U.S. Department of Energy

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC

Shelly Xiaowei Li

Steven Herrmann

Jan-fong Jue

Ronald Scott Herbst

Brian Robert Westphal

Guoping Cao

Brenda Serrano-Rodriguez

According to one aspect of the invention, a potentiometric sensor having a cathode and an anode. The cathode is configured to provide a summary voltage representative of at least two voltage points. The anode is configured to provide a first voltage. The cathode is in communication with the anode by a first electrolyte forming an open circuit having an open circuit potential. Within the first electrolyte is a concentration of a target ion. The open circuit potential mathematically corresponds to the concentration of the target ion.

Potentiometric sensor

A method and device for the real-time, in-situ monitoring of Plutonium content in U&#x2014;Pu Alloys comprising providing a crucible. The crucible has an interior non-reactive to a metallic U&#x2014;Pu alloy within said interior of said crucible. The U&#x2014;Pu alloy comprises metallic uranium and plutonium. The U&#x2014;Pu alloy is heated to a liquid in an inert or reducing atmosphere. The heated U&#x2014;Pu alloy is then cooled to a solid in an inert or reducing atmosphere. As the U&#x2014;Pu alloy is cooled, the temperature of the U&#x2014;Pu alloy is monitored. A solidification temperature signature is determined from the monitored temperature of the U&#x2014;Pu alloy during the step of cooling. The amount of Uranium and the amount of Plutonium in the U&#x2014;Pu alloy is then determined from the determined solidification temperature signature.

Real-time monitoring of plutonium content in uranium-plutonium alloys

An apparatus for the real-time, in-situ monitoring of actinide-ion concentrations. A working electrolyte is positioned within the interior of a container. The working electrolyte is separated from a reference electrolyte by a separator. A working electrode is at least partially in contact with the working electrolyte. A reference electrode is at least partially in contact with the reference electrolyte. A voltmeter is electrically connected to the working electrode and the reference electrode. The working electrolyte comprises an actinide-ion of interest. The separator is ionically conductive to the actinide-ion of interest. The separator comprises an actinide, Zr, and Nb. Preferably, the actinide of the separator is Am or Np, more preferably Pu. In one embodiment, the actinide of the separator is the actinide of interest. In another embodiment, the separator further comprises P and O.

Actinide-ion sensor

An apparatus for real-time, in-situ monitoring of actinide ion concentrations which comprises a working electrode, a reference electrode, a container, a working electrolyte, a separator, a reference electrolyte, and a voltmeter. The container holds the working electrolyte. The voltmeter is electrically connected to the working electrode and the reference electrode and measures the voltage between those electrodes. The working electrode contacts the working electrolyte. The working electrolyte comprises an actinide ion of interest. The reference electrode contacts the reference electrolyte. The reference electrolyte is separated from the working electrolyte by the separator. The separator contacts both the working electrolyte and the reference electrolyte. The separator is ionically conductive to the actinide ion of interest. The reference electrolyte comprises a known concentration of the actinide ion of interest. The separator comprises a beta double prime alumina exchanged with the actinide ion of interest.

Actinide ion sensor for pyroprocess monitoring

A high current density cathode for electrorefining in a molten electrolyte for the continuous production and collection of loose dendritic or powdery deposits. The high current density cathode eliminates the requirement for mechanical scraping and electrochemical stripping of the deposits from the cathode in an anode/cathode module. The high current density cathode comprises a perforated electrical insulated material coating such that the current density is up to 3 A/cm.

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Idaho Falls, ID, United States of America

Shelly Xiaowei Li