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Title: Alpha emitting transuranic radionuclides in low level wastes from reactors

Journal Article · · Radiation Protection Management; (United States)
OSTI ID:5244586
 [1];  [2]
  1. School of Public Health, Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
  2. Iowa Electric Light and Power Co., Duane Arnold Energy Center, Cedar Rapids, IA (US)

This paper reports on alpha emitting transuranic (TRU) radionuclides that were analyzed in low level radioactive wastes from the Big Rock Point and Palisades Nuclear Plants using solvent extraction followed by coprecipitation with lanthanum carrier and measurement by alpha spectrometry. The concentrations of the alpha emitters, {sup 238}Pu, {sup 239}Pu-{sup 240}Pu, {sup 241}Am, and {sup 242}Cm and their correlation ratios with {sup 137}Cs and {sup 144}Ce were found to be highly variable but within the range of data from other studies and generally acceptable for shallow land burial. The highest concentrations of TRUs were observed in resins and primary filters and filter crud. Am-243 was used successfully as a tracer to determine the chemical yield for americium and curium analyses. These results and other available reported data establish the necessity for periodic radiochemical determinations of TRUs in low level radiative waste from reactors.

OSTI ID:
5244586
Journal Information:
Radiation Protection Management; (United States), Vol. 3:4; ISSN 0740-0640
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English