Spectroscopic Monitoring in Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing
Summary
Spectroscopic monitoring has emerged as a vital tool in modern nuclear fuel reprocessing, offering non-invasive, real-time insight into chemical species and process conditions. By measuring the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with solutions and off-gas streams, techniques such as ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR) and Raman spectroscopy enable continuous assessment of acid strengths, actinide concentrations and complexation behaviour. Coupled with chemometric methods, multivariate calibration and hierarchical modelling, these approaches overcome challenges associated with overlapping spectral signatures, dynamic temperature ranges and radiation-induced interferences. Online spectroscopic sensors reduce reliance on manual sampling, minimise radioactive waste, enhance safety and support safeguards by delivering rapid feedback on dissolution progress, phase separation and solvent integrity. The global significance of such monitoring spans from optimising solvent extraction in the PUREX process to ensuring complete dissolution of spent fuel, thereby improving resource recovery, reducing environmental impact and bolstering nuclear security.
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Spectroscopic Monitoring in Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in spectroscopic monitoring in nuclear fuel reprocessing across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Spectroscopy: The study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation to identify and quantify chemical species.
Raman spectroscopy: A vibrational spectroscopic technique that measures inelastic scattering of monochromatic light to reveal molecular structure and concentration.
Near-infrared spectrophotometry: Measurement of overtones and combination bands in the 780–2500 nm range to quantify concentrations and temperature variations.
Partial least squares regression (PLSR): A multivariate calibration method that models complex spectral data by projecting predictors and responses to latent structures.
Chemometrics: The application of mathematical and statistical methods to design experiments and interpret complex chemical data.
References
- Automated Calibration for Rapid Optical Spectroscopy Sensor Development for Online Monitoring. ACS Sensors (2024).
- Partial Least Squares, Experimental Design, and Near-Infrared Spectrophotometry for the Remote Quantification of Nitric Acid Concentration and Temperature. Molecules (2023).
- Development of a Nuclear Fuel Dissolution Monitor Based on Raman Spectroscopy. Sensors (2024).
- Hierarchical Modeling to Enhance Spectrophotometry Measurements—Overcoming Dynamic Range Limitations for Remote Monitoring of Neptunium. Chemosensors (2023).
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