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1

American National Standard: for nuclear criticality control of special actinide elements  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This standard is applicable to operations with the following: /sup 237/Np, /sup 238/Pu, /sup 240/Pu, /sup 241/Pu, /sup 242/Pu, /sup 241/Am, /sup 242m/Am, /sup 243/Am, /sup 243/Cm, /sup 244/Cm, /sup 245/Cm, /sup 247/Cm, /sup 249/Cf and /sup 251/Cf. Subcritical mass limits are presented for isolated fissionable units. The limits are not applicable to interacting units.

1981-01-01

2

Review of integral data on higher transactinides  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A review of the status of integral measurements is presented for "2"4"0Pu, "2"4"1Pu, "2"4"2Pu, "2"4"1Am and "2"4"3Am. This review includes integral measurements pertinent to thermal reactor systems, i.e., thermal cross sections and resonance integrals, as well as measurements for fast reactor systems. It appears that for these nuclides the data for thermal reactors are in good shape; however, more work is recommended in defining the branching ratio of the capture cross section of "2"4"1Am to the isomeric and ground states of "2"4"2Am. Also, benchmark irradiation data are needed for cross section data testing using depletion/production codes. For fast reactors, experiments are in progress, in the UK, in France, and also in the US, with partial results available at this time. Fast integral data obtained from these measurements will be very beneficial. The recommendation pertaining to "2"4"1Am and proper benchmarks for thermal reactor applications also applies to fast reactor ...

1979-05-01

3

Dependence of fast reactor fuel burnup characteristics on nuclear data libraries  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the framework of the development of burnup calculation method for commercial fast reactors, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to clarify the dependence of fuel burnup characteristics on nuclear data libraries (NDLs). The following NDLs were compared: JEF-2.2, ENDF/B-VI Release 5, JENDL-3.2 and JENDL-3.3. The NDL-dependence of material balance for main heavy metal nuclides ("2"3"5U, "2"3"8U, "2"3"9Pu, "2"4"0Pu and "2"4"1Pu) was small, since the number densities at the end of one-cycle burnup did not change over 1 or 2% among the above-mentioned libraries. Relatively large differences were found for minor actinide nuclides, especially for "2"3"6U, "2"3"7Np, "2"4"2"mAm, "2"4"3Am and curium isotopes. The number densities for these nuclides after burning up showed remarkable NDL-dependence over 5% through 50%. A burnup sensitivity analysis system based on the generalized perturbation theory enabled us to find out quantitatively the causative nuclides and reactions, as well as their ...

2005-04-01

4

ZZ UKFY2, Fission Yields of Th, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm, Cf Isotopes  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Description of program or function: Format: ENDFB-6 format; Nuclides: Th-232, U-233, U-234, U-235, U-236, U-238, Np-237, Np-238, Pu-238, Pu-239, Pu-240, Pu-241, Pu-242, Am-241, Am-242, Am-243, Cm-243, Cm-244, Cm-245, and from the spontaneous fission of Cm-242, Cm-244, and Cf-252. Origin: New evaluation (Crouch 1, 2, 3, 4; UKFY1; JEF-1). A new evaluation of fission product yields from the thermal, fast, and 14 MeV neutron-induced fission of the following nuclides has been prepared in ENDFB-VI format: "2"3"2Th, "2"3"3U, "2"3"4U, "2"3"5U, "2"3"6U, "2"3"8U, "2"3"7Np, "2"3"8Np, "2"3"8Pu, "2"3"9Pu, "2"4"0Pu, "2"4"1Pu, "2"4"2Pu, "2"4"1Am, "2"4"2"mAm, "2"4"3Am, "2"4"3Cm, "2"4"4Cm, "2"4"5Cm; and from the spontaneous fission of "2"4"2Cm, "2"4"4Cm, and "2"5"2Cf

5

PRELIMINARY CROSS SECTION AND NU-BAR COVARIANCES FOR WPEC SUBGROUP 26  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We report preliminary cross section covariances developed for the WPEC Subgroup 26 for 45 out of 52 requested materials. The covariances were produced in 15- and 187-group representations as follows: (1) 36 isotopes ({sup 16}O, {sup 19}F, {sup 23}Na, {sup 27}Al, {sup 28}Si, {sup 52}Cr, {sup 56,56}Fe, {sup 58}Ni, {sup 90,91,92,94}Zr, {sup 166,167,168,170}Er, {sup 206,207,208}Pb, {sup 209}Bi, {sup 233,234,236}U, {sup 237}Np, {sup 238,240,241,242}Pu, {sup 241,242m,243}Am, {sup 242,243,244,245}Cm) were evaluated using the BNL-LANL methodology. For the thermal region and the resolved and unresolved resonance regions, the methodology has been based on the Atlas-Kalman approach, in the fast neutron region the Empire-Kalman method has been used; (2) 6 isotopes ({sup 155,156,157,158,160}Gd and {sup 232}Th) were taken from ENDF/B-VII.0; and (3) 3 isotopes ({sup 1}H, {sup 238}U and {sup 239}Pu) were taken from ...

2007-01-31

6

Highly enriched isotope samples of uranium and transuranium elements for scientific investigation  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The paper describes the production of highly enriched isotopes of uranium, plutonium, americium and curium by electromagnetic separation for scientific and applied researches in physics, chemistry, geology, medicine, biology and other fields. Using the equipment described, the isotopes are produced in quantities sufficient to set up nuclear physical experiments, to produce nuclear reference materials and standard sources for calibration of radiometrical and mass spectrometrical equipment, in radionuclide metrology, etc. For the following isotopes the indicated degrees of isotopic enrichment were achieved: "2"3"3U-99.97%; "2"3"5U-99.97%; "2"3"6U-98.0%; "2"3"8U-99.997%; "2"3"8Pu-99.6%; "2"3"9Pu-99.9977%; "2"4"0Pu-99.9-100%; "2"4"1Pu-96.998%; "2"4"2Pu-97.8-99.96%; "2"4"4Pu-96.7%; "2"4"1Am-99.6%; "2"4"2"mAm-73.6%; "2"4"3Am-99.2-99.94%; "2"4"3Cm-99.99%; "2"4"5Cm-99.998%; "2"4"6Cm-99.8%; "2"4"7Cm-90%, "2"4"8Cm-97%. Methods for preparing layers of highly enriched isotopes on various ...

7

Calculated doses from inhaled transuranium radionuclides and potential risk equivalence to whole-body radiation  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The distribution of radiation dose commitments within the body that can result from the lung deposition of a number of transuranic radionuclides ("2"3"7Pu, "2"3"8Pu, "2"3"9Pu, "2"4"0Pu, "2"4"1Pu, "2"4"2Pu, "2"4"3Pu, "2"4"4Pu, "2"4"1Am, "2"4"2Am, "2"4"3Am, "2"4"4Am, "2"4"2Cm, "2"4"3Cm, "2"4"4Cm, and "2"4"6Cm) was calculated. The variables that influence these organ dose commitments include the mobility of the particle or its dissolution products within the body, the radiation characteristics of the inhaled radionuclides and their progeny, and the size of the particles inhaled. In the calculation of organ dose commitments for whole-body, lungs, liver, bone tissues, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract from the inhalation of transuranium radionuclides, physical characteristics of importance are the dimensions of the particle, its aerodynamic properties, and its density. For particles within the respirable size range, a useful description is provided by the activity median aerodynamic ...

1975-11-17

8

Investigation of nuclear fusion in reaction of "4","6He and "7Li on "2"0"8Pb and "2"0"9Bi nuclei  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

One measured fission and fusion cross sections of "4","6He+"2"0"9Bi and "7Li+"2"0"8Pb reactions within the range from the Coulomb barrier up to 200 MeV. The measured functions of fission and fusion for the mentioned reactions are shown to have close values within the excitation energy wide range. One analyzed the excitation functions of fusion and fission for "4He+"2"0"9Bi, "6He+"2"0"9Bi and "7Li+"2"0"8Pb reactions resulting in formation of "2"1"3","2"1"5At compound systems

2006-11-01

9

Concentrations of 239+240 Pu and 137 Cs in seawater near Wolsung nuclear power plant  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Concentrations of {sup 239+240} Pu and {sup 137} Cs were measured for vertical direction and horizontal direction in seawater collected at 21 locations on the 8 directions near Wolsung nuclear power plant. The inventories of {sup 239+240} Pu and {sup 137} Cs were calculated in seawater column. The concentrations of {sup 239+240} Pu and {sup 137} Cs were in seawater in the range of 8-36 {mu}Bq/L, 2.4-4.5 mBq/L, respectively. The {sup 239+240} Pu concentration increased with depth, however, the {sup 137} Cs concentrations not greatly changed with depth above thermocline.

2002-05-01

10

Evidence for the synthesis of {sup 267}110 produced by the {sup 59}Co + {sup 209}Bi reaction  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An experiment to synthesize element 110 by the {sup 59}Co+{sup 209}Bi reaction has bee performed at the SuperHILAC at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. One event with many of the expected characteristics of a successful of {sup 267}110 was observed. This event corresponds to a production cross section of about one picobarn.

1994-09-01

11

Energy dependence of the yield of fission isomers in the /sup 241/Am(n,. gamma. ) and /sup 243/Am(n,. gamma. ) reactions  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ratio of the fissile isomers and prompt fissions yields has been measured in processes of neutron capture by /sup 241/Am and /sup 243/Am nuclei in the neutron energy interval from 0.2 up to 1.3 MeV. The present data and the previous results suggest that the fission Am isomers are spin structure isomers rather than shape isomers.

1984-11-01

12

Charge distribution in alpha particle induced fission of "2"0"9Bi (Preprint No. NC-06)  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The charge distribution in the alpha particle induced fission of "2"0"9Bi has been studied at alpha particle energy of 55.7 MeV and 58.6 MeV. The fractional cumulative yields of "9"7Zr, "9"9Mo, "1"0"1Mo and "1"1"2Pd have been determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The charge distribution have been found to be broad. (author). 4 refs., 1 ta b.

1991-02-04

13

Calculated neutron capture cross sections to the americium ground and isomeric states  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The neutron capture cross sections of "2"4"1Am and "2"4"3Am to the ground and isomeric states of "2"4"2Am and "2"4"4Am have been calculated using the Hauser-Feshbach statistical theory of nuclear reactions for energies from thermal to 2 MeV. The parameters for the calculations were obtained from recent data on ("2"4"1Am + n) and ("2"4"3Am + n) or, where necessary, from systematics of actinide nuclei. The calculated values are in good agreement with the sparse experimental data.

14

Oxygen-16 induced fission of [sup 209]Bi at 89. 5 MeV  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oxygen-16 induced fission studies of [sup 209]Bi have been carried out at particle energies of 89.5 MeV using gamma ray spectrometry. The cross sections for the production of fission products have been determined. The yield distribution of fission products has been found to be broad (FWHM [approx equal] mass units) with a peak near mass [approx equal] 108. The charge distribution in the [sup 16]O ion induced fission of [sup 209]Bi has also been studied at particle energy of 89.5 MeV. The relative cumulative yields of [sup 92]Sr, [sup 97]Zr, [sup 99]Mo, [sup 101]Mo, [sup 112]Pd and [sup 117m]Cd have been determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The width of charge distribution has been found to be broad. (orig.)

1994-01-01

15

Oxygen-16 induced fission of "2"0"9Bi at 89.5 MeV  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oxygen-16 induced fission studies of "2"0"9Bi have been carried out at particle energies of 89.5 MeV using gamma ray spectrometry. The cross sections for the production of fission products have been determined. The yield distribution of fission products has been found to be broad (FWHM #approx =# mass units) with a peak near mass #approx =# 108. The charge distribution in the "1"6O ion induced fission of "2"0"9Bi has also been studied at particle energy of 89.5 MeV. The relative cumulative yields of "9"2Sr, "9"7Zr, "9"9Mo, "1"0"1Mo, "1"1"2Pd and "1"1"7"mCd have been determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The width of charge distribution has been found to be broad. (orig.).

16

Oxygen-16 induced fission of "2"0"9Bi at 89.5 MeV  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The "1"6O induced fission studies of "2"0"9Bi have been carried out at particle energies of 89.5 MeV using gamma ray spectrometry. The cross sections for the production of fission products have been determined. The yield distribution of fission products has been found to be broad (FWHM=16) with a peak near mass 107. The charge distribution in the "1"6O particle induced fission of "2"0"9Bi has been studied at "1"6O particle of 89.5 MeV. The fractional cumulative yields of "9"2Y, "9"7Zr, "9"9Mo, "1"0"1Mo, "1"0"5Rh, "1"1"2Pd and "1"1"7"mCd have been determined using gamma ray spectrometry. (author). 7 refs., 2 tabs.

17

Determination methods of alpha activity ratio  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The three determination methods of alpha activity ration are described, namely geometric progression method, extrapolation method and curve fitting method. The validity of the geometric progression method is demonstrated in the present work. The "2"3"8Pu/("2"3"9Pu + "2"4"0Pu) evaluated by extrapolation method is compared with that by geometric progression method. Also, the "2"3"8Pu/("2"3"9Pu + "2"4"0Pu)evaluated by curve fitting method is compared with that by geometric progression.

18

Carbon-12 induced fission of "2"0"9Bi at 84.2 MeV  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The "1"2C induced fission of "2"0"9Bi at particle energy of 84.2 MeV has been studied using gamma ray spectrometry. The cross sections for the production of fission products have been determined. The charge distribution has also been studied and the relative fractional cumulative yields of "9"2Y, "9"7Zr, "9"9Mo, "1"0"1Mo, "1"0"5Rh, "1"1"2Pd and "1"1"7"mCd determined. The yield distribution of fission products has been found to be broad (FWHM #approx =# 18) with a peak near mass #approx =# 105. (author). 7 refs., 2 tabs.

19

Alpha particle induced fission of sup 209 Bi at 55. 7 and 58. 6 MeV  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The alpha particle induced fission of {sup 209}Bi has been investigated for E{sub {alpha}} = 55.7 and 58.6 MeV using gamma ray spectrometry. The cross sections for the production of fission products have been determined. The mass distributions have been found to be broad with a peak near mass 104. The charge distribution has been studied at the same particle energies. The fractional cumulative yields of {sup 97}Zr, {sup 99}Mo, {sup 101}Mo, {sup 112}Pd and {sup 117m}Cd have been determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The width of charge distribution is broad. (orig.).

1991-01-01

20

Alpha particle induced fission of "2"0"9Bi at 55.7 and 58.6 MeV  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The alpha particle induced fission of "2"0"9Bi has been investigated for E_#alpha# = 55.7 and 58.6 MeV using gamma ray spectrometry. The cross sections for the production of fission products have been determined. The mass distributions have been found to be broad with a peak near mass 104. The charge distribution has been studied at the same particle energies. The fractional cumulative yields of "9"7Zr, "9"9Mo, "1"0"1Mo, "1"1"2Pd and "1"1"7"mCd have been determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The width of charge distribution is broad. (orig.).

 
 
 
 
21

Results of Am isotopic ratio analysis in irradiated MOX fuels  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

For analysis of a small quantity of americium, it is necessary to separate from curium which has similar chemical property. As a chemical separation method for americium and curium, the oxidation of americium with pentavalent bismuth and subsequent co-precipitation of trivalent curium with BIP O{sub 4} were applied to analyze americium in irradiated MOX fuels which contained about 30wt% plutonium and 0.9wt% {sup 241}Am before irradiation and were irradiated up to 26.2GWd/t in the experimental fast reactor Joyo. The purpose of this study is to measure isotopic ratio of americium and to evaluate the change of isotopic ratio with irradiation. Following results are obtained in this study. (1) The isotopic ratio of americium ({sup 241}Am, {sup 242m}Am and {sup 243}Am) can be analyzed in the MOX fuels by isolating americium. The isotopic ratio of {sup 242m}Am and {sup 243}Am increases up to 0.62at% and ...

1997-04-01

22

Re-evaluation of neutron nuclear data for {sup 242m}Am, {sup 243}Am, {sup 99}Tc and{sup 140}Ce  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The evaluated nuclear data given in JENDL-3.2 were compared with other evaluated data sets and available experimental data, for important minor actinides of {sup 242m}Am and {sup 243}Am, and fission product nuclides of {sup 99}Tc and {sup 140}Ce. Since problems were found as a result of the comparison, the data of JENDL-3.2 were improved for these nuclides. It was found that the evaluated data of Maslov et al. were superior to the others. They were adopted for {sup 242m}Am and {sup 243}Am after further improvements. For {sup 99}Tc and {sup 140}Ce, resonance parameters and optical model parameters were improved. The cross sections of these two nuclides in the smooth part were re-calculated. The present results were given in the neutron energy range from 10{sup -5} eV to 20 MeV in the ENDF-6 format, and adopted to JENDL-3.3. (author)

2002-12-01

23

Curium isotopes and americium-242 m in Irish Sea sediment  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An intertidal estuarine sediment core was collected from Esk Estuary in the Irish Sea which had been contaminated by low-level radioactive liquid effluent from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plants at Sellafield, UK. The {sup 242}Cm and {sup 243,244}Cm radioactivity concentrations were determined to establish the present contamination levels compared with other radionuclides {sup 137}Cs, {sup 237}Np, {sup 238}Pu, {sup 239,240}Pu, {sup 241}Pu and {sup 241}Am. The results showed that {sup 242}Cm and {sup 244}Cm existed in the detectable levels in the Irish Sea sediment and the concentration of {sup 242m}Am was evaluated from that of {sup 242}Cm. The {sup 242m}Am/{sup 239,240}Pu and {sup 244}Cm/{sup 239,240}Pu inventory ratios in the sediment core were about 0.04% and 0.3%, respectively. The total amount of {sup 242m}Am discharged into the Irish Sea from the start ...

1999-03-01

24

Evaluation of prompt neutron spectra from fission of americium isotopes  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Prompt neutron spectra for Am isotopes ({sup 241}Am, {sup 242m}Am, {sup 243}Am) were calculated on the basis of a modified version of the Madland-Nix model combined with multimodal fission model. The predicted spectra were found to be in fair agreement with recent data. (author)

2002-06-01

25

Non-equilibrium reaction mechanism in alpha-particle induced excitation function for sup 209 Bi up to 60 MeV  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Excitation functions ({alpha},3n) and ({alpha},4n) for {sup 209}Bi have been measured up to 60 MeV {alpha}-particle energy. The excitation functions are measured at 15{alpha}-particle energies by a stack foil technique in two steps. Excitation functions for the above two reactions have been reported for the first time in the energy range from 40 to 60 MeV. The measured experimental values are compared with the geometry-dependent hybrid (GDH) model in which the emission of particles prior to the equilibrium decay is taken into account whenever the interaction of projectile with the target nucleus is considered. It is found that the compound nucleus decay mechanism alone is unable to explain the experimental trend of our data. The initial exciton number 4 with different configurations has been tested and it is concluded that the configuration (2n + 2p + 0h) gives the best fit to the experimental data. (author).

1990-01-01

26

Non-equilibrium reaction mechanism in alpha-particle induced excitation function for "2"0"9Bi up to 60 MeV  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Excitation functions (#alpha#,3n) and (#alpha#,4n) for "2"0"9Bi have been measured up to 60 MeV #alpha#-particle energy. The excitation functions are measured at 15#alpha#-particle energies by a stack foil technique in two steps. Excitation functions for the above two reactions have been reported for the first time in the energy range from 40 to 60 MeV. The measured experimental values are compared with the geometry-dependent hybrid (GDH) model in which the emission of particles prior to the equilibrium decay is taken into account whenever the interaction of projectile with the target nucleus is considered. It is found that the compound nucleus decay mechanism alone is unable to explain the experimental trend of our data. The initial exciton number 4 with different configurations has been tested and it is concluded that the configuration (2n + 2p + 0h) gives the best fit to the experimental data. (author).

27

Production of superheavy elements in cold fusion reactions  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The cold fusion reactions leading to superheavy elements with Z=104-116 has been discussed in our model recently [5]. Presently we shortly discuss our model and extend our consideration to fusion reactions ("8"6Kr, "8"7Rb, "8"8Sr)+"2"0"8Pb and "8"6Kr+"2"0"9Bi leading to elements with Z=118-120. The available experimental cross-section data for the reactions are well described.

2001-04-19

28

Spatial distributions of {sup 137}Cs and {sup 239+240}Pu in surface seawater within the Exclusive Economic Zone of East Coast Peninsular Malaysia  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The studies of {sup 137}Cs and {sup 239+240}Pu distributions in surface seawater at South China Sea within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Peninsular Malaysia were carried out in June 2008. The analysis results will serve as additional information to the expanded baseline data for Malaysia's marine environment. Thirty locations from extended study area were identified in the EEZ from which large volumes of surface seawater samples were collected. Different co-precipitation techniques were employed to concentrate cesium and plutonium separately. A known amount of {sup 134}Cs and {sup 242}Pu tracers were used as yield determinant. The precipitate slurry was collected and oven dried at 60 {sup o}C for 1-2 days. Cesium precipitate was fine-ground and counted using gamma-ray spectrometry system at 661.62 keV, while plutonium was separated from other radionuclides using anion exchange, electrodeposited and counted using alpha ...

2010-09-15

29

Charged particle spectra: 140 MeV #alpha# particle bombardment of "2"7Al, "5"8Ni, "9"0Zr, "2"0"9Bi, and "2"3"2Th  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Complete energy spectra and angular distributions of the light charged particles (A < or = 4) were measured for the bombardment of "2"7Al, "5"8Ni, "9"0Zr, "2"0"9Bi, and "2"3"2Th with 140 MeV #alpha# particles. The spectral shapes of a given emitted particle are very similar for all target nuclei except in the region of the evaporation peak. The slopes of the energy spectra in the forward direction become steeper as the mass of the observed particle decreases and vary very rapidly with angles. The experimental data can be characterized by compound nuclear evaporation processes at low energies, or at backward angles, and by direct reactions, nonequilibrium components and projectile breakup processes at high energies and forward angles. The breakup cross section for #alpha# particles is found to be appreciable. The total yield of light charged particles is approximately a factor approx. 2 to 3 larger than the total reaction cross section for "2"7Al, "5"8Ni, and "9"0Zr and is approx. ...

30

Total and spontaneous fission half-lives of the americium and curium nuclides  

Science.gov (United States)

The total half-life and the half-life for spontaneous fission are evaluated for the various long-lived nuclides of interest. Recommended values are presented for /sup 241/Am, /sup 242m/Am, /sup 243/Am, /sup 242/Cm, /sup 243/Cm, /sup 244/Cm, /sup 245/Cm, /sup 246/Cm, /sup 247/Cm, /sup 248/Cm, and /sup 250/Cm. The uncertainties are provided at the 95% confidence limit for each of the recommended values.

1984-01-01

31

Total and spontaneous fission half-lives of the americium and curium nuclides  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The total half-life and the half-life for spontaneous fission are evaluated for the various long-lived nuclides of interest. Recommended values are presented for "2"4"1Am, "2"4"2Am, "2"4"3Am, "2"4"2Cm, "2"4"3Cm, "2"4"4Cm, "2"4"5Cm, "2"4"6Cm, "2"4"7Cm, "2"4"8Cm, and "2"5"0Cm. The uncertainties are provided at the 95% confidence limit for each of the recommended values. (author).

1985-06-01

32

Total and spontaneous fission half-lives for uranium, plutonium, americium and curium nuclides  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Measurements of the half-lives of some long-lived nuclides of elements Z = 92, 94, 95 and 96 have been compiled and evaluated. Recommended values are presented for {sup 232-236,238}U, for {sup 236,238-242,244}Pu, for {sup 241,242m,243}Am, and for {sup 242-248,250}Cm. Values are presented for both spontaneous fission half-life and total half-life. Problems with reported uncertainties are also discussed. (author).

1989-01-01

33

Review of the microscopic cross sections for the americium isotopes in the resolved resonance region. [0. 5 eV to 10 keV  

Science.gov (United States)

The differential cross section measurements for /sup 241/Am, /sup 242m/Am and /sup 243/Am are reviewed in the energy range from 0.5 eV to 10 keV. Parameters extracted from resonance analysis, such as the neutron strength function, the average level spacing, the average capture and fission widths, are compared for the various measurements. The average capture and fission cross sections from 100 eV to 10 keV are directly compared. The status of the data set is discussed with suggestions for further measurements. 24 references.

1978-11-16

34

Evaluation of prompt neutron spectra for americium isotopes by multimodal Madland-Nix model  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The prompt neutron spectra of {sup 241}Am, {sup 242m}Am, and {sup 243}Am were evaluated for the next version of Japanese Evaluated Nuclear Data Library, using the methodology developed by the authors. The method is based on the Madland-Nix theory with some improvements to consider the multimodal nature of the fission process, and shell effects on the level density parameters and the neutron multiplicity from light and heavy fragments. The results were compared with previous evaluations. (authors)

2008-07-01

35

FFTF (Fast Flux Test Facility) Reactor Characterization Program: Absolute Fission-rate Measurements  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Absolute fission rate measurements using modified National Bureau of Standards fission chambers were performed in the Fast Flux Test Facility at two core locations for isotopic deposits of {sup 232}Th, {sup 233}U, {sup 235}U, {sup 238}U, {sup 237}Np, {sup 239}Pu, {sup 240}Pu, and {sup 241}Pu. Monitor chamber results at a third location were analyzed to support other experiments involving passive dosimeter fission rate determinations.

1981-05-01

36

FFTF (FAST FLUX TEST FACILITY) REACTOR CHARACTERIZATION PROGRAM ABSOLUTE FISSION RATE MEASUREMENTS  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Absolute fission rate measurements using modified National Bureau of Standards fission chambers were performed in the Fast Flux Test Facility at two core locations for isotopic deposits of {sup 232}Th, {sup 233}U, {sup 235}U, {sup 238}U, {sup 237}Np, {sup 239}Pu, {sup 240}Pu, and {sup 241}Pu. Monitor chamber results at a third location were analyzed to support other experiments involving passive dosimeter fission rate determinations.

1981-05-01

37

Characterization of an Irish Sea radioactively contaminated marine sediment core by radiometric and mass spectrometric techniques  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A radioactively contaminated marine sediment core stemming from Irish Sea has been characterized by radiometric and mass spectrometric techniques as for "2"3"7Np, "2"4"1Am, "2"3"9Pu, "2"4"0Pu, "2"4"1Pu, "1"3"7Cs and "1"5"4Eu. The data obtained with independent methods in the framework of a QA/QC program as compared with the source term discharges, as well as with those reported in literature, are in good agreement. (author)

2005-02-01

38

Activity concentration of some anthropogenic radionuclides in the surface marine sediments near the Saudi coast of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Activity concentrations of some anthropogenic radionuclides (90Sr, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239+240Pu and 241Am) have been measured in the surface of marine sediments along the Saudi coast of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. The samples were collected at different locations and water depths. The spatial distribution of the concentrations of the measured radionuclides showed a heterogeneous pattern and is independent of location or water depth. The obtained results are discussed and some conclusions are drawn.

2007-01-01

39

The neutron capture cross sections of {sup 237}Np(n,{gamma}) and {sup 240}Pu(n,{gamma}) and its relevance in the transmutation of nuclear waste  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Neutron capture cross sections of actinides are of great relevance for the Transmutation of Nuclear Waste in Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) and Generation-IV reactors. The neutron capture cross sections of {sup 237}Np and {sup 240}Pu in the range of 1 eV to 2 keV were measured at the n-TOF facility with a Total Absorption Calorimeter. The data have been analyzed with the SAMMY code. The corresponding covariance matrices have been generated. The final cross sections are presented and compared to the previously existing ones.The n-TOF {sup 237}Np {sigma}(n,{gamma}) is in agreement with the evaluated data files below 300 eV and its is lower by 10 to 15% up to 2 keV. This discrepancy with the evaluated data files is also observed in the capture cross section derived from the transmission measurements of Gressier et al. In the case of the {sup 240}Pu {sigma}(n,{gamma}), the n-TOF {sigma}(n,{gamma}) agrees ...

2008-07-01

40

Simple isolation of polonium-210 from silver  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Over the last several years considerable concern has been expressed regarding the potential detrimental effects of radon and radon progeny on our health. The complex nature of the radon decay scheme, which involves the emission of a variety of radiations including several [alpha] particles, [beta] particles, and [gamma]-rays, does not lend itself to clear delineation of the biological effects of the [alpha] particles alone. Polonium-210, the terminal radionuclide of the radon decay series, is useful for this purpose because it has a relatively long shelf-life ([tau][sub 1/2] = 138 d), and it only emits a single 5.3 MeV [alpha] particle in its decay to stable [sup 206]Pb. Accordingly, it has been used extensively in radiobiological studies with incorporated radionuclides. The radionuclide [sup 210]Po is produced in a reactor from [sup 209]Bi. (Author).

1994-05-01

 
 
 
 
41

Odd-Z Transactinide Compound Nucleus Reactions Including the Discovery of 260Bh  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Several reactions producing odd-Z transactinide compound nuclei were studiedwith the 88-Inch Cyclotron and the Berkeley Gas-Filled Separator at the LawrenceBerkeley National Laboratory. The goal was to produce the same compound nucleus ator near the same excitation energy with similar values of angular momentum via differentnuclear reactions. In doing so, it can be determined if there is a preference in entrancechannel, because under these experimental conditions the survival portion of Swiatecki, Siwek-Wilcznska, and Wilczynski's"Fusion By Diffusion" model is nearly identical forthe two reactions. Additionally, because the same compound nucleus is produced, theexit channel is the same. Four compound nuclei were examined in this study: 258Db, 262Bh, 266Mt, and 272Rg. These nuclei were produced by using very similar heavy-ion induced-fusion reactions which differ only by one proton in the projectile or target nucleus (e.g.: 50Ti + ...

2008-05-14

42

Total and spontaneous fission half-lives for uranium, plutonium, americium and curium nuclides  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Measurements of the half-lives of some long-lived nuclides of elements Z = 92, 94, 95 and 96 have been compiled and evaluated. Recommended values are presented for "2"3"2"-"2"3"6","2"3"8U, for "2"3"6","2"3"8"-"2"4"2","2"4"4Pu, for "2"4"1","2"4"2"m","2"4"3Am, and for "2"4"2"-"2"4"8","2"5"0Cm. Values are presented for both spontaneous fission half-life and total half-life. Problems with reported uncertainties are also discussed. (author).

43

Total and spontaneous fission half-lives for americium and curium nuclides  

Science.gov (United States)

The long-lived nuclides of the americium curium elements are of interest for their use in certain safeguard applications and for nuclear reactor burnup studies in waste management. Recommended values are presented for /sup 241,242m,243/Am, and for /sup 242,243,244,245,246,247,248,250/Cm. These values result from a consistent evaluation of all these half-lives. These preliminary estimates were presented earlier. The uncertainties are provided at the 95% confidence limit for each of the recommended values. It will be noted that many of the recommended errors considerably exceed errors quoted by individual authors in their publication, by up to an order of magnitude, e.g., the total half-life of /sup 242,246,248/Cm and the spontaneous fission half-life of /sup 244/Cm. 65 refs., 18 tabs.

1985-01-01

44

Solubility of AmOHCO{sub 3} in aqueous solution under atmospheric conditions  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Modeling calculations on the solubility of americium have indicated that basic americium carbonate, and not americium trihydroxide, is the solubility-controlling solid in the pH range from 6 to 10 under the influence of atmospheric CO{sub 2}. The solubility of crystalline {sup 243}AmOHCO{sup 3} has been investigated in batch experiments in near-neutral and basic solutions as a function of dissolution time in 0.1 M NaClO{sup 4} at room temperature under oxic conditions. After the solutions reached steady-state conditions, the influence of dissolved solids on the americium concentration in the supernatant solution was studied by utilizing several experimental methods to separate the solution phase from the solid. The solids were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction analysis.

1987-12-01

45

Burning nuclear wastes in fusion reactors  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We have studied actinide burn-up in ICF reactor pellets; i.e., 14 MeV neutron fission of the very long-lived actinides that pose storage problems. A major advantage of pellet fuel region burn-up is safety: only milligrams of highly toxic and active material need to be present in the fusion chamber, whereas blanket burn-up requires the continued presence of tons of actinides in a small volume. The actinide data tables required for Monte Carlo calculations of the burn-up of /sup 241/Am and /sup 243/Am are discussed in connection with a study of the sensitivity to cross section uncertainties. More accurate and complete cross sections are required for realistic quantitative calculations.

1980-02-20

46

Plutonium distribution and remobilization in sediments of the Rhone River mouth (North-Western Mediterranean); Distribution et remobilisation du plutonium dans les sediments du prodelta du Rhone (Mediterranee nord-occidentale)  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of the present study was to describe the distribution and remobilization of plutonium (Pu) in the sediments off the Rhone river mouth. Most of the {sup 238}Pu and {sup 239,240}Pu isotopes introduced into the Rhone River were discharged by the liquid effluents released from the Marcoule reprocessing plant, located 120 km upstream the river mouth. Due to its high affinity for particles and its long half life, {sup 238}Pu is a promising tracer to follow the dispersion of particulate matter from the Rhone River to the Mediterranean Sea. During the 3 REMORA cruises, sediment samples were specifically collected in the Rhone pro-delta area and more offshore on the whole continental shelf of the Gulf of Lions. The measurements of alpha emitters gave a first detailed spatial distribution of Pu isotope concentrations in surface sediments off the Rhone mouth. Using {sup 137}Cs concentrations and their correlations with Pu isotopes, we were able to ...

2004-06-15

47

Subcritical measurements with a cylindrical tank of Pu-U nitrate  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This series of measurements with a mixed Pu-U nitrate solution (280 g Pu/liter, 180 g U/liter) in a 35.54-cm-diam cylindrical tank provides a wide variety of experimental data for subcritical configurations that can be used to verify calculational methods and nuclear data. The Pu contained 7.85 wt% {sup 240}Pu and the uranium was natural uranium. The measurements performed were: inverse count rate, prompt neutron decay constants, inverse kinetics, and frequency analysis by the {sup 252}Cf source driven method. These data are presented in sufficient detail that the results of the experiments can be calculated directly. For purposes of extrapolating to the delayed critical height the ratio of spectral densities was linear with height and thus provided the best estimate of critical height.

1997-04-01

48

Concentrations of 239+240 Pu and 137 Cs in seawater near Wolsung nuclear power plant  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Concentrations of "2"3"9"+"2"4"0 Pu and "1"3"7 Cs were measured for vertical direction and horizontal direction in seawater collected at 21 locations on the 8 directions near Wolsung nuclear power plant. The inventories of "2"3"9"+"2"4"0 Pu and "1"3"7 Cs were calculated in seawater column. The concentrations of "2"3"9"+"2"4"0 Pu and "1"3"7 Cs were in seawater in the range of 8-36 #mu#Bq/L, 2.4-4.5 mBq/L, respectively. The "2"3"9"+"2"4"0 Pu concentration increased with depth, however, the "1"3"7 Cs concentrations not greatly changed with depth above thermocline.

2002-05-01

49

Characterization and Source Term Assessments of Radioactive Particles from Marshall Islands Using Non-Destructive Analytical Techniques  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A considerable fraction of radioactivity entering the environment from different nuclear events is associated with particles. The impact of these events can only be fully assessed where there is some knowledge about the mobility of particle bound radionuclides entering the environment. The behavior of particulate radionuclides is dependent on several factors, including the physical, chemical and redox state of the environment, the characteristics of the particles (e.g., the chemical composition, crystallinity and particle size) and on the oxidative state of radionuclides contained in the particles. Six plutonium-containing particles stemming from Runit Island soil (Marshall Islands) were characterized using non-destructive analytical and microanalytical methods. By determining the activity of {sup 239,240}Pu and {sup 241}Am isotopes from their gamma peaks structural information related to Pu matrix was obtained, and the source term was ...

2005-06-11

50

Resonance ionization spectroscopy at {sup 240f,242f}Am fission isomers  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Optical Isotope shift measurements have been performed for the {sup 240f,242f}Am fission isomers to test the stability of nuclear deformation as function of the neutron number. The method is based on resonance ionization spectroscopy (RIS) in a buffer gas cell with fission detection of the ionization process. The {sup 240f,242f}Am fission isomers have been produced by {sup 242}Pu(p, 3n), {sup 242}Pu(d, 2n) reactions, respectively. Relative isotope shift ratios X{sub exp}{sup 242f}(500 nm)=IS{sup 242f,241}/IS{sup 243,241}=41.4(8) and X{sub exp}{sup 240f}(500 nm)=IS{sup 240f,241}/IS{sup 243,241}=39.2(8) were measured. From these ratios a small difference {delta}{beta}{sub 2}{sup 242f,240f}=0.0076(14) of the deformation parameter {beta}{sub 2} can be deduced assuming that the isotope shift between the reference isotopes {sup 241,243}Am is caused by a pure volume change. (orig.)

1997-10-01

51

Plutonium build-up credits for a material test research reactor and influence of cross-section differences on actinide production  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Burnup calculations with SARC system were carried out to analyse the effects of plutonium build-up on criticality of MTR type research reactor PARR-1 using several WIMSD libraries based on evaluated nuclear data files ENDFB-VI.8, JEF-2.2, JEFF-3.1 and JENDL-3.2. For equilibrium core of the reactor, it was found that a net reactivity of more than 3.5 mk is induced due to build-up of plutonium isotopes during depletion. The plutonium credit amounts to 3% of the length of equilibrium cycle. From the analysis of actinide production in the core during burnup, it was observed that in most of the cases, the amounts of actinides obtained using various cross section libraries agree fairly with each other, however, significant differences were observed for {sup 238}Pu, {sup 241}Pu, {sup 242m}Am, {sup 243}Am, {sup 242}Cm and {sup 244}Cm for some libraries. The actinide chain analysis was conducted to investigate the reasons for the observed differences.

2006-12-15

52

Americium and curium total half-lives and for the spontaneous fission branch  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The long-lived nuclides of the americium and curium elements are of interest for their use in certain safeguard applications and for nuclear reactor burnup studies in waste management. Recommended values are presented for /sup 241,242m,243/Am, and for /sup 242,243,244,245,246,247,248,250/Cm. These values result from a consistent evaluation of all these half-lives. These preliminary estimates were presented earlier. The uncertainties are provided at the 95% confidence limit for each of the recommended values. It will be noted that many of the recommended errors considerably exceed errors quoted by individual authors in their publication, by up to an order of magnitude, e.g. the total half-life of /sup 242,246,248/Cm and the spontaneous fission half-life of /sup 244/Cm. These preliminary estimates for the half-lives were given previously. Efforts continue to reevaluate the various experiments to better gauge the systematic errors involved and ...

1985-01-01

53

Alpha-spectrometric determination of uranium, plutonium, americium and curium isotope content in 'hot' particles and irradiated nuclear fuel  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A method for express determination of "2"3"4"-"2"3"8U, "2"3"8"-"2"4"2Pu, "2"4"1"-"2"4"3Am and "2"4"2"-"2"4"4Cm content in fuel 'hot' particles and spent nuclear fuel is offered. The method is based on precision measurement of a sample #alpha# activity followed by estimate of relative contributions of individual nuclides, or groups of radionuclides, to total activity. Segregation in separate fractions of uranium, plutonium, americium and curium was made with the help of ion-exchange chromatography. Results are presented of "2"3"4"U, "2"3"8U, "2"3"8"Pu,"2"3"9"+"2"4"0Pu, "2"4"1Pu, "2"4"2Pu, "2"4"1"Am, "2"4"2"mAm, "2"4"3Am "2"4"2"Cm and "2"4"4Cm definition in 'hot' particles sampled in Chernobyl NPP surroundings, Opportunities to apply this method for identifying radionuclide content of spent nuclear fuel are discussed.

54

Application of a gamma spectroscopy system to the measurement of neutron cross sections necessary to the development of nuclear energy; Mise au point d'un systeme de spectroscopie pour mesurer des sections efficaces neutroniques applicables a un possible developpement du nucleaire comme source d'energie  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This work concerns the development of nuclear energy and nuclear waste management in particular. Two parts of this study can be distinguished. In the first part (theoretical), a thorium-plutonium fuel based on MOX and dedicated for PWR was investigated in order to transmute plutonium in a potentially low waste fuel cycle. It was shown that this type of fuel is not regenerative but could be used for a transition to the industrial thorium fuel cycle without building new reactors. Thanks to moderated neutron spectra and high loaded actinide mass in the core, U-233 is quickly created ({approx}300 kg/y) for a loss of about {approx}1200 kg of fissile plutonium. In the second part (experimental), we have developed and built a new reaction chamber to measure neutron cross sections of actinides by alpha-gamma spectroscopy. This experimental device (in principle transportable) was commissioned in the high flux reactor of ILL Grenoble. Neutron flux was measured by gamma spectroscopy of irradiated ...

2002-09-01

55

Plutonium in biota from an east Tennessee floodplain forest  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

"2"3"9 "2"4"0Pu concentrations were measured in biota from a 30-year-old contaminated floodplain forest in Tennessee. Concentration ratios relative to soil, for plutonium in litter, invertebrate cryptozoans, herbaceous ground vegetation, orthoptera and small mammals were approximately 10"-"1, 10"-"2, 10"-"3, and 10"-"4, respectively. Concentration ratios (CR) for plutonium in biota from the floodplain forest are less than CR values from other contaminated ecosystems in the USA. Presumably, this is due to humid conditions and greater rainfall which minimize resuspension as a physical transport mechanism to biota. Plutonium and radiocesium concentrations are correlated in biota from the forest at Oak Ridge and also from Mortandad Canyon in New Mexico. The cause of the covariance between concentrations of these elements is unknown. Nevertheless, the existence of these relationships suggests that it is possible to predict plutonium in biota from radiocesium concentrations when both ...

56

Long-lived radionuclides in the coastal sediments of the Irish Sea, UK  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Over the last four decades the Irish Sea has received controlled discharges of radioactive effluents from the Sellafield (Windscale) nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Cumbria, UK. Enhanced levels of a range of fission, activation and transuranic elements have been reported in a variety of environmental media. Most of the {sup 239,240}Pu and {sup 241}Am and about 10% of the {sup 137}Cs have been retained in a deposit of the fine sediment near the discharge point. The quantities of radionuclides discharged annually from Sellafield decreased by two orders of magnitude from the mid-1970s to 1990, but estimated critical group internal and external exposure decreased by less than one order of magnitude over this period. Redistribution of the contaminated marine sediment is potentially of major significance. In this paper, a review is presented of published work and recent our study relating to Sellafield waste long-lived radionuclides, especially ...

1996-12-01

57

Event-by-event study of prompt neutrons from 239Pu(n,f)  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Employing a recently developed Monte-Carlo model, we study the fission of 240Pu induced by neutrons with energies from thermal to just below the threshold for second chance fission. Current measurements of the mean number of prompt neutrons emitted in fission, together with less accurate measurements of the neutron energy spectra, place remarkably fine constraints on predictions of microscopic calculations. In particular, the total excitation energy of the nascent fragments must be specified to within 1MeV to avoid disagreement with measurements of the mean neutron multiplicity. The combination of the Monte-Carlo fission model with a statistical likelihood analysis also presents a powerful tool for the evaluation of fission neutron data. Of particular importance is the fission spectrum, which plays a key role in determining reactor criticality. We show that our approach can be used to develop an estimate of the fission spectrum with ...

2009-07-23

58

Trace element analysis in CRM of plant origin by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Three CRMs of plant origin (SRM 1515 Apple Leaves, SRM 1570a Trace Elements in Spinach Leaves, and SRM 1575 Pine Needles) were used for analytical quality assurance of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, and Pb determination by ICP-MS. The samples were decomposed using microwave assisted pressurized digestion by HNO_3 and HNO_3 + H_2O_2 mixture and temperature programmed dry ashing. Concentrations of elements in samples were evaluated by external calibration. All samples, blanks, and standards were spiked to 100 #mu#g/L concentration of In and Bi as internal standards. During the measurement, signals of "5"2Cr, "5"3Cr, "5"4Fe, "5"5Mn, "5"9Co, "6"0Ni, "6"2Ni, "6"3Cu, "6"5Cu, "6"6Zn, "9"5Mo, "1"1"1Cd, "1"1"2Cd, "1"1"5In, "2"0"6Pb, "2"0"7Pb, "2"0"8Pb and "2"0"9Bi were monitored. Results of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mo and Co determination were in good agreement with certified values. In order to obtain accurate results for As at low levels, it was necessary to mathematically correct the ...

1997-04-21

59

The present status of astatine chemistry  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

24 isotopes of astatine element 85, are known today, three of which occur naturally as decay products of "2"1"5U and "2"5"8U, respectively. Because these isotopes being very short-lived, all experiments dealing with this heaviest element of the halogen group need be done with "2"0"9"-"2"1"1At, having half-lifes in the several hours region. Mixtures of them may be obtained either by #alpha#-bombardment (E#alpha# approximately 30-50 MeV) of "2"0"9Bi or as spallation products by the reaction of high-energy protons with thorium and uranium targets. - In its chemical reactions astatine shows a behaviour which is between an halogen and a metal. The following oxidation states have been shown to exist: -1, 0, +1, +5 and +7. At"-, AtO_2"- and AtO_4"- are the ionic species for At(-I), At(+V) and At(+VII) whereas no definite species have been established for the other oxidation states. Furthermore, At_2 could not be shown to exist as yet in contrast to several interhalogen compounds, containing ...

60

Measurements of actinides in soil, sediments, water and vegetation in Northern New Mexico  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study was undertaken during 1991 - 1998 to identify the origin of plutonium uranium in northern New Mexico Rio Grande and tributary stream sediments. Isotopic fingerprinting techniques help distinguish radioactivity from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and from global fallout or natural sources. The geographic area covered by the study extended from the headwaters of the Rio Grande in southern Colorado to Elephant Butte Reservoir in southern New Mexico. Over 100 samples of stream channel and reservoir bottom sediments were analyzed for the atom ratios of plutonium and uranium isotopes using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). Comparison of these ratios against those for fallout or natural sources allowed for quantification of the Laboratory impact. Of the seven major drainages crossing LANL, movement of LANL plutonium into the Rio Grande can only be traced via Los Alamos Canyon. The majority of sampled locations within and adjacent to LANL have little or no input of ...

2002-01-01

 
 
 
 
61

Understanding the peak asymmetry in alpha liquid scintillation with {beta}/{gamma} discrimination  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The peak evaluation in alpha liquid scintillation is known to be easy, mostly due to the gaussian shape of the peaks. However, we often observed a high-energy tail in addition to a pure gaussian function. This effect is only detectable with a high resolution {alpha} liquid scintillation spectrometer such as the PERALS trademark system. Indeed, its intrinsic resolution (180 keV for a 4 MeV {alpha} particle) is better than that obtained for conventional LSC spectrometers. The peak asymmetry was quantified using the Fisher's coefficient {gamma}{sub 1} (symmetry factor). We show that the main effect responsible for the asymmetry is internal conversion. Indeed, most of the even-even nuclides have low {alpha} intensity transitions leading to excited levels of their daughter nuclides. The internal conversion is almost equal to 100% and consequently produces a sum peak at higher energy. No generalization is possible for odd-even nuclides, but the knowledge of their disintegration ...

2000-07-01

62

Analysis of Am-242m in solidified products  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

When solidified products made from low-level radioactive waste with melting treatment are disposed of in near surface repositories, concentrations of the radionuclides contained in the waste package have to be evaluated. Americium-242m is one of the targeted nuclides. In this study, simple analytical methods to evaluate the activity of "2"4"2"mAm are studied. Americium, Cm and Eu in a sample solution made from simulated solidified product and tracer of "1"5"2Eu and "2"4"4Cm and unknown solution of "2"4"1"+"2"4"2"m"+"2"4"3Am were separated from matrix elements with TRU resin. The fraction containing Eu, Am and Cm was passed through pyridine resin to separate Am from Eu and Cm. The contamination factor of "2"4"4Cm/"2"4"1Am was less than 3.0x10"-"3. Curium-242 generated from "2"4"2Am was measured to evaluate the activity of "2"4"2"mAm. The fraction containing Eu, Am and Cm was also passed through TEVA resin to separate Am and Cm from Eu. Beta-ray of separated Am and Cm fraction was ...

2006-10-01

63

Radiotoxicity and decay heat power of spent uranium-plutonium and thorium-uranium nuclear fuel at long-term storage  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The results of calculational comparative study into radiotoxicity and residual power release time dependences for spent uranium-plutonium and thorium-uranium nuclear fuels from the WWER-1000 reactors during ling- time (up to 300 thousand years) storage are discussed. It is shown that the total radiotoxicities for actinides from uranium, uranium-plutonium and thorium-uranium spent fuels at storage period begin amount to 5.2 x 10"1"4, 1.3 x 10"1"5 and 1.5 x 10"1"4 kg of water per 1 t of discharged fuel, respectively. Radiotoxicity of actinides in uranium-plutonium fuel is revealed to be by the factor of 2.5 greater than that for ordinary uranium fuel because of greater accumulation of "2"3"9Pu, "2"4"0Pu, "2"4"1Pu and "2"4"4Cm. Radiotoxicity of actinides for thorium-uranium fuel calculated taking into account "2"3"4U is estimated to be by the factor 3.5 smaller than that for uranium fuel. The residual power releases for actinides from uranium, uranium-plutonium and thorium-uranium fuels ...

2001-01-01

64

Properties of plutonium-contaminated particles resulting from British Vixen B trials at Maralinga  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Since 1984 a number of studies have been performed to investigate residual contamination at the former atomic weapons test site at Maralinga in South Australia, and to aid in the rehabilitation of the area. The largest site of plutonium contamination at Maralinga results from twelve Vixen B trials conduced at Taranaki in 1960, 1961 and 1963. Plutonium was dispersed along four major plumes from these trials. Measurements of the ratios of activities of "2"3"9Pu and "2"4"0Pu to "2"4"1Am are presented for the plumes. These are identified with individual trials where possible. Some measurements have also been made of "2"3"5U activities. An examination of meteorological and health physics survey data suggests that the most extensive part of the north-west plume results from a single trial, viz. Vixen B2 round 5 of 1961. It appears that the level of contamination in this plume was augmented by rainout of material, and the extent of the plume was enhanced by the considerable wind speed at the ...

1997-05-01

65

Challenges in environmental radiological surveillance around nuclear facilities  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To accomplish the environmental radiological surveillance need of India's ambitious nuclear power programme, Health Physics Division is infusing new technologies and improved analytical techniques for day to day measurements of various radionuclides in different environmental matrices. It is essential to have techniques for measuring the concentration of radionuclides just above the background level since the discharges from the nuclear facilities are very low i.e. in the range of 5-10% of the prescribed discharge limits by the regulatory bodies. In view of developing ultra-sensitive techniques, the aim of ongoing programmes of the division is to meet the challenges of measuring ultra trace level of radioactivity by adopting state of art new instrumentation and improved sample processing techniques. This will allow us to measure the lowest level of radioactivity (3H, 90Sr, 137Cs, 239+240Pu, etc.) in the environment and thereby estimating the ...

2007-06-05

66

ZZ MCJEF22NEA.BOLIB, MCNP Cross Section Library Based on JEF-2.2  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1 - Description or function: Continuous energy cross-section data library for the Monte Carlo program MCNP based on the JEF-2.2 evaluated nuclear data library (ACE Format). Format: ACE Number of groups: Continuous energy Nuclides (107): H-1, H-2, He-4, Li-6, Li-7, Be-9, B-10, B-11, C-nat, N-14, N-15, O-16, O-17, F-19, Na-23, Mg-nat, Al-27, Si-nat, Cl-nat, Ti-nat, Cr-50, Cr-52, Cr-53, Cr-54, Mn-55, Fe-54, Fe-56, Fe-57, Fe-58, Co-59, Ni-58, Ni-60, Ni-61, Ni-62, Ni-64, Zr-90, Zr-91, Zr-92, Zr-94, Zr-96, Zr-nat, Nb-93, Mo-92, Mo-94, Mo-95, Mo-96, Mo-97, Mo-98, Mo-100, Mo-nat, Tc-99, Ru-101, Ru-102, Ru-104, Rh-103, Pd-105, Pd-107, Ag-109, I-129, Xe-131, Cs-133, Pr-141, Nd-143, Nd-145, Pm-147, Sm-147, Sm-149, Sm-150, Sm-151, Sm-152, Eu-153, Gd-154, Gd-155, Gd-156, Gd-157, Gd-158, Gd-160, Hf-174, Hf-176, Hf-177, Hf-178, Hf-179, Hf-180, Pb-nat, Bi-209, Th-232, U-234, U-235, U-236, U-238, Np-237, Pu-238, Pu-239, Pu-239bis, Pu-240, Pu-241, Pu-242, ...

67

ZZ MCB63NEA.BOLIB, MCNP Cross Section Library Based on ENDF/B-VI Release 3  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1 - Description of program or function: Continuous energy cross-section data library for the Monte Carlo program MCNP based on the ENDF/B-VI Release 3 evaluated nuclear data library (ACE Format). Format: ACE; Number of groups: Continuous energy; Nuclides (107): H-1, H-2, He-4, Li-6, Li-7, Be-9, B-10, B-11, C-nat, N-14, N-15, O-16, O-17, Na-23, Mg-nat, Al-27, Si-nat, Cl-nat, Ti-nat, Cr-50, Cr-52, Cr-53, Cr-54, Mn-55, Fe-54, Fe-56, Fe-57, Fe-58, Co-59, Ni-58, Ni-60, Ni-61, Ni-62, Ni-64, Zr-90, Zr-91, Zr-92, Zr-94, Zr-96, Zr-nat, Nb-93, Mo-94, Mo-95, Mo-96, Mo-97, Mo-nat, Tc-99, Ru-101, Ru-102, Ru-104, Rh-103, Pd-105, Pd-107, Ag-109, I-129, Xe-131, Cs-133, Pr-141, Nd-143, Nd-145, Pm-147, Sm-147, Sm-149, Sm-150, Sm-151, Sm-152, Eu-153, Gd-154, Gd-155, Gd-156, Gd-157, Gd-158, Gd-160, Hf-174, Hf-176, Hf-177, Hf-178, Hf-179, Hf-180, Hf-nat, Pb-206, Pb-207, Pb-208, Bi-209, Th-232,U-233, U-234, U-235, U-236, U-238, Np-237, Pu-238, Pu-239, Pu-240, ...

68

ZZ MCB-JEF2.2, MCB Continuous-Energy Neutron Cross Section Libraries for Temperatures from 300 to 1800 K  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1 - Description of program or function: MCB-JEF2.2 is a continuous-energy cross section libraries in ACE Format suitable for the MCB-1C and MCNP codes. Libraries for various materials were generated at six different Temperatures, and cover the energy range up to 20 MeV. Format: ACE. Number of groups: Continuous energy. Nuclides: H-1, H-2, H-3, He-3, He-4, Li-6, Li-7, Be-9, B-10, B-11, C-nat., N-14, N-15, O-16, O-17, Na-23, F-19, Mg-nat., Al-27, Si-nat., P-31, S-32, S-33, S-34, S-36, Cl-nat, K-nat, Ca-nat., Ti-nat, V-nat, Cr-50, Cr-52, Cr-53, Cr-54, Mn-55, Fe-54, Fe-56, Fe-57, Fe-58, Co-59, Ni-58, Ni-59, Ni-60, Ni-61, Ni-62, Ni-64, Cu-nat, Ga-nat, Ge-72, Ge-73, Ge-74, Ge-76, As-75, Se-74, Se-76, Se-77, Se-78, Se-80, Se-82, Br-79, Br-81, Kr-78, Kr-80, Kr-82, Kr-83, Kr-84, Kr-85, Kr-86, Rb-85, Rb-86, Rb-87, Sr-84, Sr-86, Sr-87, Sr-88, Sr-89, Sr-90, Y-89, Y-90, Y-91, Zr-nat, Zr-90, Zr-91, Zr-92, Zr-93, Zr-94, Zr-95, Zr-96, Nb-93, Nb-94, Nb-95, Mo-nat, Mo-92, Mo-94, Mo-95, Mo-96, Mo-97, ...