Separation and quantification of chemically diverse analytes in neutron irradiated fissile materials

Quantitative measurement of fission and activation products resulting from neutron irradiation of fissile materials is of interest for applications in environmental monitoring, nuclear waste management, and national security. Based on established separation processes involving coprecipitation, solvent extraction, and ion-exchange and extraction chromatography, we have optimized a proposed sequence of separation steps to allow for the timely quantification of analytes of interest. We have recently evaluated this scheme using an irradiated sample to examine the adequacy of separations for measurement of desired analytes by gamma spectrometry. Here we present the radiochemical separations utilized and the yields and purity obtained. (author)