Part 1: Development of a track-etch method for extracting uranium containing particles from swipes. Part 2: Development of a SIMS method for isotopic analysis of uranium containing particles. Report on Task FIN A 1318 of the Finnish Support Programme to IAEA Safguards: Report on Task FIN A 1318 of the Finnish Support Programme to IAEA Safeguards

Maija Lipponen, Sari Lehto

Research output: Book/ReportReport

Abstract

The first part of the report describes the development of a track-etch method for identification of uranium containing particles extracted from swipe samples. Uranium oxide spiked samples were ashed and the residue was collected in a Collodion solution. The mixture was spread on Makrofol solid state nuclear detectors which were irradiated with neutrons in the TRIGA Mk II reactor in Otaniemi. The etched detectors were examined under a polarising microscope to locate the fission tracks and the uranium containing particles in the Collodion film. Picking of the particles was tried out by dissolving the Collodion film surrounding an identified particle with acetone and using a micro injector to extract it and to place it in a vial for subsequent isotopic analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The second part of the report describes a secondary ion mass spectrometric (SIMS) method for measuring the n(235U)/n(238U) in uranium containing particles with the VG IX70Ssecondary ion mass spectrometer at VTT. The method was validated with four of the NIST uranium oxide Standard Reference Materials having nominal n(235U)/n(238U) of 0.005, 0.03, 0.25 and 1. In addition, the n(235U)/n(238U) in the IAEA SR54 and in a depleted uranium oxide powder from STUK were determined and compared to values measured by ICP-MS. The accuracy of the measured isotope ratios was 2-5% and the repeatability of the ratiosin particles sized 3-10 µm in diameter ranged from 0.01 (RSD) for the 1:1 ratio up to 0.16 (RSD) for the small ratios (0.0072 of NatU). Participation in the sensitivity round robin organised by the Institute for Transuranium Elements and the IAEA is also shortly dealt with.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationHelsinki
PublisherRadiation and Nuclear Safety Authority STUK
Number of pages26
ISBN (Electronic)951-712-583-6
ISBN (Print)951-712-582-8
Publication statusPublished - 2002
MoE publication typeD4 Published development or research report or study

Publication series

SeriesSTUK-YTO-TR
Volume188
ISSN0785-9325

Keywords

  • environmental sampling
  • uranium containing particles
  • isotopic analysis
  • fission track-etch method
  • secondary ion mass spectrometry
  • SIMS

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