Automated rapid method for the determination of Ni-63 in deconstruction of nuclear facilities- and environmental samples

Because of the increasing demand on the deconstruction of nuclear facilities in the last few years, a rapid method for the determination of Ni-63 in environmental samples is required. At Juelich, Division of Safety and Radiation Protection we have established a routine method, based on the determination of Ni-63 in the environmental samples using extraction chromatography separation from 2000[1] and optimize the sample preparation. Samples of different matrices were prepared by wet chemical methods for the extraction chromatography separation. For the separation the samples were introduced manually via a peristaltic pump or by using developed automated separation system equipped with the extraction chromatography column of Ni-Resin. Nickel[2] forms a Dimethylglyoximkomplex (DMG) and can be separated. The activity of the Ni-63 then were measured bei means of liquid scintillation counter (LSC), the recovery was determined using MC-ICP-MS. The yields of the Ni-carrier for the develped procure was higher than 90% with the accuracy below 10%. The developed method allows the relatively simple and fast determination of Ni-63 in environmental samples with a detection limit of 0.1 Bq/l. (orig.)