Standard methods for radiochemical determination of cesium-137 in nuclear fuel solutions

Book · Sun Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1972

OSTI ID:4388814

ABS>Two methods are used for the quantitative determination of radioactive /sup 137/Cs in a known quantity of aqueous solution. They are designed for solutions that result from the dissolution of irradiated nuclear fuel primarily for determining burnup. The atom percent fission in uranium fuel may be calculated from the quantity of /sup 137/Cs. These methods are applicable to any solution of dissolved nuclear fuel containing sufficient /sup 137/Cs for accurate counting provided that at least 130 days cooling time is allowed for the decay of /sup 86/Rb and /sup 136/Cs. The perchlorate method is based on the separation of cesium by precipitation as cesium perchlorate from a solution of ethyl alcohol and perchloric acid. Natural cesium chloride (or nitrate) is added as a carrier to minimize adsorption of /sup 137/Cs on surfaces and to provide weighable quantities of cesium for determining the chemical recovery. An initial precipitate of cesium perchlorate is formed and dissolved. For further purification, two ferric hydroxide scavenging steps follow. A final precipitation of cesium perchlornte convents the cesium to a form suitable for weighing and for radioassay. The chloroplatinate method is based on the separation of cesium by precipitation as cesium chloroplatinate from a hydrochloric acid-ethyl alcohol medium. Natural cesium chloride (or nitrate) is added as a carrier to minimize adsorption of /sup 137/Cs on surfaces and to provide weighable quantities of cesium for determining the chemical recovery. As initial purification, two ferric hydroxide scavenging steps are used. A final precipitation of cesium chloroplatinate converts the cesium to a form suitable for weighing and for radioassay. (auth)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-29-007548
• OSTI ID: 4388814
• Report Number(s): ASTM-E--320-70
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*CESIUM 137-- RADIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
BURNUP
CESIUM 136
CESIUM CHLORIDES
ETHANOL
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
IRON HYDROXIDES
N40130* --Chemistry--Analytical & Separations Chemistry-- Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
N40421 --Chemistry--Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry--Reactor Fuels
NUCLEAR FUELS
PERCHLORIC ACID
PRECIPITATION
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RUBIDIUM 86
SCAVENGING RADIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS