SEPARATION OF PLUTONIUM AND AMERICIUM BY LOW-TEMPERATURE FLUORINATION

We have demonstrated separation of Pu and in-grown Am using the gaseou s reagent dioxygen difluoride. Aged PuF4 was fluorinated at room tempe rature to generate PuF6 gas, which was trapped separately and reduced to PuF4. The reaction product contained very little Am. Unreacted soli d had elevated concentrations of Am that were consistent with a materi al balance. Use of a gaseous reagent and product enabled remote handli ng during reaction and purification. This result demonstrated a simple and minimal waste alternative that may have application to a number o f actinide purification problems.