1. Elution and Mounting Techniques for Americium using Eichrom TRU Resin Mitch Abbate Radiochemistry Technical Director Severn Trent Services St. Louis May 2, 2002

2. 2 Current Method/Standard Eichrom Method 1Elute with 2 ml of 9 N HCl, then 15 ml of 4 N HCl. 2Transfer to beaker with DI water. 3Cook to near dryness. 4Add one ml concentrated HCl, heat and transfer to 50 ml centrifuge tube with DI water, dilute to 15 ml. 5Add Hydrogen Peroxide to oxidize U. 6Add Neodymium carrier and one ml of concentrated HF, swirl. Let sit 30 minutes. 7Filter through 0.1 µm filter, rinse with water and ethanol. 8Dry and mount.

3. 3 Increase Productivity, Eliminate Chance for Contamination. 1 What steps can be changed or eliminated to speed up the process? 2 What steps can be changed to eliminate possible contamination?

4. 4 Discovery 1Is it necessary to use 9 N HCl to elute the Americium from the column? 2Is the presence of the extractant from the resin interfering with the precipitation being formed? 3Do alphas have trouble penetrating the organic layer, reducing alpha recovery?

5. 5 Checking out the 9 N HCl step. 1Adsorption curve for Americium on TRU Resin out of HCl. 2Talk to Eichrom.

6. 6 Elimination of the Extractant Interference. Is the organic soluble in alcohol? 1Ethanol. 2Methanol. 3Isopropyl.

7. 7 Increase amount of Hydrofluoric Acid 1As seen previously, extra HF can improve recoveries. 2Logically the more Fluoride in the solution, the better chance to form Neodymium Fluoride.

8. 8 Extra Neodymium carrier. 1Is more better?

9. 9 New Process 1Use 18 ml of 4 N HCl to elute Americium. 2Add Hydrogen Peroxide and Neodymium carrier. 3Add 7 ml of concentrated HF. 4Let sit 20 minutes. 5Add two drops Neodymium carrier. 6Let sit 10 minutes. 7Filter through 0.1 µm filter. 8Rinse with 5 ml DI water, rinse with 5 ml Isopropyl alcohol. 9Dry and mount.

10. 10 LCS sample Calcium Phosphate ppt.

11. 11 Ground Water sample Calcium Phosphate ppt.

12. 12 Conclusion 1It is possible to eliminate the 9 N HCl elution step for Americium. 2It is possible to recover Americium out of elution solution without the cook down step.