Analytical Support for Characterization of Americium-Curium Solution at SRS

Americium-Curium (Am-Cm) solution in FCanyon was produced during the Mk 40 and Mk 41 campaigns in the mid and late 1970’s. The Savannah River Site (SRS) Central Laboratory recently characterized this impmtant solution of nuclear material to enable assessment by Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC) and Department of Energy (DOE) of @position options. The tank had last been sampled and analyzed in 1986. A wide range of analyses were performed to determine the tank contents. New radiochemical column separation methods were developed to filly characterize the solution for actinides, metals, anions, and isotopics to support the disposition study in a timely manner. Current disposition is to perform a vitrification process on the Am/Cm solution at SRS to produce glass canisters for safe shipment and storage of this material. The SRS Am/Cm waste solution will be converted, in effect, to a product for an outside customer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. To support the Am/Cm vitrification processing, process support analyses are required after completion of denigration, precipitation and redissolution steps. Full elemental chemistry characterization will be required on the final melter feed solution.