Production and Supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np

252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np are important radioisotopes in deep space exploration and nuclear electric power generation. These radionuclides have been mainly imported from overseas, and their supply chains are limited. Supply shortage of the three radionuclides will seriously affect the development of na...

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Main Author: LUO Feng
Format: Article
Language:zho
Published: Editorial Board of Journal of Isotopes 2021-10-01
Series:Journal of Isotopes
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.tws.org.cn/CN/10.7538/tws.2021.34.03.0301
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author LUO Feng
author_facet LUO Feng
author_sort LUO Feng
collection DOAJ
description 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np are important radioisotopes in deep space exploration and nuclear electric power generation. These radionuclides have been mainly imported from overseas, and their supply chains are limited. Supply shortage of the three radionuclides will seriously affect the development of national economy, space technology and national security. It is of great value to get information on the production and supply of the three nuclides in domestic related research fields. The characteristics and applications of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np are introduced respectively, and the production and supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np are summarized. 252Cf and 238Pu are mainly produced in the high neutron flux reactor of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Russian Institute of Atomic Reactor Research (RIAR). After Cold War, production capacity of the 238Pu was gradually lost in the United States and Russia, which have been resuming production in recent years as isotopic batteries are demanded for deep space exploration missions. As the raw material of 238Pu production, 237Np mainly exists in fission products or high-level radioactive wastes, and 237Np is mainly separated and extracted through the post-treatment process from fission products. In order to ensure the stable operation of domestic reactors and the development of deep space exploration missions, it is suggested to realize the autonomous supply capability of the three strategic nuclides as soon as possible.
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spelling doaj.art-62ee24758d014e5986beba7b543b2fef2022-12-21T17:22:07ZzhoEditorial Board of Journal of IsotopesJournal of Isotopes1000-75122021-10-0134510.7538/tws.2021.34.03.0301Production and Supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237NpLUO Feng 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np are important radioisotopes in deep space exploration and nuclear electric power generation. These radionuclides have been mainly imported from overseas, and their supply chains are limited. Supply shortage of the three radionuclides will seriously affect the development of national economy, space technology and national security. It is of great value to get information on the production and supply of the three nuclides in domestic related research fields. The characteristics and applications of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np are introduced respectively, and the production and supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np are summarized. 252Cf and 238Pu are mainly produced in the high neutron flux reactor of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Russian Institute of Atomic Reactor Research (RIAR). After Cold War, production capacity of the 238Pu was gradually lost in the United States and Russia, which have been resuming production in recent years as isotopic batteries are demanded for deep space exploration missions. As the raw material of 238Pu production, 237Np mainly exists in fission products or high-level radioactive wastes, and 237Np is mainly separated and extracted through the post-treatment process from fission products. In order to ensure the stable operation of domestic reactors and the development of deep space exploration missions, it is suggested to realize the autonomous supply capability of the three strategic nuclides as soon as possible.http://www.tws.org.cn/CN/10.7538/tws.2021.34.03.0301252cf238pu237npproduction and supplyautonomous supply
spellingShingle LUO Feng
Production and Supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np
Journal of Isotopes
252cf
238pu
237np
production and supply
autonomous supply
title Production and Supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np
title_full Production and Supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np
title_fullStr Production and Supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np
title_full_unstemmed Production and Supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np
title_short Production and Supply of 252Cf, 238Pu and 237Np
title_sort production and supply of 252cf 238pu and 237np
topic 252cf
238pu
237np
production and supply
autonomous supply
url http://www.tws.org.cn/CN/10.7538/tws.2021.34.03.0301
work_keys_str_mv AT luofeng productionandsupplyof252cf238puand237np