Determination of14C in spent moderator ion-exchange resin from Bruce Nuclear Generating Station A

14C content in candu spent ion exchange resins and its release under alkaline conditions

“…Based on available data for CANDU reactors from Canada, the specific activity of 14 C in the SIERs originating from the MOD is ranging between 0.05 and 213 Ci/m 3 , with an average value of 71 Ci/m 3 , while in the SIERs from PHTS the 14 C specific activity is between 0.24 and 6.7 Ci/m 3 , with an average of 3.34 Ci/m 3 (Miller et al 1997). Results obtained by Park et al (2008) on SIERs from CANDU reactors from Korea, and by Moir et al (1994) on two moderator SIERs from the CANDU reactor Bruce A in Canada, show that more than 92% of the 14 C activity in SIERs is retained in anionic resins under inorganic form (Park et al 2008). A minor fraction of 14 C containing species has been measured in the cation exchange resins, after their separation from a mixed bed (Moir et al 1994; Park et al 2008), probably under the form of metal carbonate (Moir et al 1994).…”

“…Results obtained by Park et al (2008) on SIERs from CANDU reactors from Korea, and by Moir et al (1994) on two moderator SIERs from the CANDU reactor Bruce A in Canada, show that more than 92% of the 14 C activity in SIERs is retained in anionic resins under inorganic form (Park et al 2008). A minor fraction of 14 C containing species has been measured in the cation exchange resins, after their separation from a mixed bed (Moir et al 1994; Park et al 2008), probably under the form of metal carbonate (Moir et al 1994).…”