Abstract
Amounts typically used for separations prior to analysis by thermal ionization mass spectrometry for plutonium isotopic analysis at LANL are typically about 20 micrograms of plutonium. We performed a scaled-up separation experiment using 20 milligrams, in an effort to check the separation efficiency using the larger amounts. Results from this separation experiment demonstrated that Pu decay products (241Am, and 234U, 235U, 236U isotopes produced from the decay of 241Pu, 238Pu, 239Pu, and 240Pu) can be cleanly separated using the same columns we use for separation of the 20 µg quantities. The results of the scaled up separation experiments, funded through NBL as part of the DOE Office of Science project are discussed. LA-UR-22-22151.
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Acknowledgements
This work was sponsored by NNSA, NBL Program Office. The authors thank Liby Mathew (C-AAC, LANL) for careful analytical work – cutting, polishing, and dissolving – on the standard metal exchange samples utilized in these scaled up separations. Discussions with P. Mason (NBL Program Office), L. Tandon (LANL), K. Spencer (LANL), F. Stanley (LLNL), and A. Olson (LANL) are greatly appreciated. Detailed reviews from two anonymous reviewers are gratefully acknowledged. Authors have no conflict of interest to declare. All co-authors have seen and agree with the contents of the muscript.
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Mathew, K.J., Ottenfeld, C. & Keller, R. Method development in support of recertification of plutonium CRMs 136, 137, and 138. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 4897–4903 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08487-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08487-8