Transuranic elements determination in spanish NPP-wastes on the basis of gross alpha activity

Summary

The characterisation of alpha-emitting nuclides in low and medium level radioactive waste from Spanish nuclear power reactors leads to several difficulties because they cannot be assayed by non-destructive methods due to their low concentration. Thus, long and complex radiochemical procedures are required.

In this paper an alternative method for establishing a sufficiently accurate and reliable inventory of long-lived alpha emitting nuclides, is described. The method is based on the application of the factors obtained by correlating the gross alpha activity and the concentration of ²³⁸Pu, ^239/40Pu, ²⁴¹Am, ²⁴²Cm and ²⁴⁴Cm in a set of samples of concentrates and resins from Spanish NPP's.

Several statistical tests are performed to evaluate the validity of the assumed relationship and the quality of the correlation. Also, uncertainties are calculated for the parameters of the linear equation relating the concentrations.

This work has been performed in the framework of the CIEMAT-ENRESA Association Agreement.