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Automated Radiochemical Analysis of Total 99TC in Aged Nuclear Waste Processing Streams

Journal Article · · Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
A fully automated analysis procedure and instrument for the measurement of total 99Tc in aged nuclear waste has been developed. The overall analysis approach is based on a fully automated wet radiochemical analysis method. Microwave-assisted sample oxidation is used prior to a chemical separation step in order to oxidize all of the non-pertechnetate species to pertechnetate. Separation of the pertechnetate from interfering radioactive and stable matrix species is carried out using anion exchange column. The separated 99Tc is quantified using a flow-through solid cell scintillation detector. The instrument is capable of an analysis time of <13 minute per sample with a detection limit of 2000 dpm/mL. Nuclear waste samples from the Hanford site with a high content of non-pertechnetate species were successfully analyzed using this method.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
15020528
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-39861; KP1301020
Journal Information:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 263
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English