Rapid method to determine actinides and 89/90Sr in limestone and marble samples

In various methods to determine alpha-emitting radionuclides in matrices, alpha-particle spectrometry with alpha-emitting sources prepared by the electrodeposition has been widely used. Although there are several good review papers on alphaparticle spectrometry and preparation of electrodeposited alpha-emitting sources, the mechanism of analysis procedure and characterizations of alpha-emitting sources have not been reported well. These untouched subjects by other review papers are very significant to improve the analysis procedure. This review focuses on the mechanism of the electrodeposition of alpha-emitting radionuclides on the stainless steel disc, factors for the preparation of electrodeposited alpha-emitting layers, and various characterization methods.

Section: Dissolution and Preconcentration Of Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation and characterization of electrodeposited layers as alpha sources for alpha-particle spectrometry

2020

“…Since the fluoride ion will attack Zr metal, only HCl and HNO 3 were used in the initial steel dissolution. Once the digestate was evaporated to dryness, sodium hydroxide pellets were added, and the sample was fused and processed as described previously [5], except that no additional Fe was added. In this fusion option, an initial precipitation is performed using iron hydroxide enhanced with calcium phosphate to remove the high levels of hydroxide.…”

Section: Measurement Of Column Capacity Factors (K')mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sr is separated using Sr Resin (3 mL Sr Resin, using stacked 2 mL+1 mL resin cartridges) using a method similar to that previously published for the determination of 89 Sr and 90 Sr in limestone and marble samples. [5] The sample load solutions were added to the Sr Resin at approximately 1 drop per second. After the sample was loaded, the sample tube was rinsed with 5 mL 8M HNO 3 , which was transferred to the Sr Resin column and allowed to pass through the resin at ~1-2 drops per second.…”

Section: Measurement Of Column Capacity Factors (K')mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently published methods developed at SREL include analyses for soil, concrete, limestone and marble. [5,6] All these rapid methods share two key components: 1) rapid complete sample dissolution and matrix removal techniques coupled with 2) rapid innovative, sequential purification techniques. These radiochemical methods are both rapid and reliable, offering highly defensible quality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rapid method to determine 89/90Sr in steel samples

Maxwell

Culligan

Hutchison

et al. 2017

Self Cite

The rapid measurement of 89/90 Sr in steel samples is important in the event of a radiological emergency as well as for the characterization of routine nuclear decommissioning samples. A new method for the determination of radiostrontium in steel samples has been developed at the Savannah River Environmental Laboratory. The new method employs a rugged acid digestion that includes hydrofluoric acid, followed by a single preconcentration step to rapidly collect the radiostrontium and remove nearly all of the high iron content. A fusion step can be implemented after the steel dissolution when soil, concrete, or highly refractory particles are present. The 89 Sr + 90 Sr and/or 90 Y are separated using extraction chromatographic resins and measured radiometrically, either by gas flow proportional counting or liquid scintillation counting. Several approaches for the measurement of 89 Sr + 90 Sr, 90 Sr, and discrimination between 89 Sr and 90 Sr are discussed. This approach has a sample preparation time for steel samples of 6-8 hours.

“…This includes recently published methods for soil, concrete, limestone and marble. [5,6] These radiochemical methods are both rapid and reliable, offering highly defensible quality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid method to determine plutonium isotopes in steel samples

Maxwell

Culligan

Hutchison

et al. 2017

Self Cite

The rapid measurement of plutonium isotopes in steel samples is very important in the event of a radiological emergency as well as for the characterization of nuclear decommissioning samples. A new method for the determination of plutonium isotopes in steel samples has been developed at the Savannah River Environmental Laboratory. The new method employs a rugged acid digestion method that includes hydrofluoric acid, followed by a single preconcentration step to rapidly preconcentrate the plutonium isotopes and remove most of dissolved steel sample matrix. A fusion option improves ruggedness when soil or concrete is present and can be implemented after steel dissolution. The Pu isotopes are separated using an extraction chromatographic resin and measured by alpha spectrometry. The method can also be adapted for measurement by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This approach has a sample preparation time for steel samples of 6-8 hours.