Open AccessAnalysis and Development of FACE Automatic Apparatus for Rapid Identification of Transuranium Isotopes
Author(s) -
Edward Henri Sebesta
Publication year - 1978
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/1006403
Subject(s) - transuranium element , process engineering , face (sociological concept) , throughput , computer science , identification (biology) , chemistry , plutonium , radiochemistry , engineering , operating system , social science , botany , sociology , wireless , biology
A description of and operating manual for the FACE Automatic Apparatus has been written along with a documentation of the FACE machine operating program, to provide a user manual for the FACE Automatic Apparatus. In addition, FACE machine performance was investigated to improve transuranium throughput. Analysis of the causes of transuranium isotope loss was undertaken both chemical and radioactive. To lower radioactive loss, the dynamics of the most time consuming step of the FACE machine, the chromatographic column output droplet drying and flaming, in preparation of sample for alpha spectroscopy and counting, was investigated. A series of droplets were dried in an experimental apparatus demonstrating that droplets could be dried significantly faster through more intensie heating, enabling the FACE machine cycle to be shortened by 30-60 seconds. Proposals incorporating these ideas were provided for FACE machine development. The 66% chemical loss of product was analyzed and changes were proposed to reduce the radioisotopes product loss. An analysis of the chromatographic column was also provided. All operating steps in the FACE machine are described and analyzed to provide a complete guide, along with the proposals for machine improvement