Touching URANIUM and EXPOSING Myths - A day in the Life of a Nuclear Physicist
TLDRIn this informative video, Elina, a nuclear physicist, takes us through the nuclear fuel lab, explaining the process and materials used in nuclear energy generation. She discusses natural uranium, its low radioactivity, and how it's handled safely. Elina also covers the transformation of uranium dioxide into fuel pellets, their expansion in reactors, and the role of Westinghouse in manufacturing these pellets. She introduces uranium nitride fuel, its fabrication, and the use of a glove box filled with argon to prevent oxidation. Elina emphasizes the importance of sample characterization and the meticulous preparation required for microscopic analysis. The video offers a fascinating insight into the world of nuclear physics and fuel production.
Takeaways
- 📚 Elina, a nuclear physicist, is giving a tour of a nuclear fuel lab where various projects are conducted.
- 🔍 Natural uranium metal is shown, which has low radioactivity similar to background radiation and primarily emits alpha particles.
- 🛡️ Alpha particles can be stopped by a few millimeters of material, such as aluminum foil or paper, making natural uranium safe to handle with proper precautions.
- 🧪 Uranium metal is cleaned with nitric acid, ethanol, and acetone to remove excess elements and appears shiny after cleaning.
- 📈 The Geiger counter is used to measure radiation levels, which are higher than background radiation but not at dangerous levels.
- 🏷️ When working with uranium, it's important to mark the work area to manage potential spills or contamination.
- 🔴 Uranium can exist in various forms, such as yellowcake (uranium dioxide), powders, and pellets, each with different uses and characteristics.
- 📏 Uranium dioxide pellets used in light water reactors expand during fission, so they are manufactured with a dish-like shape to accommodate this expansion.
- 🏭 Westinghouse is a major manufacturer of uranium fuel pellets for reactors in Europe, Asia, and the US, ensuring standardization in size and shape.
- 🧪 A glove box filled with argon is used to handle materials that are prone to oxidation, like uranium nitride, to prevent interaction with oxygen.
- 🔬 Characterization of uranium nitride fuel involves polishing the surface to a mirror shine for high-quality imaging under microscopes.
- 🔧 Special procedures are required to introduce large equipment into the glove box, including purging the box with argon to maintain an oxygen-free environment.
Q & A
What is the primary form of radiation emitted by natural uranium?
-The primary form of radiation emitted by natural uranium is alpha radiation, which comes from alpha particles.
Why is Elina not afraid to handle natural uranium?
-Elina is not afraid to handle natural uranium because its radioactivity is quite low, similar to background radiation, and the alpha particles can be mostly stopped by a few millimeters of distance, such as aluminum foil or paper.
How is natural uranium typically cleaned before use?
-Natural uranium is typically cleaned with nitric acid, ethanol, and acetone to remove excess elements and achieve a shiny appearance.
What is the purpose of marking the working area when handling uranium-bearing samples?
-Marking the working area helps to contain any potential spillage or contamination, preventing the need for extensive decontamination of the entire workspace.
What is the role of the geiger counter in the lab?
-The geiger counter is used to measure the radiation levels in the lab, ensuring that they are within safe limits and not at extremely high levels that would require specific handling procedures.
Why are uranium dioxide pellets manufactured with a dish shape on top and bottom?
-Uranium dioxide pellets are manufactured with a dish shape on top and bottom to account for their expansion during fissioning in the reactor core, allowing them to reach a perfect cylinder size without creating mechanical stress on the pellet or cladding.
Which company is mentioned as a manufacturer of fuel pellets for reactors in Europe and Asia?
-Westinghouse is mentioned as a manufacturer of fuel pellets for reactors in Europe, Asia, and some in the US.
What is the purpose of the glove box in the lab?
-The glove box is used to create an atmosphere different from oxygen, allowing for the handling of materials that are prone to oxidation without contamination.
Why is argon gas used inside the glove box?
-Argon gas is used inside the glove box because it does not interfere with or react with the samples, unlike oxygen which oxidizes them.
What is the significance of polishing the surface of a uranium nitride pellet?
-Polishing the surface of a uranium nitride pellet is important for characterization, as it allows for high-quality imaging and analysis of the pellet's microstructure and elemental composition under a microscope.
How is large equipment introduced into the glove box?
-Large equipment is introduced into the glove box by removing the glass surrounding the box, placing the equipment inside, and then sealing the box back. This process requires a thorough purification and flushing with argon gas to ensure no oxygen is present inside the glove box.
Outlines
🔬 Introduction to Natural Uranium
Elina, a nuclear physicist, introduces viewers to a nuclear fuel lab where various projects are conducted. She focuses on natural uranium, explaining its low radioactivity and alpha particle emissions. She demonstrates how uranium can be safely handled due to its low radiation levels and shows its appearance before and after cleaning with nitric acid, ethanol, and acetone. Elina also discusses the use of a Geiger counter to measure radiation levels and emphasizes the importance of marking work areas to prevent contamination.
🌀 Uranium Forms and Fabrication
The video continues with Elina discussing the different forms of uranium, including yellow cake (uranium dioxide) and uranium tetrafluoride. She explains the process of creating fuel pellets for light water reactors, noting how they expand during fission and are manufactured with a dish shape to accommodate this expansion. Elina also introduces uranium nitride fuel, which she works with, and contrasts it with uranium dioxide. She describes the use of a glove box filled with argon to prevent oxidation of uranium samples and the process of transferring samples in and out of the glove box.
🧪 Uranium Nitride Fuel and Characterization
Elina presents a uranium nitride fuel pellet, noting its susceptibility to oxidation and its smaller size compared to uranium dioxide pellets. She discusses the importance of sample preparation for high-resolution microscopy, including polishing to a mirror finish. The video shows the process of transferring the pellet back into the glove box to prevent oxidation and the necessity of flushing the transfer tube with argon. Elina also touches on the challenges of introducing large equipment into the glove box and the procedures involved to maintain an oxygen-free environment.
📨 Conclusion and Engagement
In the final paragraph, Elina invites viewers to comment on what else they would like to see and learn about regarding her work in the lab. She encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and share their thoughts on the video and future content. Elina concludes by reminding viewers that she is a friendly nuclear physicist and looks forward to their next meeting.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Nuclear physicist
💡Uranium
💡Alpha particles
💡Geiger counter
💡Uranium dioxide
💡Fuel pellets
💡Cladding
💡Uranium nitride
💡Glove box
💡Characterization
💡Argon
Highlights
Introduction to natural uranium and its low radioactivity level, similar to background radiation.
Explanation of natural uranium being primarily an alpha emitter, with its radiation mostly stopped by a few millimeters of distance.
Demonstration of the safe handling of natural uranium due to its low radioactivity and the proper procedures to follow.
Description of the cleaning process for natural uranium using nitric acid, ethanol, and acetone to achieve a shiny appearance.
Discussion on the use of a Geiger counter to measure radiation levels and the comparison to background radiation.
Importance of marking work areas to prevent contamination and the need for potential decontamination efforts.
Explanation of the different forms of uranium, including yellow cake (uranium dioxide) and its role in the fabrication process.
Information on uranium tetrafluoride and its interesting color as a powder.
Details on the manufacturing process of uranium dioxide pellets, their expansion during fission, and the intentional design to accommodate this expansion.
Mention of Westinghouse as a major manufacturer of fuel pellets for reactors worldwide, and the standardization of pellet size and shape.
Introduction to the innovative uranium nitride fuel and the work conducted within a glove box to prevent oxidation.
Explanation of the glove box's atmosphere, filled with Argon, to prevent sample oxidation and contamination.
Description of the process for transferring samples from the glove box to the outside environment, including the necessary flushing steps.
Discussion on the use of fabric gloves in the glove box for comfort and to prevent damage to the equipment and samples.
Presentation of the uranium nitride pellet, its smaller size for testing and characterization purposes, and its shiny surface for microscopic analysis.
Explanation of the sample polishing process for microscopic characterization and the need for a mirror-like shine.
Process of reintroducing the pellet into the glove box and the importance of flushing to maintain an Argon atmosphere.
Discussion on the challenges and methods of introducing large equipment into the glove box and the necessary precautions to avoid contamination.
Transcripts
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