent americium and arsenazo III
The colour reaction of Am(III) with arsenazo III in several hydroorganic media has been examined systematically on the addition of certain polar water-miscible organic solvents in the course of a search for improved and simple spectrophotometric methods for the estimation of americium. Addition of these substances resulted in the stabilization of colour and brought about a drastic enhancement in the absorbance values. The organic additives studied include acetone, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, dioxane and ethanol. Among the many solvents tested, alcohol and dioxane proved to be the most effective, the highest sensitivity is obtained by using a 60% dioxane-ethanol (1:1) mixture. The apparent molar absorptivity based on Am content is 184616+-9931 mol-1 cm-1 at 655 nm which is about 3 times higher than that attained for the reaction in aqueous medium (65178+-1243). Moreover, this is the highest value reported as yet for its determination. Beer's law is obeyed both in mixed and aqueous media. The effects of some experimental variables on colour development have also been studied to optimize the conditions for the assay of Am. (author)
Speciation and bioavailability of Americium-241 in the fresh water environment
Due to its anthropogenic origin, the transuranic americium 241 confronts physiologists with the intriguing question, which mechanisms are involved in the incorporation or elimination of such artificial elements in biological cycles. The investigations on the speciation and bioavailability of 241Am in the freshwater environment aim to establish a relation between the behavior of 241Am in freshwater ecosystems and its availability for biota. In the limnic environment, most often characterized by a high organic load and a low conductivity, the effect of complexation of 241Am with humic acids and competition with trivalent cations such as A1 and Fe, were proven to be significant on the speciation of 241Am. Based on the registration of the 241Am uptake by a large number of freshwater organisms, the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz was chosen to study the whole-body uptake of 241Am, its corresponding organ distribution and its retention in the animal. The share of external fixation and ingestion in the global uptake, and the effect of speciation on it, were studied more carefully. Other aspects in this physiological part were: the kinetics of 241Am in the hemolymph and the hepatopancreas, and its subcellular distribution in the digestive gland. Finally, by comparing the physiology of 241Am with some other metals (240Pu, 64Cu, 198Au) with analogous or contradictional properties, we tried to find out whether the behavior of 241Am in organisms can be explained from its chemical characteristics
Development and Testing of an Americium/Lanthanide Separation Flowsheet Using Sodium Bismuthate
Jack Law; Bruce Mincher; Troy Garn; Mitchell Greenhalgh; Nicholas Schmitt; Veronica Rutledge
The separation of Am from the lanthanides and curium is a key step in proposed advanced fuel cycle scenarios. The partitioning and transmutation of Am is desirable to minimize the long-term heat load of material interred in a future high-level waste repository. A separation process amenable to process scale-up remains elusive. Given only subtle chemistry differences within and between the ions of the trivalent actinide and lanthanide series this separation is challenging ; however, higher oxidation states of americium can be prepared using sodium bismuthate and separated via solvent extraction using diamylamylphosphonate (DAAP) extraction. Among the other trivalent metals only Ce is also oxidized and extracted. Due to the long-term instability of Am(VI) , the loaded organic phase is readily selectively stripped to partition the actinide to a new acidic aqueous phase. Batch extraction distribution ratio measurements were used to design a flowsheet to accomplish this separation. Additionally, crossflow filtration was investigated as a method to filter the bismuthate solids from the feed solution prior to extraction. Results of the filtration studies, flowsheet development work and flowsheet performance testing using a centrifugal contactor are detailed.
Determination of plutonium americium and curium in soil samples by solvent extraction with trioctylphosphine oxide
A method of Pu, Am and Cm determination in soil samples, which was developed for analyzing samples from territories subjected to radioactive contamination as a result of the Chernobyl accident is described. After preliminary treatment the samples were leached by solution of 7 mol/l HNO23+0.3 mol/l KBrO3 during heating. Pu was isolated by extraction with 0.05 mol TOPO from 7 mol/l HNO3. 144Ce and partially remaining in water phase isotopes of Zr, U and Th were isolated in an extraction-chromatographic column with TOPO and PbO2. Then Am and Cm were extracted by 0.2 mol/l TOPO from solution 1 mol/l HLact+0.07 mol/l DTPA+1 mol/l Al(NO3)3. Alpha-activity of both extracted products was determined in liquid scintillation counter. Chemical yield of plutonium counted to 85±10%, that of americium and curium -75±10%. 17 refs
Assessment of radiation doses from residential smoke detectors that contain americium-241
External dose equivalents and internal dose commitments were estimated for individuals and populations from annual distribution, use, and disposal of 10 million ionization chamber smoke detectors that contain 110 kBq (3 μCi) americium-241 each. Under exposure scenarios developed for normal distribution, use, and disposal using the best available information, annual external dose equivalents to average individuals were estimated to range from 4 fSv (0.4 prem) to 20 nSv (2 μrem) for total body and from 7 fSv to 40 nSv for bone. Internal dose commitments to individuals under post disposal scenarios were estimated to range from 0.006 to 80 μSv (0.0006 to 8 mrem) to total body and from 0.06 to 800 μSv to bone. The total collective dose (the sum of external dose equivalents and 50-year internal dose commitments) for all individuals involved with distribution, use, or disposal of 10 million smoke detectors was estimated
NMR Evidence for the 8.5 K Phase Transition in Americium Dioxide
Tokunaga, Yo; Nishi, Tsuyoshi; Kambe, Shinsaku; Nakada, Masami; Itoh, Akinori; Homma, Yoshiya; Sakai, Hironori; Chudo, Hiroyuki
We report here the first NMR study of americium dioxide (AmO2). More than 30 years ago, a phase transition was suggested to occur in this compound at 8.5 K based on magnetic susceptibility data, while no evidence had been obtained from microscopic measurements. We have prepared a powder sample of 243AmO2 containing 90 at. % 17O and have performed 17O NMR at temperatures ranging from 1.5 to 200 K. After a sudden drop of the 17O NMR signal intensity below 8.5 K, at 1.5 K we have observed an extremely broad spectrum covering a range of ˜14 kOe in applied field. These data provide the first microscopic evidence for a phase transition as a bulk property in this system. In addition, the 17O NMR spectrum has been found to split into two peaks in the paramagnetic state, an effect which has not been reported for actinide dioxides studied up to now. We suggest that the splitting is induced by self-radiation damage from the alpha decay of 243Am.
Study of biosorbents application on the treatment of radioactive liquid wastes with americium-241
The use of nuclear energy for many different purposes has been intensified and highlighted by the benefits that it provides. Medical diagnosis and therapy, agriculture, industry and electricity generation are examples of its application. However, nuclear energy generates radioactive wastes that require suitable treatment ensuring life and environmental safety. Biosorption and bioaccumulation represent an emergent alternative for the treatment of radioactive liquid wastes, providing volume reduction and physical state change. This work aimed to study biosorbents for the treatment of radioactive liquid wastes contaminated with americium-241 in order to reduce the volume and change the physical state from liquid to solid. The biosorbents evaluated were Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in calcium alginate beads, inactivated and free cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, calcium alginate beads, Bacillus subtilis, Cupriavidus metallidurans and Ochrobactrum anthropi. The results were quite satisfactory, achieving 100% in some cases. The technique presented in this work may be useful and viable for implementing at the Waste Management Laboratory of IPEN - CNEN/SP in short term, since it is an easy and low cost method. (author)
In Vitro Dissolution Tests of Plutonium and Americium Containing Contamination Originating From ZPPR Fuel Plates
William F. Bauer; Brian K. Schuetz; Gary M. Huestis; Thomas B. Lints; Brian K. Harris; R. Duane Ball; Gracy Elias
Assessing the extent of internal dose is of concern whenever workers are exposed to airborne radionuclides or other contaminants. Internal dose determinations depend upon a reasonable estimate of the expected biological half-life of the contaminants in the respiratory tract. One issue with refractory elements is determining the dissolution rate of the element. Actinides such as plutonium (Pu) and Americium (Am) tend to be very refractory and can have biological half-lives of tens of years. In the event of an exposure, the dissolution rates of the radionuclides of interest needs to be assessed in order to assign the proper internal dose estimates. During the November 2011 incident at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) involving a ZPPR fuel plate, air filters in a constant air monitor (CAM) and a giraffe filter apparatus captured airborne particulate matter. These filters were used in dissolution rate experiments to determine the apparent dissolution half-life of Pu and Am in simulated biological fluids. This report describes these experiments and the results. The dissolution rates were found to follow a three term exponential decay equation. Differences were noted depending upon the nature of the biological fluid simulant. Overall, greater than 95% of the Pu and 93% of the Am were in a very slow dissolving component with dissolution half-lives of over 10 years.
Solution speciation of plutonium and Americium at an Australian legacy radioactive waste disposal site.
Ikeda-Ohno, Atsushi; Harrison, Jennifer J; Thiruvoth, Sangeeth; Wilsher, Kerry; Wong, Henri K Y; Johansen, Mathew P; Waite, T David; Payne, Timothy E
During the 1960s, radioactive waste containing small amounts of plutonium (Pu) and americium (Am) was disposed in shallow trenches at the Little Forest Burial Ground (LFBG), located near the southern suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Because of periodic saturation and overflowing of the former disposal trenches, Pu and Am have been transferred from the buried wastes into the surrounding surface soils. The presence of readily detected amounts of Pu and Am in the trench waters provides a unique opportunity to study their aqueous speciation under environmentally relevant conditions. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the chemical speciation of Pu and Am in the trench water by combining fluoride coprecipitation, solvent extraction, particle size fractionation, and thermochemical modeling. The predominant oxidation states of dissolved Pu and Am species were found to be Pu(IV) and Am(III), and large proportions of both actinides (Pu, 97.7%; Am, 86.8%) were associated with mobile colloids in the submicron size range. On the basis of this information, possible management options are assessed. PMID:25126837
Comparative study of plutonium and americium bioaccumulation from two marine sediments contaminated in the natural environment
Hamilton, T.F.; Smith, J.D. (Melbourne Univ., Parkville (Australia). Dept. of Inorganic Chemistry); Fowler, S.W.; LaRosa, J.; Holm, E. (International Atomic Energy Agency, Monaco-Ville (Monaco). Lab. of Marine Radioactivity); Aarkrog, A.; Dahlgaard, H. (Risoe National Lab., Roskilde (Denmark))
Plutonium and americium sediment-animal transfer was studied under controlled laboratory conditions by exposure of the benthic polychaete Nereis diversicolor (O. F. Mueller) to marine sediments contaminated by a nuclear bomb accident (near Thule, Greenland) and nuclear weapons testing (Enewetak Atoll). In both sediment regimes, the bioavailability of plutonium and {sup 241}Am was low, with specific activity in the tissues <1% (dry wt) than in the sediments. Over the first three months, a slight preference in transfer of plutonium over {sup 241}Am occurred and {sup 241}Am uptake from the Thule sediment was enhanced compared to that from lagoon sediments of Enewetak Atoll. Autoradiography studies indicated the presence of hot particles of plutonium in the sediments. The results highlight the importance of purging animals of their gut contents in order to obtain accurate estimates of transuranic transfer from ingested sediments into tissue. It is further suggested that enhanced transuranic uptake by some benthic species could arise from ingestion of highly activity particles and organic-rich detritus present in the sediments. (author).
Actinide production in /sup 136/Xe bombardments of /sup 249/Cf
Gregorich, K.E.
The production cross sections for the actinide products from /sup 136/Xe bombardments of /sup 249/Cf at energies 1.02, 1.09, and 1.16 times the Coulomb barrier were determined. Fractions of the individual actinide elements were chemically separated from recoil catcher foils. The production cross sections of the actinide products were determined by measuring the radiations emitted from the nuclides within the chemical fractions. The chemical separation techniques used in this work are described in detail, and a description of the data analysis procedure is included. The actinide production cross section distributions from these /sup 136/Xe + /sup 249/Cf bombardments are compared with the production cross section distributions from other heavy ion bombardments of actinide targets, with emphasis on the comparison with the /sup 136/Xe + /sup 248/Cm reaction. A technique for modeling the final actinide cross section distributions has been developed and is presented. In this model, the initial (before deexcitation) cross section distribution with respect to the separation energy of a dinuclear complex and with respect to the Z of the target-like fragment is given by an empirical procedure. It is then assumed that the N/Z equilibration in the dinuclear complex occurs by the transfer of neutrons between the two participants in the dinuclear complex. The neutrons and the excitation energy are statistically distributed between the two fragments using a simple Fermi gas level density formalism. The resulting target-like fragment initial cross section distribution with respect to Z, N, and excitation energy is then allowed to deexcite by emission of neutrons in competition with fission. The result is a final cross section distribution with respect to Z and N for the actinide products. 68 refs., 33 figs., 6 tabs.
Use of radioisotopes in the study of tetracycline analytical application. Extraction of compounds formed between tetracycline and neptunium and americium elements
The behavior of tetracycline as complexing agent, in solvent extraction studies of neptunium and americium, using benzyl alcohol as the organic phase, is presented. By using radioactive tracers of 239Np and 241Am the extraction percent of these elements were determined as a function of pH in the absence and in the presence of several masking agents. The influence of shaking time and the use of different types of supporting eletrolytes upon the extraction behavior was also studied. The extraction curves obtained using EDTA as masking agent show that tetracycline can be used for neptunium and americium separation. In this condition neptunium is extracted into the organic phase and americium remains in the aqueous phase. (Author)
Sorption of plutonium and americium on repository, backfill and geological materials relevant to the JNFL low-level radioactive waste repository at Rokkasho-Mura
An integrated program of batch sorption experiments and mathematical modeling has been carried out to study the sorption of plutonium and americium on a series of repository, backfill and geological materials relevant to the JNFL low-level radioactive waste repository at Rokkasho-Mura. The sorption of plutonium and americium on samples of concrete, mortar, sand/bentonite, tuff, sandstone and cover soil has been investigated. In addition, specimens of bitumen, cation and anion exchange resins, and polyester were chemically degraded. The resulting degradation product solutions, alongside solutions of humic and isosaccharinic acids were used to study the effects on plutonium sorption onto concrete, sand/bentonite and sandstone. The sorption behavior of plutonium and americium has been modeled using the geochemical speciation program HARPHRQ in conjunction with the HATCHES database
Biosorption of Americium-242 by saccharomyces cerevisiae: preliminary evaluation and mechanism
As an important radioisotope in nuclear industry and other fields, americium-241 is one of the most serious contamination concerns duo to its high radiation toxicity and long half-life. In this experiment, the biosorption of 241Am from solution by a fungus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae), and the effects of various experimental conditions on the biosorption and the mechanism were explored. The preliminary results showed that S. cerevisiae is a very efficient biosorbent. An average of more than 99% of the total 241Am could be removed by S. cerevisiae of 2.1g/L (dry weight) from 241Am solutions of 2.22MBq/L -555 MBq/L (Co). The adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 1 hour and the optimum pH ranged 1-3. The culture times of more than 16 hours were suitable and the efficient adsorption of 241Am by the S. cerevisiae could be noted. The biosorption of 241Am by the decomposed cell wall, protoplasm or cell membrane of S. cerevisiae was same efficient as by the intact fungus, but the some components of S. cerevisiae, such as protein and acylation group had obvious effect on adsorption. When the concentrations of coexistent Eu3+, Nd3+ were 100 times more than that of 241Am, the adsorption rates would drop to 65%. However, most of the investigated acidic ions have no significant influence on the 241Am adsorption but minute change of pH value, while the saturated EDTA can strong inhibit the biosorption of 241Am.. (authors)
Characterization of uranium, plutonium, neptunium, and americium in HLW supernate for LLW certification
The 1S Manual requires that High Level Waste (HLW) implement a waste certification program prior to sending waste packages to the E-Area vaults. To support the waste certification plan, the HLW supernate inventory of uranium, plutonium, neptunium and americium have been characterized. This characterization is based on the chemical, isotopic and radiological properties of these elements in HLW supernate. This report uses process knowledge, solubility data, isotopic inventory data and sample data to determine if any isotopes of the aforementioned elements will exceed the minimum reportable quantity (MRQ) for waste packages contaminated with HLW supernate. If the MRQ can be exceeded for a particular nuclide, then a method for estimating the waste package content is provided. Waste packages contaminated from HLW supernate do not contain sufficient U-233, U-234, U-235, U-236, U-238, Pu-239, Pu-240, Pu-241, Pu-242 or Am-241 to warrant separate reporting on the shipping manifest. Calculations show that, on average, more than 100 gallons of supernate is required to exceed the PAC (package acceptance criteria) for each of these nuclides. Thus it is highly unlikely that the PAC would be exceeded for these nuclides and unlikely that the MRQ would be exceeded. These nuclides should be manifested as zero for waste packages contaminated with HLW supernate. The only actinide isotopes that may exceed the MRQ are Np-237 and Pu-238. The recommended method to calculate the amount of these two isotopes in waste packages contaminated with HLW supernate is to ratio them to the measured Cs-137 activity
Some elements for a revision of the americium reference biokinetic model
The interpretation of individual activity measurement after a contamination by 241Am or its parent nuclide 241Pu is based on the reference americium (Am) biokinetic model published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection in 1993 [International Commission on Radiological Protection. Age-dependent doses to members of the public from intake of radionuclides: Part 2 Ingestion dose coefficients. ICRP Publication 67. Ann. ICRP 23(3/4) (1993)]. The authors analysed the new data about Am biokinetics reported afterwards to propose an update of the current model. The most interesting results, from the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries post-mortem measurement database [Filipy, R. E. and Russel, J. J. The United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries as sources for actinide dosimetry and bio-effects. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 105(1-4), 185-187 (2003)] and the long-term follow-up of cases of inhalation intake [Malatova, I., Foltanova, S., Beckova, V., Filgas, R., Pospisilova, H. and Hoelgye, Z. Assessment of occupational doses from internal contamination with 241Am. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 105(1-4), 325-328 (2003)], seemed to show that the current model underestimates the retention in the massive soft tissues and overestimates the retention in the skeleton and the late urinary excretion. However, a critical review of the data demonstrated that all were not equally reliable and suggested that only a slight revision of the model, possibly involving a change in the balance of activity between massive soft tissues, cortical and trabecular bone surfaces, may be required. (authors)
The treatment of liquid radioactive waste containing Americium by using a cation exchange method
A research in the treatment of a liquid radioactive waste containing americium has been done. The liquid radioactive waste used in this research was standard solution of U dan Ce with the initial activity of 100 ppm. The experimental investigation is aimed at a study of the effects of the waste pH, the column dimension of IR-120 cation exchanger which is expressed as L/D, the flow rate of a liquid waste and the influence of thiocyanate as a complex agent against the efficiency of a decontamination for uranium and cerium element. The experiment was done by passing downward the feed of uranium and cerium solution into an IR-120 type of cation exchanger with the L/D of 11.37. From the experimental parameters done in this research where the influence of waste pH was varied from 3 - 8, the geometric column (L/D) 11.37, the liquid flow rate was from 2.5 - 10 ml/m and the thiocyanate concentration was between 100 ppm-500 ppm can be concluded that the optimum operational condition for the ion exchange achieved were the waste pH for uranium = 4 and the waste pH for cerium = 6, the flow rate = 2.5 ml/men. From the given maximum value of DF for uranium = 24 (DE = 95.83%) and of DF for cerium = 40 (DE = 97.5%), it can also be concluded that this investigation is to be continued in order that the greater value of DF/DE can be achieved
A study of plutonium and americium concentrations in seaspray on the southern Scottish coast
Seaspray and seawater have been collected from the southern Scottish coast and, for comparison, Cumbria in northwest England during 1989 and 1991. The occurrence of sea-to-land transfer of the actinides plutonium and americium in seaspray was observed on these coasts using muslin screens (a semi-quantitative technique most efficient for collecting large spray droplets) and high volume conventional air samplers. The actinides and fine particulate in the spray were present in relatively higher concentrations than measured in the adjacent seawater, i.e. the spray was enriched in particulate actinides. The net efficiency of the muslim screens in collecting airborne plutonium isotopes and 241Am generally appeared to be about 20%. A review of earlier published concentrations of 239+240Pu and 241Am measured in aerosol and deposition for over a year several tens of metres inland was carried out. This suggested that airborne activities are up to a factor of 5 times higher in Cumbria than southern Scotland. However, neither the new data collected in 1989 and 1991 nor this older data suggests any enhancement of seaspray actinide enrichment in southern Scotland compared to Cumbria. This finding contrasts with earlier, more limited, comparisons that have been carried out which suggested such a difference. There is clear evidence of considerable localised spatial and temporal variability in aerosol actinide enrichment over the beaches in both areas. Enrichments varies between 20 and 500 relative to the adjacent surf zone waters. However, the average enrichment in spray based on the continuous measurements made further inland is likely to be at the lower end of this range. (author)
Reduction of. systematic error of In-vivo measurement of americium 241 activity in the skull
Excretion analysis and in vivo measuring methods are used for estimation of internal contamination by 241Am. In vivo measurements of the lung are suitable in short time after time of intake when the way of the intake is inhalation. In vivo measurements of the activity in the liver or in the skeleton could be performed at a later time. Detection of radionuclide activity in the liver is quite difficult because it is necessary to distinguish liver activity from the activity of surrounding tissues i.e. lung and skeleton. The skull or knees are the most suitable., for activity assessment in the skeleton. The skull is the most appropriate for measurements because it represents about 15% of total skeleton mass and contributions to measured activity of surrounding tissues are small. Americium activity in the skull could be measured with different instrumentation and in various geometries. Setting of two semiconductors detectors placed 3 cm over temporal region of the skull is used in NRPI. Calibration of the system was done by several head phantoms, in this process was observed that detection efficiencies depend on size of the phantoms. The aim of the paper is to express character of the efficiency as function of the size of skull in order to obtain more accurate value of the activity and decrees its uncertainty. Simulations of head by simplified geometric shapes, i.e. spheres and rotary ellipsoids, is in coherence with phantoms of big size (UCIN, BPAM-0001), but for small phantoms occurred quite serious discrepancy. Activity of real cases determined by calibration with phantom BPAM-0001 (reference phantom) is reduced from 9 to 44 %, when eq. 2 is used and relative uncertainty is reduced from 32% to maximum 12%. (authors)
Transport of plutonium, americium, and curium from soils into plants by roots
For assessing the dose from radionuclides in agricultural products by ingestion it is necessary to know the soil to plant transfer factors. The literature was entirely investigated, in order to judge the size of the soil to plant transfer factors. In total, 92 publications - from 1948 to 1978 -have been evaluated. As result, transfer factors from 10-9 to 10-3 have been found for Plutonium, and from 10-6 to 1 for Americium. For Curium only few data are available in literature. The considerable variation of the measured transfer factors is based on the dependence of these transfer factors from the ion exchange capacity of soils, from the amount of organic materials, from the pH-value, and from the mode of contamination. There are, in any case, contradictory data, although there has been detected a dependence of the transfer factors from these parameters. Chelating agenst increase the transfer factors to approximately 1300. As well, fertilizers have an influence on the size of the transfer factors - however, the relationships have been scarcely investigated. The distribution of actinides within the individual parts of plants has been investigated. The highest concentrations are in the roots; in the plant parts above ground the concentration of actinides decreases considerably. The most inferior transfer factors were measured for the respective seed or fruits. The soil to plant transfer factors of actinides are more dependend on the age of the plants within one growing period. At the beginning of the period, the transfer factor is considerably higher than at the end of this period. With respect to plants with a growing period of several years, correlations are unknown. (orig.)
Inert matrices, uranium-free plutonium fuels and americium targets. Synthesis of CAPRA, SPIN and EFTTRA studies
A first selection of inert-matrix materials, actinide support alone (Pu and Am based), and compound materials, U free plutonium burning fuels and heterogeneous americium targets are discussed. Basic properties, fabrication, and reprocessing studies, European in-pile and out-of-pile tests, performed recently in the framework of CAPRA, SPIN and EFTTRA programs, are reviewed here. Taking into account these studies and on the bases of the different requirements to be met in each of the fuels and targets, a number of materials have been selected as 'promising candidates'. Trends for further research on these materials are established. (author)