TY - GEN
T1 - In-house re-calibration method of Plutonium-236 by radiochemical analysis and alpha spectrometry
AU - Alboloushi, Aishah
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Author(s).
PY - 2020/12/3
Y1 - 2020/12/3
N2 - The accuracy and precision of a radiotracer's activity concentration is essential in obtaining credible and sustainable analytical data. This study illustrated the in-house re-calibration method of an unknown Plutonium-236 (236Pu) solution by radiochemical analysis and alpha spectrometry that have been completed in our laboratory. The objective of this study was to recalibrate and determine the accurate activity of the unknown radioactive solution, which was a challenging task for five years experienced radiation measurement laboratory (RML). Six non-sustained consecutive test points data were below 3σ in the weekly quality control chart of 236Pu blank samples. The cause and effect tool was implemented to investigate the discrepancy in data by evaluating several parameters. The tracer was the most probable parameter that needed to be verified due to some uncontrolled laboratory and vial storage conditions. It was assumed that radioactive hot particles could be formed, producing a concentric fraction of Plutonium in the unknown 236Pu solution. Therefore, the recalibration of the unknown 236Pu activity concentration solution was proposed and implemented. To confirm this observation, triple blank samples underwent a radiochemical analysis, and they were found to be less than the certified value. The verified recalibration method was approached through a full radiochemical pre-preparation (triple full digestions, triple purifications). Then, a certified Plutonium-242 reference (242Pu) was used as across calibration source, and measurements were done using spectrometry measurements. The average of the recalibrated values and the associated uncertainties were estimated to be 0.632 ±0.024 in the 236Pu solution. The new verified concentration value was validated with the analysis of two different International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), and the obtained results were found to be in good agreement with the IAEA certified values. Therefore, the method used to recalibrate the activity concentration was successful and it can be implemented for recalibrating unknown activity sources in the future. The newly derived 236Pu activity concentration can be used as a verified radiotracer for future plutonium radioisotopes analytical applications. Conclusively, professional and decent practice of radio analytical laboratories should be conducted following quality management systems.
AB - The accuracy and precision of a radiotracer's activity concentration is essential in obtaining credible and sustainable analytical data. This study illustrated the in-house re-calibration method of an unknown Plutonium-236 (236Pu) solution by radiochemical analysis and alpha spectrometry that have been completed in our laboratory. The objective of this study was to recalibrate and determine the accurate activity of the unknown radioactive solution, which was a challenging task for five years experienced radiation measurement laboratory (RML). Six non-sustained consecutive test points data were below 3σ in the weekly quality control chart of 236Pu blank samples. The cause and effect tool was implemented to investigate the discrepancy in data by evaluating several parameters. The tracer was the most probable parameter that needed to be verified due to some uncontrolled laboratory and vial storage conditions. It was assumed that radioactive hot particles could be formed, producing a concentric fraction of Plutonium in the unknown 236Pu solution. Therefore, the recalibration of the unknown 236Pu activity concentration solution was proposed and implemented. To confirm this observation, triple blank samples underwent a radiochemical analysis, and they were found to be less than the certified value. The verified recalibration method was approached through a full radiochemical pre-preparation (triple full digestions, triple purifications). Then, a certified Plutonium-242 reference (242Pu) was used as across calibration source, and measurements were done using spectrometry measurements. The average of the recalibrated values and the associated uncertainties were estimated to be 0.632 ±0.024 in the 236Pu solution. The new verified concentration value was validated with the analysis of two different International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), and the obtained results were found to be in good agreement with the IAEA certified values. Therefore, the method used to recalibrate the activity concentration was successful and it can be implemented for recalibrating unknown activity sources in the future. The newly derived 236Pu activity concentration can be used as a verified radiotracer for future plutonium radioisotopes analytical applications. Conclusively, professional and decent practice of radio analytical laboratories should be conducted following quality management systems.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85097662513&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1063/5.0031534
DO - 10.1063/5.0031534
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85097662513
T3 - AIP Conference Proceedings
BT - Harnessing Isotopes for Improved Quality of Life
A2 - Kok, Kuan-Ying
A2 - Ng, Yen
A2 - Zin, Muhammad Rawi Muhamed
A2 - Mahmood, Zal U'yun Wan
A2 - Ahmad, Zaiton
A2 - Idris, Faridah Mohamad
A2 - Mahmoud, Mahdi Ezwan
A2 - Sipaun, Susan Maria
A2 - Talib, Marina
A2 - Leo, Kwee-Wah
A2 - Hak, Cik Rohaida Che
A2 - Mohamed, Nor Hasimah
A2 - Murshidi, Julie Andrianny
A2 - Wee, Boon-Siong
PB - American Institute of Physics Inc.
T2 - 10th International Conference on Isotopes: Harnessing Isotopes for Improved Quality of Life, ICI 2020
Y2 - 3 February 2020 through 7 February 2020
ER -