ASTM C1414-99

Standard Practice for the Separation of Americium from Plutonium by Ion Exchange

SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the use of an ion exchange technique to separate plutonium from solutions containing low concentrations of americium prior to measurement of the 241Am by gamma counting.
1.2 This practice covers the removal of plutonium, but not all the other radioactive isotopes that may interfere in the determination of 241Am.
1.3 This practice can be used when 241Am is to be determined in samples in which the plutonium is in the form of metal, oxide, or other solid provided that the solid is appropriately sampled and dissolved (See Test Methods C758, C759, and C1168).
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jan-2001
• ICS: 71.060.10 - Chemical elements
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM C1414-01 - Standard Practice for the Separation of Americium from Plutonium by Ion Exchange
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 1414 – 99
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Practice for
The Separation of Americium from Plutonium by Ion
1
Exchange
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1414; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Summary of Practice
1.1 This practice describes the use of an ion exchange 3.1 Plutonium if adsorbed from a nitric acid (HNO ) solu-
3
technique to separate plutonium from solutions containing low tion (8 M) onto an anion exchange resin. Under these condi-
concentrations of americium prior to measurement of tions, americium is not adsorbed onto the resin and may be
241
the Am by gamma counting. determined by gamma counting of the eluate using Test
1.2 This practice covers the removal of plutonium, but not Method C 1268.
all the other radioactive isotopes that may interfere in the
241
4. Significance and Use
determination of Am.
241
4.1 This practice is applicable when small amounts
1.3 This practice can be used when Am is to be deter-
241
mined in samples in which the plutonium is in the form of of Am are present in plutonium samples (see Test Methods
241
C 758 and C 759). An example is the determination of Am
metal, oxide, or other solid provided that the solid is appropri-
238 238
ately sampled and dissolved (See Test Methods C 758, C 759, in a Pu sample. The high specific activity of Pu presents
a safety hazard that precludes its presence in a counting
and C 1168).
238
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the facility. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the Pu prior to
241
the determination of Am.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.2 When a plutonium solution contains fission or activation
products, this practice does not separate all radionuclides that
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
241
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. interfere in the determination of Am, such as the rare earths.
5. Interferences
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 5.1 The presence of other gamma-ray emitting radionu-
241
clides similar in energy to Am or that interfere with gamma
C 758 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric,
241
Spectrochemical, Nuclear and Radiochemical Analysis of counting making the determination of Am less precise.
2
Since most radionuclides are adsorbed on the resin, but
Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Metal
C 759 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrochemical, americium is not, this practice will separate many elements that
241
would interfere with gamma counting of Am.
Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade
2
Plutonium Nitrate Solutions
6. Apparatus
C 1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Pluto-
2
6.1 Anion exchange resin column (100-200 mesh), contain-
nium Materials for Analysis
ing quaternary ammonium functional groups (basic resin-
C 1268 Test Method for the Quantitative Determination of
4
chloride ionic form).
Americium 241 in Plutonium by Gamma–Ray Spectrom-
2
6.2 Bottles, polyethylene, 30 mL.
etry
3
6.3 Sample beaker, 30 mL, borosilicate glass.
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
6.4 Hot plate.
7. Reagents
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals should be
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-26 on Nuclear
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
Test.
Current edition approved January 10, 1999. Published February 1999.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.01. Prefilled columns packed with AG 1-X8, available from Bio-Rad, Richmond,
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. CA, have been found to be acceptable.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C 1414
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on to room temperature and repeat the dissolution and evaporation
Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where once more before proceeding to 8.3.
5
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used, 8.3 Condition a prefilled anion exchange column by adding
provided that the reagent is first demonstrated to be of 3-5 mL of 8 M HNO and allow to drain. Discard the eluant.
3
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the 8.4 Position a clean 1 oz polyethylene bottle beneath the
accuracy of the determination. column to collect t
...