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EIChroM. I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. A Rapid Analysis of Actinides In Water Samples Using Eichrom’s Resin Cartridges. Anil H.Thakkar Eichrom Industries, Inc.. Darien, IL. EIChroM. I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Objective.
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EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. A Rapid Analysis of Actinides In Water Samples Using Eichrom’s Resin Cartridges Anil H.Thakkar Eichrom Industries, Inc.. Darien, IL
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Objective • To perform analysis for Am, Pu and U in water samples using Eichrom’s new chromatographic configuration of UTEVA and TRU Resin
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Current Eichrom Method • UTEVA and TRU Resin Column • Industry Standard • Flow Rate Limitation
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. UTEVA TRU Strip Strip U Pu Am Tandem Column Arrangement Load Discard
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Eichrom UTEVA Resin Column Separation Load: 3M HNO3, 1.0M Al(NO3)3 to TRU Resin column 0.01M HCl U
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Eichrom TRU Resin Column Separation Load: 3 M HNO3, 1.0M Al(NO3)3 to waste 9m HCl & 4M HCl Am 0.1M ammonium bioxalate Pu
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Decontamination Factors (DF) • To determine the ruggedness of the method • To determine the degree of separation of the analyte from potentially interfering matrix components
Experiment for DF • Approximately 100 pCi (3.7 Bq) of each actinide was added to a load solution and run through the method. • DF in uranium, plutonium and americium fractions were calculated.
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Equation for Decontamination Factor DF = Ao Af Where; Ao = Original activity of the analyte added Af = Final activity of analyte in the fraction
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Criteria for Acceptance • For actinides, a DF value of > 1000 is acceptable • Tracer Recovery: 70%-105%
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Decontamination Factors
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. New Configuration:Resin Cartridge • Packed with 0.7 gram of resin • Cartridges with Luer lock • Ease of tandem arrangement for sequential analysis
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Testing the procedure with Cartridges • 1 liter aliquots of sample were spiked with Am, Pu, and U
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Am/Cm, Pu and U Analyses Calcium phosphate precipitation Dissolve in load solution Eichrom U/TEVA Resin U Eichrom TRU Resin Am/Cm, Pu Preparation for counting Alpha spectrometry
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Sample Preparation • l liter aliquots of acidified water samples were spiked with Am, Pu and U • Samples were heated to near boiling for at least 3 hours • A Ca3(PO4)2 precipitation was performed • Decant supernatant, centrifuge and collect the precipitate
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Load Solution for UTEVA and TRU Resin Columns • Dissolve precipitate in 3M HNO3/1M Al(NO3)3 solution • Add ferrous sulfamate and ascorbic acid • Load on UTEVA and TRU Resin cartridge in tandem
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Flow rate • Typically 2-3 mL/minute • Achievable with vacuum pump
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Summary • Eichrom Resin cartridges provide fast separation for actinides • Good, reproducible and consistent recoveries achievable • Rapid turn-around possible
EIChroM I N D U S T R I E S , I N C. Future Objectives • Evaluate effect of flow rate on chemical recovery • To test other matrices such as; urine, soil and vegetation for actinides using Eichrom Resin cartridges • To evaluate separation of Sr using Eichrom Sr Resin cartridges