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.

 

Table 1: List of significant nuclides present in the FM

Nuclide T 1/2 Nuclide T 1/2
Mo-99 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

 

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

 

We offer the following fission mixture products:

1. Solutions 2. Filter 3. Compressed Filter 4. Soil and Vegetation
Proficiency Test (PT)
samples and calibrated
standards, NIST traceable
Proficiency Test (PT)
samples and calibrated
standards, NIST traceable
Proficiency Test (PT)
samples and calibrated
standards, NIST traceable
Proficiency Test (PT)
samples and calibrated
standards, NIST traceable
Acidified solutions 47 mm diameter, tape
on tape, active diameter
45 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 nuclides
are 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 nuclides
are listed in Table 2.
The calibrated nuclides
are listed in Table 2.
The calibrated nuclides
are listed in Table 2.

 

We completed our last irradiation in 2022. Please contact us for details and to discuss your specific requirements. You will be added to a list to notify you of our next irradiation.