Radioactive sources adapted to the calibration of your monitors
We adapted our sources to the calibration / checking of your monitors and place our know-how at your disposal to take into account your particular specifications.
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Radiation monitoring systems are used in nuclear facilities to measure the radioactivity, if any, from liquid or gaseous effluents which are continuously generated by nuclear facilities.
Radioactivity in the air or inside radiological control areas of NPP is also monitored to ensure that workers are not exposed to internal contamination during one-off maintenance operations or in dismantling facilities for example. This monitoring is made with fixed or mobile aerosol monitors. They are mostly configured and put into service by radiation protection experts, in and around nuclear facilities when there is a risk of contamination.
The calibration and the periodical check of these monitors are key for the workers’ safety. These calibration and periodical check are made with the aid of radioactive sources which differ according to types and models of the equipment manufacturers and particular specifications.
To meet the monitor's calibration and periodical check requirements and depending on the different manufacturers, LEA (Laboratoire D'Etalons d'Activité) has adapted (activity and geometry wise) the sources according to the type of monitors and propose a large catalogue of α et β sources.
To realize your tailor-made sources based on your need, an internal study is initiated to validate:
- The production feasibility (manufacturing and measurement) of the source in accordance with the scope of LEA’s license,
- The possibility to issue a calibration certificate under COFRAC* accreditation,
- The level of uncertainty of the measurement,
- The type of packaging and associated transport,
Or we will suggest a catalog source close to your desired specification.
(*)COFRAC accreditation for ionizing radiation calibration, accreditation n° 2-6386, scope available at www.cofrac.frFor fixed aerosol monitors such as MIRION ICAMTM, LEA designed “card sources”, fixed to a support specially adapted to the measurement geometry of the monitor.
Common radionuclides are:
- 239Pu, 241Am: from 0.003 µCi (100 Bq) to 0.03 µCi (1 kBq)
- 14C, 60Co, 90Sr/Y, 137Cs, 147Pm: from 0.01 µCi (500Bq) to 0.1µCi (4 kBq)
For mobile aerosol monitors such as ABPM (©MIRION), LEA designed “needle sources”, which are periodically inserted into a housing provided for this purpose in the monitor. Radionuclides used are 137Cs and 239Pu of low activity (a few µCi).
For mobile aerosol monitors such as EDGAR (© CEA), LEA designed “drawer sources”, which are fixed on the monitor and remain permanently in place.
In routine operation, the drawer is closed (the tray is retracted, shielding against the flow of alpha particles generated by the source).
It is opened when periodic verifications of the monitors are performed.
Radionuclides used are 233U and 239Pu of low activity (a few µCi).For more than 20 years, beyond the catalog references LEA has been designing tailor-made sources suited to a specific need.
LEA it is more than 50 handled radionuclides, more than 600 catalog references and more than 40 000 sources sold since 1999.
Jacky Brenière, Source Manager, at Orano Tricastin, testifies about his LEA’s experience: “Testimony to come”.
In respect of LEA license granted by the French Authority those tailor-made sources solutions allow you:
- To modify the activity of our reference standards
- To adapt different geometries to meet the requirements of your devices
- To test a new matrix
- To create a standard for your new equipment
- To receive advice from our R&D and Method Departments to meet your specific needs
- The design and the purchase of dedicated supports or specific components by LEA
The milestones of these tailor-made sources realization will be shared with you and in some cases the proposed solution will be tested with you, at your facility or at LEA, in order to always ensure that we meet your requirements.
