APPLICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ION CHROMATOGRAPHY FOR THE ANALYSIS FOR ANALYSIS OF TRANSITION-METAL CATIONS IN THE PRIMARY COOLANTS OF LGHT WATER-REACTORS

This paper provides an overview of the application of ion chromatography for the analysis of nuclear power reactor coolants. It covers the development of sampling and on-line chromatography on operating plants in Europe for measuring soluble transition metals and, in particular, cobalt at part-per-trillion (ng/kg) levels. The results of the plant investigations are highlighted with respect to their importance in understanding factors influencing the minimisation of Occupational Radiation Exposure. Development of chemiluminescence as a post-column detection technique is also reported which has resulted in the ability to detect and measure one picogram of cobalt.