Trace Elemental Analysis of Bulk Thorium Using an Automated Separation–Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy Methodology

Benjamin T. Manard, Shalina C. Metzger, Sarah K. Wysor, Veronica C. Bradley, Benjamin D. Roach, N. Alex Zirakparvar, Kayron T. Rogers, Debra A. Bostick, Brian W. Ticknor, Cole R. Hexel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Presented here is a novel automated method for determining the trace element composition of bulk thorium by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). ICP-OES is a universal approach for measuring the trace elemental impurities present in actinide-rich materials; however, due to the emission rich spectrum of the actinide, a separation from the trace elements is warranted for spectrochemical analysis. Here, AG MP-1 ion exchange resin was utilized for retention of the Th matrix, while allowing the trace element impurities to be separated prior to subsequent analysis using ICP-OES. After demonstrating the separation on traditional gravity-driven columns, the methodology was transitioned to an automated platform for comparison. This automated platform utilizes syringe-driven sample and solvent flow and can collect the trace element and thorium fractions in separate locations. While reducing the sample size (500 µL, 1.5 mg of Th), maintaining the overall separation efficiency (recoveries >95%), and illustrating the sample throughput ability (n = 10+), this automated methodology could be readily adopted to nuclear facilities in which the determination of trace elemental impurities in Th samples is warranted.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)556-564
Number of pages9
JournalApplied Spectroscopy
Volume75
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

Funding

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with UT-Battelle, LLC. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC05-000R22725. This research was also supported in part by an appointment to the HERE and NESLS program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

FundersFunder number
U.S. Department of EnergyDE-AC05-000R22725
National Nuclear Security AdministrationDE-AC05-00OR22725
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
UT-Battelle

    Keywords

    • AG MP-1 ion exchange resin
    • ICP-OES
    • Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy
    • nuclear
    • thorium

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