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Results from a controlled depleted uranium metal casting experiment designed to investigate nuclear Forensic Radiochronometry Signatures

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Abstract

The accurate interpretation of uranium metal 230Th/234U and 231Pa/235U radiochronometry model ages requires an understanding of how uranium parent nuclides and decay progeny (230Th and 231Pa) behave during uranium metal casting. In order to directly measure the spatial distribution of 230Th and 231Pa in uranium metal before and after vacuum induction melting (VIM), Los Alamos National Laboratory identified uranium metal feedstock, characterized the metal feedstock, conducted a controlled casting experiment of an approximately 120 kg uranium metal rod, and characterized the cast metal. This study presents radiochronometry results and quantified 230Th and 231Pa VIM separation factors from bulk uranium.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation’s Nonproliferation Research and Development Program (NA-22). We have no conflicts of interest to disclose. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government, nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, nor any of their contractors, subcontractors, or their employees, make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represent that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, any agency thereof, or any of their contractors or subcontractors. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. LA-UR-23-20097.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    Theresa M. Kayzar-Boggs, Mark A. Edwards, Kyle J. Krajewski, Joanna S. Denton, John R. Engel, Lisa A. Hudston, Stephen P. LaMont, Matthew E. Sanborn & Allison M. Wende

  2. Sigma Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    Kara E. Luitjohan & Seth D. Imhoff

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  1. Theresa M. Kayzar-Boggs
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  2. Kara E. Luitjohan
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  3. Seth D. Imhoff
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  4. Mark A. Edwards
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  5. Kyle J. Krajewski
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  6. Joanna S. Denton
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  7. John R. Engel
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  8. Lisa A. Hudston
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  9. Stephen P. LaMont
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  10. Matthew E. Sanborn
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  11. Allison M. Wende
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Correspondence to Theresa M. Kayzar-Boggs.

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Kayzar-Boggs, T.M., Luitjohan, K.E., Imhoff, S.D. et al. Results from a controlled depleted uranium metal casting experiment designed to investigate nuclear Forensic Radiochronometry Signatures. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 1695–1706 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-08881-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-08881-w

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