Determination of plutonium in nitric acid solutions using energy dispersive L X-ray fluorescence with a low power X-ray generator

Abstract

International audienceThis work presents the development of an in-line energy dispersive L X-ray fluorescence spectrometer setup , with a low power X-ray generator and a secondary target, for the determination of plutonium concentration in nitric acid solutions. The intensity of the L X-rays from the internal conversion and gamma rays emitted by the daughter nuclei from plutonium are minimized and corrected, in order to eliminate the interferences with the L X-ray fluorescence spectrum. The matrix effects are then corrected by the Compton peak method. A calibration plot for plutonium solutions within the range 0.1-20 g.L −1 is given

Precise determination of plutonium in nuclear fuel process samples

“…Because of need for analysis of Pu with high precision and accuracy, several instrumental techniques were employed for the analysis of Pu concentration which are inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) 6,7 , alpha spectrometry 8 energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence 9 and coulometry method 10 . These techniques require expensive instrumentation, skilled operators and these methods generates large volume of wastes.…”