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2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Hanford Site grouting developments could accelerate cleanup
The Department of Energy has reported that its Hanford Field Office has submitted two permit modification requests to the Washington State Department of Ecology that could speed up the cleanup of the Hanford Site near Richland, Wash. The requests “represent the latest step in a science-backed dual glass-plus-grout strategy to eliminate risks posed by aging tanks and meet cleanup commitments to the people of Washington more quickly, safely and efficiently,” the DOE said.
Robert Bentley, Geno Santistevan, Douglas Wells, Andrew Hutton, Adam Stavola, Steve Benson, Kevin Jordan, Joe Gubeli, Pavel Degtiarenko, Lila Dabill
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 198 | Number 1 | January 2024 | Pages 158-166
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2023.2180265
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This research explored the development of the photonuclear production method of Cu from Ga as well as Sc from V. Both products serve as high-demand research medical radioisotopes. Furthermore, an understanding of these reactions is significant to fundamental nuclear physics and astrophysics. Bremsstrahlung flux was induced by an electron linac and a 1-mm tungsten radiator. Irradiation of gallium oxide powder, 98.78% pure Ga, and a natural vanadium foil at 30.9 MeV and 100 W for 1 h produced 64.4 ± 0.4 Bq/W·s·kg of Cu and 164 ± 3.1 Bq/W·s·kg of Sc. A secondary irradiation with 99.6% pure Ga and natural vanadium at 31.5 MeV and 100 W for 1.1 h produced 79.8 ± 0.9 Bq/W·s·kg of Cu and 136 ± 7.2 Bq/W·s·kg of Sc. The photoinduced activation is promising; however, further research into optimal geometry and power is required to maximize specific activity. Natural nickel was also irradiated to serve as a benchmark comparison. Effective cross sections for each reaction were inferred.