Skip to main content
Log in

Digestion and trace metal analysis of uranium nitride

  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Uranium nitride is considered to be a possible fuel for fast reactors. Much of the research to date has targeted synthesis of uranium nitride. This work developed and optimized destructive assay procedures for fresh fuel characterization of trace impurities and isotopic analysis for chemical quality control of uranium nitride. Uranium nitride was completely digested followed by optimized column separations for 47 analytes quantified and percent recoveries calculated via ICP-MS. The strip solution containing uranium was isotopically measured along with a certified reference material to determine accuracy and precision of the isotopic measurement.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. U.S. DOE Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee and the Generation IV International Forum (2002) A technology roadmap for generation IV nuclear energy systems, GIF-002-00. https://doi.org/10.2172/859105.

  2. Ekberg C et al (2018) Nitride fuel for Gen IV nuclear power systems. J Radioanalytical and Nucl Chem 318:1713–1725

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Streit M et al (2005) Nitrides as a nuclear fuel option. J Eur Ceram Soc 25:2687–2692

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Shadrin AY et al (2015) Fuel fabrication and reprocessing for nuclear fuel cycle with inherent safety demands. Radiochimica Acta 103(3):163–173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Saha A et al (2021) Determination of critical trace impurities in “uranium silicide dispersed in aluminum” nuclear fuel by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). J Anal At Spectrom 36:561–569

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kouznetsov AI (1999) QC methods and means during pellets and fuel rods manufacturing at JSC “MSZ”. In: Proceedings of a technical committee meeting held in Lingen, Germany 18–22 October 1999. IAEA-TECDOC-1166

  7. Manard BT et al (2021) Rapid and automated separation of uranium ore concentrates for trace element analysis by inductively coupled plasma—optical emission spectroscopy/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Spectrochimica Acta Part B 179:106097

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Dean J (1995) Analytical chemistry handbook. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  9. Final Report Summary – ASGARD (Advanced fuels for Generation IV reactors: reprocessing and dissolution) (2016). https://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/191937_en.html. Accessed 10 June 2021.

  10. Ekberg C et al (2015) ASGARD (Advanced fuels for Generation IV reactors: reprocessing and dissolution) annual public report 2015. European Commission Community Research

  11. Dvoeglazov K et al (2013) Model nitride irradiated nuclear fuel: production, reaction with water and dilution in nitric acid. In: Global 2013 international nuclear fuel cycle conference in Salt Lake City, UT 29 Septermber-3 October 2013, 7581

  12. Hayashi H et al (2010) Recent progress on development of the pyrochemical process of spent nitride fuels for ADS. In: The 3rd international pyroprocessing research conference November 29-December 3 2010, RIAR Dimitrovgrad, Russia

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) through the Space Nuclear Propulsion (SNP) project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keri Campbell.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Campbell, K., Judge, E. Digestion and trace metal analysis of uranium nitride. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 209–214 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-08104-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-08104-0

Keywords

Navigation