QA/QC Activities and Estimation of Uncertainty for Ultra-trace Analysis of Uranium and Plutonium in Safeguards Environmental Samples

Usuda, Shigekazu; Magara, Masaaki; Esaka, Fumitaka; Yasuda, Kenichiro; Saito‐Kokubu, Yoko; Lee, Chi-Gyu; Miyamoto, Yutaka; Suzuki, D.; Inagawa, Jun; Sakurai, S.; Murata, Fujio

doi:10.14494/jnrs.11.a5

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In a normal laboratory environment, some U and Pu are present as a background, which can limit the measurement accuracy. [32][33]…”

Section: Bulk Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Developments in Nuclear Forensic and Nuclear Safeguards Analysis Using Mass Spectrometry

Song¹,

Park²,

Lee³

et al. 2016

Mass Spectrometry Letters

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The analysis of nuclear materials and environmental samples is an important issue in nuclear safeguards and nuclear forensics. An analysis technique for safeguard samples has been developed for the detection of undeclared nuclear activities and verification of declared nuclear activities, while nuclear forensics has been developed to trace the origins and intended use of illicitly trafficked nuclear or radioactive materials. In these two analytical techniques, mass spectrometry has played an important role in determining the isotope ratio of various nuclides, contents of trace elements, and production dates. These two techniques typically use similar analytical instruments, but the analytical procedure and the interpretation of analytical results differ depending on the analytical purpose. The isotopic ratio of the samples is considered the most important result in an environmental sample analysis, while age dating and impurity analysis may also be important for nuclear forensics. In this review, important aspects of these techniques are compared and the role of mass spectrometry, along with recent progress in related technologies, are discussed.

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“…In a normal laboratory environment, some U and Pu are present as a background, which can limit the measurement accuracy. [32][33]…”

Section: Bulk Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Developments in Nuclear Forensic and Nuclear Safeguards Analysis Using Mass Spectrometry

Song¹,

Park²,

Lee³

et al. 2016

Mass Spectrometry Letters

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Highly sensitive analytical techniques for determining U and Pu content and isotopic composition in the samples have been developed by members of the IAEA safeguard network of analytical laboratories (IAEA-NWAL) [1][2][3][4][5]. Age determination of nuclear materials collected as environmental samples from nuclear facilities is also useful for detecting undeclared activities [6,7], as the age provides information regarding the origins and history of the nuclear material.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Precise age determination of a single plutonium particle using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer

et al. 2013

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Age-dating of single plutonium oxide particles ∼ 1 μm in diameter was demonstrated using eight particles. For this demonstration, the particles were prepared from a standard reference material SRM-947 that had been stored for 3.9 years since the last Pu purification. The Pu particles were separately dissolved, and Am and Pu were chemically separated from the solution via anion-exchange chromatography. The isotope ratios of Am and Pu in the eluted fractions were measured using a high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (HR-ICP-MS). The precision and accuracy of the Pu age were improved through the addition of an 243 Am spike to the sample solutions and by the trace chemical separation of Pu and Am. The determined age in this work was in good agreement with the expected age with high accuracy (deviation: 7.1-105 days) and precision (uncertainty: 0.16-0.5 years (k = 1)). These results indicate that a combination of ICP-MS and chemical separation after spiking with 243 Am provides an effective tool for the analysis of environmental samples collected during nuclear safeguard inspections.

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Accurate purification age determination of individual uranium–plutonium mixed particles

et al. 2015

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Age of individual uranium-plutonium (U/Pu) mixed particles with various U/Pu atomic ratios (1-70) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Micron-sized particles were prepared from U and Pu certified reference materials. The Pu reference was stored for 4-6 years since the last purification (July 14, 2008). The Pu purification age was obtained from the (241)Am/(241)Pu ratio which was calculated from the product of three measured ratios of Pu and Am isotopes in the eluted fractions. These ratios were measured by a high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer equipped with a desolvation system. Femto-gram to pico-gram quantities of Am, U, and Pu in a sample solution were sequentially separated on a small anion-exchange column. The (241)Am/(241)Pu ratio was accurately determined by spiking pure (243)Am into the sample solution. The average determined age for the particles for the five independent U/Pu ratios was in good agreement with the expected age with high accuracy (difference age 0.27 years) and high precision (standard deviation 0.44 years). The described analytical technique can serve as an effective tool for nuclear safeguards and environmental radiochemistry. Figure Young (4-6 y) Pu purification age of individual U/Pu mixed micron-sized reference particles for the five independent U/Pu ratios (1-70) were determined with 0.27±0.44 y difference from the expected age. Sub pico-gram quantities of Am, U and Pu were sequentially separated a small column, and their isotope ratios were accurately measured using an ICP-MS by applying the (243)Am spiking technique to the analysis and correcting the impurity and the contaminations.

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QA/QC Activities and Estimation of Uncertainty for Ultra-trace Analysis of Uranium and Plutonium in Safeguards Environmental Samples

Cited by 7 publications

References 21 publications

Recent Developments in Nuclear Forensic and Nuclear Safeguards Analysis Using Mass Spectrometry

Recent Developments in Nuclear Forensic and Nuclear Safeguards Analysis Using Mass Spectrometry

Precise age determination of a single plutonium particle using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer

Accurate purification age determination of individual uranium–plutonium mixed particles

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