Liquid Scintillation Method for Measuring Low Level Radioactivity of Aqueous Solutions. Determination of Enriched Uranium in Urine.
A scintillation mixture for direct measurement of low level radioactivity of aqueous solutions was developed in which up to 10% by volume of sample may be dissolved and counted at temperatures as low as -16 deg C. High voltage counting at this lower temperature results in appreciably lower background counts than from the higher temperature conditions limited by existing aqueous counting systems. The mixture is particularly applicable, therefore, to low level counting of weak beta emitters. Counting efficiencies of 40% for carbon-14 and up to 5% for tritium are reported. A procedure for determining submicrogram quantities of enriched uranium in urine is presented in which the alpha disintegrations are detected at a level of 2 dpm. The uranium is separated from natural radionuclides in urine by ion exchange. This bioassay is used as a screening method in a health physics program for personnel working with enriched uranium.
- Research Organization:
- Socony Mobil Oil Co., Princeton, N.J.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-031557
- OSTI ID:
- 4776616
- Journal Information:
- Analytical Chemistry, Journal Name: Analytical Chemistry Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 34; ISSN 0003-2700
- Publisher:
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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Liquid scintillation counting of tritium in small volumes of scintillator solution
THE DETERMINATION OF ALPHA ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH SUB-MICROGRAM QUANTITIES OF ENRICHED URANIUM IN URINE