Abstract
90Sr determination in radioactive waste is currently supported by Eichrom™ Sr-spec concentration columns. This research was aimed at finding a faster and easier technique, leading to identical results. It was chosen to make use of the 3M Empore™ membranes.It was deliberatly decided not to follow RP515 procedure (US Department of Energy).90Y will be counted by liquid scintillation after EDTA elution. Official accreditation needs to verify every validation test.Information concerning the specificity of the membranes has been reviewed. Uncertainty calculation of the activity, as well as the detection limit, are described. The enlarged uncertainty (k= 2) reaches to about 10% for a90Sr activity of 2Bq/L. The detection limit obtained with this procedure reaches to about 50mBq/L for a sample of 0.5L and a 10h counting time. A selectivity test detects the possibility of89Sr presence which could disturb the90Sr determination. Robustness of the method is mainly assured by the use of a tracer (85Sr as in RP515). The analysis of non aqueous biological samples has been carried out for accuracy. It required an adaptation of the preparation process. Linearity was tested on a range from 0 to 18.5Bq/L90Sr. The results of 38 routine samples obtained by the Empore™ Sr Rad Disks were compared with those obtained by the Eichrom Sr-spec columns protocol. This comparison showed a good correlation between the two techniques.
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