Re: Pu in DU?

["Orville Cypret" <ocypret@hotmail.com>]

There was a time when we were more likely to have transuranics in the 
enriched product stream than we are today.  We still occasionally see traces 
of transuranics, particularly Am-241 and Np-237, in parts of the process 
that tend to concentrate impurities.  All of this is apparently due to the 
enrichment of recycled uranium many years ago.  Also, there is Tc-99 at the 
top of the cascade as Dave says.  There is an ANSI standard that specifies 
maximum acceptable impurity levels in enriched uranium and we comply with 
that standard.  I don't know of any similar standard that applies to DU.

If anyone wants specific numbers typical impurities for DU, send me a 
private email at cypretow@lums.com.  I'll see what I can do.

Orville Cypret CHP, PE
Radiation Protection Manager
Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant
United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC)


******************
Disclaimer:  The previous statements in no way reflect upon the performance 
of, or obligate, USEC.  The statements may, or may not, accurately state 
corporate position(s) of USEC.  USEC is in no way responsible for these 
statements or consequences of their use.

>From: Dave Abbott <abbott@washops.llnl.gov>
>Reply-To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: Re: Pu in DU?
>Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 12:46:16 -0500 (CDT)
>
>Back in the 80's we looked for it and couldn't find any.  The gaseous
>diffusion plants think they have some Np-237, but since the alpha energy is
>the same as U-234, the analytical results may be suspect unless thoroughly
>confident of a good radiochemical separation.  They also had some Tc-99,
>which zipped right out the top end and thus wouldn't be in the tails.
>
>
> >Does anyone analyse DU for Pu (and other actinides/ fission products come
> >to that)?
> >
> >
> >Keith Bradshaw
> >
> >Southampton University UK
> >************************************************************************
> >The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
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> >
>David Abbott
>Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
>abbott@washops.llnl.gov
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