Fall 2017: RDCH 702 Lecture 10 In reactor chemistry

This lecture describes the chemistry of actinides and fission products in reactors, primarily focusing on phases formed in nuclear fuel. An overview of reactors is provided.  The fission process is reviewed and fuel burnup discussed. Determining fission product and actinide concentration to assess burnup is introduced. The variation of fission product and actinide concentration with burnup and initial fuel composition is provided. Axial and radial distribution of activity, fission products, and actinides is discussed, highlighting the role of neutron flux and energies on the distribution. Conditions necessary for the formation of separate phases in UO₂ are shown for perovskite and metallic phases, emphasizing the role of oxygen in the process. The behavior of fission products can be grouped into 4 areas: volatile species, metallic precipitates, oxide precipitates, and solid solutions.   The lecture is in class on Friday 1 December.  The PDF quiz is due 5 December.

Fall 2017: RDCH 702 Lecture 9 Separations

A number of different separation methods for radionuclides, with an emphasis on actinides, are presented. Solvent extraction, ion exchange, electrochemical, volatility and ionic liquid methods are discussed. The fundamental concepts are provided with specific examples on the nuclear fuel cycle. Ideas and concepts for advanced separations are given. Details are provided for the different separation routes discussed. The PUREX process is described. Examples are given for TRUEX and TALSPEAK separations. Specific examples for actinide separation are provided.

Fall 2017: RDCH 702 Quiz 3 Electron orbitals, nuclear models, and decay kinetics

Quiz 3 covers Lecture 4 Electron orbitals and Energetics, Lecture 5 Nuclear Models, and Lecture 6 Decay Kinetics.  

Assigned 18 October 17

1st Due date: 24 October 17

2nd Due date: 27 October 17

Fall 2017: RDCH 702 Lecture 8 Isotope Production

This lecture introduces the methods and means for isotope production. Accelerators are described and compared. Attention is given to the development of accelerators over time. The use of electron accelerators for synchrotrons is covered. Spectroscopic methods useful for speciation and coordination chemistry are provided, with an example for uranium. Neutron generation is discussed. Details on fission are given, including symmetric, asymmetric, and spallation sources. The lecture is 30 minutes in length.  The lecture 8 PDF quiz is due 4 November. 2017

Fall 2017: RDCH 702 Lecture 7 Radiation Interaction

This lecture covers interaction of radiation with matter. Emphasis is placed on dosimetry and hot atom chemistry. Resulting chemical reactions and effects are highlighted. Dosimetry is introduced and explored. Units of dosimetry are described. Dosimetry measurements are discussed and quality factors based on particle mass and charge are introduced. Introductory dose calculations are supplied. Radiation protection regulations and the definition of terms (ALI, DAC) are given, including levels for use in the UNLV Radiochemistry laboratories. A review of hot atom chemistry is given. The lecture is 42 minutes.  The PDF Quiz is due 30 October 2017.

Fall 2017: RDCH 702 Lecture 6 Decay Kinetics

This lecture covers the fundamental equations that describe the decay of radionuclides; covered in two parts. Basic equations and their utility are presented. The implications on error from counting is provided.  Equations for mixtures, equilibrium, and branching of radionuclides are covered.  The use of a program to solve the Bateman equation is presented. The use of cross sections in determining production rates are covered. Saturation in isotope production due to the decay of the daughter is described. Discussion of natural radiation and dating are given. Examples are provided using the equations under a host of conditions. These include examples for dating from ²³⁸U, ¹⁴C, and the Oklo reactor. Lecture 1 is 44 minutes, lecture 2 is 31 minutes.  The PDF quiz is due 21 October 2017.

Fall 2017: RDCH 702 Lecture 5 Nuclear Model

This lecture provides supplemental information on the shell model and nuclear force. The strong force is introduced through isospin. A comparison of exchange particles is provided. The use of mirror nuclei to examine the strong force is presented. An overview of nuclear potentials is provided and used to discuss the shell model. States of the shell model and their relationship to magic numbers are discussed. Use of the shell model is determine nuclide spin and parity is presented. The relationship between spin and parity with nuclear deformation is introduced with Nilsson diagrams. Additional information on Nilsson diagrams can be found in the Table of the Isotopes, page H-6. The lecture time is 40 minutes.  The PDF Quiz for lecture 5 is due 11-Oct-17.