Radioanalytical Chemistry for Automated Nuclear Waste Process Monitoring Page: 2 of 23
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Introduction
The objectives of our research were to develop the first automated radiochemical process
analyzer including sample pretreatment methodology, and to initiate work on new detection
approaches, especially using modified diode detectors.
Early in the program we saw the opportunity to insert new technology into the decision processes
for the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant, provided that we could develop the first analyzer fast enough, and
do so for determination of total Tc in chemical processing streams at Hanford. Technetium-99 is a
radionuclide of significant concern in nuclear waste processing. It is important to immobilize it in stable
waste forms because of its high abundance in aged nuclear waste from weapons production, it long half-
life, and its mobility (as pertechnetate, 99Tc(VII)) in the environment if not contained. Therefore, a large
portion of our effort in the first phase was to demonstrate and validate a total Tc analyzer approach. This
effort was successful, and this technology was selected in a competitive peer-reviewed process for the
Hanford Waste Treatment Plant, currently under construction on the Hanford site. Development of the
total Tc analyzer is therefore is a main topic of our final report. Our EMSP funding enabled development
of the analyzer concept and resolution of chemistry issues for sample pretreatment and Tc separation
within the instrument, while applied funding from the Hanford site supported engineering development of
the prototype and testing with full QA/QC documentation to support the decision process. In parallel we
also conducted research on detection methodology at PNNL and at Clemson.
Because of the close interaction between the two research groups and the over lap in some of the
methodologies used in the research, this final report is based on two joint EMSP projects conducted by
the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Clemson University. In total, these projects spanned six
years. The sections below summarize some of the outcomes of this collaborative research effort.
FUNDING
Radionuclide Sensors for Water Monitoring, proposal and renewal, 6 years total. This work could not be
renewed after FY05 due to the changed focus of the EMSP vadose zone program.
PNNL: FY00, 01, 02, $200K per year FY03, 04, 05 $206K per year
Clemson: FY00, 01, 02, $75K per year FY03, 04, 05 $80K per year
Radioanalytical Chemistry for Automated Nuclear Waste Process Monitoring, proposal and renewal.
This work was canceled beyond FY06 with the elimination of the EMSP high level waste program.
PNNL: FY02, 03, 04 $233K per year FY05, 06 $240K per year (2 yrs only)
Clemson FY02, 03, 04 $117K per year FY05, 06 $100K per year (2 yrs only)
PRODUCTIVITY
Publications
1. Egorov, O.B., M.J. O'Hara, and J.W. Grate, Equilibration-Based Preconcentrating Minicolumn
Sensors for Trace Level Monitoring of Radionuclides and Metal Ions in Water without
Consumable Reagents. Anal. Chem., 2006. Accepted.
2. Hughes, L.D. and T.A. DeVol, Evaluation of flow cell detector configurations combining
simultaneous preconcentration and scintillation detection for monitoring of pertechnetate in
aqueous media. Anal.Chem., 2006. 78(7): p. 2254-2261.
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Grate, Jay W. & DeVol, Timothy A. Radioanalytical Chemistry for Automated Nuclear Waste Process Monitoring, report, July 20, 2006; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc884023/m1/2/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.