- By:
- Myhre, Kristian G; Woods, Michael; Unger, Aaron; Benny, Paul D; Benker, Dennis E; Collins, Emory D; Delmau, Laetitia H; DePaoli, David W; Riley Jr, Franklin D; Wham, Robert M
- Page Number:
- 1-4
- Issue Number:
- n/a
- Book Title:
- Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space 2019
- Publication Date:
- March 12, 2026
- Publisher Location:
- American Nuclear Society, Illinois, United States of America
- Conference Name:
- Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space 2019
- Conference Location:
- Richland, Washington, United States of America
- Conference Sponsor:
- American Nuclear Society
Abstract
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is currently restarting the United States’ capability to produce kilogram quantities of 238Pu annually for space power applications. This involves the purification of 238Pu from neutron-irradiated 237Np targets and conversion to heat-source plutonium oxide product for shipment to Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dissolution of the plutonium oxide product material is required to obtain an isotopic assay and impurity analysis of the product material. In addition, any off-specification product will need to be dissolved for re-purification. An electrochemical method that produces highly oxidizing ions in solution is currently being investigated as a rapid method for dissolving these plutonium oxide samples.
