Sequential separation of americium, curium, plutonium, neptunium and uranium in various matrices from the electrometallurgic treatment of spent-nuclear fuel

The separation of americium-241, curium-242/244, plutonium-238/239, neptunium-237, and uranium-234/235/238, in the same sample aliquot of clear acidic solution resulting from the electrometallurgical treatment of spent nuclear fuel has been investigated. Using ion exchange techniques in 10 M HCl media, it was determined that good separation can be achieved to resolve each isotope via alpha spectroscopy. The resin used was AG 1-x8 chloride form supplied by BioRad® Laboratories. The retention and eluting conditions for each isotope were determined using tracer techniques and will be presented. Based on this work, an analytical procedure for the sequential separation of Am, Cm, Pu, Np, and U, in various sample matrices recovered from the demonstration project is presented.