Development of 3H, 14C, 41Ca, 55Fe, 63Ni radiochemical analysis methods in activated concrete samples

Development of 3H, 14C, 41Ca, 55Fe and 63Ni radiochemical analysis methods were carried out independently by two laboratories using both inactivate and activated concrete samples. Two preliminary radioanalytical procedures for the non-volatile radionuclides (41Ca, 55Fe, 63Ni) and one Thermal oxidation method for the volatile radionuclides (3H, 14C) were developed. The difficulties in the method development and analysis of results are discussed.

Determination of 137Cs in Sea Water Samples Using Gamma Spectrometry

In the present study a comparative evaluation of two methods for 137Cs determination (pretreatment for gamma spectrometry) is attempted. One of them is the conventional AMP (ammonium molybdophosphate, (ΝΗ4)3Ρ(Μo3O10)4) method (radiochemical treatment based on coprecipitation) and the other one is a method based on pre-concentration of cesium in situ by using the Mark III Centrifugal Pump. The pump, which is described analytically in the study, is composed of a mo­tor (pump), four cartridge housings (containing the scavengers), a flow meter and a pressure tube (containing the battery pack and the timer board). For justification, this method is compared with the AMP co-precipitation one. Following up the radioanalytical procedures, the gamma spectrometry system (relative efficiency of high purity germanium detector 90%) is also demonstrated, as conformed to mea­ suring obtained parameters. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of these two methods are recorded and the application of each one is suggested.

Determination of 14C, 55Fe, 63Ni and gamma emitters in activated RPV steel samples: a comparison between calculations and experimental analysis

Determination of 14C, 55Fe, 63Ni and gamma emitters in two different types of activated reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steel samples were carried out. The gamma emitters were analysed using HPGe detectors with ISOCS and standard geometry calibrations. Two radioanalytical procedures for the 14C, 55Fe, 63Ni analysis were developed using inactive samples and activated samples were analysed using modified procedures. A Monte Carlo code was used for the modelling of the activation results. The obtained measured and calculated results were comparable.