A Comparison of Low and High LET (Linear Energy Transfer) Induced Radiolysis of Solvent Extraction Processes

Reagents used in chemical separation processes for used nuclear fuel are susceptible to radiolysis. Here we investigate the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction for inducing high linear energy transfer (LET) radiolysis. A solution of tributyl phosphate (TBP) in n-dodecane, representing the PUREX solvent, was irradiated by gamma rays from a137Cs source and by high LET particles from the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction in the UC Irvine TRIGA reactor. TBP degradation and Dibutyl phosphate (DBP) formation were quantified by gas chromatography. Our data show a significantly larger formation of DBP in the presence of gamma radiation compared to high LET radiation.