The release of radioactive polonium compounds from a hot lead-bismuth melt is experimentally investigated with the goal of exploring the feasibility of a direct contact heat transfer heavy liquid metal cooled fast reactor for actinide burning and power production. Particular emphasis is given to the study of the chemistry of polonium hydride, which plays a key role in the transport of the radioactive aerosols. The polonium samples are measured in a liquid scintillator and in a silicon low-background alpha counter. This project is performed in cooperation with Prof. David Cory. Dan Caputo was the student involved in the project.
Gadolinium is use as a trivalent actinide homolog.
The use of Gd allows the collection of 2D and 3D images on the transport behavior of the element.