DEVELOPMENT OF TOTAL URANIUM ANALYTICAL METHOD BY L X-RAY-FLUORESCENCE

This paper describes development of an L X-ray fluorescence technique to perform total uranium analysis using an internal excitation source which is added directly to the sample. The method has been demonstrate d with synthetic U samples in the limited concentration range 1-15 g/l , and provides the advantage of simplicity, involving no mechanical pa rts which would normally be found in an external excitation source. To tal uranium is determined by counting L X-rays fluoresced by a microCu rie level spike of Cd-109 added directly to the sample and without shi elding the excitation source from the detector. A method for correctio n of sample self-absorption is included in the analysis. (C) 1998 Publ ished by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.