Abstract
Nuclear fuel reprocessing requires high acidity levels that should be accurately and rapidly controlled in order to optimize extraction yields and process efficiency. A new optical fiber sensor based on a sol-gel film doped with an acid-sensitive indicator has been developed to improve remote and on-line monitoring.
The organic molecule was physically incorporated in an acid-catalyzed sol-gel matrix and coated onto the core of a denuded optical fiber. The sensor response was evaluated in synthetic solutions of nitric acid, concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 mol · l−1. Changes in absorption properties and response characteristics of the sensor, when compared to the indicator in solution, have been discussed. Analytical performances of the sensor, i.e. sensitivity, response time, reversibility and repeatability are very encouraging for the on-line analysis. Viability of the sensor for process measurements depends on the stability which might be improved by a strict control of the sensitive film porosity.
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Noiré, M., Couston, L., Douarre, E. et al. A New Sol-Gel Derived Optical Fiber Sensor for High Acidity Measurements: Application in Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology 17, 131–136 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008791317203
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008791317203