Investigation of Optical Spectroscopy Techniques for On-Line Materials Accountability in the Solvent Extraction Process

The goal of this project is to examine the potential for using optical spectroscopy techniques, such as UV-Visible Spectroscopy and Laser Fluorescence Spectroscopy, for special nuclear materials accountability applications for the UREX+ and other solvent extraction processes. To increase the inherent proliferation resistance of the solvent extraction process, it is necessary to develop on-line techniques to directly measure the concentrations of special nuclear materials in-process. By providing on-line materials accountability for the processes, the potential for covert diversion of the materials streams becomes much more difficult to implement. On-line monitoring of material streams will also allow for improved plant operation, as well as serving as an additional safety measure for plant operations. Laser fluorescence and UV-Visible spectroscopy have been demonstrated for use in determining the concentration of the actinides at the laboratory scale. These processes are adaptable to flow-thru applications, and should be highly radiation-tolerant, which suggests that they should be applicable to the spent fuel treatment environment