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CEA Saclay-DPC

The objectives of the Department of Physics and Chemistry (DPC) of CEA’s Nuclear Energy Division in Saclay (France) are the experimental study and the modelling of the processes that determine the behaviour of radionuclides and materials in interaction with their environment, and the development of analytic tools and methods. In particular, the missions of the Laboratory for the Study of Behaviour of Radionuclides (DPC/SECR, ca. 60 persons) are: Study of speciation (characterization, coordination chemistry, measurement of basic thermodynamical and kinetic data…) of radionuclides and molecules in relevant media for nuclear fission energy. Experimental study and modelling of migration and transfer of chemical and radio-chemical pollutants taking into account the coupling of chemical reactivity and transport. Development and implementation of new techniques and methods for elementary, isotopic and radiochemical analysis, to prepare data measurements and expertises.

Partner: CEA

Website: http://www.cea.fr

Analytical Platform

A very complete set of analytical tools is available at the Physics and Chemistry Department (DPC) of CEA's Nuclear Energy Division. The Radionuclides and Molecules Speciation Laboratory (LSRM) is provided with Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Fluorescence (TRLIF) and Electrospray Mass Spectrometry (ES-MS), both under inactive and active conditions (a classical chemistry laboratory with all facilities, as well as anoxic gloves box are also available for samples preparation).

Aside the speciation tools, classical optical mehods, such as spectrophotometry, classical fluorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry are also made available.

TRLIF

The inactive TRLIF, equipped with two different types of lasers and with two types of detector (In situ determinations are also possible with the use of fiber optics and optoce), is devoted to uranium and lanthanides speciation studies.
The active TRLIF is devoted to curium and americium speciation studies (with temperature control capabilities) as well as for radioactive samples (the sample cell holder is thermostated and within the glove box).

ES-MS

The inactive ES-MS (triple quadripole) is devoted to uranium and thorium speciation studies, while the active one (nano ES-MS triple quadripole) is devoted to plutonium, neptunium, curium, americium speciation studies, as well as for radioactive samples. The former ES-MS can be coupled to separative techniques, such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Christophe MOULIN