RADIOCHEMICAL METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PLUTONIUM, AMERICIUM AND CURIUM IN TYPICAL WASTE STREAMS

Accurate and reliable analytical methods have been developed for the m easurement of Pu, Am and Cm in typical waste streams from nuclear powe r plants. Pu, Am and Cm were separated using anion exchange and coprec ipitation techniques. The solution of Am and Cm was electrodeposited a nd measured by alpha-particle spectrometry. In the case of Pu the solu tion was divided into two aliquots, one for liquid scintillation count ing and the other for electrodeposition followed by alpha-particle spe ctrometry. To determine the chemical recovery of alpha emitters of the Pu fraction and the Am and Cm fraction, the sample was spiked with Pu -236 and Am-243. The chemical recovery of Pu-241,as calculated using t wo different methods which gave reliable results. Analysis of every sa mple was carried out twice to examine the reproducibility of the analy tical methods. The radiochemical yields of Pu and Am ranged from 80% t o 100% and from 60% to 80% respectively.