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Determination of Zirconium in Plutonium By Ion Exchange and Spectrography

Journal Article · · Applied Spectroscopy
The spectrographic analysis of plutonium for impurity elements is not without difficulties due to the complex emission spectrum of plutonium and to its toxicity. Separating the plutonium from the elements of interest would reduce the spectral interference and health hazard. In the determination of zirconium in plutonium, the plutonium was separated from zirconium by retaining the plutonium as a nitrate complex on the anion exchange resin, Dowex-1, while collecting the zirconium in the effluent and wash solution. The combined effluent and wash solutions were evaporated to a small volume and the resulting solution analyzed for zirconium by graphite spark excitation using cobalt as the internal standard. Concentrations as low as 20 ppm of zirconium in plutonium have been determined with a precision of plus or minus 17% (95% c.l.) for a single measurement.
Research Organization:
General Electric Co., Richland, Wash.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-14-014747
OSTI ID:
4169253
Journal Information:
Applied Spectroscopy, Journal Name: Applied Spectroscopy Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 13; ISSN 0003-7028
Publisher:
Society for Applied Spectroscopy
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English