Radioactive Iodine and Krypton Control for Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Facilities

Soelberg, Nick; Garn, Troy G.; Greenhalgh, Mitchell; Law, Jack D.; Jubin, Robert Thomas; Strachan, Denis M.; Thallapally, Praveen K.

doi:10.1155/2013/702496

Cited by 157 publications

(120 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…16 However, the unique structural characteristics and cost benefits led researchers at Idaho National Laboratory to perform a systematic investigation of Xe/Kr adsorption on mordenite, a synthetic zeolite of general composition [(Ca,Na 2 ,K 2 )Al 2 Si 10 O 24 ·7H 2 O]. 12 Both the protonated (HZ) and silver-exchanged (AgZ) forms bound in a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based macroporous polymer (HZ/AgZ-PAN) were evaluated for noble gas adsorption at 191 K and at room temperature. The results indicated that AgZ-PAN exhibits a higher Xe uptake at room temperature compared with HZ-PAN and that the trend reverses at low temperature.…”

Section: Xenon and Krypton Separation Technologies: Where Do We Stand?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results indicated that AgZ-PAN exhibits a higher Xe uptake at room temperature compared with HZ-PAN and that the trend reverses at low temperature. 12 Commercially available activated charcoals (or carbons) were also studied by several groups for noble gas adsorption, as they have low cost, high surface area, and high thermal and chemical stability. 17 However, they posed a serious fire-hazard risk due to the presence of NO x in the off-gas stream.…”

Section: Xenon and Krypton Separation Technologies: Where Do We Stand?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since Xe is no longer present to compete for sorption sites in the adsorbent in the second material, the capacity and selectivity for Kr increases significantly. 12,32 Apart from the engineering challenges, the use of advanced computer programs to estimate and analyze the selectivities and capacities for MOF adsorbents is a major breakthrough. Computer simulations give direction for experimentalists to narrow their search for potential MOF structures and compositions from the enormous database or to design a new MOF by novel synthetic strategies.…”

Section: Future Scope and Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Potential of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Separation of Xenon and Krypton

et al. 2014

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* S Supporting Information CONSPECTUS: The total world energy demand is predicted to rise significantly over the next few decades, primarily driven by the continuous growth of the developing world. With rapid depletion of nonrenewable traditional fossil fuels, which currently account for almost 86% of the worldwide energy output, the search for viable alternative energy resources is becoming more important from a national security and economic development standpoint. Nuclear energy, an emission-free, high-energy-density source produced by means of controlled nuclear fission, is often considered as a clean, affordable alternative to fossil fuel. However, the successful installation of an efficient and economically viable industrial-scale process to properly sequester and mitigate the nuclear-fission-related, highly radioactive waste (e.g., used nuclear fuel (UNF)) is a prerequisite for any further development of nuclear energy in the near future. Reprocessing of UNF is often considered to be a logical way to minimize the volume of high-level radioactive waste, though the generation of volatile radionuclides during reprocessing raises a significant engineering challenge for its successful implementation. The volatile radionuclides include but are not limited to noble gases (predominately isotopes of Xe and Kr) and must be captured during the process to avoid being released into the environment. Currently, energy-intensive cryogenic distillation is the primary means to capture and separate radioactive noble gas isotopes during UNF reprocessing. A similar cryogenic process is implemented during commercial production of noble gases though removal from air. In light of their high commercial values, particularly in lighting and medical industries, and associated high production costs, alternate approaches for Xe/Kr capture and storage are of contemporary research interest. The proposed pathways for Xe/Kr removal and capture can essentially be divided in two categories: selective absorption by dissolution in solvents and physisorption on porous materials. Physisorption-based separation and adsorption on highly functional porous materials are promising alternatives to the energy-intensive cryogenic distillation process, where the adsorbents are characterized by high surface areas and thus high removal capacities and often can be chemically fine-tuned to enhance the adsorbate−adsorbent interactions for optimum selectivity. Several traditional porous adsorbents such as zeolites and activated carbon have been tested for noble gas capture but have shown low capacity, selectivity, and lack of modularity. Metal− organic frameworks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers (PCPs) are an emerging class of solid-state adsorbents that can be tailor-made for applications ranging from gas adsorption and separation to catalysis and sensing. Herein we give a concise summary of the background and development of Xe/Kr separation technologies with a focus on UNF reprocessing and the prospects of MOF-based adsorbents for that particular appl...

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Section: Xenon and Krypton Separation Technologies: Where Do We Stand?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Xenon and Krypton Separation Technologies: Where Do We Stand?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Future Scope and Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Potential of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Separation of Xenon and Krypton

et al. 2014

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“…2, which is schematic to include several designs, this mass-produced universal reactor would omit item (RP) as on-line fuel reprocessing is complicated and still needs significant development work. Off-gassing of gaseous fission products (FPGR) would use conventional existing technology [36]. The continuous removal of strong 135 Xe poison is essential and this continuous off-gassing occurs naturally with MSRs.…”

Section: Developing the World's First Mass-producedmentioning

confidence: 99%

A suggested roadmap for world-wide energy resource planning and management

Boothroyd¹

2015

Int. J. EQ

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In the near future, we will need an internationally based system for worldwide planning of future energy resources and their effect on the world environment. Logically, this should be a responsibility of the United Nations, which already possesses much of the infrastructure needed and is already active in this area. Because different nations have different resources, different problems and different needs, it is reasoned that a flexible and diplomatic approach is also called for. We will need to try to secure support from all nations, and the economies and cultures of many nations differ considerably. This calls for special skills in negotiation. This is complicated by the varied, uncertain and changing technological facilities, which we have at our disposal. After a brief and comparative review of these facilities, an outline of the structure of the internationally coordinating organisation is suggested, followed by examples of the different types of issues which are likely to be encountered. These are: reintroducing improved technology to a nation, which has suffered grievous environmental harm from inadequate similar technology such as the Fukushima incident; nations with especially difficult transport problems; nations with perceived overpopulation problems; using UN and other expertise for nations still undergoing development; applying persuasive pressure by peaceful means. Finally, by outlining a large-scale cooperative venture by several nations, the mode of operation of the suggested U.N coordinating body is outlined. The example used is the choice of thorium-based molten-salt reactor technology using both fast and thermal neutron spectra. This appears to be the only choice we have, as other sustainable systems cannot accommodate the size of our problems. The only exception is using the Desertec solar project, which appears to be disadvantaged by being significantly more expensive. Molten-salt reactors would give a 1000-year energy security for industrialised energy-hungry nations on the Far East/Pacific Rim, which is the example considered. This system would use modern actinide burn-up technology to make nuclear-waste disposal a more acceptable proposition. Thus, nuclear waste can become a lowlevel and disposable hazard after only about 300 years of storage. After this storage, the waste becomes a valuable resource due to production of rare transmuted elements.

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“…1 The dissolution of the spent fuel in these plants is responsible for the production of radioactive iodine isotopes ( 133 I 2 , 131 I 2 , 129 I 2 , 125 I 2 and others), which are dangerous for health due to their volatility, toxicity and their persistence in the environment. 2 Amongst them, the radioactive 129 I 2 isotope represents a major concern due to its long half-lifetime of 1.5•10 7 years and the  and X-ray emission. 3 The nuclear industry pays a great deal of attention to the efficient and selective iodine capture during fuel reprocessing or in case of abnormal working conditions in order to minimize the environmental impact.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular iodine adsorption within Hofmann-type structures M(L)[M′(CN)₄] (M = Ni, Co; M′ = Ni, Pd, Pt): impact of their composition

et al. 2015

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A series of thermally stable Hofmann-type clathrate structures with the general formula M(pz)[M'(CN)4], where M and M' are bivalent metal ions M(II) = Ni(II), Co(II), M(II)' = Ni(II), Pd(II), Pt(II), and pz is the pyrazine bidentate ligand, was synthesized and investigated for the efficient entrapment of iodine (I2) in solution and in the gas phase. Iodine-containing clathrates thus prepared were analysed to determine the saturation capacity, thermal stability, guest-induced structural changes of the clathrate's lattice and the nature of the confined iodine according to the chemical composition of the host structure. An efficient confinement of about 1 I2 per unit cell is observed for the series of clathrates with the Ni(II) and Pd(II) ions in the square planar position whatever the bivalent metal ion in the octahedral position. Specific responses in the lattice adjustment are detected for Co(II) in the octahedral and Pd(II) in the square planar positions.

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Radioactive Iodine and Krypton Control for Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Facilities

Cited by 157 publications

References 27 publications

Potential of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Separation of Xenon and Krypton

Potential of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Separation of Xenon and Krypton

A suggested roadmap for world-wide energy resource planning and management

Molecular iodine adsorption within Hofmann-type structures M(L)[M′(CN)₄] (M = Ni, Co; M′ = Ni, Pd, Pt): impact of their composition

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Radioactive Iodine and Krypton Control for Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Facilities

Cited by 157 publications

References 27 publications

Potential of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Separation of Xenon and Krypton

Potential of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Separation of Xenon and Krypton

A suggested roadmap for world-wide energy resource planning and management

Molecular iodine adsorption within Hofmann-type structures M(L)[M′(CN)4] (M = Ni, Co; M′ = Ni, Pd, Pt): impact of their composition

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Product

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Molecular iodine adsorption within Hofmann-type structures M(L)[M′(CN)₄] (M = Ni, Co; M′ = Ni, Pd, Pt): impact of their composition