Transmutation in reactor and aqueous corrosion resistance of technetium metal
Bonnerot, J.M.; Phelip, M.; Varaine, F.; Faugere, J.L.; Broudic, V.; Jegou, C.; Deschanels, X.; Arnoux, M.F., E-mail: bonnerot@cea.fr2005
AbstractAbstract
[en] In the context of the French nuclear waste management act of 1991, two options have been considered following enhanced reprocessing of spent fuel. The reference option is the transmutation by neutronic bombardment, the second option is to immobilize the separated radiotoxic elements in dedicated matrices ensuring long term stability. This paper summarizes the research and development activities carried out by CEA in France, concerning technetium. Nearly 90% of the technetium-99 present in spent fuel is separated in the UP2-800 reprocessing plant at La Hague, producing about 900 kg of Tc each year. The first part of the paper deals with the irradiation experiment ANTICORP 1 which aims at transmuting 99Tc under the form of metallic rods, in the core of the Phenix reactor. The goal of ANTICORP 1 is to achieve a transmutation rate of 99Tc in 100Ru greater than 20%. The main options chosen for the design and the safety study of the experiment are described. In addition, the planning of the irradiation and the post-irradiation exams foreseen, are detailed. The second part of the paper describes the studies carried out to investigate technetium metal as a potential containment matrix. The corrosion rate of this metal under water was measured over one year of alteration at 25degC. (author)
Primary Subject
Source
IST-2005: International symposium on technetium. Science and utilization; Oarai, Ibaraki (Japan); 24-27 May 2005; 16 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs.
Record Type
Journal Article
Literature Type
Conference
Journal
Journal of Nuclear and Radiochemical Sciences; ISSN 1345-4749; ; v. 6(3); p. 287-290
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Descriptors (DEI)
Descriptors (DEC)
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES, BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES, CEA, CESIUM ISOTOPES, DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, ELEMENTS, EPITHERMAL REACTORS, EUROPE, FRENCH ORGANIZATIONS, FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS, HOURS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES, INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI, INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES, IODINE ISOTOPES, ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES, ISOTOPES, MANAGEMENT, METALS, MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES, NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, NUCLEAR FACILITIES, NUCLEI, ODD-EVEN NUCLEI, PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS, PROCESSING, RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT, RADIOISOTOPES, REACTORS, REFRACTORY METALS, TECHNETIUM ISOTOPES, TRANSITION ELEMENTS, WASTE MANAGEMENT, WASTE PROCESSING, WESTERN EUROPE, YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
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