Applications of a glove-box ICP-MS for the analysis of nuclear materials

The relatively new analytical technique, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), has been used for the analysis of nuclear materials stemming from different parts of the nuclear fuel cycle. The original instrument has been modified in order to work with radioactive materials in a glove box. The plasma torch and vacuum interface are situated inside the glove box while the mass spectrometer and associated electronics are outside. Samples analysed include fresh nuclear fuels (natural impurities), spent fuels (fission products and actinides), reprocessing solutions (minor actinides) and leachates of spent fuel and high level waste glasses (natural elements, fission products and actinides). (orig.)