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Comparison of alpha-spectrometry and alpha/gamma ratio method for the determination of americium in plutonium bearing fuel materials.

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Title: Comparison of alpha-spectrometry and alpha/gamma ratio method for the determination of americium in plutonium bearing fuel materials.
Authors: Mirashi, N. N.1, Shah, P. M.1, Aggarwal, S. K.1 skaggr@barc.gov.in
Source: Journal of Radioanalytical & Nuclear Chemistry. Mar2008, Vol. 275 Issue 3, p479-482. 4p. 10 Charts.
Subjects: Transplutonium elements, Transuranium elements, Semiconductor industry, Engineering instruments, Quality assurance, Quality control
Abstract: Determination of americium is one of the requirements of chemical quality assurance of plutonium bearing fuel materials. Alpha-spectrometry is generally used for the determination of 241Am in Pu bearing fuels since the efficiency of semiconductor detector used for alpha-spectrometry is independent of the alpha-particle energy in the 4 to 8 MeV range. However, this method has limitations for Pu samples containing extremely small or very large amounts of 241Am. Thus an alternative methodology based on alpha/gamma (α/γ) activity ratio was developed and tested using different samples. The method is based on the determination of total γ-activity (of 60 keV peak) of an aliquot of the solution and the total α-activity present in the aliquot. The method is fast as it does not involve chemical separation of Pu and Am as required in the alpha-spectrometric method. Data obtained on synthetic and real life samples demonstrates the usefulness of the developed alpha/gamma ratio method for the determination of 241Am in Pu bearing fuel samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:Determination of americium is one of the requirements of chemical quality assurance of plutonium bearing fuel materials. Alpha-spectrometry is generally used for the determination of 241Am in Pu bearing fuels since the efficiency of semiconductor detector used for alpha-spectrometry is independent of the alpha-particle energy in the 4 to 8 MeV range. However, this method has limitations for Pu samples containing extremely small or very large amounts of 241Am. Thus an alternative methodology based on alpha/gamma (α/γ) activity ratio was developed and tested using different samples. The method is based on the determination of total γ-activity (of 60 keV peak) of an aliquot of the solution and the total α-activity present in the aliquot. The method is fast as it does not involve chemical separation of Pu and Am as required in the alpha-spectrometric method. Data obtained on synthetic and real life samples demonstrates the usefulness of the developed alpha/gamma ratio method for the determination of 241Am in Pu bearing fuel samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02365731
DOI:10.1007/s10967-007-7091-5