RP550(a)
Technetium-99 Analysis using Extraction Chromatography
This method is used to analyze technetium-99 (99Tc) in up to 1-L aqueous samples under neutral or dilute (£0.1 M) nitric acid conditions. Dissolved salts in the aqueous matrix are tolerated; however dissolution of particulate matter is not addressed. The method uses extraction chromatography with TEVA•Spec® Eichrom resin. It is fairly rapid and results in relatively little waste. Detection limits obtainable are dependent on the subsequent measuring techniques, but are on the order of 0.04 Bq/L (1 pCi/L). The total time of sample analysis is approximately 2 days for eight samples, with an estimated hands-on time of 8 h, including data reduction.
The sample is heated with H2O2 to oxidize all technetium to pertechnetate. The aqueous sample, with acid concentration less than or equal to 0.1 M HNO3, is then passed through TEVA•Spec® resin where TcO4– is strongly absorbed. The column is washed with water or up to 50 mL of 1 M HNO3. The resin can then be transferred to a liquid scintillation counting (LSC) vial and mixed with Insta-Gel for subsequent analysis by LSC. Alternatively, the technetium can be stripped from the resin with 11 M HNO3 for inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis.
To obtain a full copy of this method contact:
DOE Methods Compendium published by Battelle Press
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