Investigation of sulphur isotope variation due to different processes applied during uranium ore concentrate production

Investigation of sulphur isotope variation due to different processes applied during uranium ore concentrate production

Krajkó, Judit (European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe)
Varga, Zsolt (European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe)
Wallenius, Maria (European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe)
Mayer, Klaus (European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe)
Konings, R. (TU Delft RST/Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials; European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe)

2016

The applicability and limitations of sulphur isotope ratio as a nuclear forensic signature have been studied. The typically applied leaching methods in uranium mining processes were simulated for five uranium ore samples and the n(³⁴S)/n(³²S) ratios were measured. The sulphur isotope ratio variation during uranium ore concentrate (UOC) production was also followed using two real-life sample sets obtained from industrial UOC production facilities. Once the major source of sulphur is revealed, its appropriate application for origin assessment can be established. Our results confirm the previous assumption that process reagents have a significant effect on the n(³⁴S)/n(³²S) ratio, thus the sulphur isotope ratio is in most cases a process-related signature.

Nuclear forensics
Origin assessment
Process-related signature
Sulphur isotope
Uranium leaching
Uranium ore concentrate

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:e544e41a-e1c0-416f-8a78-1e7b39f4edcb

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4733-5

0236-5731

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 309 (3), 1113-1121

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2016 Judit Krajkó, Zsolt Varga, Maria Wallenius, Klaus Mayer, R. Konings