National Research And Development Institute For Cryogenic And Isotopic Technologies

Research Laboratories

ISSN : 2668-957X
ISSN-L : 2668-957X

Technological Laboratory

Contact persons:
Eng. Marius Zamfirache – marius.zamfirache@icsi.ro
Dr. Eng. Anisia Bornea – anisia.bornea@icsi.ro
Dr. Eng. George Ana – george.ana@icsi.ro

The field of activity of the Technological Laboratory (within the Pilot Plant for Tritium and Deuterium Separation-PESTD) of ICSI Rm. Valcea consists in the development of technologies and applicable technical solutions for usable processes in the isotopic separation domain, specifically in the field of tritium. Various experiment stands, analysis systems, software development for technological processes, including command and plant management, are integrated into the laboratory.

The human resources activating in the laboratory hold conceptual technological design capabilities, being involved in developing projects in the nuclear fusion field (WDS ITER) and the conceptual project of the Cernavoda NPP detritiation plant.

Laboratory of Low Temperature and Materials

Contact Person: Dr. Eng. Sebastian Brad
E-mail: sebastian.brad@icsi.ro

The Low Temperature Laboratory, part of the “Pilot Plant for Tritium and Deuterium Separation” (ICSI-TRF) was designed to complete the technology of heavy water detritiation, to evaluate the equipment and tools used in cryogenic and hydrogen isotopes separation environments.

The laboratory currently contains equipment, devices and experimental stands which can be used in applications and diverse research, such as: cryogenerators and liquefiers (HRLS 11, LINDE L5, PPH 100, PPG); equipment for the determination of toughness and mechanical strength (Charpy F040 S1 and TC 300), data processing and control equipment, specific analysis systems. The laboratory provides a flexible experimental basis starting from cryogenic processes to high temperatures, with a wide range of applications, from civil engineering to nuclear energy.

Directions of research approached

  • Experimental stand for distillation of hydrogen isotopes;
  • Resilience, traction and compression tests for materials at cryogenic temperatures;
  • Cryogenic temperature and flow sensors;
  • Cryo-adsorption and cryo-condensation tests and experiments;
  • Use of helium cycles for cryogenic distillation plants;

The main research equipment within the laboratory is the following:

Linde HRLS 11 Helium refrigeration-liquefaction plant
A010 (TC300) Universal testing machine - Capacity 300 kN (67443 lbf) -developed for the measurement of mechanical strength of the materials under load
Linde L5 Helium Liquefier
Experimental stand for cryo-adsorption and cryo-condensation
Experimental stand to determine 20K -300K resilience (it includes F040 S universal testing machine)
Cryogenerator for hydrogen liquefaction – PPH type
Cryogenerator for nitrogen, argon, oxygen liquefaction PPG type (oxygen isotope distillation stand)
Heat Treat Furnace

Tritium and Radiocarbon Laboratory

Contact Persons:

Dr. Phys. Carmen Varlam – carmen.varlam@icsi.ro
Dr. Phys. Ionut Faurescu – ionut.faurescu@icsi.ro

The Tritium Laboratory has the task of determining the concentration of tritium in wastewater samples, urine, vegetation samples, soil samples, precipitation and surface water. Considering the different fields where tritium concentrations are expected, this activity takes place in two different laboratories: a laboratory dedicated to the activity related to the operation of the Pilot Plant for Tritium and Deuterium Separation with the task of measuring the wastewater resulting from technological processes, urine of staff and water supply of the plant and another laboratory where the activity of tritium concentration in environmental samples is determined.

Isotopic techniques have become an important source of additional knowledge in analysing and studying hydrological systems, for rebuilding the climate and other environmental indicators at different time scales.

Along with the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, with a long experience in deuterium, hydrogen and oxygen-18 measurements, the tritium laboratory has expanded its field of interest and besides tritium radioisotope has managed to also measure C-14.

The main research equipment within the laboratory is:

Tri-Carb 2800TR Liquid Scintillation Analyzer
1220 QUANTULUS Ultra Low Level Liquid Scintillation Spectrometers
Complex system for preparing environmental samples using liquid scintillation method to determine the activity of tritium concentration
Complex system for preparing environmental samples using direct absorption and liquid scintillation method to measure the activity of 14C concentration

Gross Gamma and Alpha, Beta Analysis Laboratory (GGABL)

Contact Persons:
Dr. Phys. Nicolae Bidica – nicolae.bidica@icsi.ro
Dr. Phys. George Bulubasa – george.bulubasa@icsi.ro

The field of activity of the Gross Gamma and Alpha/Beta Analysis Laboratory (GGABL) within the Pilot Plant for Tritium and Deuterium Separation (PESTD) – ICSI Rm. Valcea is to carry out radioactivity analyses in environmental samples (water, soil, sediment, spontaneous or cultivated terrestrial vegetation, aquatic vegetation, fish, food, etc.) and in samples specific to the technological processes of the PESTD pilot plant (process fluids, effluents, wastes, etc.).

The main purpose of these activities is to assure the analytical needs of the PESTD pilot plant radioprotection programs (monitoring of the environment, effluents, workplaces, etc.), but it can carry out radioactivity analyses for other organisations (among the beneficiaries being the Nuclear Fuel Factory Pitesti and SNN-Cernavoda NPP).

The specific tests for the analyses mentioned above are the following:

  • Identification and quantitative determination of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides by high resolution gamma spectrometry;
  • Measurement of gross alpha and beta activities through low background alpha/beta radiometry.

The laboratory operates in accordance with the notification of the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) no. ICSI LI 01/2016 and in accordance with the requirements of quality standards SR EN ISO 9001: 2008 and SR EN ISO/CEI 17025.

The working procedures used in these tests are in accordance with the requirements of the following standards:

  • SR EN ISO 10703:2016 Water quality. Determination of the activity concentration of radionuclides. Method by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry.
  • SR EN ISO 10704:2016 Water quality. Measurement of gross alpha and gross beta activity in non-saline water. Thin source deposit method.
  • SR ISO 9696:2013 Water quality. Measurement of gross alpha activity in non-saline water. Thick source method.
  • SR ISO 9697:2017 Water quality. Gross beta activity in non-saline water. Test method using thick source
  • ISO 18589-1:2005 Measurement of radioactivity in the environment – Soil, Part 1: General guidelines and definitions.
  • ISO 18589-2:2015 Measurement of radioactivity in the environment – Soil, Part 2: Guidance for the selection of the sampling strategy, sampling and pre-tramanent of samples.
  • ISO 18589-3:2015 Measurement of radioactivity in the environment – Soil, Part 3: Test method of gamma-emitting radionuclides using gamma-ray spectrometry.
  • ISO 18589-6:2009 Measurement of radioactivity in the environment – Soil, Part 6: Measurement of gross alpha and gross beta activities.
  • STAS 12248-84 Sediment. Determination of gross beta radioactivity
  • ASTM C1402–04:2009 Standard Guide for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Soil Samples
  • Standard: ASTM D1943-05:2012 Standard test method for alpha particle radioactivity of water
  • ASTM C999:2017 Standard practice for soil sample preparation for the determination of radionuclides.

Depending on the radioactivity level of the analysed samples, the preparation/measurement activities of the samples are carried out in two different locations – the location for high levels of radioactivity being the technological building of the PESTD pilot plant, and the location for low levels of radioactivity being the administrative building of PESTD pilot plant.

The main research equipment within the laboratory is:

Ortec High Performance Low Background Lead Shields
PIC MPC 9300 Protean Radiometer, which allows alpha and beta radioactive concentration measurement
Monitor portabil de masurare a radonului Pylon AB-5
Sistem complex de preparare a probelor de mediu in vederea aducerii acestora la diferite matrici, pentru determinarea radioactivitatii

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ICSI Nuclear

Linde HRLS 11 Helium refrigeration-liquefaction plant

Linde HRLS 11 Helium refrigeration-liquefaction plant is a special model ordered by our institute, so as to provide the capacity of helium liquefaction used in superconductivity and superfluidity applications, and at the same time to generate a refrigerated gas flow at temperatures of 16 K-22 K, flux that can be used in specific cryogenic distillation systems of hydrogen isotopes. The plant has a cryo-adsorption purification system and a system for recovering and bottling of evaporated helium from storage systems (dewars, cryostats, etc.)

Process data:

Performance:

ICSI Nuclear

A010 (TC300) Universal testing machine - Capacity 300 kN (67443 lbf) -developed for the measurement of mechanical strength of the materials under load Mașina universală de testare de tip TC 300 - pentru determinarea rezistenței mecanice 20K – 700K

The tensile strength of materials, compression up to 300kN and thin wires up to 1 kN can be determined with the help of TC 300 equipment type.
For the investigation of the properties of materials at cryogenic temperatures, this equipment can be grafted with application-specific cryostats which were developed within the Low Temperature Laboratory.

ICSI Nuclear

Linde L5 Helium Liquefier

Linde L5 Helium liquefier. This plant was among the first commercial models made by Linde. It was recovered by the Low Temperature Laboratory as an incomplete plant, lacking important parts, including the automatic program of the liquefaction process. The entire plant was re-equipped and put into operation without a consistent scientific or material contribution from the manufacturer, thus the liquefaction process was accomplished.

ICSI Nuclear

Experimental stand for cryo-adsorption and cryo-condensation

The experimental cryo-adsorption stand has an increased flexibility so that it can accurately determine the best adsorbent with high capacity for retaining impurities in the process gas, with low regeneration time, as well as with functional and physicochemical stability, also aiming at diminishing the occurrence of reaction, toxic or explosive by-products.

The experimental cryo-adsorption stand consists of the following components: cold-box for the cryo-adsorption/cryo-condensation system; pressure sensor, type MKS Baratron; pressure transducer; blending vessel; calibrated vessel for samples; micrometric valve; mass flow controller; ti MB-602 process pump; preliminary vacuum pump vacuum system combined with a turbomolecular pump, liquid nitrogen storage dewar.

ICSI Nuclear

Experimental stand to determine 20K -300K resilience (it includes F040 S universal testing machine)

The experimental stand is an adaptable system to test specimens, a system that accommodates cryogenic fluid in the testing area without the risk of explosion, as well as an accurate measurement of the breaking temperature. The universal testing machine is provided with a device that communicates on the serial port with the computer and which automatically records the value of the breaking energy of the specimen.

ICSI Nuclear

Cryogenerator for hydrogen liquefaction – PPH type

The liquid hydrogen liquefier, Phillips 1975 type, operates in compliance with a Stirling cycle and can supply a power of 30-35 W at 20 K. This equipment is mainly used as a cold generator for the condenser of hydrogen isotope distillation columns, as well as a cooling source at the stand for determination of resilience at 20K.

ICSI Nuclear

Cryogenerator for nitrogen, argon, oxygen liquefaction PPG type (oxygen isotope distillation stand)

The liquid Nitrogen liquefier, Phillips 1977 type, operates in compliance with a Stirling cycle and can supply a power of 50 W at 77 K. This equipment is mainly used as a cooling source for the condenser of oxygen isotope distillation columns.

ICSI Nuclear

Heat Treat Furnace

 

 

 

Functional parameters of the furnace:

The electrical chamber furnace is designed to heat parts from different materials up to a maximum of 12000C to perform heat treatment operations such as normalization, annealing, heating for quenching, etc.

ICSI Nuclear

Tri-Carb 2800TR Liquid Scintillation Analyzer

 

 

This analyser, produced by Perkin Elmer, equipped with automatic calibration and Time Resolved Liquid Scintillation Counting (TR-LSCTM) is used to determine the specific activity of tritium from different types of water samples (wastewater from technological processes, urine of the professionally exposed personnel and the water supply of the Pilot Plant for Tritium and Deuterium Separation).

ICSI Nuclear

1220 QUANTULUS Ultra Low Level Liquid Scintillation Spectrometers

 

 

One of the Ultra Low Level Liquid Scintillation Spectrometers 1220 QUANTULUS in our laboratory is produced by Wallac Oy, Finland, and the other one by PerkinElmer, USA. The equipment is dedicated to environmental measurements, with unmatched performance in low-level tritium and 14C measurements. These are used to determine the specific activity of tritium (as well as water) or 14C (as well as CO2) from water, soil, sediment, vegetation and food samples after mixing with specific scintillation cocktails.

ICSI Nuclear

Complex system for preparing environmental samples using liquid scintillation method to determine the activity of tritium concentration

It is used for the preparation of water, air, soil, sediment, vegetation and food samples. The processes used for sample preparation are the following:

 

ICSI Nuclear

Complex system for preparing environmental samples using direct absorption and liquid scintillation method to measure the activity of 14C concentration

It is used for the preparation of water, air, soil, sediment, vegetation and food samples. The processes used for sample preparation are the following:

ICSI Nuclear

Ortec High Performance Low Background Lead Shields

 

 

 

Gamma spectrometry is a nuclear technique used to determine gamma-ray emitting radionuclides present in different types of samples.

Measurement by gamma spectrometry is performed using a spectrometric chain consisting of a coaxial detector, HPGe with a relative efficiency of 65%, a low background lead shield, and a DSPEC gamma-ray spectrometry analyser of Ortec fabrication. The energy field in which the analysis is performed ranges from 0 keV to 2000 keV.

GAMMAVISION-32 software package for complete, qualitative and quantitative analysis

 

ICSI Nuclear

PIC MPC 9300 Protean Radiometer, which allows alpha and beta radioactive concentration measurement

 

 

 

It allows the measurement of gross alpha and beta radioactive concentrations in different environments and for different materials through a gross beta and alpha low background measurement system.

The MPC 9300 is a proportional counter radiometer with P10 gas flow, with ultra-thin entrance window and a detector placed in an incorporated lead shield. Nominal flow rate adjustment is 60 cc/min.

Applications: Measurement of gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentrations from a wide range of various samples: solids, liquids, aerosol filters.

 

ICSI Nuclear

Monitor portabil de masurare a radonului Pylon AB-5

 

 

Masuratori al concentratiei de radon se efectueaza cu ajutorul monitorului portabil Pylon AB-5. Acesta prezinta o gama de ansambluri modulare care pot fi folosite la masurarea radonului in diferite medii: aer, apa si  gazul din sol.

 

ICSI Nuclear

Sistem complex de preparare a probelor de mediu in vederea aducerii acestora la diferite matrici, pentru determinarea radioactivitatii

Se utilizeaza pentru prepararea probelor de apa, aer, sol, sediment, produse alimentare si non-alimentare, flora si fauna terestra si acvatica. Procesele aplicate la prepararea probelor in vederea aducerii acestora la diferite matrici sunt: