ICP-MS based on-line monitoring of Pu-239 airborne concentration
- 16 June 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by IOP Publishing in Journal of Radiological Protection
- Vol. 40 (3), 827-834
- https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6498/ab9d73
Abstract
An online monitoring technology of Pu-239 aerosol based on aerosol direct introduction device, membrane desolvation nebulizer and ICP-MS was established for workplaces of reprocessing plants. Briefly, 0.8 L min-1 Pu-239 aerosol from the workplace was introduced into the aerosol direct introduction device where the air was replaced by Argon, and then the aerosol was introduced into the ICP-MS for measurement. To determine the activity of Pu-239 aerosol, 1.10 E-3 Bq mL-1 Pu-242 standard solution generated by a membrane desolvation nebulizer was used. The introduction efficiency of the nebulizer was determined by sampling the aerosol generated from the nebulizer with Lead Standard Solution by glass fiber filter, which was (26.82±3.33) %. The mass bias between Pu-239 and Pu-242 for the ICP-MS measurement was determined by Pu-239 and Pu-242 standard solutions generated by the nebulizer, and mass discrimination correction factor for Pu-239/Pu-242 was 0.972±0.010. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of this system were calculated according to the ISO 20899:2018, which were 2.24E-05 Bq m-3 and 7.45E-05 Bq m-3 with 1 min measurement. The main interference which was from U-238 was determined by U-238 standard solution generated by the nebulizer, and the interferences of U-238 to 239 was (8.50±1.05) E-05. According to the counts of U-238 from several workplaces of reprocessing plant where this system was tested, 239 counts rate from the interferences of U-238 of those workplaces were at the same level of the system background counts, which meant that the LOD above was suitable for those places.Keywords
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