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Validation of chemical separation method for the determination of 63Ni using TDCR technique in steel samples of APSARA reactor

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Abstract

Activity Standards of 63Ni was used to benchmark our triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) primary standardization instrument Hidex 300SL TDCR device under different chemical and colour quench conditions. The results were compared with a secondary standardization instrument Tricarb 2910TR that employs transformed spectral index of external standard to assess the quench level of samples. Excellent agreement was observed (within 3 %) for a wide range of standard activity and quench conditions. The method was subsequently used for validating chemical separation procedure for estimation of 63Ni in neutron activated standard nickel and steel samples. Further the method was applied for estimation of 63Ni from decommissioning waste of a research reactor, APSARA.

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Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely thank Dr. D. N. Sharma, Director, Health Safety and Environment Group (HS&EG) for the keen interest and valuable suggestions. The co-operation and support extended by Shri. Shibu Thomas, Reactor Superintendent, APSARA, Reactor Operations Division (ROD) to facilitate sample collection is gratefully acknowledged. We thank the technical support provided by Dr. N. L. Misra, Fuel Chemistry Division (FCD) during the course of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    S. Priya & R. K. Gopalakrishnan

  2. Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    M. S. Murali & A. Goswami

  3. Fuel Reprocessing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    G. Mary & K. Radhakrishnan

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  1. S. Priya
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  2. M. S. Murali
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  3. G. Mary
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  4. K. Radhakrishnan
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  5. R. K. Gopalakrishnan
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  6. A. Goswami
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Correspondence to S. Priya.

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Priya, S., Murali, M.S., Mary, G. et al. Validation of chemical separation method for the determination of 63Ni using TDCR technique in steel samples of APSARA reactor. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 298, 1551–1557 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2591-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2591-y

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