Development of a separation method for molybdenum from zirconium, niobium, and major elements of rubble samples

Shimada, Asako ; Ozawa, Mayumi ; Yabuki, Koshi*; Kimiyama, Kazuhiro; Sato, Kenji; Kameo, Yutaka 

In order to analyze Mo in rubble samples from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, a separation method for Mo from Zr, Nb, and the other major elements of the rubble samples was developed. Firstly, loss of Mo during the digestion of simulated rubble samples was evaluated. Next, weight distribution coefficients ('s) of Zr, Nb, and Mo between an extraction chromatographic resin (TEtra VAlent actinide resin, TEVA resin) and acid solutions (HF-HCl and HF-HNO solutions) were determined to obtain suitable solution conditions for the separation of Mo from Zr and Nb. Based on the obtained 's, a chromatographic separation scheme was designed and applied to the digested solution of the simulated rubble sample.