Radiochemical analysis

Destructive chemical and radiochemical analysis of samples and materials

The Radiochemical Analysis expert group (RCA) at SCK•CEN is a multidisciplinary laboratory dedicated to being a centre of excellence in radiochemistry and in the destructive chemical and radiochemical analysis of samples and materials originating from the nuclear fuel cycle and from nuclear research.

The expert group consists of two units, Radiochemistry (RCH) and Instrumental Analysis (IAN). Both units are specialised in different analysis methods and deliver services to external clients and partners.

Radiochemistry unit

The Radiochemistry unit (RCH) specialises in:

• Radiochemical separations and sample preparation techniques
• Alpha and gamma spectrometry
• Gas mass spectrometry
• Pycnometry
• Porosimetry
• The treatment of liquid waste

The unit manages a complex infrastructure including:

• Radioanalytical and analytical instrumentation
• Chemical laboratories
• Chains of glove boxes
• Lead shielded cells allowing the chemical treatment and analysis of low to highly radioactive samples

Instrumental Analysis unit

The Instrumental Analysis unit (IAN) specialises in determining the composition and quantifying the trace impurities within radioactive and non-radioactive solid and liquid samples.

The unit manages a multidisciplinary set of equipment and technologies including:

• Spectrometric
• Chromatographic
• State-of-the-art mass spectrometric techniques

These capabilities permit the determination of elemental, isotopic and ionic species from the percent level down to the ppb range with relative uncertainties ≥ 0.2% depending on the abundance and the technique applied.

Contact: Gysemans Mireille