Spring 2016 CHEM 312: Lecture 0 Viewing online lectures

Using the online lecture format is presented. The lectures are available as notes without audio or animation, PowerPoint audio and animation, and MP4. The use of multiple formats should permit viewing of lectures on a host of platforms.

Fall 2014: CHEM 312 Final Grades

Final grades are posted at:  http://radchem.nevada.edu/classes/chem312/grades.html.  The scores for the Quizzes, PDF Quizzes, final, blog comments are presented.  The equation used to generate the total points for the course are given.  The data on the table are signified by a radioelement.  Individual e-mails will indicate the radioelement for the individual student.  

Fall 2014: CHEM 312 Final Exam

Assigned:  8 December 2014                                                    

Due: 12 December 2014

The final is a review of the course and an evaluation of the outcomes and presented topics.  Please respond to the questions and consider how much you have learned about radiochemistry over the semester.  The first question should be submitted as a separate document.  The remaining questions can be submitted as part of the PDF document.

As a reminder the course grade is based on

PDF Quiz at End of Lecture:  15 %

Quiz:  15 % each (60 % total)

Final:  15 %

Participation:  10 % (Blog response)

Fall 2014: CHEM 312 Quiz 4

Assigned: 4 December 2014
Due: 11 December 2014
Quiz 4 Office Hours: Thursday 4 December, 1000-1130, 1st floor HRC


Lecture 13: Neptunium Chemistry
Lecture 14: Plutonium Chemistry
Lecture 15: Americium and Curium Chemistry
Lecture 16: Chemistry in Reactor Fuel

Use the chart of the nuclides, table of the isotopes, and/or data from the web links to answer the following questions. Please feel free to contact me via the blog with questions

Fall 2014: CHEM 312 Lecture 16 In Reactor Chemistry

This lecture describes the chemistry of actinides and fission products in reactors, primarily focusing on phases formed in nuclear fuel. The fission process is reviewed and fuel burnup discussed. Determining fission product and actinide concentration to assess burnup is introduced. The variation of fission product and actinide concentration with burnup and initial fuel composition is provided. Axial and radial distribution of activity, fission products, and actinides is discussed, highlighting the role of neutron flux and energies on the distribution. Conditions necessary for the formation of separate phases in UO₂ are shown for perovskite and metallic phases, emphasizing the role of oxygen in the process. The behavior of fission products can be grouped into 4 areas: volatile species, metallic precipitates, oxide precipitates, and solid solutions.

Fall 2014: CHEM 312 Lecture 15 Americium and Curium Chemistry

This lecture introduces the chemistry of americium and curium. Both elements are discussed due to their similar chemical behavior, particularly in separations. However, important differences in their chemistry are highlighted. For americium pentavalent and hexavalent species are achievable. For curium, its unique fluorescence properties are highlighted. The nuclear properties of americium and curium isotopes are provided. Isotope production focus on those formed from multiple neutron capture. These isotopes, ²⁴¹Am, ²⁴³Am, ²⁴⁴Cm and ²⁴⁸Cm, are used to explore americium and curium chemistry. The basic solution chemistry is described, along with implications for fuel cycle separations. Methods for the separation of americium and curium are provided, including solvent extractions, anion exchange, precipitation, and molten salt techniques. Synthesis and characterization of americium and curium metals, alloys, and compounds are provided, with emphasis placed on those compounds of importance to the nuclear fuel cycle. The non-aqueous and coordination chemistry of these elements are introduced. The limited available data offers an avenue for novel explorations and future research directions. 

Fall 2014: CHEM 312 Lecture 14 Plutonium Chemistry

This lecture provides basic information on the chemistry of plutonium. Discussion on the nuclear properties of ²³⁸Pu and ²³⁹Pu are included. Environmental concentrations of plutonium, including ²⁴⁴Pu and naturally produced ²³⁹Pu, are discussed. Large scale plutonium separations are presented, emphasizing the PUREX process. The use of volatility and ion exchange as plutonium separation techniques are also given. The synthesis and properties are metallic plutonium are described in detail. An review of metal preparation methods are provided, including the plutonium-gallium phase diagram. The physical properties of plutonium metal are given and discussed. The solution chemistry of plutonium is depicted though coordination and spectroscopy as a function of oxidation state. Examples are provided on various nature of plutonium chemistry in the tributylphosphate-nitric acid system and colloids. The non-aqueous chemistry of plutonium is described and related to electronic structure.