Transmission-corrected x-ray fluorescence analysis of uranium and plutonium solutions using a dual transmission source

The energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis (XRFA) technique has been implemented at several spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities for nondestructive measurements of uranium and/or plutonium concentrations in process streams and product storage tanks. An important factor in these quantitative measurements is the absorption of the fluoresced x-rays by the solution matrix, which must be taken into account to accurately quantify the U or Pu concentrations. We describe a new, accurate method using a dual transmission source of Gd-153 and Co-57 to correct for matrix effects. Results of measurements on uranium and plutonium solution standards show the methodology to be better than 0.5%, which includes statistical precision, over the concentration range from 1 to 250 g/l. 5 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.