UF6 plasma chemistry reconstitution experiments using high-temperature fluorine

Prior results indicate techniques have been developed for fluid mechanical confinement of high-temperature uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) plasma for long test times while simultaneously minimizing uranium compound deposition on the walls. Follow-on investigations were conducted to demonstrate a UF₆/argon injection, separation, and reconstitution system for use with rf-heated uranium plasma confinement experiments applicable to UF₆ plasma core reactors. A static fluorine batch-type regeneration test reactor and a flowing preheated fluorine/UF₆ regeneration system were developed for converting all the nonvolatile uranium compound exhaust products back to pure UF₆ using a single reactant. Pure fluorine preheat temperatures up to 1000 K resulted in on-line regeneration efficiencies up to about 90%; static batch-type experiments resulted in 100% regeneration efficiencies but required significantly longer residence times. A custom-built, ruggedized time-of-flight (T.O.F.) mass spectrometer, sampling, and data acquisition system permitted on-line quantitative measurements of the UF₆ concentrations down to 30 ppm at various sections of the exhaust system; this system proved operational after long-time exposure to corrosive UF₆ and other uranium halides.     

Fast protein analysis enabled by high-temperature hydrolysis

While the bottom-up protein analysis serves as a mainstream method for biological studies, its efficiency is limited by the time-consuming process for enzymatic digestion or hydrolysis as well as the post-digestion treatment prior to mass spectrometry analysis. In this work, we developed an enzyme-free microreaction system for fast and selective hydrolysis of proteins, and a direct analysis of the protein digests was achieved by nanoESI (electrospray ionization) mass spectrometry. Using the microreactor, proteins in aqueous solution could be selectively hydrolyzed at the aspartyl sites within 2 min at high temperatures (∼150 °C). Being free of salts, the protein digest solution could be directly analyzed using a mass spectrometer with nanoESI without further purification or post-digestion treatment. This method has been validated for the analysis of a variety of proteins with molecular weights ranging from 8.5 to 67 kDa. With introduction of a reducing agent into the protein solutions, fast cleavage of disulfide bonds was also achieved along with high-temperature hydrolysis, allowing for fast analysis of large proteins such as bovine serum albumin. The high-temperature microreaction system was also used with a miniature mass spectrometer for the determination of highly specific peptides from Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens, showing its potential for point-of-care analysis of protein biomarkers.

A high-temperature microreaction system is developed for fast and selective hydrolysis of proteins, enabling direct analysis of protein biomarkers by mass spectrometry.     

The determination of fluorine in rare earth fluorides by high temperature hydrolysis

The technique of pyrohydrolysis has been applied to the determination of fluorine in the fluorides of scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanons. These fluorides have been divided into two classes according to their rate of hydrolysis. Lutetium, ytterbium, cerium(III), scandium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, and thulium florides can be hydrolyzed in 30 min or less. Yttrium, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, and europium fluorides require from 45 to 150 min for complete hydrolysis. Accelerators, such as uranium oxide (U₃O₈), chromium(III) oxide, and a mixture of these oxides have been used successfully to reduce the tune required for quantitative hydrolysis of the fluorides in the latter group. The use of the correct accelerator reduces the hydrolysis time to 30 min or less for all these fluorides except lanthanum, praseodymium and neodymium.     

Synthesis of perfluoroalkanes by high-temperature reaction of graphite with fluorine in a fluidized bed

Synthesis of lower perfluoroalkanes (tetrafluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, octafluoropropane, decafluorobutane) by high-temperature reaction of graphite with fluorine in a fluidized bed was studied.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Khimii, Vol. 77, No. 11, 2004, pp. 1865–1871.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Pashkevich, Shelopin, Mukhortov, Petrov, Alekseev, Asovich.     

Theoretical mechanism study of UF6 hydrolysis in the gas phase

The mechanism of the gas-phase reaction UF 6 + H 2O --> UOF 4 + 2HF is explored using relativistic density functional theory calculations. Initially, H 2O coordinates with UF 6 to form a 1:1 complex UF 6.H 2O. Over an activation energy barrier of about 19 kcal/mol, H 2O transfers a H atom to a nearby ligand F, resulting in UF 5OH + HF. The eliminated HF or another H 2O molecule may form a hydrogen bond with UF 5OH. Starting from UF 5OH, the second HF elimination results in UOF 4. If UF 5OH is in the isolated form, UF 5OH --> UOF 4 + HF takes place over a barrier of 24 kcal/mol. If UF 5OH is hydrogen-bonded with H 2O or HF, the conversion barrier is less than 10 kcal/mol. Once formed, the unstable UOF 4 tends to associate with additional ligands and hydrogen-bonding donors. The calculated binding energies indicate the significance of such interactions, which may have profound impact on further HF eliminating reactions. The IR spectra features can be used to indicate the formation and interaction type of the intermediates and products.     

Determination of fluorine in standard rocks by photon activation analysis

A highly sensitive determination of fluorine in standard rocks by photon activation using the¹⁹F(,n)¹⁸F reaction combined with pyrohydrolysis for the separation of¹⁸F has been reported. The irradiation energy was operated at 20 MeV to avoid the interference from Na, because Na is one of the major element in rocks and¹⁸F is also produced from Na via²³Na(,n)¹⁸F reaction above its threshold energy, 20.9 MeV. After irradiation, fluorine was extracted by pyrohydrolysis and separated as LaF₃ precipitate. It was ascertained that the average recovery of fluorine in standard rocks was about 90% and the precipitate was of high radiochemical purity. This method was applied to the analysis of ten GSJ rock reference samples and two USGS standard rocks issued by the Geological Survey of Japan and the United States Geological Survey, respectively. The detection limit of this method was 0.02 g/g, and the results obtained by this method were in good agreement with the recommended values. This method was easily applied to the determination of a few ppm level of fluorine in rock samples, such as ultrabasic rock and feldspar.     

Determination of fluorine by the spectrometry of prompt gamma-rays

The use, for analysis, of prompt gamma-rays excited by 5 MeV alpha-particles from the reactions¹⁹F(α,α′γ)¹⁹F,¹⁹F(α, nγ)²²Na and¹⁹F(α, pγ)²²NE, was studied. The precision of the analyses depended on the gamma-ray energy used for the measurement. Relative standard deviations were ±1.8, ±0.9 and ±1.3% using the 110-, 197- or 1275 keV gamma-rays. The method was tested with N. I. M. standard materials of calcium fluoride and fluorspar, and was used as a rapid method for the determination of fluorine in cements.     

UF6 and UF4 in Liquid Ammonia: [UF7(NH3)]3− and [UF4(NH3)4]

From the reaction of uranium hexafluoride UF₆ with dry liquid ammonia, the [UF₇(NH₃)]^3? anion and the [UF₄(NH₃)₄] molecule were isolated and identified for the first time. They are found in signal‐green crystals of trisammonium monoammine heptafluorouranate(IV) ammonia (1:1; [NH₄]₃[UF₇(NH₃)] ? NH₃) and emerald‐green crystals of tetraammine tetrafluorouranium(IV) ammonia (1:1; [UF₄(NH₃)₄] ? NH₃). [NH₄]₃[UF₇(NH₃)] ? NH₃ features discrete [UF₇(NH₃)]^3? anions with a coordination geometry similar to a bicapped trigonal prism, hitherto unknown for U^IV compounds. The emerald‐green [UF₄(NH₃)₄] ? NH₃ contains discrete tetraammine tetrafluorouranium(IV) [UF₄(NH₃)₄] molecules. [UF₄(NH₃)₄] ? NH₃ is not stable at room temperature and forms pastel‐green [UF₄(NH₃)₄] as a powder that is surprisingly stable up to 147 °C. The compounds are the first structurally characterized ammonia complexes of uranium fluorides.     

水解法测定血液中的毒鼠强

建立了毒鼠强的血液样品水解方法并对相应的GC FPD定量、GC MS定性的分析条件进行了优化 ,同时考察了水解过程中的水解温度、水解强度等方面的影响因素 ,建立了一个提取效率高、灵敏度佳、干扰少的毒鼠强提取分析方法。毒鼠强工作曲线在 0 .0 1～ 0 .2 0 μg μL之间呈线性关系 ,相关系数r=0 .9999。与传统的液 液直接提取方法相比 ,血液样品毒鼠强的检出率提高 1 69% ,并可应用于生物样品的毒鼠强提取分析中。     

Determination of fluorine by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

There is a growing interest in determination of low Z elements, i.e. carbon to phosphorus, in various samples. Total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) has been already established as a suitable trace element analytical method with low sample demand and quite good quantification limits. Recently, the determinable element range was extended towards Z = 6 (carbon).     

Characterization of uranium particles produced by hydrolysis of UF6 using SEM and SIMS.

Environmental sampling (ES) is a powerful technique used by safeguards inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Safeguards Office for the detection of undeclared nuclear activities. Since its implementation in the 1990s, ES has proven to be very sensitive and effective. Considering the consequences, the measurements should be carried out under a quality management programme. At the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, a new production method is under development for the preparation of reference uranium particles from well-certified UF6, allowing uranium particles with certified isotopic abundances to be prepared that are representative of those found in uranium enrichment facilities. Using an aerosol deposition chamber designed and built for the purpose, particles are formed by the hydrolysis of UF6 and their morphology and (isotopic) composition measured using SEM-EDX and SIMS. The SEM measurements show that by varying the relative humidity of the air in the reaction chamber, the morphology of the particles can be changed. By making a distribution map of the chemical composition of the particles, the relationship between fluorine and uranium as main constituents of the particle could be established. The presence of fluorine is a valuable indicator for the occurrence of nondeclared enrichment activities.     

Determination of nitrogen and fluorine in air-dust samples by photon activation

Summary Air-dust samples with masses of 12 mg each were analysed instrumentally for their nitrogen and fluorine content by photon activation. The samples were irradiated with photons of maximum energy,E _max=15MeV. The nuclear reactions¹⁴N(, n)¹³N and¹⁹F(, n)¹⁸F give two positron emitters. The positrons react with electrons, emitting annihilation radiation. The 511-keV peak of the annihilation radiation of¹³N and¹⁸F is measured simultaneously and the decay curve is taken. The half-lives of 9.96 and 109.7 min allow a quantitative separation. By choosingE _max=15 MeV for the activation we eliminate interference from carbon and oxygen. The activation threshold for the n,-reaction of carbon is 18.72 MeV and for oxygen 15.67 MeV, while the activation threshold for N is 10.55 MeV and for F 10.44 MeV. The detection limit for the instrumental method is 4g for both nitrogen and fluorine.

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Die Analyse von Stickstoff und fluor in Luftstaubproben durch Photonenaktivierung

Zusammenfassung An Luftstaubproben von 12 mg Masse konnte der Gehalt an Stickstoff und Fluor durch Photonenaktivierung zerstörungsfrei bestimmt werden. Die Proben wurden mit Photonen einer Energie von E_max=15 MeV bestrahlt. Die 511-keV-Linie der nach¹⁴N (, n)¹³N und¹⁹F (, n)¹⁸F entstandenen Nuklide wurde simultan gemessen und die Zerfallskurve aufgenommen. Die Halbwertszeiten 9,96 und 109,7 min liegen so weit auseinander, daß eine quantitative Trennung möglich ist. Durch Wahl der Aktivierungsenergie treten keine Störungen durch Sauerstoff und Kohlenstoff auf, da die Aktivierungsschwellen für die, n-Reaktionen von C bei 18,72 MeV und von O bei 15,67 liegen, während sie für N bei 10,55 MeV und für F bei 10,44 MeV liegen. Die Nachweisgrenzen liegen beim zerstörungsfreien Verfahren bei 4g für N und für F.

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Presented at the 8th International Microchemical Symposium, Graz, August 25–30, 1980.     

Determination of trace fluorine in biological materials by photonuclear activation analysis

Summary By using the photonuclear activation technique, fluorine has been determined in biological materials. After alkali fusion, fluorine is adsorbed on an anion exchange resin. The irradiated resin sample is soaked and stirred in 5N hydrochloric acid solution. After filtering, fluorine-18 resulting from the (, n) reaction was extracted with 0.2 % dimethyldichlorosilane in xylene. The fluorine-18 0.51 MeV annihilation peak in an aliquot of the organic phase was measured by gamma-ray spectrometry. The precision of this method calculated from replicate analyses of standard specimen is ±11 % and sensitivity is estimated as 0.01g for this element.

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Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe der photonuklearen Aktivierung wurde Fluor in biologischem Material bestimmt. Nach der Alkalischmelze wird das Fluor an einem Anionenaustauscher adsorbiert. Das bestrahlte Harz wird in5-n Salzsäure eingerührt und zum Quellen gebracht. Nach dem Abfiltrieren wird das aus der, n-Reaktion stammende¹⁸F mit einer 0,2% igen Lösung von Dimethyl-dichlorsilan in Xylol extrahiert. In einem aliquoten Anteil der organischen Phase wird es gammaspektrometrisch gemessen. Die Genauigkeit des Verfahrens wurde durch wiederholte Analysen von Standardproben ermittelt und beträgt ±11%. Die Empfindlichkeit wurde zu 0,01g geschätzt.

     

Determination of fluorine in coral skeletons by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Summary A systematic and non-destructive technique is proposed for the determination of fluorine in coral samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis using the ¹⁹F(n,γ)²⁰F reaction. About 50 to 80-mg samples in polypropylene capsules were irradiated for 15 seconds in the pneumatic transfer tube system (PN-3) of JRR-3M reactor. After the irradiation at a thermal neutron flux of 1.5 ^. 10¹³ n ^. cm^{-2 .} s^-1, the coral samples and standards were cooled for 6 seconds and the g-rays emitted were measured for 15 seconds with a Ge detector. The sequence from sample irradiation to g-ray counting was performed under a computer-control mode. The analytical precision was ~5% for the JCp-1 coral standard. The present method was applied to the determination of fluorine in corals from Thailand, Okinawa and the Philippines. The advantage of one method over destructive techniques is discussed by comparing the analytical results obtained for the JCp-1 coral standard using INAA, ion chromatography and spectrophotometry. Factors that may control the levels of fluorine in corals are also discussed.     

Determination of fluorine in organic compounds by epithermal neutron activation analysis

Classical activation analysis of fluorine by thermal neutrons has a limited application because of frequent interference from chlorine, the short half life²⁰F (11.4 s) and too high dead time of detectors. A procedure is described for fluorine determination using¹⁹F (n,p)¹⁹O reaction. Use of a boron carbide shield has no effect on the activity of¹⁹O (boron ratio −1) but considerably reduces background and interference due to¹⁸O (n, γ)¹⁹O reaction. The technique has been successfully applied to the determination of fluorine in organic compounds even in the presence of large amounts of chlorine and oxygen.