Synchrotron-based high-pressure research in materials science Page: 3 of 27
This article is part of the collection entitled: Office of Scientific & Technical Information Technical Reports and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Abstract
Pu-238 heat sources are used to fuel radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG)
used in space missions. The demand for this fuel is increasing, yet there are currently no
domestic sources of this material. Much of the fuel is material reprocessed from other
sources. One rich source of Pu-238 residual material is that from contaminated
combustible materials, such as cheesecloth, ion exchange resins and plastics. From both
waste minimization and production efficiency standpoints, the best solution is to recover
this material.
One way to accomplish separation of the organic component from these residues
is a flameless oxidation process using molten salt as the matrix for the breakdown of the
organic to carbon dioxide and water. The plutonium is retained in the salt, and can be
recovered by dissolution of the carbonate salt in an aqueous solution, leaving the
insoluble oxide behind. Further aqueous scrap recovery processing is used to purify the
plutonium oxide.
Recovery of the plutonium from contaminated combustibles achieves two
important goals. First, it increases the inventory of Pu-238 available for heat source
fabrication. Second, it is a significant waste minimization process. Because of its thermal
activity (0.567 W per gram), combustibles must be packaged for disposition with much
lower amounts of Pu-238 per drum than other waste types. Specifically, cheesecloth
residues in the form of pyrolyzed ash (for stabilization) are being stored for eventual
recovery of the plutonium.1
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This article can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Article.
Synchrotron-based high-pressure research in materials science, article, Date Unknown; [Los Alamos, New Mexico]. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc930870/m1/3/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.