HPLC Method for Determination of Th, U and Pu in Irradiated (Th,Pu)O_2 using Hydroxycarboxylic Acids as Eluents

摘要

Development of new methodologies for the separation and determination of Th, U and Pu is of considerable importance for thorium based nuclear fuel cycle. The HPLC based method offers reduced analysis time, less generation of liquid waste and minimum dose to operator and thus has an edge over other conventionally used methods. In the present work, two hydroxycarboxylic acids viz. α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) and mandelic acid were used as eluents under reversed phase (RP) conditions for the separation of Th, U and Pu. It was found that when mandelic acid was employed, elution pattern of Th, U and Pu is different from that observed with HIBA, in addition to longer retention times. The main objectives of the present work were (ⅰ) to study behaviour of different oxidation states of Pu such as (Ⅲ), (Ⅳ) and (Ⅵ) under the RP separation conditions and (ⅱ) development of an HPLC method for the determination of Th, U and Pu in solution of irradiated (Th,Pu)O_2.