Radioanalytics – An Indispensable Tool for Radiological and Nuclear Safety

Authors

  • Dorothea Schumann Paul Scherrer Institut Villigen, Laboratory for Radiochemistry, Forschungsstrasse 111, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland;, Email: dorothea.schumann@psi.ch
  • Martin Heule Paul Scherrer Institut, Radioanalytics, Forschungsstrasse 111, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2020.995

PMID:

33357294

Keywords:

Measurement methods, Nuclear safety, Radioanalytics, Radiochemical separations, Radioprotection

Abstract

The exact knowledge on the inventory of a radioactive sample is a precondition to act appropriately in terms of nuclear safety. Radioanalytical methods aimed to determine the radionuclide content of activated material play therefore a central role regarding safe operation of nuclear installations, protection of personnel, inhabitants and environment as well as for the design and construction of new facilities. The article gives an overview on the broad variety of analysis and measurement methods, describes necessary chemical separation procedures and explains the impact for nuclear safety assessment in the field of radioanalytics at the Paul Scherrer Institut Villigen, Switzerland. It addresses both the safe routine operation of nuclear installations, which can be a challenge to our radiometric capabilities and refers to selected radioanalytical research projects.

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Published

2020-12-23