REAL PLUTONIUM
TLDRThe video script discusses the notorious element plutonium, often regarded as the most dangerous due to its man-made nature and our lack of physiological tolerance. It delves into the history of plutonium, its creation in 1940, and its infamous role in atomic bombs. The script also explores the element's unique properties, such as its various allotropes and low melting point, and the challenges of handling and processing it safely. The process of extracting plutonium from spent nuclear fuel using solvent extraction is explained, highlighting the importance of transforming it into a safe and reusable form, such as mixed oxide (MOX) fuel. The potential issues with plutonium's radioactivity and the need for careful storage to prevent dangerous consequences are also discussed.
Takeaways
- 🔴 Plutonium is often regarded as the 'Hannibal Lecter' of the periodic table due to its notorious reputation and man-made origin, unlike uranium which is naturally occurring.
- 🔬 Humans have virtually zero tolerance to plutonium as it was not present in the environment during human evolution, making it highly dangerous.
- 🧪 The process of recovering plutonium from spent nuclear fuel involves using a specially designed laboratory and solvent extraction methods.
- 📈 Plutonium's presence in nuclear reactors allows for the transformation of uranium (atomic number 92) into plutonium (atomic number 94) through neutron absorption.
- 💣 The second atomic bomb, 'Fat Man,' dropped on Nagasaki in 1945, was based on plutonium, showcasing its role in nuclear warfare.
- 🚫 Plutonium is extremely poisonous due to both its chemical properties and radioactivity, emitting alpha particles that can cause severe cellular damage and lead to cancer.
- 🔄 The reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel separates fission products from plutonium and uranium, which can be reused in mixed oxide (MOX) fuels for nuclear reactors.
- 🔩 Plutonium has multiple allotropes, varying in hardness, mechanical properties, and density, making its machining challenging, particularly for nuclear bomb manufacturing.
- ⚠️ The radioactive decay of plutonium isotopes produces helium, which can accumulate and weaken the metal over time, posing risks for both bomb-making and long-term storage of nuclear waste.
- 🛢️ In the solvent extraction process, plutonium can be effectively separated and its oxidation state changed using chemicals like hydroxylamine nitrate and acetohydroxamic acid for further purification and conversion into plutonium dioxide.
Q & A
What is the element referred to as the 'Hannibal Lecter' of the periodic table?
-Plutonium is referred to as the 'Hannibal Lecter' of the periodic table due to its notorious reputation and the dangerous nature of the element.
How does the human body's interaction with uranium differ from its interaction with plutonium?
-The human body has evolved with uranium as it was present in the environment, allowing us to deal with it to some extent physiologically. In contrast, plutonium is a man-made element and our bodies have zero tolerance to it, making it much more dangerous for us.
Why was plutonium first created?
-Plutonium was first created in 1940 because of its radioactive properties. It was recognized for its ability to decay with a half-life dependent on its isotope, making it a key component in the development of atomic bombs.
What is the process of recovering plutonium from spent nuclear fuel?
-The process of recovering plutonium from spent nuclear fuel involves solvent extraction, where plutonium is separated from the fission products in the aqueous phase and moved into a solvent phase consisting of a mixture of tributyl phosphate and a diluent called odorless kerosene.
What is the significance of plutonium's different oxidation states and how does it affect its appearance?
-Plutonium's different oxidation states result in intense colors that change depending on the state. This property is significant as it helps in identifying the plutonium's form and readiness for further processing or use.
How does the density of plutonium compare to other metals?
-Plutonium is incredibly dense. A golf ball-sized lump of plutonium would weigh over a kilogram, making it a very heavy material. This density is so high that attempting to cut it with a hacksaw would likely break the blade before any plutonium is removed.
What are the dangers associated with plutonium?
-Plutonium is dangerous for several reasons. It forms the basis of atomic bombs, as seen in the bomb dropped on Nagasaki in 1945. It is also very poisonous due to its radioactivity. When plutonium decays, it emits alpha particles that can cause significant damage to human cells, leading to conditions like cancer.
What is the role of solvent extraction in the reprocessing of radiated nuclear fuel?
-Solvent extraction plays a crucial role in the reprocessing of radiated nuclear fuel by separating the fission products in the bottom phase and the plutonium and uranium in the top phase. This separation allows for the recovery and reuse of plutonium and uranium in forms like mixed oxide (MOX) fuels for nuclear reactors.
How does the presence of helium in plutonium affect its properties over time?
-As plutonium decays radioactively, it gives off helium atoms which accumulate within the crystal structure of the metal. This accumulation can weaken the metal and affect its mechanical properties. For nuclear bomb manufacturing, too much helium buildup must be avoided for the bomb to perform correctly. For stored plutonium waste, the helium buildup must be managed to prevent container failure due to internal pressure.
What are the challenges in machining plutonium?
-Machining plutonium is extremely difficult due to its hardness and the fact that it has a surprisingly large number of allotropes, each with different crystal structures, mechanical properties, and densities. This variation makes the processing for manufacturing nuclear bombs complex and challenging.
How can plutonium be returned to an aqueous phase for further processing?
-Plutonium can be returned to an aqueous phase through chemical reduction or complexation. For example, adding hydroxylamine nitrate can reduce plutonium in the +4 oxidation state to +3, while using a complexant like acetohydroxamic acid can facilitate the plutonium's return to the aqueous phase for subsequent purification and conversion into final forms like plutonium dioxide.
Outlines
🔴 Plutonium: The Dangerous Element
This paragraph introduces plutonium as a highly dangerous element, often considered more perilous than uranium, which is already feared. It explains that while uranium is naturally occurring, plutonium is man-made and thus our bodies have no tolerance for it. The speaker is located at the NNL Central Laboratory in the northwest of England, where they are interested in safely recovering plutonium from spent nuclear fuel. The unique properties of plutonium, such as its intense colors and high density, are discussed, as well as its historical significance as the material used in the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki in 1945. The paragraph also touches on the dangers of plutonium due to its radioactivity and potential to cause severe health issues like cancer.
🥼 The Plutonium Club and Industrial Processes
The second paragraph delves into the history of plutonium with the anecdote of the 'Plutonium Club' at Los Alamos, where workers accidentally ingested or were exposed to the element. It describes the process of plutonium extraction from nuclear reactor fuel, specifically from uranium-238, and its transformation into plutonium-239. The paragraph also explains the industrial process of solvent extraction, where plutonium is separated from fission products and moved into an organic phase. The unique physical properties of plutonium, such as its multiple allotropes and low melting point, are mentioned, along with the challenges they pose for handling and machining the element. Additionally, the paragraph discusses the radioactive decay of plutonium and its production of helium, which can affect the structural integrity of the metal.
🧪 Solvent Extraction and Plutonium Recovery
This paragraph focuses on the solvent extraction process used to recover plutonium from spent nuclear fuel. It explains the use of tributyl phosphate and kerosene to separate plutonium nitrate from the aqueous phase. The paragraph details the steps involved in the process, including the use of a vortex mixer to facilitate the separation and the subsequent addition of fresh aqueous liquor to recover the plutonium. The potential applications of recovered plutonium, such as its reuse in mixed oxide (MOX) fuel for nuclear reactors, are discussed. The paragraph also highlights the challenges of storing plutonium waste, particularly the need to manage the helium gas produced during radioactive decay to prevent container failure and potential explosions.
🧫 Redox Reactions and Final Plutonium Purification
The final paragraph discusses the techniques used to return plutonium to the aqueous phase for further purification. It outlines two methods: reduction of plutonium in the presence of hydroxylamine nitrate to change its oxidation state from 4 to 3, and the use of acetohydroxamic acid as a complexing agent. The paragraph describes the visual changes that occur during these reactions and the resulting separation of plutonium into distinct phases. It also recounts a humorous story about a professor who accidentally spilled a significant amount of plutonium and managed to recover most of it by burning the contaminated table surface. The paragraph concludes with a brief mention of the final form of plutonium, which is plutonium dioxide, and its potential downstream processing.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Plutonium
💡Radioactivity
💡Allotropes
💡Isotopes
💡Melting Point
💡Solvent Extraction
💡Half-life
💡Fission Products
💡Mixed Oxide Fuel (MOX)
💡Helium Buildup
💡Glove Box
Highlights
Plutonium is referred to as the Hannibal Lecter of the periodic table, indicating its dangerous nature.
Human beings have no natural tolerance to plutonium due to its man-made origin.
Plutonium's intense colors in solution change based on its oxidation state.
Plutonium is incredibly dense; a golf ball-sized piece would weigh over a kilogram.
The process of recovering plutonium from spent nuclear fuel involves solvent extraction.
Plutonium's presence in spent nuclear fuel is approximately 1%.
The solvent phase used in extraction is a mixture of tributyl phosphate and kerosene.
Plutonium's role in the creation of the second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki.
The dual danger of plutonium due to its radioactivity and chemical toxicity.
The story of a worker named Margle who accidentally introduced plutonium into his body.
Plutonium's transformation from uranium through neutron absorption in nuclear reactors.
The difficulty in machining plutonium due to its multiple allotropes and properties.
Plutonium's low melting point of 639 degrees Celsius.
The buildup of helium in plutonium's crystal structure over time due to radioactive decay.
The potential issues with storing plutonium waste, including the buildup of helium gas.
The process of reducing plutonium from oxidation state four to three using hydroxylamine nitrate.
The use of aceto hydroxamic acid as a complexant to recover plutonium into the aqueous phase.
The conversion of purified plutonium into plutonium dioxide for further use or disposal.
An anecdote about a professor who lost and then recovered the UK's entire supply of plutonium.
Transcripts
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