Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Volume/Issue:
Volume 294: Issue 1
Determination of concentrations of U and Th in their mixed oxides by INAA methods
Authors:
R. Acharya Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085 India

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,
Ruma Gupta

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P. Pujari Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085 India

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Pages:
121–125
Online Publication Date:
18 Nov 2011
Publication Date:
01 Oct 2012
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1544-6
Keywords:
AHWR; Mixed oxide fuel. U and Th; Thermal NAA; Epithermal NAA; Reactor neutron; Gamma ray spectrometry
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Abstract  

Uranium and thorium mixed oxides are being prepared using natural U and Th for studies on fuels for Advanced Heavy Water Reactors, wherein composition of U and Th is specific and requires strict control in terms their contents and homogeneity. Chemical quality control necessitates accurate and precise compositional characterization of the fuel material by a suitable analytical method. Among various analytical methods for U and Th, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) is one of the best methods for their simultaneous determination without chemical dissolution and separation. INAA methods using reactor neutrons namely thermal NAA and epithermal NAA were standardized for the determination of U and Th in their mixed oxides. Standards, synthetic samples and U–Th mixed oxide samples, prepared in cellulose matrix, were irradiated at pneumatic carrier facility of Dhruva reactor as well as at self serve facility of CIRUS reactor under cadmium cover (0.5 mm). Radioactive assay was carried out using a 40% relative efficiency HPGe detector. Both activation and daughter products of 238U (239U and 239Np) and 232Th (233Th and 233Pa) were used for their concentration determination. The method was validated by analyzing synthetic samples of 6–48%U–Th mixed oxides. The standardized method was used for the concentration determination of U and Th in 4–30%U–Th mixed oxide samples. Results of U and Th concentrations including associated uncertainties obtained from the INAA methods are presented in this paper.

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Cover Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Print ISSN:
0236-5731
Online ISSN:
1588-2780

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Journal of Radionalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation		 1968
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 12
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 0236-5731 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2780 (Online)

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