Rapid method to determine ⁸⁹Sr/⁹⁰Sr in large concrete samples

Journal Article · Thu Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4787-4· OSTI ID:1254435

Maxwell, Sherrod L. ^[1]; Culligan, Brian ^[1]; Hutchison, Jay B. ^[1]; Utsey, Robin C. ^[1]; Sudowe, Ralf ^[2]; McAlister, Daniel R. ^[3]

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1. Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, Aiken, SC (United States)
2. Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
3. PG Research Foundation, Inc., Lisle, IL (United States)

Here, a new rapid method has been developed that provides high quality low-level measurements of ^89,90Sr in concrete samples with an MDA (Minimum Detectable Activity) of <1 mBq g^-1. The new method is fast, meets new decommissioning regulatory limits and is robust even if refractory particles are present. The method utilizes a rapid fusion to ensure total dissolution of samples and rapid preconcentration and separation of ^89,90Sr from 5-10 g concrete samples. When, the ⁸⁹Sr/⁹⁰Sr ratio is high, Sr can be isolated from up to 5g concrete samples, total ^89/90Sr measured, and then 90Sr determined via ⁹⁰Y separated after a period of ingrowth. Another approach allows the immediate determination of ⁹⁰Sr in 10 g concrete aliquots without waiting for ⁹⁰Y ingrowth, in instances where the shorter lived ⁸⁹Sr is unlikely to be encountered.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC09-08SR22470
• OSTI ID: 1254435
• Report Number(s): SRNS-STI-2016-00187; PII: 4787
• Journal Information: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry; ISSN 0236-5731
• Publisher: Springer
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
rapid method
fusion
strontium
concrete
yttrium-90