A New Method to Analyze 242mAm in Low-Level Radioactive Waste Based on Extraction Chromatography and β‑ray Spectrometry

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) 2013-08, Vol.85 (16), p.7726-7731
• Main Authors: Shimada, Asako, Kameo, Yutaka, Takahashi, Kuniaki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac400918r

A new method for identifying 242mAm in low-level radioactive waste (LLW) using β-ray spectrometry is proposed. First, 152Eu, 241+242m+243Am, and 244Cm in a digested solution of simulated LLW were separated from the major components of the digested solution and Pu using a transuranium element resin (TRU resin). Next, Am and Cm were separated from Eu using a tetravalent actinide element resin (TEVA resin). A β-ray spectrum of the fraction containing Am and Cm was recorded and the contribution of 239Np, which is a daughter nuclide of 243Am, was subtracted to determine the radioactivity of 242mAm. Also mutual separation of Am, Cm, and Eu was carried out using a tertiary pyridine resin to determine 242mAm by analyzing the increase of 242Cm in the Am fraction just after separation of Am from Cm, which is the traditional method. The isotope ratio of 242mAm/241Am determined by β-ray spectrometry agreed with that obtained by analyzing the traditional method.