Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “STRONTIUM 90”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records

Model study of atmospheric transport using carbon 14 and strontium 90 as inert tracers

The observed excess carbon 14 in the atmosphere from 1963 to 1970 provides unique, but limited, data up to an altitude of about 35 km for testing the air motions calculated by 11 multidimensional atmospheric models. Strontium 90 measurements in the atmosphere from 1964 to mid-1967 provide data that have more latitude coverage than those of carbon 14 and are useful for testing combined models of air motions and aerosol settling. Model calculations for carbon 14 begin at October 1963, 9 months after the conclusion of the nuclear bomb tests; the initial conditions for the calculations are derived by three methods, each of which agrees fairly well with measured carbon 14 in October 1963 and each of which has widely different values in regions of the stratosphere where there were no carbon 14 measurements. The model results are compared to the stratospheric measurements, not as if the observed data were absolute standards, but in an effort to obtain new insight about the models and about the atmosphere. The measured carbon 14 vertical profiles at 31 deg N are qualitatively different from all of the models; the measured vertical profiles show a maximum mixing ratio in the altitude range of 20 to 25 km from October 1963 through July 1966, but all modeled profiles show mixing ratio maxima that increase in altitude from 20 km in October 1963 to greater than 40 km by April 1966. Both carbon 14 and strontium 90 data indicate that the models differ substantially among themselves with respect to stratosphere-troposphere exchange rate, but the modeled carbon 14 stratospheric residence times indicate that differences among the models are small with respect to transport rate between the middle stratosphere and the lower stratosphere. Strontium 90 data indicate that aerosol settling is important up to at least 35 km altitude. Relative to the measurements, about three quarters of the models transport carbon 14 from the lower stratosphere to the troposphere too rapidly, and all models with all three sets of initial conditions appear to sweep carbon 14 out of the midstratosphere (above 28 km) much more slowly than was observed from 1963 to 1970. Atmospheric dynamicists should seriously consider that the carbon 14 measurements imply with respect to advection in the midstratosphere.

Kinnison, D. E.↗

Response of a hybrid pixel detector (MEDIPIX3) to different radiation sources for medical applications

The development in semiconductor CMOS technology has enabled the creation of sensitive detectors for a wide range of ionizing radiation. These devices are suitable for photon counting and can be used in imaging and tomography X-ray diagnostics. The Medipix[1] radiation detection system is a hybrid silicon pixel chip developed for particle tracking applications in High Energy Physics. Its exceptional features (high spatial and energy resolution, embedded ultra fast readout, different operation modes, etc.) make the Medipix an attractive device for applications in medical imaging. In this work the energy characterization of a third-generation Medipix chip (Medipix3) coupled to a silicon sensor is presented. We used different radiation sources (strontium 90, iron 55 and americium 241) to obtain the response curve of the hybrid detector as a function of energy. We also studied the contrast of the Medipix as a measure of pixel noise. Finally we studied the response to fluorescence X rays from different target materials (In, Pd and Cd) for the two data acquisition modes of the chip; single pixel mode and charge summing mode.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Crystal structure and cation exchanging properties of a novel open framework phosphate of Ce (IV)

Herein we report preparation, crystal structure and ion exchanging properties of a new phosphate of tetravalent cerium, K{sub 2}Ce(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}. A monoclinic structure having framework type arrangement of Ce(PO{sub 4}){sub 6} units formed by C2O{sub 8} square-antiprism and PO{sub 4} tetrahedra is assigned for K{sub C}e(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}. The K{sup +} ions are occupied in the channels formed by the Ce(PO{sub 4})6 and provide overall charge neutrality. The unique channel type arrangements of the K+ make them exchangeable with other cations. The ion exchanging properties of K2Ce(PO4)2 has been investigated by equilibrating with solution of 90Sr followed by radiometric analysis. In optimum conditions, significant exchange of K+ with Sr2+ with Kd ~ 8000 mL/g is observed. The details of crystal structure and ion exchange properties are explained and a plausible mechanism for ion exchange is presented.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Dielectric surface discharges: Effects of combined low-energy and high-energy incident electrons

Dielectric surface discharges affected by the addition of high energy electrons at 5 pA/sq cm to a primary 20 keV, 10 nA/sq cm electron beam with the high energy broad spectrum particles coming from the beta decay of Strontium 90 are studied. Kapton exhibits significantly increased discharge strength, increased waiting time between discharges, and a decreased number of discharges per specimen before discharge cessation. Mylar exhibits similar but less pronounced effects, while Teflon is relatively unaffected. With Kapton and Mylar, the high energy electrons act in some way to delay the instant of discharge ignition so that more charge can be accumulated and hence released during discharge.

Balmain, K. G.↗

Dielectric surface discharges - Effects of combined low-energy and high-energy incident electrons

Dielectric surface discharges affected by the addition of high energy electrons at 5 pA/sq cm to a primary 20 keV, 10 nA/sq cm electron beam with the high energy broad spectrum particles coming from the beta decay of Strontium 90 are studied. Kapton exhibits significantly increased discharge strength, increased waiting time between discharges, and a decreased number of discharges per specimen before discharge cessation. Mylar exhibits similar but less pronounced effects, while Teflon is relatively unaffected. With Kapton and Mylar, the high energy electrons act in some way to delay the instant of discharge ignition so that more charge can be accumulated and hence released during discharge. Previously announced in STAR as N82-14222

Balmain, K. G.↗

SU-F-P-24: Radiological Disperse Device

Purpose: We are now living in a society of constant fear of terrorism. This topic is pertaining to give a general knowledge of what is a radiological dispersion device or RDD and in case of its detonation, what are the options open to public for a safe action in terms of reducing the exposure and knowing the proper steps. These RDD are also called dirty bombs. Methods: Compared to nuclear weapons, dirty bombs are easy to make. In order for a terrorist organization to construct and detonate a dirty bomb, it must acquire radioactive material by stealing it or buying it through legal or illegal channels. Possible RDD material could come from the millions of radioactive sources used in the industry, for medical purposes and in academic applications mainly for researches. These are, americium-{sup 241}, californium-{sup 252}, caesium-{sup 137}, cobalt-{sup 60}, iridium-{sup 192}, plutonium-{sup 238}, polonium-{sup 210}, radium-{sup 226} and strontium-{sup 90}. Results: Prompt detection of the type of radioactive material used will greatly assist advising people on the protective measures, like sheltering in place, or quickly leaving the immediate area. The effects of radiation are determined by:°the amount of radiation absorbed by body°the type of radiation °the distance from the radiation to an individual°the means of exposure absorbed by the skin, inhaled, or ingested; and length of time exposed. Conclusion: In any facility it is now much more important to keep a log list of all radioactive materials in use. In case there is a dirty bomb explosion, the chaos and economic cost could be enormous. The economic cost for the evaluation of the contamination, survey of people and surroundings and the after treatment, decontamination cost and effort will be a big challenge in any country. So awareness and preparation is the start to face this new type of challenge.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Selective separation of Sr by potassium titanates from solution of nitrate - 15248

The radioactive waste treatment is planned in LWTF (Low-level radioactive Waste Treatment Facility, JAEA) for the low-level liquid wastes generated from Tokai-reprocessing facility [1]. The target liquid wastes mainly consist of highly concentrated sodium nitrate (4.7 M NaNO{sub 3}) containing low level radioactive {sup 137}Cs and {sup 90}Sr, while the conventional adsorbent (Titanic acid-PAN) has some problems in the adsorption performance and irradiation resistance. In this study, the adsorption properties of Sr{sup 2+} ions, leaching properties of Sr{sup 2+} and irradiation properties were clarified by using the novel adsorbent of potassium titanates (KT-1). Relatively large uptake percentage (99%) and maximum uptake capacity (0.37 mmol/g) were obtained for the KT-1 compared to that of Titanic acid-PAN. As for the breakthrough properties, KT-1 had the smoother breakthrough carve and larger 5% breakthrough capacity compared to Titanic acid-PAN. From the results of batch and column experiments, KT-1 was effective for the uptake of Sr{sup 2+} ions in the presence of highly concentrated Na{sup +} ions. The leached percentages of Sr{sup 2+} ions form calcined products of Sr-KT-1 in pure water and 0.1 M NaOH were less than the detection limit of ICP-AES, and those in 0.1 M HCl tended to markedly decrease with calcining temperature; the formation of SrTiO{sub 3} phase above 800 deg. deg. C was effective for the lowering of leachability. The irradiation stability of the adsorbent was examined by instrumental analyses and the evaluation for the uptake percentage of Sr{sup 2+} ions by batch method. The growth of surface crystal was observed by SEM, but no significant change in X-ray diffraction peak was observed, and Sr{sup 2+} uptake (%) was almost constant. The novel adsorbent of KT-1 had excellent characteristics for Sr selectivity, uptake capacity, leachability and irradiation resistance. KT-1 is thus effective for the treatment and disposal in LWTF. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Characterization Results for the March 2016 H-Tank Farm 2H Evaporator Overhead Samples

This report contains the radioanalytical results of the 2H evaporator overhead sample received at SRNL on March 16, 2016. Specifically, concentrations of 137 Cs, 90 Sr, and 129 I are reported and compared to the corresponding Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) limits of the Effluent Treatment Project (ETP) Waste Water Collection Tank (WWCT) (rev. 6). All of the radionuclide concentrations in the sample were found to be in compliance with the ETP WAC limits. Revision 1 of this document corrects the cumulative beta count initially reported for 90 Sr content with the sole 90 Sr count obtained after recharacterization of the sample. The initial data was found to be a cumulative beta count rather than the 90 Sr count requested.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Characterization Results for the March 2022 Tank Farm 3H Evaporator Overhead Sample

On an annual basis, Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) provides 2H and 3H evaporator overhead samples to Savannah River National Lab (SRNL) to be analyzed per Section 5.2 of the Effluent Treatment Project (ETP) Waste Compliance Plan (WCP) and the Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC). This report presents characterization results for the March 2022 3H evaporator overhead sample. The sample was clear and colorless with no visible solids. The results provide measurements for cesium-137 ( 137 Cs), strontium-90 ( 90 Sr), and iodine-129 ( 129 I) with the radionuclide concentration limits specified by the WAC. These analyses were performed on a single sample replicate. A summary of the analytical results for the 3H evaporator overhead sample includes the following. The measured cesium-137 activity in the 3H evaporator overhead sample is 4.59E+02 dpm/mL which is above the ETP WAC limit of 3.28E+02 dpm/mL. The strontium-90 activity in the 3H evaporator overhead sample is <2.95E+01 dpm/mL. This is below the ETP WAC limit of 1.76E+02 dpm/mL. The iodine-129 activity in the 3H evaporator overhead sample is <1.92E-02 dpm/mL. This is below the ETP WAC limit of 1.00E+00 dpm/mL.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Characterization Results for the August 2025 Tank Farm 2H Evaporator Overhead Sample

On an annual basis, Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) provides 2H and 3H evaporator overhead samples to Savannah River National Lab (SRNL) to be analyzed per Section 5.2 of the Effluent Treatment Project (ETP) Waste Compliance Plan (WCP) and the Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC). This report presents the average characterization results for the August 2025 2H evaporator overhead sample. The sample was clear and colorless with no visible solids. The results provide measurements for cesium-137 ( 137 Cs), strontium-90 ( 90 Sr), and iodine-129 ( 129 I) with the radionuclide concentration limits specified by the WAC. These analyses were performed in duplicate, and all three measured radionuclide concentrations were within ETP WAC limits. A summary of the analytical results for this 2H evaporator overhead sample includes the following: The measured cesium-137 activity in the 2H evaporator overhead sample averaged 3.02E+02 dpm/mL, which is below the ETP WAC limit of 1.30E+03 dpm/mL. The strontium-90 activity in the 2H evaporator overhead sample averaged 3.33E+00 dpm/mL, which is below the ETP WAC limit of 1.76E+02 dpm/mL. The iodine-129 activity in the 2H evaporator overhead sample averaged 1.20E-01 dpm/mL, which is below the ETP WAC limit of 1.00E+00 dpm/mL. Although the measurements for Cs-137 and Sr-90 are lower compared to previous years, the results remain within a similar range to past measurements and are well below the WAC limits. Iodine-129 indicates detectable results compared to previous years, which can be attributed to recent salt batch processing trending close to the WAC limit for saltstone production. However, these results are still below the ETP WAC limit.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

INDICATIONS OF R-MODE OSCILLATIONS IN SOHO/MDI SOLAR RADIUS MEASUREMENTS

Analysis of solar radius measurements acquired by the Michelson Doppler Imager on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory spacecraft supports previously reported evidence of solar internal r-mode oscillations in Mt Wilson radius data and in {sup 90}Sr beta-decay data. The frequencies of these oscillations are compatible with oscillations in a putative inner tachocline that separates a slowly rotating core from the radiative envelope.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Analysis of the Human Biohazard of Long-Lived Fission Products and Actinides for BREST-OD-300 Spent Fuel

The aim of this work is to perform a comparative analysis of the biohazard for the population of long-lived fission products and actinides from BREST-OD-300 reactor spent fuel taking account of the time required for different radionuclides to reach Earth’s surface by migrating from a deep disposal site. It was found that the biohazard of fission products is significantly greater than that of actinides for a long time (20000 years according to the accepted scenario of radionuclide migration). The radiological impact on the population is predicted after {sup 99}Tc – radionuclide with high migration capability – reaches the soil surface. {sup 137}Cs and {sup 90}Sr will not appreciably affect the dose load because of their relatively short half-life. In order to maintain radio-ecological balance between long-lived wastes and native uranium during the entire possible time period, it is sufficient to extract from the BREST-OD-300 spent fuel 90% of the technetium and 75% of the americium with 99.9% of the fissile materials extracted.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Characterization Results for the September 2023 Tank Farm 3H Evaporator Overhead Sample

On an annual basis, Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) provides 2H and 3H evaporator overhead samples to Savannah River National Lab (SRNL) to be analyzed per Section 5.2 of the Effluent Treatment Project (ETP) Waste Compliance Plan (WCP) and the Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC). This report presents the average characterization results for the September 2023 3H evaporator overhead sample. The sample was clear and colorless with no visible solids. The results provide measurements for cesium-137 ( 137 Cs), strontium-90 ( 90 Sr), and iodine-129 ( 129 I) with the radionuclide concentration limits specified by the WAC. These analyses were performed in duplicate, and all three measured radionuclide concentrations were within ETP WAC limits. A summary of the analytical results for this 3H evaporator overhead sample includes the following: The measured cesium-137 activity in the 3H evaporator overhead sample averaged 5.70E+01 dpm/mL, which is below the ETP WAC limit of 1.30E+03 dpm/mL. As seen through historical results, Cs-137 continues to present a decreasing activity since 2020. The strontium-90 activity in the 3H evaporator overhead sample averaged <2.16E00 dpm/mL, which is below the ETP WAC limit of 1.76E+02 dpm/mL. The iodine-129 activity in the 3H evaporator overhead sample averaged <9.08E-02 dpm/mL, which is below the ETP WAC limit of 1.00E+00 dpm/mL

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Beta-induced decrease in the content of the Si-II, Si-XII, Si-III, and α-Si silicon phases formed under an indenter

Volumes of the metastable Si-II, Si-XII, Si-III, and α-Si silicon phases in a locally deformed (Berkovich pyramid) region of unirradiated and beforehand irradiated Si single crystals are quantitatively estimated. Experimental data obtained by Raman spectroscopy and in situ detection of Si-I → Si-II silicon phase transformations under an indenter are used to calculate the volumes. The preliminary irradiation of silicon by β particles from a {sup 90}Sr–{sup 90}Y source (fluence F = 3.24 × 10{sup 10} cm{sup –2}, intensity I = 1.8 × 10{sup 5} cm{sup –2} s{sup –1}) reduces the volume of these phases by a factor of more than 1.5.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Performance of a Low Activity Beta-Sensitive SR{sup 90} Water Monitor for Fukushima

There are large volumes of contaminated water from the stabilization efforts at the damaged Fukushima Nuclear Power Plants. This water is being processed to remove radioactivity for eventual release to the environment. An on-line continuously operating system to confirm that the clean-up system is working properly, and to provide prompt feedback of the results is required by the system operator. While gamma emitting nuclides allow for the straight forward approach of gamma spectroscopy to identify and quantify radioactivity in water, pure beta emitting nuclides such as Sr{sup 90} pose a challenging problem. The relatively short range of beta radiation in water requires optimization of the measurement geometry in terms of the source-detector distance and source-detector interface while retaining a background sensitivity low enough to meet the Minimum Detectable Concentration (MDC) of 10 Bq/kg in 180 minutes. This issue is complicated by the continuum nature of the beta spectrum which does not allow for simple nuclide identification. The use of the Monte-Carlo code MCNP to estimate system performance before prototyping vastly increases the success of the end product. Various parameters such as detector size and thickness, water chamber size, water chamber construction materials were evaluated to help choose the optimum geometry. The final design was a system consisting of two large-area (16 x 35 cm) and thin (0.15 mm) plastic scintillators placed very close to a sealed a water chamber. The size of the chamber was optimized to obtain the maximum efficiency for the nuclide being measured (Sr/Y{sup 90}) but to minimize the efficiency for possible interferences (Ru/Rh{sup 106}, Cs{sup 137}). A thin carbon fiber window was selected with adequate material and thickness to contain the water under pressure, but also thin enough (0.5 mm) to allow enough beta radiation to pass through to the active detector volume. The entire measurement geometry is then housed in a thick lead shield to reduce contributions from external sources to an acceptable level. Data acquisition is accomplished through customized application-specific software that allows for long counting times to attain a low MDC, but also simultaneously provides alarms on short averaging times to achieve a fast response to sudden changes in activity concentration. Multiple monitors are then linked to supervisory software where real time data and alarms are available for analysis in remote locations. The system also allows for remote operation of the unit; check sources, background checks, systems settings and more may be accessed remotely. Testing of the production devices has shown that we can achieve the 10 Bk/kg MDC requirement for Sr{sup 90} in equilibrium with Y{sup 90} with a count time of approximately 20 minutes. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Characterization results for the October 2015-Tank for farm 3H evaporator overhead examples

This report contains the radioanalytical results of the 3H evaporator overhead sample received at SRNL on October 13, 2015. Specifically, concentrations of 137 Cs, 90 Sr, and 129 I are reported and compared to the corresponding Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) limits of the Effluent Treatment Project (ETP) Waste Water Collection Tank (WWCT) (rev. 6). All of the radionuclide concentrations in the sample were found to be in compliance with the ETP WAC limits.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗