Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “dissolution”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14

Pore-scale modelling of multiphase reactive flow: application to mineral dissolution with production of CO 2

A micro-continuum approach is proposed to simulate the dissolution of solid minerals at the pore scale in the presence of multiple fluid phases. The approach employs an extended Darcy–Brinkman–Stokes formulation that accounts for the interfacial tension between the two immiscible fluid phases and the moving contact line at the mineral surface. The simulation framework is validated using an experimental microfluidic device that provides time-lapse images of the dissolution dynamics. The set-up involves a single-calcite crystal and the subsequent generation of CO 2 bubbles in the domain. The dissolution of the calcite crystal and the production of gas during the acidizing process are analysed. We then show that the production of CO 2 bubbles during the injection of acid in a carbonate formation may limit the overall dissolution rate and prevent the emergence of wormholes.

bio-inspired, mechanical behavior, carbon sequestr↗

Complexity of Uranyl Peroxide Cluster Speciation from Alkali-Directed Oxidative Dissolution of Uranium Dioxide

Solid UO 2 dissolution and uranium speciation in aqueous solutions that promote formation of uranyl peroxide macroanions was examined, focusing on the role of alkali metals. UO 2 powders were dissolved in solutions containing XOH (X = Li, Na, or K) and 30% H 2 O2. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) measurements of solutions revealed linear trends of uranium versus alkali concentration in solutions resulting from oxidative dissolution of UO 2 , with X:U molar ratios of 1.0, showing that alkali availability determines the U concentrations in solution. The maximum U concentration in solution was 4.36 x 10 5 parts per million (ppm), which is comparable to concentrations attained by dissolving UO 2 in boiling nitric acid, and was achieved by lithium hydroxide-promoted dissolution. Lastly, Raman spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) of solutions indicate that dissolution is accompanied by formation of various uranyl peroxide cluster species, the identity of which is alkali concentration-dependent, revealing remarkably complex speciation at high concentrations of base.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Kinetic Pathways to Diblock Copolymer Micelles via Thin Film Dissolution and Cosolvent Variation

We investigate how processing pathways control micelle formation during dissolution of lamellar diblock copolymers using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations and DPD-selfconsistent field theory (DPD-SCFT). Comparing thin film (TF) and cosolvent-assisted (CS) dissolution reveals fundamentally different micellization mechanisms and final states. In the TF pathway, dissolution proceeds through a metastable cylindrical intermediate that dictates final micelle dimensions. The lamellar melt first transforms into cylindrical micelles, which then fragment into spherical micelles. The final spherical radius is intrinsically linked to the cylinder radius by a constant ratio, Rsphere ≈ 1.4Rcylinder. DPD-SCFT confirms that both cylinders and spheres are near their equilibrium dimensions. In contrast, CS dissolution produces kinetically trapped micelles with sizes significantly below equilibrium. Micellization is hindered by high free energy barriers to single-chain exchange and fusion. Growth occurs primarily via fusion, but increasing corona repulsion suppresses further coarsening, preventing equilibration. These results demonstrate that, when starting from a bulk copolymer phase, the metastable cylindrical intermediate plays a central role in determining final micelle size.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Transition Metal Dissolution Mechanisms and Impacts on Electronic Conductivity in Composite LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 Cathode Films

The high-voltage LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) spinel cathode material offers high energy density storage capabilities without the use of costly Co that is prevalent in other Li-ion battery chemistries (e.g., LiNi x Mn y Co z O 2 (NMC)). Unfortunately, LNMO-containing batteries suffer from poor cycling performance because of the intrinsically coupled processes of electrolyte oxidation and transition metal dissolution that occurs at high voltage. In this work, we use operando electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies to demonstrate that transition metal dissolution in LNMO is tightly coupled to HF formation (and thus, electrolyte oxidation reactions as detected with operando and in situ solution NMR), indicative of an acid-driven disproportionation reaction that occurs during delithiation (i.e., battery charging). Leveraging the temporal resolution (s-min) of magnetic resonance, we find that the LNMO particles accelerate the rate of LiPF 6 decomposition and subsequent Mn 2+ dissolution, possibly due to the acidic nature of terminal Mn-OH groups. X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM) provides surface-sensitive and localized X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements, in addition to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), that indicate disproportionation is enabled by surface reconstruction upon charging, which leads to surface Mn 3+ sites on the LNMO particle surface that can disproportionate into Mn 2+ (dissolved) and Mn 4+ (s) . During discharge of the battery, we observe high quantities of metal fluorides (in particular, MnF 2 ) in the cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) on LNMO as well as the conductive carbon additives in the composite. Electronic conductivity measurements indicate that the MnF 2 decreases film conductivity by threefold compared to LiF, suggesting that this CEI component may impede both the ionic and electronic properties of the cathode. Ultimately, to prevent transition metal dissolution and the associated side reactions in spinel-type cathodes (particularly those that operate at high voltages like LNMO), the use of electrolytes that offer improved anodic stability and prevent acid byproducts will likely be necessary.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Crystal dissolution by particle detachment

Crystal dissolution, which is a fundamental process in both natural and technological settings, has been predominately viewed as a process of ion-by-ion detachment into a surrounding solvent. Here we report a mechanism of dissolution by particle detachment (DPD) that dominates in mesocrystals formed via crystallization by particle attachment (CPA). Using liquid phase electron microscopy to directly observe dissolution of hematite crystals — both compact rhombohedra and mesocrystals of coaligned nanoparticles — we find that the mesocrystals evolve into branched structures, which disintegrate as individual sub-particles detach. The resulting dissolution rates far exceed those for equivalent masses of compact single crystals. Applying a numerical generalization of the Gibbs-Thomson effect, we show that the physical drivers of DPD are curvature and strain inherently tied to the original CPA process. Based on the generality of the model, we anticipate that DPD is widespread for both natural minerals and synthetic crystals formed via CPA.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Operando characterization and regulation of metal dissolution and redeposition dynamics near battery electrode surface

Mn dissolution has been a longstanding, ubiquitous issue that negatively impacts the performance of Mn-based battery materials. Mn dissolution involves complex chemical and structural transformations at the electrode-electrolyte interface. The continuously evolving electrodeelectrolyte interface has posed great challenges for characterizing the dynamic interfacial process and quantitatively establishing the correlation with battery performance. In this study, we visualize and quantify the temporally and spatially resolved Mn dissolution/redeposition (D/R) dynamics of electrochemically operating Mn-containing cathodes. The particle-level and electrode-level analyses reveal that the D/R dynamics is associated with distinct interfacial degradation mechanisms at different states of charge. Our results statistically differentiate the contributions of surface reconstruction and Jahn-Teller distortion to the Mn dissolution at different operating voltages. Introducing sulfonated polymers (Nafion) into composite electrodes can modulate the D/R dynamics through trapping the dissolved Mn species and rapidly establishing the local Mn D/R equilibrium. This work represents an inaugural effort to pinpoint the chemical and structural transformations responsible for Mn dissolution via an operando synchrotron study and develops an effective method to regulate Mn interfacial dynamics for improving battery performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Arsenite oxyanions affect CeO 2 nanoparticle dissolution and colloidal stability

While highly reactive cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) are widely used in industry, their transport in aquatic systems is not well understood. To fill this knowledge gap, the interactions of CeO 2 NPs with arsenite (As 3+ ), a toxic metalloid and potential co-present contaminant, were investigated with respect to CeO 2 NP colloidal stability, dissolution, and surface redox reactions. Arsenite showed distinctive effects at different concentrations, with a high As 3+ concentration (10 –4 M) inducing 90% of CeO 2 NPs to settle from solution after 8 hours, while lower As 3+ concentrations (10 –5 or 10 –6 M) led to only 20% of CeO 2 NPs settling. The dissolution of NPs was most significant in the 10 –5 M As 3+ system owing to a lesser extent of aggregation, exposing more CeO 2 surface for dissolution. In the three As 3+ concentration systems, >97% of aqueous arsenic remained as As 3+ over 6 hours. On the NP surface, adsorbed As III was oxidized to As V , resulting in 58–70% of the adsorbed arsenic remaining as As III . Simultaneously Ce IV was reduced to Ce III , increasing Ce III on the CeO 2 NP surface from 17% (without arsenite) to 21–25% (with arsenite). Further mechanistic analyses revealed that the adsorption of arsenite was the main contributor to neutralizing the CeO 2 NP surface potential, enhancing particle sedimentation. These findings suggest that the fate and transport of CeO 2 NPs in our experimental systems are strongly affected by arsenite concentration and its adsorption on NPs. Here, the results also highlight the importance of the interplay between NP aggregation, oxidation, and dissolution in predicting the behaviors of CeO 2 NPs and associated toxic elements in aquatic systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Atomistic level aqueous dissolution dynamics of NASICON-Type Li 1+ x Al x Ti 2– x (PO 4 ) 3 (LATP)

Advancing the atomistic level understanding of aqueous dissolution of multicomponent materials is essential. Here, we combined ReaxFF and experiments to investigate the dissolution at the Li 1+ x Al x Ti 2– x (PO 4 ) 3 -water interface. We demonstrate that surface dissolution is a sequentially dynamic process. The phosphate dissolution destabilizes the NASICON structure, which triggers a titanium-rich secondary phase formation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of surface charge and cluster size on the electrochemical dissolution of platinum nanoparticles using COMB3 and continuum electrolyte models

We study the site-dependent dissolution of platinum nanoparticles under electrochemical conditions to assess their thermodynamic stability as a function of shape and size using empirical molecular dynamics and electronic-structure models. The third-generation charge optimized many-body potential is employed to determine the validity of uniform spherical representations of the nanoparticles in predicting dissolution potentials (the Kelvin model). To understand the early stages of catalyst dissolution, implicit solvation techniques based on the self-consistent continuum solvation method are applied. It is demonstrated that interfacial charge and polarization can shift the dissolution energies by amounts on the order of 0.74 eV depending on the surface site and nanoparticle shape, leading to the unexpected preferential removal of platinum cations from highly coordinated sites in some cases.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dissolution of silica component of glass network at early stage of corrosion in initially silica-saturated solution

Corrosion of glass in silica-saturated solution has been performed with the assumption that dissolution of silicate species from the glass network would not occur. Using surface-sensitive analytical techniques, we report experimental evidence suggesting the dissolution of silicate network species from a model nuclear waste glass, called international simple glass (ISG), in an aqueous solution initially saturated with soluble silica species. Results from low energy ion scattering and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal a complete depletion of mobile element species (B, Na) from the ISG surface and an enrichment of Zr on the outmost surface. In support of spectroscopic analyses, results from topographic imaging with atomic force microscopy show a stochastic dissolution of glass surface resulting in a higher surface roughness with increasing corrosion time in aqueous solution. This study shows that a true equilibrium between soluble silica species in the solution phase and silicate species in the glass network could not be warranted by performing corrosion experiments in the solution where dissolved silica species are initially equilibrated with amorphous silica in the presence of KOH. The leaching of mobile species (B, Na) could affect the saturation level of aqueous solution and induce further dissolution of the glass surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Topological controls on aluminosilicate glass dissolution: Complexities induced in hyperalkaline aqueous environments

Abstract Fly ash, an aluminosilicate composite consisting of disordered (major) and crystalline (minor) compounds, is a low‐carbon alternative that can partially replace ordinary portland cement (OPC) in the binder fraction of concrete. Therefore, understanding the reactivity of fly ash in the hyperalkaline conditions prevalent in concrete is critical to predicting concrete's performance; including setting and strength gain. Herein, temporal measurements of the solution composition (using inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry: ICP‐OES) are used to assess the aqueous dissolution rate of monophasic synthetic aluminosilicate glasses analogous to those present in technical fly ashes, under hyperalkaline conditions (10 ≤ pH ≤ 13) across a range of temperatures (25°C ≤ T≤45°C). The dissolution rate is shown to depend on the average number of topological constraints per atom within the glass network (n c , unitless), but this dependence weakens with increasing pH (>10). This is postulated to be on account of: (a) time‐dependent changes in the glass’ surface structure, that is, the number of topological constraints; and/or (b) a change in the dissolution mechanism (eg from network hydrolysis to transport control). The results indicate that the topological description of glass dissolution is most rigorously valid only at very short reaction times (ie at high undersaturations), especially under conditions of hyperalkalinity. These findings provide an improved basis to understand the underlying factors that affect the initial and ongoing reactivity of aluminosilicate glasses such as fly ash in changing chemical environments, for example, when such materials are utilized in cementitious composites.

Oey, Tandré↗

Seeded Stage III glass dissolution behavior of a statistically designed glass matrix

The glass dissolution rate of some glasses accelerates after prolonged time spent at a slow, residual glass dissolution rate. This phenomenon is referred to as Stage III behavior. Here, the acceleration in glass dissolution rate linked to Stage III behavior is significant and may be the most impactful to long-term performance of glass in a repository. This work is aimed at understanding the effect of glass composition on Stage III behavior to add a level of technical defensibility to glass disposal. To this end, a set of twenty-four glass compositions were statistically designed, where eight glass components (SiO 2 , B 2 O 3 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO, Na 2 O, SnO 2 , ZrO 2 , and Others) have been independently varied in order to study the individual effects of each. These glasses have been subjected to static dissolution tests at 90 °C in deionized water and then seeded with zeolite Na-P2 28 days into the testing to induce Stage III behavior. The response of the glasses to the zeolite seeds fell into four primary types: 1) no response to seeds; 2) an immediate linear sustained acceleration in the rate; 3) an immediate linear acceleration in the rate followed by a decrease; and, 4) a progressive acceleration in the rate that is concurrent with the addition of the seeds. The main glass components observed to influence these behaviors were CaO, Al 2 O 3 , B 2 O 3 , and ZrO 2 , where: 1) CaO influenced which glasses showed a Stage III response to seeds (high CaO: Types 2, 3, and 4) or did not respond to seeds (low CaO: Type 1), 2) Al 2 O 3 and B 2 O 3 influenced which glasses showed a sustainable Stage III response (high Al 2 O 3 : Types 2 and 4) versus transitory response (low Al 2 O 3 and high B 2 O 3 : Type 3), and 3) ZrO 2 concentration influenced whether glasses showed a linear (high ZrO 2 : Type 2) versus progressive (low ZrO 2 : Type 4) response to seeds.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Phosphate Speciation under Organic‐Acid‐Promoted Dissolution of Phosphorus‐Sorbed Ferrihydrite–Boehmite Mixtures: Implications For Soil Phosphorus

Core Ideas Phosphate speciation determines its bioavailability in soils. Phosphate molecular speciation changes occur upon organic‐acid‐promoted dissolution. Results imply that phosphate in acid soils preferentially associated with Fe(III) oxides. Organic‐acid‐promoted dissolution of phosphate is a primary mechanism for enhancing the bioavailability of sorbed, inorganic soil phosphate. Bioavailability of P is, however, dependent on its speciation. Hence, the main objective of this study was to characterize changes in phosphate speciation as a function of pH levels (4–8) during citrate‐promoted dissolution of phosphate adsorbed on ferrihydrite–boehmite mixtures using two different sizes of ferrihydrite. A combination of batch dissolution kinetics and P K‐X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was used. Trends in shifts of white‐line peak energy and full width at half maximum height of P K‐XANES spectra indicated that the phosphate bonding configuration on ferrihydrite–boehmite as single minerals and mineral mixtures was predominantly binuclear–bidentate complexes at pH levels of 4, 6, and 8. When citrate was added to the ferrihydrite–boehmite mixtures with bound phosphate (pH 4 and 6), phosphate was preferentially released from boehmite, resorbed onto ferrihydrite, and precipitated to form noncrystalline FePO 4 minerals. A reverse trend was observed at alkaline pH. These results suggest the potential for excessive P release in P‐enriched acidic soils during a redox event due to preferential association of P to Fe(III) phases.

Adam, Nadia↗

Chlorite Dissolution Kinetics at Variable pH and Temperatures up to 275 °C

The objective of this suite of experiments was to develop a useful kinetic dissolution expression for chlorite that would be applicable over a wide range of solution pH and temperature conditions representative of subsurface conditions in natural and/or engineering geothermal reservoirs. The resulting rate equation is dependent on both pH and temperature and utilizes two specific dissolution mechanisms (an “acid” and a “neutral” mechanism). Rate parameters were derived from data collected at LLNL and available published data from Lowson et al. (2007). The form of this rate equation (Equation 1) should be easy to incorporate into most existing reactive transport codes for use in prediction of rock-water interactions in EGS systems. Specifically, we find that the dissolution of chlorite, a sheet-silicate, is relatively slow at elevated temperatures (100-275 °C), compared to other framework silicate minerals for which higher temperature kinetic data are available (e.g., quartz and feldspars; see Palandri and Kharaka, 2004). This finding is in conflict with previously reported high activation energies for chlorite based on extrapolation of low-temperature experimental data to higher temperatures. Additionally, we note that the dissolution of chlorite does not increase under alkaline conditions, as has been noted for other minerals, but rather remains at the same level as that noted for neutral conditions, with only a weak dependence on temperature. Future work includes similar rate measurements and the derivation of useful rate equations for illite, smectite, and biotite from pH 3 to 10 and 100 to 275 °C. Geochemical alteration, changing stress fields, mass transport and heat transfer incorporated into computational models are needed to optimize geothermal energy production for EGS systems. The resulting mineral rate equations from this work can be directly incorporated in modeling efforts to fully assess the impacts of geochemical alteration on long-term fracture permeability for EGS systems across the Geothermal Program. Chlorite rate equations and data have been submitted to the Geothermal Data Repository.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Plant-Level Modeling and Simulation of Used Nuclear Fuel Dissolution

Plant-level modeling and simulation of a used nuclear fuel prototype dissolver is presented. Emphasis is given in developing a modeling and simulation approach to be explored by other processes involved in the recycle of used fuel. The commonality concepts presented in a previous communication were used to create a model and realize its software module. An initial model was established based on a theory of chemical thermomechanical network transport outlined previously. A software module prototype was developed with the required external behavior and internal mathematical structure. Results obtained demonstrate the generality of the design approach and establish an extensible mathematical model with its corresponding software module for a wide range of dissolvers. Scale up numerical tests were made varying the type of used fuel (breeder and light-water reactors) and the capacity of dissolution (0.5 t/d to 1.7 t/d). These tests were motivated by user requirements in the area of nuclear materials safeguards. A computer module written in high-level programing languages (MATLAB and Octave) was developed, tested, and provided as open-source code (MATLAB) for integration into the Separations and Safeguards Performance Model application in development at Sandia National Laboratories. The modeling approach presented here is intended to serve as a template for a rational modeling of all plant-level modules. This will facilitate the practical application of the commonality features underlying the unifying network transport theory proposed recently. In addition, by example, this model describes, explicitly, the needed data from sub-scale models, and logical extensions for future model development. For example, from thermodynamics, an off-line simulation of molecular dynamics could quantify partial molar volumes for the species in the liquid phase; this simulation is currently at reach for high-performance computing. From fluid mechanics, a hold-up capacity function is needed for the dissolver device; this simulation is currently at reach for computational fluid mechanics given the existing CAD geometry. From chemical transport phenomena, a simulation of the particle-scale dissolution front is needed to derive an improved solid dissolution kinetics law by predicting the local surface area change; an example was provided in this report. In addition, the associated reaction mechanisms for dissolution are presently largely untested and simplified, hence even a parallel experimental program in reaction kinetics is needed to support modeling and simulation efforts. Last but not least, a simple account of finite rates of solid feed and transfer can be readily introduced via a coupled delayed model. These are some of the theoretical benefits of a rational plant-level modeling approach which guides the development of smaller length and time scale modeling. Practical, and other theoretical benefits have been presented on a previous report.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Dissolution flowsheet for high flux isotope reactor fuel

As part of the Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) processing campaign, H-Canyon is planning to begin dissolving High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) fuel in late FY17 or early FY18. Each HFIR fuel core contains inner and outer fuel elements which were fabricated from uranium oxide (U 3 O 8 ) dispersed in a continuous Al phase using traditional powder metallurgy techniques. Fuels fabricated in this manner, like other SNF’s processed in H-Canyon, dissolve by the same general mechanisms with similar gas generation rates and the production of H 2 . The HFIR fuel cores will be dissolved and the recovered U will be down-blended into low-enriched U. HFIR fuel was previously processed in H-Canyon using a unique insert in both the 6.1D and 6.4D dissolvers. Multiple cores will be charged to the same dissolver solution maximizing the concentration of dissolved Al. The objective of this study was to identify flowsheet conditions through literature review and laboratory experimentation to safely and efficiently dissolve the HFIR fuel in H-Canyon. Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to evaluate the dissolution of HFIR fuel using both Al 1100 and Al 6061 T6 alloy coupons. The Al 1100 alloy was considered a representative surrogate which provided an upper bound on the generation of flammable (i.e., H 2 ) gas during the dissolution process. The dissolution of the Al 6061 T6 alloy proceeded at a slower rate than the Al 1100 alloy and was used to verify that the target Al concentration in solution could be achieved for the selected Hg concentration. Mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy were used to provide continuous monitoring of the concentration of H 2 and other permanent gases in the dissolution offgas allowing the development of H 2 generation rate profiles. The H 2 generation rates were subsequently used to evaluate if a full HFIR core could be dissolved in an H-Canyon dissolver without exceeding 60% of the calculated lower flammability limit (LFL) for H 2 at a given Hg concentration.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Dissolution of Additively Manufactured Mo Disks and Structures for Accelerator Based Production of Mo-99

The press-and-sinter approach for production of Mo targets has been successfully tested and demonstrated. The main advantage of this process is that it uses readily available technology and tools that have been tuned for production of various metal and metal oxide targets. However, certain target design specifications, such as dimensional accuracy of the diameter and thickness of the disks, are required for proper fit into a target holder and therefore place strict tolerances on sintered Mo disks intended for accelerator production. Furthermore, having a target composed of multiple disks poses certain challenges for post-irradiation processing, where there is a potential for spillage of individual disks during the manipulation for dissolution inside a processing hot cell. Additive manufacturing (AM), also referred to as 3D printing, provides capabilities to design and build a single-piece Mo target that provides the opportunity for better geometry for optimized production of Mo-99, improved cooling capability, and safer post-irradiation handling. A drawback of AM Mo structures is roughness of finished surfaces, which could reduce the effectiveness of gas cooling systems. Process development for AM Mo structures using selective laser melting is described in work by Gibson and Lowden. For post-irradiation processing, it is important to look at the dissolution behavior of AM Mo structures in comparison to readily dissolved press-and-sinter Mo targets. The dissolution behavior of press-and-sinter targets has been well documented in our previous reports. In this report, we discuss results of dissolution experiments conducted with AM Mo disks and structures (provided by Oak Ridge National Laboratory [ORNL]) in 50% hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Uranium Casting Pin Dissolution for Multi-element and Si Analysis

The purpose of this special instruction is to establish a standard method for the dissolution of uranium casting materials from FCF or HFEF. The Spent Fuel Treatment program requires the analysis of uranium casting pins in order to determine the level of impurities. The samples are dissolved in a laboratory hood for ICP-MS and ICP-OES analyses. The dissolution of the uranium will require the use of nitric and/or hydrochloric acid, with a trace amount of hydrofluoric acid as a dissolution catalyst. Two dissolution methods are provided to allow for the choice of the final dissolver matrix. A process blank should be performed along with samples.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗