Validation of analytical methods for nuclear spent fuel reprocessing

• We produced a plutonium Reference Material certified for its isotopic composition.
• A new statistical approach, Excess Variance, has been used for the certification.
• The n(242Pu)/n(Pu) atomic ratio is 0.985459 ± 0.000052.
• We organized an interlaboratory comparison for DMDOHEMA analysis method validation.
• The DMDOHEMA measurement uncertainty is around 10%.

For more than 50 years, CETAMA, the Commission for establishment of analytical methods from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, has provided Certified Reference Materials and Interlaboratory Comparisons for the development and validation of analytical methods in the nuclear field. In the future, the nuclear spent fuel reprocessing industry will require new standards and methods to comply with high content plutonium fuel and new extraction solvents. These standards and methods will have to be fully validated in order to ensure the quality of the analytical results obtained by the laboratories.In this context, a new 242Pu reference material, certified for its isotopic composition, has been recently produced. A novel statistical approach for data processing has been used and has led to a certified value of 0.985459 ± 0.000052 for the n(242Pu)/n(Pu) atomic ratio. In addition, an interlaboratory comparison has also been organized for the validation of a method for the analysis of DMDOHEMA, and its degradation products. This compound is considered as a new extractant candidate in the frame of separation processes for transmutation of long-lived radionuclides. The methodology and results obtained in both cases are presented.