ICP-MS based on-line monitoring of Pu-239 airborne concentration

Abstract

An online monitoring technology of Pu-239 aerosol based on aerosol direct introduction device, membrane desolvation nebuliser and ICP-MS was established for workplaces of reprocessing plants. Briefly, 0.8 l min−1 Pu-239 aerosol from the workplace was introduced into the aerosol direct introduction device where the air was replaced by Argon, and then the aerosol was introduced into the ICP-MS for measurement. To determine the activity of Pu-239 aerosol, 1.10E−3 Bq ml−1 Pu-242 standard solution generated by a membrane desolvation nebuliser was used. The introduction efficiency of the nebuliser was determined by sampling the aerosol generated from the nebuliser with Lead Standard Solution by glass fiber filter, which was (26.82 ± 3.33) %. The mass bias between Pu-239 and Pu-242 for the ICP-MS measurement was determined by Pu-239 and Pu-242 standard solutions generated by the nebuliser, and mass discrimination correction factor for Pu-239/Pu-242 was 0.972 ± 0.010. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of this system were calculated according to the ISO 20 899:2018, which were 2.24E−05 Bq m−3 and 7.45E−05 Bq m−3 with 1 min measurement. The main interference which was from U-238 was determined by U-238 standard solution generated by the nebuliser, and the interferences of U-238 to 239 was (8.50 ± 1.05) E−05. According to the counts of U-238 from several workplaces of reprocessing plant where this system was tested, 239 counts rate from the interferences of U-238 of those workplaces were at the same level of the system background counts, which meant that the LOD above was suitable for those places.

Atomic spectrometry update – a review of advances in environmental analysis

“…A summary of progress in the determination of elements in PM 2.5 by ICP-MS discussed 37 (91 references) advantages and disadvantages of various filter media and of digestion procedures as well as developments in isotopic and speciation analysis. A bespoke sample-aerosol introduction-device in which sampled air was replaced with argon was used 38 with a desolvating HEN system for the online ICP-MS determination of 239 Pu in the air at a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. The LOD was 2.24 × 10 −5 Bq m −3 and the LOQ 7.45 × 10 −5 Bq m −3 when 0.8 L of air was sampled.…”

Investigation on in situ and real-time monitoring of uranium aerosol from emergency emission after accidents by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

“…There are several techniques developed for uranium aerosol measurement such as ICP-OES, ICP-MS, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), α energy spectrometer, atomic absorption spectrometry, solid track method [5][6][7] . However, the demands of the expensive devices, sophisticated samples preparation and the high skill the analysis of results obtained by these methods keeps uranium aerosol monitoring analyzation mostly in laboratories.…”