High-speed controlled-potential coulometry : Application to precise determination of plutonium

An electrolysis cell for high-speed controlled-potential coulometric analysis with conventional magnetic stirring is described. The factors influencing the precision obtainable by this technique with platinum and gold electrodes are discussed with particular reference to the oxidation of Pu(III) to Pu(IV) in 0.5 M sulphuric acid.     

A digital integrator for controlled-potential coulometry

Accurate electrolysis current integration is required in controlled-potential coulometry. Analog integrators have been shown to deviate from ideal response by as much as —0.1%. A digital integrator was designed to optimize the linearity of the voltage-to-frequency converter used, minimize the effects of temperature, eliminate integration errors caused by small polarity changes and signal noise, and allow interchangeability with an analog integrator in a state-of-the-art coulometer widely used throughout the nuclear field for controlled-potential coulometry. Evaluation of the digital integrator, calibrated versus the Faraday, showed bias-free determinations of plutonium with a relative standard deviation of approximately 0.02%. The integrator was designed specifically for use in the controlled-potential coulometric determination of plutonium, but many of the features incorporated can be adopted to digital integrators for other uses where accurate integration over long periods of time is required.     

Determination of water by controlled-potential coulometry

Summary A new electroanalytical approach, utilizing controlled-potential coulometry, for the determination of water has been devised. The proposed method involves the coulometric measurement of iodide produced by the stoichiometric reaction of water with Karl Fischer reagent and shows promise of providing a selective means of water estimation without prior chemical calibration.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Bestimmung von Wasser wird die Coulometrie bei kontrolliertem Potential vorgeschlagen. Das beschriebene Verfahren beruht auf der coulometrischen Bestimmung des Jodids, das bei der Reaktion von Wasser mit Karl-Fischer-Reagens entsteht. Die Methode ermöglicht eine selektive Wasserbestimmung ohne vorhergehende chemische Eichung.

     

Automated radiochemical procedure for plutonium and americium measurement

A radiochemical separation method for plutonium and americium from aqueous medium has been developed using a pre-packed resin column, a peristaltic pump, and the necessary tubing and valves for flow injection technique. All the radioanalytical operations were conducted in-line. Samples made of plutonium and americium tracers in water were analyzed by this technique and counted by alpha spectroscopy. The results show that plutonium and americium can be measured simultaneously using this technique.     

Accounting for bias in measurement uncertainty estimation

Generic issues and current approaches in the evaluation of bias studies with respect to estimation of measurement uncertainty are discussed, focusing on two main scenarios. In the first, for a within-laboratory assessment of a fully developed uncertainty budget, bias studies are carried out to verify the pre-established performance of a measurement procedure, and design corrective actions if necessary. In the second scenario, for an estimation of measurement uncertainty from within-laboratory validation data, bias studies are carried out to calibrate the whole measurement procedure and evaluate its performance, more specifically to estimate the uncertainty of measurement by combination of bias and precision estimates.

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Alpha liquid scintillation measurement of plutonium in solution spiked by236Pu

The liquid-liquid extraction method used with alpha liquid scintillation with rejection of -emission is strongly dependent of the nature of the aqueous solution containing actinides. We propose to measure plutonium quantitatively by its labelling with²³⁶Pu. Two procedures of quantitative extraction have been developed as well as the mathematical fit to obtain accurate results. The limits of detection have been determined for several counting times like for instance 0.2 pg/l after one day of acquisition time. We have applied both procedures successfully for the determination of plutonium in doped drinking water and in solid samples after dissolution.     

Accurate determination of plutonium by Controlled Potential Coulometry: uncertainty evaluation by the Monte Carlo Method approach

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The accurate determination of plutonium (Pu) mass fraction in nuclear materials is essential to nuclear matter accountancy and international...     

Separation of uranium and plutonium isotopes for measurement by multi collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy

Uranium (U) and plutonium (Pu) isotopes in coral soils, contaminated by nuclear weapons testing in the northern Marshall Islands, were isolated by ion-exchange chromatography and analyzed by mass spectrometry. The soil samples were spiked with ²³³U and ²⁴²Pu tracers, dissolved in minerals acids, and U and Pu isotopes isolated and purified on commercially available ion-exchange columns. The ion-exchange technique employed a TEVA^® column coupled to a UTEVA^® column. U and Pu isotope fractions were then further isolated using separate elution schemes, and the purified fractions containing U and Pu isotopes analyzed sequentially using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MCICP-MS). High precision measurements of ²³⁴U/²³⁵U, ²³⁸U/²³⁵U, ²³⁶U/²³⁵U, and ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu in soil samples were attained using the described methodology and instrumentation, and provide a basis for conducting more detailed assessments of the behavior and transfer of uranium and plutonium in the environment.     

Accuracy and uncertainty in radioactivity measurement for NAA

The basic assumptions of activation analysis are that the induced radioactivity is proportional to the amount of analyte, and that the quantity of radioactivity can be related simply to the number of counts observed. Quantitative measurement of activity (and of its uncertainty) is not always simple, especially when accuracy better than a few percent is sought. Recent work with ⁷⁷Ge and ⁷⁶As has demonstrated that the accuracy of half-lives in the literature is sometimes insufficient. Despite these and other problems, quantitative understanding and documentation of uncertainties can be accomplished, providing demonstrable quality assurance and supporting claims of traceability to the Système International.     

From GUM to alternative methods for measurement uncertainty evaluation

Since the advent of the Guide to the expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) in 1995 laying the principles of uncertainty evaluation numerous projects have been carried out to develop alternative practical methods that are easier to implement namely when it is impossible to model the measurement process for technical or economical aspects. In this paper, the author presents the recent evolution of measurement uncertainty evaluation methods. The evaluation of measurement uncertainty can be presented according to two axes based on intralaboratory and interlaboratory approaches. The intralaboratory approach includes “the modelling approach” (application of the procedure described in section 8 of the GUM, known as GUM uncertainty framework) and “the single laboratory validation approach”. The interlaboratory approaches are based on collaborative studies and they are respectively named “interlaboratory validation approach” and “proficiency testing approach”.     

Using target measurement uncertainty to determine fitness for purpose

The methods an analytical laboratory uses must be validated to be fit for purpose. The fitness for purpose of a quantitative method used to determine the concentration of a substance when assessing compliance to requirements can be described by the maximum measurement uncertainty. This is called the target measurement uncertainty. Acceptance criteria for precision and bias in the method validation are then established in terms of the target measurement uncertainty. The target measurement uncertainty can be decided by following a process which involves determining the required concentration range of the measurand; determining the acceptable level of risks of incorrect decisions of compliance; developing a suitable decision rule, with guard bands if appropriate; using the probability of making an incorrect decision of compliance based on the decision rule; and assessing the impact of bias. A key participant in this process is the end user of the data, the laboratory customer. This paper presents the concepts concerning target measurement uncertainty introduced in recently published international guidelines to the practicing analytical chemist who is not generally familiar with these concepts. Three examples are used to illustrate the process.     

Evaluation of measurement uncertainty for thermometers with calibration equations

The method recommended by Eurachem did not mention the effect of adequateness of calibration equations on the measurement uncertainty. In this work, the sources of measurement uncertainty for two types of thermometer were evaluated. Three calibration equations were adopted to compare its predictive performance. These sources of combined uncertainty include predicted values of calibration equation, nonlinearity and repeatability, reference source, and resolution source. The uncertainty analysis shows that the predicted uncertainly of calibration equations is the main source for two types of thermometer. No significant difference of the uncertainty was found between the classical method and the inverse method. However, the calculation procedure of the inverse method was simpler and easier than that of the classical method.     

Evaluation of the combined measurement uncertainty in isotope dilution by MC-ICP-MS

The combination of metrological weighing, the measurement of isotope amount ratios by a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) and the use of high-purity reference materials are the cornerstones to achieve improved results for the amount content of lead in wine by the reversed isotope dilution technique. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) and reversed IDMS have the potential to be a so-called primary method, with which close comparability and well-stated combined measurement uncertainties can be obtained.This work describes the detailed uncertainty budget determination using the ISO-GUM approach. The traces of lead in wine were separated from the matrix by ion exchange chromatography after HNO(3)/H(2)O(2) microwave digestion. The thallium isotope amount ratio ( n((205)Tl)/ n((203)Tl)) was used to correct for mass discrimination using an exponential model approach. The corrected lead isotope amount ratio n((206)Pb)/ n((208)Pb) for the isotopic standard SRM 981 measured in our laboratory was compared with ratio values considered to be the least uncertain. The result has been compared in a so-called pilot study "lead in wine" organised by the CCQM (Comité Consultatif pour la Quantité de Matière, BIPM, Paris; the highest measurement authority for analytical chemical measurements).The result for the lead amount content k(Pb) and the corresponding expanded uncertainty U given by our laboratory was:k(Pb)=1.329 x 10-10mol g-1 (amount content of lead in wine)U[k(Pb)]=1.0 x 10-12mol g-1 (expanded uncertainty U=kxuc, k=2)The uncertainty of the main influence parameter of the combined measurement uncertainty was determined to be the isotope amount ratio R(206,B) of the blend between the enriched spike and the sample.     

火焰原子吸收法测定土壤中铜的测量不确定度评定

根据GB／T17138-1997规定的测量步骤对土壤中的铜进行了测定,对影响测定结果的各不确定度来源进行了分析,并对一个样品的测定结果进行了不确定度评定。     

分析测试不确定度的评定与表示(Ⅰ)

就“不确定度”概念的来历和意义;基本术语;误差与不确定度;化学分析测量不确定度的来源;不确定度的评定;标准物质的不确定度;不确定度的评定实例等7个方面概述分析测试不确定度的评定与表示,介绍不确定度的基本知识与应用。     

Software support for the Nordtest method of measurement uncertainty evaluation

Software support for the Nordtest method of measurement uncertainty evaluation is described. According to the Nordtest approach, the combined measurement uncertainty is broken down into two main components??the within-laboratory reproducibility (intermediate precision) s _Rw and the uncertainty due to possible laboratory bias u(bias). Both of these can be conveniently estimated from validation and quality control data, thus significantly reducing the need for performing dedicated experiments for estimating detailed uncertainty contributions and thereby making uncertainty estimation easier for routine laboratories. An additional merit of this uncertainty estimation approach is that it reduces the danger of underestimating the uncertainty, which continues to be a problem at routine laboratories. The described software tool??MUkit (measurement uncertainty kit)??fully reflects the versatility of the Nordtest approach: it enables estimating the uncertainty components from different types of data, and the data can be imported using a variety of means such as different laboratory data systems and a dedicated web service as well as manual input. Prior to the development of the MUkit software, a laboratory survey was carried out to identify the needs of laboratories related to uncertainty estimation and other quality assurance procedures, as well as their needs for a practical tool for the calculation of measurement uncertainty.     

直读光谱法测量镁合金中锰含量的测量不确定度评定

根据GB/T13748.21-2009镁及镁合金化学分析方法(光电直读发射光谱分析方法测定元素含量)对镁合金中锰元素含量进行了分析,对锰含量测量的不确定度来源进行了分析,并对测量过程中产生的不确定度进行了评定.此外,指出了该方法影响锰元素测量不确定度的主要原因,以期为镁合金中锰元素含量的光谱分析提供参考.