DETERMINATION OF ACTINIUM IN URANIUM MILL EFFLUENTS

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961

OSTI ID:4844180

Baratta, E J; Feldman, M H

A procedure is presented for the rapid determination of actinium specifically applicable for the determination of the naturally occurring beta emitting actinium isotopes, Ac/sup 227/ and Ac/sup 228/ in uranium processing mill effluents Ac< s2>s/sup 27/ predecessor of Ra/sup 223/ and Ac/sup 228/, daughter of Ra/sup 22/ /sup 8/, are of biological significance. The method is applicable to a variety of sample types, including natural waters and uranium mill effluent solutions. Determinations can be made at levels required in 10 CFR Part 20, and below. The actinium is precipitated with lanthanum carrier, dissolved, purified by solvent extraction, and finally decontamination on anion and cation exchange resins. The actinium is beta counted on a gas flow propertional counter to detect the weak beta emission of Ac/sup 227/. The Ac/sup 228/ can be beta count ed on either a proportional counter or G-M tube. In either case it is necessary to follow the six-hour half life of Ac/sup 228/. When both are present the Ac/sup 227/ beta activity can be shielded out with absorbers and only the actinium-228 counted on a G-M tube. (anth)

• Research Organization: National Lead Co., Inc. Winchester Lab., Winchester, Mass.
• NSA Number: NSA-15-030586
• OSTI ID: 4844180
• Report Number(s): WIN-123
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACTINIUM
ACTINIUM 227
ACTINIUM 228
ACTINIUM ISOTOPES
ANIONS
BETA PARTICLES
CATIONS
CHEMISTRY
COUNTERS
DECONTAMINATION
DUSTS
GASES
GEIGER- MUELLER COUNTERS
HYDROLOGY
IMPURITIES
ION EXCHANGE
LANTHANUM
ORE PROCESSING
PRECIPITATION
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
RADIUM 223
RADIUM 228
RESINS
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
STANDARDS
URANIUM
URANIUM ORES
WASTE SOLUTIONS
WATER