A New Sol-Gel Derived Optical Fiber Sensor for High Acidity Measurements: Application in Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing

摘要

Nuclear fuel reprocessing requires high acidity levels that should be accurately and rapidly controlled in order to optimize extraction yields and process effiicency. A new optical fiber sensor based on a sol-gel film doped wiht 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 conated onto the core of a denuded optical fiber. The sensor response was exaluated in evaluated in synthetic solutions of nitric acid, concenrations ranging from 1 to 10 mol·l~(-1). Changes in absorption properties and response characteritics of the sensor, when compared to the indicator in solution, have been discussed. Analytical performances of the sensor, i.e.sensitivity, response time, revrsiblity and repeabtabiliy are very encouraging for the on-line analysis. Viability of the sensor for process measurements depends on the stability which might be improved by improved by a control of the sensitive film porosity.