DETERMINATION OF FE-55 AND NI-63 USING SEMIPREPARATIVE ION CHROMATOGRAPHY - A FEASIBILITY STUDY

The feasibility of semi-preparative high-performance ion chromatograph y (HPIC) for the analysis of the activation products Fe-55 and Ni-63 i n samples of different sources was studied. A mixed anion/cation excha nger column was applied to the separation of Fe(III), Ni(II) and Co(II ) using 1 mmol/L PDCA-solution as an eluent. After fractionation of th e eluate, Fe(III)- and Ni(II)-fractions were analysed by low-level liq uid scintillation counting (LSC). The method was applied to the analys is of corrosion products originating from the primary circuit of a shu t-down nuclear power plant. The limits of detection are dependent on t he loading of metal ions on the column and are therefore given in term s of specific activities. For a typical sample composition they were f ound to be 0.011 Bq per mg Fe for Fe-55 and 0.054 Bq per mg Ni for Ni- 63. An assessment of semi-preparative HPIC connected to off-line and o n-line LSC as compared with standard radiochemical procedures is given .