There are several radioactive cesium isotopes in existence that originate from nuclear reactions. Such radioactive cesium isotopes are not used by Cabot for production of cesium formate brine. All cesium-based salts and brines manufactured by Cabot Specialty Fluids originate from naturally occurring pollucite ore, which exclusively contains the stable ¹³³Cs isotope. On the other hand, potassium formate, like all other potassium substances containing potassium, has a certain level of the naturally occurring radioactive isotope, ⁴⁰K. In order to assure all users of oilfield grade cesium and potassium formate brines that these fluids are free of any radioactive isotopes above naturally occurring levels, Cabot Specialty Fluids contracted two specialist laboratories to run radioactivity detection tests on standard samples of cesium and potassium formate used by the oilfield. The results of these tests are presented in this section of the manual. Measurements include gamma spectroscopy for several samples of cesium and potassium formate brines and gamma activities and total alpha / beta / gamma activity for a cesium formate brine.

 

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