Analysis of radioactive waste samples by ion chromatography-beta-ICP-MS

Book · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:409713

Farmer, III, O T; Reeves, J H; Wyse, E J; Clemetson, C J; Barinaga, C J; Smith, M R; Koppenaal, D W ^[1]

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1. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)

A comprehensive ion chromatography (IC) with beta-counting (beta) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection approach has been developed to separate and detect 20 radionuclides in a Hanford waste tank sample. The IC separation was performed using a multifunctional group (anion/cation) resin and eluents of oxalic acid, diglycolic acid, and hydrochloric acid. Shorter-lived radionuclides were detected by a solid-state beta scintillation counter on-line with the IC separation. Mass spectrometry detection using an efficient and robust plasma ionization source provides isotopic discernability for both stable isotopes and long-lived radioactive species. Effective separation of over 47 elements and 160 isotopes was obtained from a single-elution scheme lasting 70 min. Automated IC separations provide the potential for rapid isotopic and radionuclide analysis of complex radioactive waste, using minimal sample and reagent volumes and reducing personnel exposures.

• OSTI ID: 409713
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410207--; ISBN 0-8031-2034-6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
40 CHEMISTRY
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
BETA SPECTROSCOPY
DATA ACQUISITION
ELUTRIATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
ICP MASS SPECTROSCOPY
ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
OXALIC ACID
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOISOTOPES
RARE EARTHS
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
TIME DEPENDENCE