US lab’s new technique could accelerate production of critical nuclear isotope

[Marlin]

US lab's new technique could accelerate production of critical nuclear isotope

https://interestingengineering.com/energy/us-lab-produce-critical-nuclear-isotope

[Core Content]

US lab develops faster way to produce critical nuclear isotope

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has implemented a new chemical extraction process that reduces the production time for californium-252 by at least one week. By replacing the traditional HDEHP solvent method, researchers eliminated a time-consuming acidity adjustment step during the separation of trivalent actinides. This efficiency gain supports the laboratory's efforts to meet rising demand for the isotope, which is required for nuclear reactor startups and various industrial and national security applications.

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory found a way to cut a week or more from the production of californium-252, a rare isotope used to start nuclear reactors.

A new chemical process developed at a US national laboratory could save a week or more from the production schedule for californium-252, a rare radioactive isotope used to start nuclear reactors and support a range of industrial and national security applications. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is currently the only producer of californium-252 in the Western world. The laboratory expects demand for the neutron-emitting isotope to increase as the US expands its nuclear energy ambitions and...

Read the full article at Interesting Engineering:
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/us-lab-produce-critical-nuclear-isotope