Impurity analysis of uranium compounds

Trace impurities in uranium compounds are important factors considered at every stage of the nuclear fuel production. Impurities such as B and Cd have high neutron absorption cross sections and maximum allowable concentration of those elements in fuel pellets are 0.2-0.3 ppm. Other impurities like C and F, effect fabrication operation and cause irradiation problems. In this study yellow cake, uranyl nitrate hexahydrate, U3O8, ammonium diuranate, UO2 and various intermediate solutions are analyzed for Fe, Al, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb, Na, Mg,Cr by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer and Inductively coupled Plasma techniques. Ca, Mg, Na, K, Sr, Li analyzed for FES (flame emission) and Al, Bi, Cu, Fe, V, Mo, P were analyzed spectrophotometrically, Mo and Pb are analyzed by graphite furnace AAS to check the results. The results are compared with those published by the Australian, Canadian and US Atomic Energy Authorities