Development of chemical analyzing equipment using laser photo acoustic spectroscopy (LPAS)

A lot of chemical analysis must be done in nuclear fuel reprocessing plants. The development of a new analyzing system which can reduce occupational radiation exposure is desirable as such analysis should be performed under the high radiation field. We have developed a liquid analyzing equipment which uses laser photo acoustic spectroscopy (LPAS). This method is superior to the conventional method because it has (1) a higher sensitivity, (2) a wider dynamic range, and (3) a simpler procedure. We got the basic data for uranium analysis in nitric acid solution. As the results of this study, we determined that this method may be useful for uranium analysis. But the right conditions under which measurements are done must be chosen because the detection limit is influenced by compound species. (author)