Common approaches for quantification of actinides and 89/90Sr in solid and liquid samples_3

Introduction

Actinides and 89/90Sr are pure alpha-particle and beta-particle emitters making them difficult to be quantified in bulk samples (e.g. waste packages), hence destructive analyses are required using radiochemical separation to obtain a pure fraction to be measured. The measurement techniques considered in this project will be alpha-particle spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting (LSC).

For actinides analyses of solid samples, we currently rely on the separation with TEVA-DGA resins in removing all the interferences of other radionuclides that can be present in these samples. TEVA resin is used for the separation of Th and Pu isotopes, while DGA resin for purification of U isotopes and 241Am.

89/90Sr determination in solid and liquid samples is done using microwave digestion or co-precipitation and extraction chromatographic resin (Sr-resin) and measured by LSC.

Objectives

The focus of this visit will be on determination of U, Th, Pu isotopes, 241Am and 89/90Sr in solid and liquid materials:

1. Determination of U, Th, Pu isotopes, 241Am in solid samples using reference material and its quantification using alpha-particle spectrometry.

2. Determination of 89/90Sr in liquid and solid samples and its quantification using liquid scintillation counting