Wet oxidation of polystyrene filters in the determination of polonium-210
The determination of extremely low levels of radioactive substances in the atmosphere requires a filter capable of sustaining high flow rates for long periods of time while giving high retentivity for submicron particles. The most desirable filters are made from glass or polystyrene fibers. The method described here gives complete recovery of polonium. Polystyrene is so difficult to wet-ash directly without charring that little or no reaction occurs unless the full power of 72% perchloric acid at high temperature is applied. Limit the polystyrene oxidized at 1 time to a single 4-inch filter containing not more than 1.5g. Use at least 50 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid to provide sufficient heat capacity to accommodate the heat liberated, and a 1-L beaker to provide a large surface-to-volume ratio to dissipate the heat produced as rapidly as possible. The analysis included mixing concentrated sulfuric acid, concentrated nitric acid, and perchloric acid. The procedure described is intended for the determination of /sup 210/Po only; however, other long-lived ..cap alpha.. emitters can be determined simultaneously with that of /sup 210/Po. (DP)
- Research Organization:
- Dept. of Energy, Idaho Falls, ID
- OSTI ID:
- 5219832
- Journal Information:
- Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 52:8; ISSN ANCHA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
400103* -- Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures-- (-1987)
500300 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FILTERS
FILTRATION
HEAVY NUCLEI
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
ISOTOPES
NITRIC ACID
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXIDATION
PERCHLORIC ACID
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLLUTION
POLONIUM 210
POLONIUM ISOTOPES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYSTYRENE
POLYVINYLS
RADIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOISOTOPES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFURIC ACID