Proficiency Testing for the Evaluation of the Quality of Analytical Results in the Nuclear Industry

Abstract

To evaluate the quality of analytical results in the nuclear industry, we participated in proficiency testing, called EQRAIN trace elements No. 17, which was held under the auspices of the commission for the establishment of analysis methods. The concentrations of 15 elements (Cd, Ni, Eu, As, Fe, U, Sm, Li, Nd, Zr, Pb, Cr, Al, B and Ca) were determined by ICP-AES. Although standard solutions on a volume basis were prepared for a calibration curve, the density of the mother standard solution was not used to calculate the concentration of the standard diluted solution. Based on preliminary tests, the analytical results with a background correction were more accurate than those without background correction. To obtain accurate and reproducible analytical results, an analysis was performed in triplicate using a two-point calibration on five different dates. The relative variations of all elements except Zr were within less than ± 2 %. However, as the relative variation of Zr was incompatible at 3.6 %, the content of Zr will be measured using a high-performance ICP-AES.