Experiences in Uranium Abundance Analysis Using the MTE Methodology

The ITU in Karlsruhe routinely analyses a multitude of samples from a wide range of internal and external customers for safeguards. High through-put analysis techniques are employed using meticulous care to ensure accurate, precise and timely results are provided. Thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) is used for isotopic analysis of Uranium to determine abundance and concentration information. At ITU we employ the modified total evaporation (MTE) methodology[1] for minor isotope analysis of the U234 and U236 isotopes and have observed varying run quality between different samples. As a consequence an investigation was instigated to identify possible causes for the run differences and find a general solution for a more consistent analysis approach. The investigation was focused around the form of Uranium (nitrate, carbonate, etc. ), and after individual chemical processing, how the sample dried on the filament for analysis. The visual appearance of the samples varied significantly. Comparison of the observations with data from the analysis run indicated that impurities within the sample matrices were causing run differences due to the large amount of sample required, 5 µg, for the MTE analysis.

BLACK Claudie Kate;  ZULEGER Evelyn;  HORTA DOMENECH Joan;  VARGAS ZUNIGA Martin; 

2013-06-11

ESARDA

JRC78004

http://esarda.jrc.ec.europa.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=238,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC78004,