Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy of the uranyl ion in nitric acid for process monitoring applications

  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Near real time process monitoring of the uranium content in an aqueous fuel recycling plant is a desired component of an advanced safeguards suite; Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopy and Time Resolved Laser induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy can contribute to this technology gap. This work presents the observation of the spectroscopic parameters (molar absorptivities, fluorescent response) of the uranyl ion across the range of conditions expected in reprocessing chemistry. From this data, a monitor using the ratio of the absorbance of the uranyl ion at 403 and 426 nm has been developed. This technique can determine the nitrate solution concentration and can be coupled with a condition appropriate molar absorptivity to determine the uranyl concentration. This method provides a reliable technique for online, real time process monitoring of the uranyl and nitrate concentration under a wide range of solution compositions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. World Nuclear Association (2010) Processing of Used Nuclear Fuel. http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf69.html. Accessed May 3, 2010

  2. Bostick DT (1978) Simultaneous analysis of uranium and nitrate. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. Lascola R, Livingston RR, Sanders MA, McCarty JE, Dunning JL (2002) J Proc Anal Chem 7(1):14–20

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Deniau H, Decambox P, Mauchien P, Moulin C (1993) Radiochim Acta 61(1):23–28

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Klygin AE, Kolyada NS, Smirnova AE (1970) Russ J Inorg Chem 15:1719–1721

    Google Scholar 

  6. Nash K, Madic C, Mathur JN, Lacquement J (2006) In: Morss LR, Edelstein NM, Fuger J (eds) The chemistry of the actinide and transactinide elements. Springer Link, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vandegrift GF, Regalbuto MC, Aase S, Bakel A, Battisti TJ, Bowers D, Byrnes JP, Clark MA, Emery JW, Falkenberg JR, Guelis AV, Pereira C, Hafenrichter L, Tsai Y, Quigley KJ, Vader Pol MH (2004) Designing and demonstration of the UREX + process using spent nuclear fuel. Paper presented at the ATATLANTE 2004—Advances for future nuclear fuel cycles. Nimes, France, June 21–24

  8. Bell JT, Biggers RE (1965) J Mol Spectrosc 18(3):247–275

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Nevada, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 454009, Las Vegas, NV, 89154-4009, USA

    Nicholas A. Smith, Gary S. Cerefice & Kenneth R. Czerwinski

Authors
  1. Nicholas A. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gary S. Cerefice
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kenneth R. Czerwinski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicholas A. Smith.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smith, N.A., Cerefice, G.S. & Czerwinski, K.R. Fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy of the uranyl ion in nitric acid for process monitoring applications. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 295, 1553–1560 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-1942-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-1942-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation