Investigations of a waste simulate contaminated with Cs-137 in the context of real radioactive waste

Abstract

A key challenge in the treatment of radioactive waste is the representative analysis of inhomogeneous materials. Specifically, sampling as well as inhomogeneity have a high impact on results, making it difficult to characterize large material flows correctly in terms of their chemical and physical properties.Gamma spectroscopy of gravel artificially contaminated with 137Cs has shown unexpected deviating activity concentrations. Investigations into material properties, such as particle size, mineral composition or differences resulting from the contamination method, provide insights into the activity distribution within the material. Grinding proves to be the most reliable method for homogenizing samples when working with small amounts.Further analysis of real radioactive waste support the insights gained from the waste simulate. Furthermore, with regards to the diverse radionuclide inventory of real waste, the quantification of β-emitters was substantially improved. Chemical separation of radioisotopes is being investigated, however adapted spectrum analysis can partially achieve similarly accurate results.