Radioanalytical method for the separation of trace plutonium and neptunium from uranium

A radioanalytical method was developed for the determination of trace plutonium and neptunium in samples composed primarily of uranium. The procedure uses a neodymium oxalate co-precipitation and a two-column separation using ion exchange resin to achieve high uranium decontamination, high plutonium and neptunium separation factors and low impurity levels. The separation of the three actinides from each other relies on their oxidation–reduction chemistry. Various measurement techniques can be applied to determine plutonium and neptunium in the purified fractions: i.e., alpha spectrometry, and thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The method development, validation, and applications are discussed.