Volume 62 (2017): Issue 3 (September 2017)

Two new group separation schemes, based on ion exchange chromatography, for the selective and quantitative isolation of rare earth elements (REE) from accompanying elements, were devised. After checking their performance with the aid of radioactive tracers, the schemes were further used together with ICP-MS, NAA and ion exchange chromatography for the determination of Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu in two certified reference materials (CRMs). The results were compared with another series of analyses, where the REEs were determined directly, i.e. without pre-separation, by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It was demonstrated that while direct INAA and ICP-MS in most instances provide reliable results for the majority of REEs, for some elements, notably Sc, Yb and Tm in the cases of ICP-MS and INAA, respectively, systematic errors occur or may potentially occur.

The article describes studies on the separation of uranium from acid pregnant leach solutions obtained from Polish uranium ores: dictyonema shales and sandstone rocks. Ion exchange chromatography was applied for uranium sorption, using commercially available, strongly basic anion exchanger, Dowex 1. In model experiments, the influence of degree of crosslinking of Dowex 1 on the efficiency of uranium extraction was investigated. The effect of H₂SO₄ concentration on the breakthrough curve of uranyl ions for the Dowex 1 resins, of different crosslinking: X4, X8 and X10, was examined. Unexpectedly high increase of exchange capacity of uranium was observed in case of Dowex 1X10. This gives potential opportunity of improving the effectiveness of uranium recovery process. Applying column packed with Dowex 1X10, ‘yellow cake’ with ca. 92% yield and high purity of recovered uranium was obtained. A block diagram of the procedure for uranium and lanthanides extraction from acidic leach liquor has been proposed.

LaBr₃:Ce,CeBr₃ and GAGG:Ce scintillators were investigated and the determined characteristics were compared with those obtained for the well-known and widely used CsI:Tl and NaI:Tl crystals. All the detectors were of the same size of 10 × 10 × 5 mm³. The aim of this test study was to single out scintillation detectors most suitable for γ-ray spectrometry and γ-ray emission radial profile measurements in high-temperature plasma experiments. Decay time, energy resolution, non-proportionality and full energy peak detection efficiency ere measured for γ-ray energies up to 1770 keV. Due to their good energy resolution, short decay time and high detection efficiency for MeV gamma rays, LaBr₃:Ce and CeBr₃ scintillators are proposed as the best candidates for use especially under conditions of high count rates, which are expected in the forthcoming DT experiments.

The paper contains a description of a method for the analysis of the complex alpha spectra generated during the measurement of the activity of filters outside of a vacuum chamber under environmental conditions. The peaks corresponding to the energies of alpha particles emitted by the specific isotopes are particularly large on the low-energy side of the peak maximum, and the energy resolution strongly depended on the applied filters. The analysis was based on the non-linear regression to a function designed for four, six and eight parameters. Satisfactory results were obtained for each of these functions, and the best-fitting results were achieved for the eight-parameter function. In addition, the uncertainties related to the estimated parameters, as well as the signals corresponding to functions that describe the shape of the energy peak, have been evaluated. There are also examples of the implementation of the method with respect to short-lived radon progeny and thoron decay products.

Theoretical study of NO_x removal from humid air by a hybrid system (catalyst combined with electron beam) was carried out. The purpose of this work is to study the possibility to decrease energy consumption for NO_x removal. The kinetics of radiation catalytic oxidation of NO on the catalyst TiO₂ surface under electron beam irradiation was elaborated. Program Scilab 5.3.0 was used for numerical simulations. Influential parameters such as inlet NO concentration, dose, gas fl ow rate, water concentration and catalyst contents that can affect NO_x removal efficiency were studied. The results of calculation show that the removal efficiency of NO_x might be increased by 8-16% with the presence of a catalyst in the gas irradiated field.