Re-evaluation of Radiation-Energy Transfer to an Extraction Solvent in a Minor-Actinide-Separation Process Based on Consideration of Radiation Permeability

ABSTRACT

Absorbed-dose estimation is essential for evaluation of the radiation tolerance of minor-actinide-separation processes. We propose a dose-evaluation method based on radiation permeability, with comparisons of heterogeneous structures seen in the solvent-extraction process, such as emulsions forming in the mixture of the organic and aqueous phases. A demonstration of radiation-energy-transfer simulation is performed with a focus on the minor-actinide-recovery process from high-level liquid waste with the aid of the Monte Carlo radiation-transport code PHITS. The simulation results indicate that the dose absorbed by the extraction solvent from alpha radiation depends upon the emulsion structure, and that from beta and gamma radiation depends upon the mixer-settler-apparatus size. Non-negligible contributions of well-permeable gamma rays were indicated in terms of the plant operation of the minor-actinide-separation process.     

Combustion synthesis of AlN doped with carbon and oxygen

Carbon-and-oxygen-doped AlN specimens were prepared by combustion synthesis using Al, graphite, and AlN. Graphite addition changed the product color from white to blue. By XRD, the lattice constant increased slightly with increasing carbon content. Blue AlN powder was synthesized with a molar ratio of the diluent AlN of 0.2-0.5 with a fixed graphite content of 0.05. At an AlN molar ratio exceeding 0.6, carbon was not successfully incorporated due to the lower reaction temperature. Calcination at 800°C in air removed residual graphite without changing the crystal structure or product color. Oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon analyses revealed that blue AlN powders contained 0.45-0.54 mass% carbon and 1.4-1.6 mass% oxygen, while the undoped AlN contained 0.021 mass% carbon and 0.94 mass% oxygen. The origin of the white-to-blue color change was investigated via reflection measurements. Blue AlN exhibits an absorption peak at 634 nm (1.96 eV). From first-principles electronic structure calculations, the C-doped AlN and carbon-and-oxygen-doped AlN with a 1:1 ratio could be classified as p-type, whereas the O-doped AlN and 1:3 carbon-and-oxygen-doped AlN were n-type. One reason for the absorption peak at 634 nm may be a transition from the conduction band to an upper unoccupied state. These results suggest the possible control of optical and electronic properties of AlN via carbon-and-oxygen doping.     

A highly transparent and thermally stable copolymer of 1‐adamantyl methacrylate and styrene

Thermal and optical properties of copolymers of 1‐adamantyl methacrylate (AdMA) and styrene (St) prepared by free radical polymerization in the bulk are investigated. The copolymer forms an azeotrope when the composition is AdMA/St = 55/45 mol%. The glass transition temperature and decomposition temperature of the azeotropic copolymer are 170 and ca 340 °C, respectively. The refractive index increases nonlinearly with St content from 1.522 to 1.591. The light scattering loss at 633 nm is 28.1 dB km^?1, which is less than half of that of polystyrene. The total optical loss including molecular vibrational absorption, which is evaluated using a copolymer‐based optical fiber, is 292–645 dB km^?1 at 500–700 nm. These values correspond to transmittances of 86–93% for a 1 m optical path length. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Measurement of Thermal Diffusivity at Low Temperatures Using an Optical Reflectivity Technique

An experimental arrangement has been developed for measuring the transient temperature responses and the thermal diffusivities of foil materials in the range of 10 to 300K by using the optical reflectivity technique. The cryogenic system with optical windows is designed to provide temperatures from 10 to 300 K. The front surface of a foil specimen is heated by a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. In situ measurement of the reflectivity of a continuous-wave He–Ne laser at the rear surface is conducted on the microsecond time scale. Using the temperature dependence of reflectivity, the transient temperature response is deduced. The thermal diffusivity is obtained by fitting Parker's formulae to the experimental data on temperature rise. Stainless-steel foils are chosen as samples and are studied in the region from 10 to 300 K. The accuracy is examined by comparing the present results with the theoretical temperature responses and thermal diffusivity data from the literature. Good agreement is observed.     

Stability analysis of continuous-time periodic systems via theharmonic analysis

Asymptotic stability of finite-dimensional linear continuous-time periodic (FDLCP) systems is studied by harmonic analysis. It is first shown that stability can be examined with what we call the harmonic Lyapunov equation. Another necessary and sufficient stability criterion is developed via this generalized Lyapunov equation, which reduces the stability test into that of an approximate FDLCP model whose transition matrix can be determined explicitly. By extending the Gerschgorin theorem to linear operators on the linear space l₂, yet another disc-group criterion is derived, which is only sufficient. Stability of the lossy Mathieu equation is analyzed as a numerical example to illustrate the results     

A general framework for debugging

The state of the art of debugging is examined. A debugged process model that serves as the basis of a general debugging framework is described. The relationship of the model to traditional debugging processes and support tools is discussed. A minimal set of requirements for a general debugging framework is described in terms of both the theory behind debugging methodologies and the support tools. An execution monitor, Eden, that serves as a debugging tool within this general framework is described     

Structural and electronic properties of CuInSe2

Structural investigation on monocrystalline CuInSe₂ samples has been made. From the single crystal results, the space group of CuInSe₂ was confirmed to be Iˉ42d and the crystal solidification direction was investigated. Compositional uniformity of the ingots was established by EPMA and it was found that the indium concentration was greater than that for copper. Systematic annealing experiments were carried out in vacuum at different temperatures (as low as 160° C) and for different times. Large variation in resistivity was observed after the annealing treatment. P-type samples were found to convert to n-type after the heat-treatments.     

Fast microwave detection system for coherent synchrotron radiation study at KEK: Accelerator test facility

A fast room temperature microwave detection system based on the Schottky Barrier-diode detector was created at the KEK ATF (Accelerator Test Facility). It was tested using Coherent Synchrotron Radiation (CSR) generated by the 1.28 GeV electron beam in the damping ring. The speed performance of the detection system was checked by observing the CSR from a multi-bunch (2.8 ns bunch separation time) beam. The theoretical estimations of CSR power yield from an edge of bending magnet as well as new injection tuning method are presented. A very high sensitivity of CSR power yield to the longitudinal electron distribution in a bunch is discussed.     

Photocatalytic Property and Electronic Structure of Lanthanide-based Oxysulfides

Lanthanide-based oxysulfides and sulfide, LnTaO_3.5S_0.5, Ln₁₀OS₁₄ (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm) and La₄In₅S₁₃, were successively synthesized by sulfurization in a flowing H₂S. The sulfurization decreased the band-gap energies from >4 eV to <3eV, because of the formation of occupied S3p orbitals on the top of valence band. In accordance with the small band gap, the H₂ evolution from a 0.01 M Na₂S and 0.01 M Na₂SO₃ solution system was observed under irradiation of light up to >500 nm. The rate of H₂ evolution under light irradiation of >500 nm increased in the order of Ni/LaTaO_3.5S_0.5 < Ru/La₁₀OS₁₄ < Pt/La₄In₅S₁₃.     

Stabilization of bioethanol recovery with silicone rubber‐coated ethanol‐permselective silicalite membranes by controlling the pH of acidic feed solution

In order to produce highly concentrated bioethanol by pervaporation using an ethanol‐permselective silicalite membrane, techniques to suppress adsorption of succinic acid, which is a chief by‐product of ethanol fermentation and causes the deterioration in pervaporation performance, onto the silicalite crystals was investigated. The amount adsorbed increased as the pH of the aqueous succinic acid solution decreased. The pervaporation performance also decreased with decreasing pH when the ternary mixtures of ethanol/water/succinic acid were separated. Using silicalite membranes individually coated with two types of silicone rubber, pervaporation performance was significantly improved in the pH range of 5 to 7, when compared with that of non‐coated silicalite membranes in ternary mixtures of ethanol/water/succinic acid. Moreover, when using a silicalite membrane double‐coated with the two types of silicone rubber, pervaporation performance was stabilized at lower pH values. In the separation of bioethanol by pervaporation using the double‐coated silicalite membrane, removal of accumulated substances having an ultraviolet absorption maximum at approximately 260 nm from the fermentation broth proved to be vital for efficient pervaporation. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry