Microscopic and radioanalytical investigation of asbestos-containing decommissioning waste

During decommissioning of nuclear facilities, possibly contaminated asbestos containing materials (ACM) emerge. In this work, we propose an analytical method to characterize ACM contaminated with alpha and beta nuclides by microscopic (light and electron microscopy) and radioanalytical techniques. For this purpose, a chromatographic separation is applied after decomposition of ACM by a lithium borate fusion at 1065 °C. The subsequent separation is performed with UTEVA-TRU-Sr chromatographic resins. Recovery rates for analyzed radionuclides were on an average of 80-90% for Am, Cm, Pu isotopes, and Sr-90. Compared to sample pre-treatment with hydrofluoric acid, the lithium borate fusion proves more suitable, while providing higher working safety. (author)