Alternative nuclear certified reference materials for safeguards and industry

Large Scale Dried (LSD) spikes are Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) used in nuclear safeguards for an accurate determination and verification of nuclear material inventories by Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometric (IDMS). They are a metrological quality tool for nuclear plant operators and safeguards laboratories to meet the existing requirements for reliable accountancy and verification measurements (IAEA STR-368). LSD spikes are produced by dispensing and drying down accurately-weighed quantities of Uranium and Plutonium nuclear reference solutions into vials. The dried deposits are not stable over time. To keep the integrity of the spike and to prevent unintended losses of material, the CRMs need to be protected with a matrix or coating material. This material is a critical component for the quality and long-term stability of these CRMs. IDMS relies on the mechanical integrity of the spikes; they need to be robust during transport and storage for their guaranteed life-time. The main requirements for the matrix/coating are good adherence to glass, mechanical stability, resistance to radiation and long term stability. Besides, the material should readily dissolve in nitric acid and should not interfere with chromatographic separation and subsequent mass spectrometric measurements. Under the project "Innovative nuclear CRMs for EURATOM safeguards and industry" (INS-CRM), the JRC Directorate G (Geel and Karlsruhe) is doing research on alternative substances to be used as matrix and/or coating in the spikes. The main candidate is the CarboxyMethyl Cellulose (CMC) which seems to meet the requirements above mentioned. The main goal of the project is to find the right methodology and composition for the preparation of the coatings. Furthermore, the mechanical integrity needs to be proved under simulated transport and radiation conditions. Finally, the self-life of the spikes will be determined. It is also planned to introduce and to test several U/Pu ratios for CRMs suitable for different sample types.

SANCHEZ HERNANDEZ Ana Maria;  TOTH Kalman;  AREGBE Yetunde;  BANIK Nidhu;  BAUWENS Jeroen;  BUDA Razvan;  BUJAK Renata;  CARLOS MARQUEZ Ramon;  CASTELEYN Karin;  DUINSLAEGER Lily;  HENNESSY Carmel;  JAKOPIC Rozle;  KEHOE Frances;  VAN BELLE Pieter;  ZULEGER Evelyn; 

2018-01-10

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC104741

978-92-79-73861-6,   

1831-9424,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC104741,   

10.2760/631364,