Studies on the coulometric determination of uranium and plutonium employing a graphite electrode

Summary Graphite has been employed as a working electrode in the controlled potential coulometric determination of uranium and plutonium. The couples U(VI)/U(IV) and Pu(IV)/Pu(III) employed for analysis have diverse redox potentials and commonly the working electrodes employed are mercury and platinum. A graphite electrode in the shape of a beaker showed satisfactory performance for the quantitative reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) and Pu(IV) to Pu(III) and also for quantitative oxidation of Pu(III) to Pu(IV). Studies on the levels of the background current, blank values and their reproducible behaviour in acid media have been carried out with a view to achieve good precision and accuracy. A software-based predictive evaluation technique of end-point charge has been investigated. The results have shown that the graphite electrode can be used for the determination of both uranium and plutonium in the presence of each other with a precision and accuracy of better than ±0.5%.     

Controlled potential coulometric determination of uranium and neptunium in uranium-neptunium alloys

A controlled potential coulometric titration method has been developed for the determination of neptunium and uranium in the presence of each other. The recovery of a neptunium standard in the presence of uranium was 100.02% with a relative standard deviation of 0.13%, and the recovery of a uranium standard in the presence of neptunium was 100.03% with a relative standard deviation of 0.13%.     

Controlled potential coulometry: the application of a secondary reaction to the determination of plutonium and uranium at a solid electrode

A method is described for the simultaneous determination of plutonium and uranium in mixed oxides by controlled potential coulometry at a gold working electrode in two stages: first a coulometric oxidation, at 0.73 V vs. a silver/silver chloride electrode, of Pu(III) and U(IV) to Pu(IV) and U(VI) by a combination of a direct electrode reaction and a secondary chemical reaction proceeding concurrently, and secondly, a coulometric reduction at 0.33 V of Pu(IV) to Pu(III), leaving uranium as U(VI). The determination is carried out in a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids, and Ti(III) is used to reduce plutonium and uranium to Pu(III) and U(IV) before electrolysis. The precision (3sigma) of Pu:U ratio results obtained from mixtures containing about 30% and 2% plutonium was 0.5% and 1-5% respectively. The effect of experimental variables on the time taken to complete the coulometric determination is discussed.     

Influence of a photochemical reaction on the controlled potential coulometric determination of plutonium in a mixture with uranium

Summary Data are provided in support of a photochemical reaction which takes place simultaneously with the electrochemical reduction of quadrivalent plutonium during the controlled potential coulometric determination of plutonium in a mixture with uranium. The interfering effect of this reaction is overcome by placing the cell in a dark environment.

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Einfluß einer photochemischen Reaktion auf die coulometrische Plutoniumbestimmung neben Uran bei kontrolliertem Potential

Zusammenfassung Es wurde festgestellt, daß bei dieser Bestimmung eine photochemische Reaktion gleichzeitig mit der elektrochemischen Reduktion des vierwertigen Plutoniums abläuft. Experimentelle Beweise werden angeführt. Die Störung kann vermieden werden, wenn die coulometrische Titration im Dunkeln durchgeführt wird.

We wish to thank Mr. R. Batchelor for his interest in this work and Mr. V. Verdingh for his critical comments when drafting this report.     

Precise coulometric determination of uranium,plutonium and americium-application to small samples

Summary Isotopic dilution followed by mass spectrometry is currently used for the determination of microquantities of actinides, but for this method it is necessary to prepare certified solutions of isotopic diluents. The isotopes used are very expensive and often available only in small quantities. New methods have been developed for the accurate and precise determination of small amounts of uranium, plutonium and americium. By using controlled-potential coulometry 0.5eq of uranium and plutonium can be determined with a precision of 0.1% (coefficient of variation). For americium a constant-current coulometric titration allows the determination of 1eq with a precision of 0.3%. The equipment, coulometric cells and procedures are described. The results obtained for standard materials and comparisons with results from other analytical methods are given.

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Genaue coulometrische Bestimmung von Uran, Plutonium and Americium; Anwendung auf kleine Proben

Zusammenfassung Isotopenverdünnung und nachfolgende Massenspektrometrie werden laufend für die Bestimmung kleiner Mengen von Actiniden verwendet; dazu ist es aber notwendig, genaue Lösungen von Isotopen zur Verdünnung herzustellen. Die dazu verwendeten Isotopen sind sehr teuer und oft nur in sehr kleinen Mengen zu haben. Für die genaue Bestimmung kleiner Mengen Uran, Plutonium und Americium wurden neue Methoden ausgearbeitet. Unter Verwendung der potential-kontrollierten Coulometrie lassen sich 0,5eq Uran und Plutonium mit einer Genauigkeit von 0,1% (Variations-Koeffizient) bestimmen. Gleichstromcoulometrische Titration ermöglicht die Bestimmung von 1eq Americium mit einer Genauigkeit von 0,3%. Einrichtung samt coulometrischer Zellen und Arbeitsweise wurden beschrieben. Die mit Standardproben erzielten Resultate wurden mit den Ergebnissen anderer Verfahren verglichen.

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Presented at the 8th International Microchemical Symposium, Graz, August 25–30, 1980.     

Coulometric determination of uranium in presence of iron/plutonium using a platinum working electrode

A controlled potential coulometric method for the determination of uranium in the presence of iron or plutonium using a platinum working electrode has been developed. The method consists of reduction of uranium in 8M H₂SO₄ by Ti(III) followed by destruction of excess Ti(III) and selective oxidation of Fe(II) or Pu(III) to Fe(III) or Pu(IV), respectively, by sodium nitrite. The U(IV) is subsequently determined by electrolytic oxidation at Pt electrode using Fe(III) as an intermediate. The method was employed for the determination of uranium in synthetic mixtures of U+Fe and U+Pu containing varying ratios of U/Fe or U/Pu. The precision obtained for uranium results was ±0.25%.     

Coulometric determination of uranium and iron or plutonium in a single aliquot using platinum working electrode

A controlled potential coulometric method developed earlier for the determination of uranium in the presence of iron or plutonium using platinum working electrode was extended for individual determination of uranium and iron or plutonium in single aliquot. After uranium determination, Fe(III) or Pu(IV) in the aliquot is reduced electrolytically to Fe(II) or Pu(III) and subsequently determined by electrolytic oxidation to Fe(III) or Pu(IV), respectively. Analysis of synthetic solutions indicated that the values for uranium, iron and plutonium obtained by this method are reproducible within±0.2% and are in good agreement with values obtained using conventional redox methods 1, 2.     

Controlled potential coulometric technique for the determination of thorium

A method based on controlled potential coulometry has been developed for the determination of thorium, using mercury as a working electrode. A known amount of EDTA is titrated coulometrically in the absence and in the presence of thorium. The difference in Coulombs obtained in these two titrations corresponds to the amount of thorium present in the aliquot. 0.5M sodium acetate has been used as a supporting electrolyte. Precision for thorium determination in the range of 4–8 mg is found to be better than ±0.2%.     

Electrodeposition and determination of nano-scale uranium and plutonium using alpha-spectroscopy

Summary A simple method was used to design and set up an electrodeposition device for the alpha-emitting nuclides. The designed electroplating facility is leak proof and simple in operation and dismantled. The effect of current, pH of electrolyte, and the plating time on the electrodeposition efficiency have been investigated in a sodium bisulphate, sulphuric acid electrolyte in order to determine the optimum conditions. It was shown that a current of 900-1000 mA, plating time of 80-90 minutes and pH range of 2-2.3 are the best conditions for deposition of nano-scale uranium and plutonium. In these circumstances, it was possible to deposit 0.004 ng ^. g^-1 Pu and 60 ng ^. g^-1 U in an electroplating planchette. The device and modified procedures were successfully applied for soil samples. Prior to electrodeposition of the elements, a column extraction chromatography has been used to separate the Pu and U and eliminate most matrix and interferences in environmental samples.     

Problems of plutonium and uranium determination

The experience with the determination of plutonium and uranium in the samples of nuclear fuel obtained during a 10-years period of the activity of the Central Control Laboratory of the Nuclear Research Institute at e is evaluated. The paper describes the principles of the methods used and the reproducibilities and accuracies of the results obtained with the aid of the titrimetric methods used for the determination of plutonium and uranium.     

Individual determination of uranium and plutonium in a single aliquot

Studies on the individual potentiometric determination of uranium and plutonium in a single aliquot have been initiated recently in our laboratory. It was required to adapt the reported procedures (for the precise determination of uranium and plutonium individually when present together in a sample) at various stages to make them suitable for the successive application of the procedures to the same aliquot. Two alternative schemes are proposed in the present work. In the first, plutonium is determined by HClO₄ oxidation followed by the determination of total uranium and plutonium by Zn(Hg) reduction. In the second, plutonium is determined by AgO oxidation following the determination of total uranium and plutonium by Zn(Hg) reduction. Amount of uranium is computed in both cases from the difference of two determinations. Precision for the assay of plutonium and uranium was found to be ±0.25% and ±0.35%, respectively, at milligram levels.     

Constant-current coulometric determination of uranium in the pure metal

A new method is proposed for the highly precise and accurate constant-current coulometry of uranium in high-purity uranium. Precisely weighed amounts of uranium and pure iron are dissolved in 7 M sulfuric acid containing some hydrogen peroxide (40% $\text{v}\text{v}$). The solution is quantitatively transferred to the coulometric cell by rinsing with 1 M H₂SO₄, saturated with cerium(III) sulfate. The first step is the quantitative electro-chemical reduction to U(IV), Fe(II) and Ce(III) on a gold gauze electrode at constant current (100 mA) until evolution of hydrogen is observed. The hydrogen is then removed by flushing the solution with very pure nitrogen until the potential of a platinum gauze electrode reaches a constant value. Oxidation on the gold gauze electrode is carried out under precisely controlled constant current; after the quantitative oxidation of U(IV) to U(VI) and Fe(II) to Fe(III), and crossing the end-point, this end-point is determined very precisely potentiometrically through back-titration by successive current injections of 10 mA during 1 s. The method was tested on a NBS reference material, uranium (NBS 960).     

Voltamperometric determination of uranium and plutonium in alkaline solutions

The simultaneous determination of U(VI), Pu(VI), Pu(V) in 0.5–4.0 M NaOH has been elaborated by means of classical and differential pulse voltamperometry. U(VI) is determined with a dropping mercury electrode (DME) at the half-wave potential of E_1/2=–0.89 V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode due to reduction to U(V). The limiting current or peak heights are proportional to uranium(VI) concentration in the range of 1.3.10^–7–3·10^–4 M U(VI). Deviation from proportionality is observed for higher concentrations due to polymerization of uranates. Pu(VI) and Pu(V) are determined with a platinum rotating electrode at E_1/2=–0.02 V due to the reaction Pu(VI)+e^–»Pu(V) and with DME at E_1/2=–1.1 V due to the reduction to Pu(III). The limiting currents of both Pu(VI) and Pu(V) are proportional to their concentrations in the range of 4·10^–6–1.2·10^–3 M Pu. The determination of U(VI), Pu(VI), Pu(V) is not interfered by the presence of the following salts: 2M NaNO₃, 2M NaNO₂, 1.5M NaAlO₂, 0.5M NaF and ions of Mo(VI), W(VI), V(V), Cu(II). The presence of CrO ₄ ^2– and FeO ₂ ^– ions disturbs the determination of U(VI) in 1–4M NaOH, however, contribution of the reaction Fe(III)+e^–»Fe(II) to uranium reduction peak can be calculated from the height of the second peak Fe(II)+2 e^–»Fe(0).     

Estimation of cysteine and cystine at mercury pool electrode

Zusammenfassung Zum Ausgleich der starken Sogdifferenzen bei Wasserstrahlpumpen als Folge erheblich schwankender Wasserdrucke wird eine automatisch arbeitende Unterdruckregulierung beschrieben. Der dadurch erzielte konstante Nutzsog kommt im Laboratorium all den, Versuchsanordnungen zugute, die einen konstanten Unterdruck benötigen.     

Effect of plutonium on the potentiometric determination of uranium

Effect of the presence of plutonium on the determination of uranium by potentiometric method has been studied. The presence of large quantities of plutonium does not appear to affect the determination of uranium present at 5 mg as well as 250 mg levels.