NSTD Research Projects: TRP

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Proposals

Year 1

Quarterly Reports

2008: 1st, 2nd, 3rd,

Annual Reports

2007-2008

TRP -> Campaign/Number -> TRP 40

TRP 40. Evaluation of Fundamental Radionuclide Extraction Data for UREX

Research Objectives & Methods

1. Determination of complexation constants for U and Pu with tributylphosphate. The aqueous and organic speciation of U and Pu will be examined as a function of the following conditions:
• nitric acid concentration
• nitrate concentration (by the addition of NaNO3)
• actinide ion concentration
• temperature
2. Speciation of U and Pu with AHA in the presence of TBP-dodecane organic phase. The aqueous and organic speciation of U and Pu will be evaluated under the following conditions:
• AHA concentration
• Metal ion concentration
• Metal ion redox state
• pH
• temperature (experiment will initially examine the aqueous phase then examine the two phase system)
3. Computations: DFT calculations on actinide species in the separation system
4. Experimental techniques. The following experimental techniques will be used in the evaluation of U and Pu speciation:
• UV-Visible spectroscopy
• Time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy
• NMR spectroscopy
• IR spectroscopy
• Raman spectroscopy
• Titrations
• ICP-MS
• ICP-AES
• XAFS
• Electrochemical

Researchers

• Ken Czerwinski, Radiochemistry
• Cynthia Gong, Harry Reid Center

Collaborators

• Al Sattelberger, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Students

• Jamie Warburton, PhD, Radiochemistry
• Amber Wright, MS, Chemistry
• Maryline Ferrier, Visiting Graduate Student, Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Paris
• Solenne Michaud, Visiting Graduate Student, Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Paris