Determination of actinides and ⁹⁰Sr in spent ion exchange resins

Abstract

In the present work, we focused on determination of some important activation products like 238 Pu, 239 Pu/ 240 Pu, 241 Am, and 237 Np, and 90 Sr as a fission product in spent ion exchange resins. The activation products of interest are alpha emitters, while 90 Sr is a beta emitter. Radioactive solutions of 241 Am, 238 Pu, 237 Np, and 90 Sr and pure ion exchange resins were used to prepare artificial samples which were subsequently subjected to an analytical procedure. This consisted of wet destruction of the resins with Fenton's reagent followed by separations using ion exchange. The activities found showed good agreement with calculated values and yields were also very good (above 50%). We also analysed five samples of spent ion exchange resin from the TRIGA Mark II research reactor. Activities of selected radionuclides were below expectations in all samples except in sample 1, which had higher activities of 90 Sr, 137 Cs, 60 Co, 152 Eu, and 154 Eu. Total beta/gamma activity did not exceed the max. permitted level for low level waste.

Determination of Transuranium Isotopes (Pu, Np, Am) by Radiometric Techniques: A Review of Analytical Methodology

“…Recoveries in the range of 59À85% and 37À68% for Pu and Am were achieved. Spent ion exchange resins were analyzed by Tavcar and Benedik 58 Analytical Chemistry REVIEW AmÀlanthanide separation obtaining similar chemical recoveries (83À88% and 54À72%, respectively). In the method of Lee et al 199 for the determination of Pu, U, Th, and Am in sediments and biological materials, the separated Pu, U, and Am fractions were further purified.…”

“…Microwave digestion is a preferred way of decomposition of smaller samples. − An efficient way of decomposition of organic materials is the Fenton’s reaction using hydrogen peroxide and Fe 2+ catalyst. Tavcar et al applied this procedure to destroy spent organic resin.…”

Radiochemistry and radiopharmaceuticals

“…The movement of groundwater has been monitored 261 using both radium and radon and a radiochemical sensor has been developed 262 to track technetium in groundwater. The soil content of neptunium-237 has been determined 263 by ICP-MS (ion coupled plasma -mass spectroscopy) and techniques developed 264 for the analysis of actinides and strontium-90 in spent ion-exchange resins,-also of calcium-41 in reactor concrete. 265 Conductivity and g-ray spectroscopy measurements have been used 266 to analyse radioiodine in water whilst iodine-129 in biological and environmental samples has been measured 267 by accelerator mass spectroscopy.…”