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INL reports findings on unusual quantum behavior of plutonium
Scientists at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that plutonium hexaboride (PuB6) displays a type of unusual quantum property called a topological Kondo insulating state. Materials with this property are neither typical electricity conductors nor regular insulators. Rather, they have exterior surfaces that strongly conduct electricity and interiors that block electricity.
Hiroshi Sugai, Kenzo Munakata
Nuclear Technology | Volume 99 | Number 2 | August 1992 | Pages 235-241
Technical Paper | Enrichment and Reprocessing System | doi.org/10.13182/NT92-A34693
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
In solvent extraction for nuclear fuel reprocessing, a stable emulsion called “crud” is formed at the interface between the organic and aqueous phases. Crud is an emulsion stabilized by finely dispersed solids. Process disturbances are often induced by crud. Accordingly, crud should be eliminated from the interface in the extractors. The eliminated crud is stable and highly radioactive; thus, the treatment of this crud may be difficult. Complexes of zirconium and tributyl phosphate (TBP) degradation products, such as phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and mono-n-butyl phosphate (H2MBP), are one source of the fine particles that stabilize emulsions in the extraction process. A chemical treatment method to demulsify crud stabilized by precipitates of Zr-H3PO4 and Zr-H2MBP is studied. Experimental results indicate that neutralization by an alkaline solution, particularly sodium carbonate, is very effective for the destruction of this crud.