Radionuclides measurements using Raman spectrometers for the analysis of advanced nuclear reprocessing

The accurate measurement of radionuclides through advanced analytical techniques is essential for ensuring the safety and efficiency of nuclear fuel reprocessing. This study presents the use of different Raman spectrometers to analyze the fluorescence of lanthanide elements such as Neodymium and Europium. By employing Raman spectrometers with different excitation wavelengths (532 nm and 785 nm), the detection and quantification of the fluorescence peaks of Nd³⁺ and Eu³⁺ were achieved in both organic and aqueous phases. This method provides a fast and effective way to monitor the behavior of these elements in various reprocessing conditions, simulating the co-extraction step of an extraction process involving TODGA under both normal operation conditions and simulated maloperation conditions. The findings demonstrate the potential of Raman spectrometers as a powerful tool for the non-invasive and real-time analysis of key components in nuclear fuel management.