Magnetic separations in support of nuclear proliferation detection

Magnetic separations have been explored in support of nuclear proliferation detection. High Gradient Magnetic Separation (HGMS) of ultra-low concentrations of submicron plutonium oxide has been shown to occur with high effectiveness and mass balance closure on solutions approaching single particle concentrations. Plutonium oxide particles have been magnetically separated from solution, recovered and concentrated on membrane filters for return to nuclear forensic analysts without altering elemental speciation or crystal morphology using a superconducting magnet laboratory based system. Magnetophoretic separations have been shown to occur in glycerol media and discrimination between various paramagnetic particulate species is achieved. The spatial separation between binary and ternary mixtures of particles is possible. Improvements in post-separations sample acquisition and use of lower homogeneity magnetic fields will increase spatial separation between mixtures of paramagnetic species and provide purified/single-species samples for forensic nuclear analysts.; The first experimentally operable, high gradient magnetic field split-flow fractionator has been successfully designed and assembled but fractionation between paramagnetic species did not occur. Improvements with matrix deposition and flow characteristics within the split-flow device may allow field portable, split-flow fractionation.