Mixed Fission Products

Proficiency Test Samples and Calibrated Standards

Eckert & Ziegler Analytics (EZA) has a well-established cross check program that provides a wide range of radioactive proficiency test samples for environmental and effluent monitoring on a quarterly basis. We now prepare fresh uranium fission products in a variety of sample types to support work in research, global fall-out monitoring, emergency preparedness and proficiency testing.

  • The fresh fission product mixture is produced from irradiation of ‘Natural Uranium’ or ‘Enriched Uranium’ with thermal neutrons.
  • The analysis of this fission mixture provides a challenging and valuable tool for training and proficiency testing.  Our fission mixture (FM) contains the same array of radionuclides as expected in post-accident samples.
  • It contains over 18 isotopes with reasonable half-lives – Table 1.
  • As a proficiency test option, our customers will be required to quantify 13 nuclides as listed in Table 2.
  • Nuclides with very short half-lives like I-132 and Tc-99m are decay products with their parent nuclides present in the mixture. If required, activation products like Co-60 can be added.
  • At the time of delivery the activities of all nuclides will be well above background levels.
  • With liquid fission mixture samples, laboratories can test  their ability to handle samples prior to their analysis.  There are several variables including sample containers, solution preservation and storage conditions that can alter the analytical results significantly.
  • Analysis of fission samples will help laboratories improve their performance and proficiency in gamma spectrometry analysis.  This nuclide mixture has been successfully used internationally in government supported proficiency testing programs.
  • EZA is committed to working with our customers, providing high quality feedback.
  • FM samples can be provided as liquid samples, filters, simulated filters, soil, vegetation, and charcoal cartridges.

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Table 1: List of significant nuclides present in the FM

Nuclide

T 1/2

Nuclide

T 1/2

 

2,75 d

Te-132

3,26 d

Tc-99m

6,02 h

Cs-134

2,06 y

Nb-95

35,2 d

Cs-137

30,0 y

Zr-95

63,98 d

Ba-140

12,74 d

Ru-103

39,4 d

La-140

1,68 d

Ru-106

1,01 y

Ce-141

32,5 d

Sb-125

2,73 y

Ce-143

33,0 h

I-131

8,04 d

Ce-144

284,9 d

I-132

2,29 h

Nd-147

11,0 d

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Table 2: List of nuclides to be quantified

Nuclide

T 1/2

Nuclide

T 1/2

Zr-95

63,98 d

Cs-137

30,0 y

Nb-95

35,2 d

Ba-140

12,74 d

Mo-99

2,75 d

La-140

1,68 d

Tc-99m

6,02 h

Ce-141

32,5 d

Ru-103

39,4 d

Ce-144

284,9 d

Te-132

3,26 d

Nd-147

11,0 d

I-132

2,29 h

 

 

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We offer the following fission mixture products:

1. Solutions

2. Filter

3. Compressed Filter

4. Soil and Vegetation

Proficiency Test (PT)samples and calibratedstandards, NIST traceable

Proficiency Test (PT)samples and calibratedstandards, NIST traceable

Proficiency Test (PT)samples and calibratedstandards, NIST traceable

Proficiency Test (PT)samples and calibratedstandards, NIST traceable

Acidified solutions 47 mm diameter, tapeon tape, active diameter45 mm a. 50 mm diameter x    6 mm height Activity range 20 kBq – 200 kBq total activity

nominal 5 ml, 10 ml, 20 ml

and 30 ml

Other dimensions,up 100 mm diameter,are available

b. 70 mm diameter x    6 mm height

The calibrated nuclidesare listed in Table 2.

Activity range 20 kBq -200 kBq total activity

Activity range 20 kBq – 200 kBq total activity

Activity range 20 kBq – 200 kBq total activity

The calibrated nuclidesare listed in Table 2.

The calibrated nuclidesare listed in Table 2.

The calibrated nuclidesare listed in Table 2.

Batches are scheduled for July and October 2017 and January and April 2018 depending on demand. Please contact us for details and to discuss your specific requirements.

Back to overview – Inter-Laboratory Cross-Check Programs