A review of flow analysis methods for determination of radionuclides in nuclear wastes and nuclear reactor coolants

Abstract

The safety and security of nuclear power plant operations depend on the application of the most appropriate techniques and methods of chemical analysis, where modern flow analysis methods prevail. Nevertheless, the current status of the development of these methods is more limited than it might be expected based on their genuine advantages. The main aim of this paper is to review the automated flow analysis procedures developed with various detection methods for the nuclear energy industry. The flow analysis methods for the determination of radionuclides, that have been reported to date, are primarily focused on their environmental applications. The benefits of the application of flow methods in both monitoring of the nuclear wastes and process analysis of the primary circuit coolants of light water nuclear reactors will also be discussed. The application of either continuous flow methods (CFA) or injection methods (FIA, SIA) of the flow analysis with the β-radiometric detection shortens the analysis time and improves the precision of determination due to mechanization of certain time-consuming operations of the sample processing. Compared to the radiometric detection, the mass spectrometry (MS) detection enables one to perform multicomponent analyses as well as the determination of transuranic isotopes with much better limits of detection.

Flow Chemistry in Contemporary Chemical Sciences: A Real Variety of Its Applications

“…In the field of flow analysis, general reviews on its recent advances [14] and 60-year development, based on publications in the analytical journal Talanta [354], can be mentioned. Furthermore, there were also reviews on the spectroanalytical applications of multi-syringe flow-injection methods [355], as well as on the application of fluidized particles in flow analysis methods [356], microfluidic paper-based analytical devices [262], or the use of flow analysis for the determination of radionuclides in nuclear industry [357]. Among the recent reviews on the technological applications of flow methods, much attention was focused on photochemical methods [85] and solar photochemistry [224].…”

Rapid Separation of Photofissioned Uranium Products via a Single-Pass Multiplexed Chromatographic Fission Product Separation System

“…Chemical separation of fission products are routinely performed for nuclear fuel performance assessments and burnup analyses, − research and development of next-generation reactor technologies, measurement of fission product yields and related nuclear data for basic science applications, − and supporting spent nuclear fuel treatment approaches. − Short-lived fission products provide a significant source of information regarding nuclear fuel performance diagnostics and/or fundamental nuclear physics data; however, assessment of the production of many of these isotopes is challenged by the abundance of high yield fission isotopes in the sample, and thus, a chemical separation can be beneficial. ,, …”

“…For fission product separation, many nuclear laboratories currently utilize a combination of gravimetric chromatographic separations combined with precipitations to isolate target actinides and fission products. These methods, while robust and effective, suffer from drawbacks including (1) lengthy separation times, (2) high potential for radionuclide losses and/or contamination, and (3) significant personnel costs required to complete a single separation protocol. − To address these deficiencies, more advanced separation approaches such as high performance liquid chromatography, ion chromatography, and other approaches have been developed. ,, Though also demonstrated to be effective, these approaches have higher system leakage potential and thus maintaining reasonably low radiation dosages and mitigating contamination becomes challenging. Handling samples with high uranium loading (hundreds of milligrams to gram sized samples) is also challenging for these techniques.…”

“…9−11 Short-lived fission products provide a significant source of information regarding nuclear fuel performance diagnostics and/or fundamental nuclear physics data; however, assessment of the production of many of these isotopes is challenged by the abundance of high yield fission isotopes in the sample, and thus, a chemical separation can be beneficial. 9,12,13 For fission product separation, many nuclear laboratories currently utilize a combination of gravimetric chromatographic separations combined with precipitations to isolate target actinides and fission products. These methods, while robust and effective, suffer from drawbacks including (1) lengthy separation times, (2) high potential for radionuclide losses and/or contamination, and (3) significant personnel costs required to complete a single separation protocol.…”

Dynamic Flow Approaches for Automated Radiochemical Analysis in Environmental, Nuclear and Medical Applications

“…Many radiochemical analyses consist of a series of identical chemical separation steps with little or no variation from sample to sample, which makes them feasible for automation via the implementation of versatile flow techniques. A number of review papers have been published, focusing either on flow techniques for automation of certain radiochemical separation processes [2,3], development of radionuclide sensors [4] or methods for selected radionuclides/sample types [1,[5][6][7]. This work presents the development and application of flow techniques for radiochemical analysis in different situations with focuses on technical design, assembly and performance of the flow systems.…”