Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Steven H Peterson

Edward Jean Lahoda

John F Jackovitz

Thomas S Snyder

David C Grant

John Bartko

Thomas V Congedo

Michael C Skriba

D Colin Phillips

Edward F Sverdrup

Umesh P Nayak

Robert E Witkowski

Arthur L Wolfe

William D Partlow

William A Byers

Rajender K Sadhir

Alfred R Pebler

Richard P Kunkle

Richard J Beleski

David F Pensenstadler

Sharon L Weisberg

C Clair Claiborne

Henry A Pearce Jr

A method and apparatus for the partial or complete continuous separation of isotopes of gadolinium, especially high thermal neutron capture cross-section gadolinium isotopes, using continuous, steady-state, chromatography in which an ion exchange resin is the stationary phase, an aqueous solution of ions based on a mixture of gadolinium isotopes is the feed phase, and an aqueous acid eluant solution is the mobile phase. The method involves the mobile phase eluting or desorbing the gadolinium isotopic solute or ligand adsorbed on the stationary phase under conditions such that each of the various naturally occurring isotopes of gadolinium is primarily eluted in an elution volume distinct from the elution volumes of the other isotopes. In a preferred embodiment, the conditions are such that at least one of the elution volumes contains essentially only one isotope of gadolinium. The method is preferably conducted in a continuous, steady-state manner, and it is preferably conducted in a single operation in a continuous annular chromatograph (CAC).

Continuous, steady-state, chromatographic separation of gadolinium

A process for the partial or complete simultaneous separation of isotopes of erbium, especially high thermal neutron capture cross-section erbium isotopes, using continuous, steady-state, chromatography in which an ion exchange resin is the stationary phase, an aqueous solution of ions based on a mixture of erbium isotopes is the feed phase, and an aqueous acid eluant solution is the mobile phase. The process involves the mobile phase eluting or desorbing the erbium isotopic solute adsorbed on the stationary phase under conditions such that each of the various naturally occurring isotopes of erbium is primarily eluted in an elution volume distinct from the elution volumes of the other isotopes. In a preferred embodiment, the conditions are such that at least one of the elution volumes contains essentially only one isotope of erbium. The process is preferably conducted in a continuous, steady-state manner, and in particular is preferably conducted in a continuous annular chromatograph (CAC).

Chromatographic separation of erbium isotopes

The concentrations of residual heavy metal contaminants in the particulate material in a slurry produced in a particulate material washing process are monitored on-line and can be used to control the washing process. In alternative embodiments of the invention, x-rays, thermal neutrons or laser beams are directed at the slurry as it flows through a flow cell to induce emission of secondary x-rays, gamma rays or light, respectively, characteristic of the heavy metal contaminants and constituents representative of the solids contents of the slurry. These characteristic energies are measured and used to determine the concentration in ppm of the residual heavy metal contaminants in the particulate material within the slurry.

System and method for on-line monitoring and control of heavy metal

Both a method and apparatus for separating zirconium isotopes by balanced ion migration in a counterflowing electrolyte are disclosed herein. In the method of the invention, zirconium chloride is dissolved in a solution of HCl, and a voltage of between 2 and 50 volts is applied across the electrolyte to create a flow of zirconium ions toward the cathode, and a counterflow of chlorine ions toward the anode which is balanced such that the lighter weight isotopes of zirconium migrate toward the cathode while the heavier weight zirconium isotopes stay in the vicinity of the anode. The apparatus of the invention includes a polarizing assembly formed from a bundle of small diameter glass tubes aligned between the anode and the cathode. The internal shape of the tubes impedes kinetic agitation movement of the zirconium ions in all directions except in the direction between the anode and the cathode, thereby expediting the separation process. Glass frits are used to partition off the electrolyte in the region of both the anode and the cathode so that the isotopes which eventually accumulate in these regions may be drawn off with a minimum of fluid agitation.

Apparatus and method for separating zirconium isotopes using balanced

An optical fiber moisture sensor is prepared by coating an optical fiber with a thin film of plasma polymerized hexamethyldisiloxane and ammonia, approximately 1-2 .mu.m thick. The light transmission characteristics of such a coated optical fiber change as a function of moisture conditions in an environment to which the coating is exposed. Accordingly, the coated optical fiber may be utilized by sensing changes in moisture conditions in an environment by being placed in the environment, causing light to be transmitted through the fiber and detecting changes in the light transmitted through the fiber as a function of the moisture conditions in the environment.

Optical fiber sensor with light absorbing moisture-sensitive coating

The zirconium 91 isotope is separated from zirconium by a photo-assisted extraction process wherein a first solution is formed of a first solvent, scavenger and zirconium compound, which compound reacts with the scavenger when exposed to light, and while irradiating the first solution to form a zirconium reaction product, contacting the same with a second solvent that is immiscible with the first solvent and is a preferential solvent for the zirconium reaction product, with the reaction product transferred to the second solution, and the two solutions then separated. An acidic aqueous media is preferred as the first solvent, with excess acid used to provide anions that act as the scavenger.

Zirconium isotope separation process

An efficient and economical separation of the gadolinium isotopes Gd.sup.155, Gd.sup.156 and/or Gd.sup.157 from mixtures containing the same is effected by a liquid chromatographic column system using an ion exchange resin and an eluant solution. A portion of the eluant solution is used to saturate the columns and a feed solution containing the mixture of gadolinium isotopes is charged to the columns. Further eluant solution is passed through the saturated columns containing the feed solution to form a fraction of eluant solution rich in the desired gadolinium isotopes which is separated from the remainder of the eluant upon discharge from the columns.

Process for the separation of gadolinium isotopes

The zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium is reduced by forming a solution of a zirconium compound and a scavenger of 8-hydroxyquinoline or its derivatives, and irradiating the solution with light at a wavelength which excites the compound so that it reacts with the scavenger. Because the molecules containing the zirconium 91 isotope remain excited longer, they react disproportionately with the scavenger. The reaction product, which precipitates from the solution, is therefore enriched in the zirconium 91 isotope. Micelle-forming agents can be added to the solution to enhance the isotopic enrichment.

Process for separation of zirconium isotopes

A process for the separation of zirconium values from hafnium values wherein a solution of a zirconium chelate complex and a hafnium chelate complex, each having a common ligand, is irradiated with light, of a wavelength between 300 nm and 700 nm, in the presence of a scavenger, such that one of the metal chelate complexes is excited and reacts with the scavenger to form a reaction product that is separated from the solution while the other of the metal chelate complex remains stable and is retained in the solution.

Process for separation of zirconium from hafnium

A chemical process for isotopic enrichment of uranium involving the steps of exciting a chelated uranium compound (e.g. hydrated uranyl acetate complex in aqueous solution) to an excited electronic state wherein the excited state preferentially reacts at different rates by virtue of dissimilar nuclear magnetic moment contributions to the chemical kinetics of alternative excited state reaction pathways (e.g. return to ground state by intersystem crossing by electron-nucleus hyperfine coupling vs free radical formation and subsequent precipitation of the hydrated basic salt of uranyl acetate).

Chemical separation method for uranium isotopes

Process and monitor for detecting the presence of particles in an effluent fluid, which particles emit fluorescent light upon irradiation. As used to monitor ion exchange resin fines in effluent liquid in a steam power plant, there are probe means to inject fluorescence-stimulating light into a volume of the effluent liquid. Detector means are disposed to receive emitted fluorescent light from any particles in the effluent, and there are means actuatable by said detector means for generating a signal to indicate the presence of particles in the effluent.

Ion exchange resin intrusion monitor

Apparatus for sampling water or steam condensate in a steam turbine system includes a plurality of lines connected to receive fluid samples from various points in the system for delivering a selected sample to an analyzer through a valving arrangement. The valving arrangement and analyzer are under control of a microprocessor which has a set of stored instructions governing the random selection of which lines are to be selected for sampling. The selection may be interrupted as a result of the analysis whereas the result of abnormal fluid conditions in a particular line is determined by sensors provided in each line. The valves are of the type which provide for continuous fluid flow therethrough so that a fluid sample if selected will be provided to the analyzer and all those not selected will be returned back to the steam turbine system for reuse.

Steam turbine fluid sampling apparatus

Disclosed is a method of altering the zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium by raising a zirconium chelate ligand from a ground state to an activated state in the presence of a scavenger which reacts with the activated state but not with the ground state, and permitting about 25 to about 75% of the zirconium chelate to react with the scavenger. The reaction may be performed in a solution of the zirconium chelate ligand using water as a solvent. Activation of the zirconium chelate may be accomplished by using light and having a wavelength of about 220 to about 350 nm or by heating to about 80 to about 100.degree. C.

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Murrysville, PA, United States of America

Steven H Peterson