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Determining gallium from plutonium using anion exchange and x-ray fluorescence

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6550125

Gallium in plutonium is determined using anion exchange and x-ray fluorescence. A 6M HCl solution of plutonium, with ascorbic acid added, is passed through an anion exchange resin column. This process sticks the gallium to the resin and allows the plutonium to pass through the column. Zinc, as an internal standard, is pipetted into an empty beaker into which the gallium is eluted with 0.02M HCl. This solution is then evaporated to approximately 2 mL and is transferred to a 10-mL volumetric flask. The solution is poured into an x-ray cell, and the K..cap alpha.. line for both gallium and zinc are read on the x-ray instrument. We then compare the ratio of the intensities for gallium and zinc from a sample with that from standards. The relative standard deviation for the range 0.2% to 1% gallium is 0.36%. 4 refs., 17 figs., 10 tabs.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
6550125
Report Number(s):
LA-11435; ON: DE89004542
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English