Review on separation and determination of 63Ni in solid wastes and liquid effluents from nuclear power plants
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2025.01.023
- VernacularTitle:核动力厂固体废物和液态流出物中63Ni的分离与测定综述
- Author:
Mengyu FU
1
;
Xinjie GUO
1
;
Xuqin ZHANG
1
;
Junwu TANG
2
;
Yongshi XU
1
;
Hongshen DING
1
Author Information
1. Shandong Nuclear and Radiation Safety Monitoring Center, Jinan 250117 China.
2. Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237 China.
- Publication Type:ReviewArticles
- Keywords:
63Ni;
Solid waste;
Liquid effluent;
Extraction chromatography;
Liquid scintillation counting
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2025;34(1):142-148
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
63Ni is predominantly generated through neutron activation in nuclear reactors and is classified as a pure beta-emitting radionuclide with a half-life of 101.1 a. During decay, 63Ni emits a beta ray with an energy of 65.87 keV. 63Ni can be used in the manufacture of beta radiation sources, which are utilized as reference and working sources for beta activity measurement and beta energy response calibration. Additionally, it is used in electron capture detectors for chromatography, ionization sources in electron tubes, and electron capture probes in gas chromatography. These instruments have extensive applications in food safety, public health and epidemic prevention, soil pollution monitoring, and security. 63Ni is an artificial radionuclide not commonly found in the natural environment under normal conditions. However, the 63Ni generated during routine operations of nuclear power plants, as well as residual materials and wastes contaminated with 63Ni during plant decommissioning, may be released into the environment through liquid effluents or solid wastes. This can pose potential radiation risks to both the public and the environment. Hence, it is necessary to monitor the activity concentration of 63Ni. Currently, reports on this subject are limited in China, and there is a lack of established standards for the determination of 63Ni in nuclear power plants. This article reviews the global literature on the pretreatment and purification measurement processes of 63Ni. The merits and demerits are summarized for pretreatment methods such as acid leaching, mixed acid digestion, ashing acid leaching/dissolution, and alkali fusion, and for separation and purification methods like solvent extraction, precipitation, and extraction chromatography. The article also highlights the advantages of measurement using liquid scintillation counters. This review provides a reference for the establishment of the determination method of 63Ni in liquid effluents and solid wastes from nuclear power plants.
