Rapid determination of plutonium content on filters and smears using alpha liquid scintillation techniques.

摘要

This paper discusses a technique for rapidly determining plutonium content on filters and smears using Alpha Liquid Scintillation. Filter and smear samples will be analyzed daily for plutonium (Pu(sup 239)) content during projected waste retrieval operations at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex (RWMC) of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. Daily monitoring will allow for trending of airborne and surface contamination. Present analysis techniques are time consuming as both numerous naturally occurring isotopes, such as uranium and thorium daughters, and inert solids must be removed prior to counting to avoid interference with Pu detection. Alpha Liquid Scintillation (ALS) in conjunction with microwave digestion was investigated as a technique for rapid Pu analyses. Advantages offered by ALS are short turnaround time and field use with acceptable accuracy. 13 refs., 7 figs., 5 tabs.