No abstract

During decommissioning of nuclear facilities, possibly contaminated asbestos containing materials (ACM) emerge. In this work, we propose an analytical method to characterize ACM contaminated with alpha and beta nuclides by microscopic (light and electron microscopy) and radioanalytical techniques. For this purpose, a chromatographic separation is applied after decomposition of ACM by a lithium borate fusion at 1065 °C. The subsequent separation is performed with UTEVA-TRU-Sr chromatographic resins. Recovery rates for analyzed radionuclides were on an average of 80–90% for Am, Cm, Pu isotopes, and Sr-90. Compared to sample pre-treatment with hydrofluoric acid, the lithium borate fusion proves more suitable, while providing higher working safety.

The exact knowledge on the inventory of a radioactive sample is a precondition to act appropriately in terms of nuclear safety. Radioanalytical methods aimed to determine the radionuclide content of activated material play therefore a central role regarding safe operation of nuclear installations, protection of personnel, inhabitants and environment as well as for the design and construction of new facilities. The article gives an overview on the broad variety of analysis and measurement methods, describes necessary chemical separation procedures and explains the impact for nuclear safety assessment in the field of radioanalytics at the Paul Scherrer Institut Villigen, Switzerland. It addresses both the safe routine operation of nuclear installations, which can be a challenge to our radiometric capabilities and refers to selected radioanalytical research projects.