ASTM C1415-18
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for 238Pu Isotopic Abundance By Alpha Spectrometry
Standard Test Method for <sup>238</sup>Pu Isotopic Abundance By Alpha Spectrometry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used when the determination of 238Pu isotopic abundance is required for plutonium samples.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the use of alpha spectrometry for determining the 238Pu isotopic abundance in plutonium samples. It is particularly useful for samples in which the 238Pu content is less than 1 % of the total plutonium content. For such samples, mass spectrometric results are vulnerable to bias because of potential interference from any 238U isobar remaining after ion exchange.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1415 − 18
Standard Test Method for
238 1
Pu Isotopic Abundance By Alpha Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1415; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope C1625 Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentra-
tions and Isotopic Abundances by Thermal Ionization
1.1 This test method covers the use of alpha spectrometry
238 Mass Spectrometry
for determining the Pu isotopic abundance in plutonium
238 C1672 Test Method for Determination of Uranium or Pluto-
samples.Itisparticularlyusefulforsamplesinwhichthe Pu
nium Isotopic Composition or Concentration by the Total
contentislessthan1 %ofthetotalplutoniumcontent.Forsuch
Evaporation Method Using a Thermal Ionization Mass
samples, mass spectrometric results are vulnerable to bias
238 Spectrometer
because of potential interference from any U isobar remain-
C1816 Practice for The Ion Exchange Separation of Small
ing after ion exchange.
Volume Samples Containing Uranium, Americium, and
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Plutonium Prior to Isotopic Abundance and Content
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
Analysis
only.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Except as otherwise defined herein, definitions of terms
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
are as given in Terminology C859.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Summary of Test Method
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 4.1 Thisdeterminationmethodinvolvesthemeasurementof
238 239 240
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- thealpha-activityratioof Puand Pu+ Pu.Theisotopic
238
analysis of plutonium for the Pu isotope requires the prior
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. separation of potentially interfering species. After dissolution
of the sample (see Practice C1168), the plutonium is separated
2. Referenced Documents
from interferences by purification techniques such as given in
2
this test method or in Practices C1411 or C1816.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C697 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and
4.2 In this test method, nitric acid (HNO ) is used to adsorb
3
Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium
theplutoniumfractionontheresin.Interferingions,principally
Dioxide Powders and Pellets
uranium and americium, are not adsorbed. The plutonium is
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
then eluted with dilute HNO (0.1 M).
3
C1168 PracticeforPreparationandDissolutionofPlutonium
4.3 Because an alpha-activity ratio is used, quantitative
Materials for Analysis
recovery of the plutonium is not required. The alpha spectrum
C1411 Practice for The Ion Exchange Separation of Ura-
in the 5 to 6-MeV region is obtained. The total counts in the
nium and Plutonium Prior to Isotopic Analysis
238 239 240
Pu and the Pu + Pu peaks are obtained and corrected
238
for background. The Pu abundance is calculated from the
238 239
ratio of the alpha activity due to Pu and that due to Pu +
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
240 239 240
Pu. The abundance of Pu and Pu is determined by
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
Test. mass spectrometry (see Test Methods C697, C1625,or C1672)
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2018.PublishedJuly2018.Originallyapproved
on a separate portion of the purified sample.
in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C1415 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/
C1415-18.
2
5. Significance and Use
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1 This test method is used when the determination of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
238
the ASTM website. Pu isotopic abundance is required for plutonium samples.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C1415 − 14 C1415 − 18
Standard Test Method for
238 1
Pu Isotopic Abundance By Alpha Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1415; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
238
1.1 This test method covers the use of alpha spectrometry for determining the Pu isotopic abundance in plutonium samples.
238
It is particularly useful for samples in which the Pu content is less than 1 % of the total plutonium content. For such samples,
238
mass spectrometric results are vulnerable to bias because of potential interference from any U isobar remaining after ion
exchange.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C697 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide
Powders and Pellets
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium Materials for Analysis
C1411 Practice for The Ion Exchange Separation of Uranium and Plutonium Prior to Isotopic Analysis
C1625 Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentrations and Isotopic Abundances by Thermal Ionization Mass
Spectrometry
C1672 Test Method for Determination of Uranium or Plutonium Isotopic Composition or Concentration by the Total
Evaporation Method Using a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer
C1816 Practice for The Ion Exchange Separation of Small Volume Samples Containing Uranium, Americium, and Plutonium
Prior to Isotopic Abundance and Content Analysis
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3. Terminology
3.1 For Except as otherwise defined herein, definitions of pertinent terms not listed here, seeterms are as given in Terminology
C859.
4. Summary of Test Method
238 239 240
4.1 This determination method involves the measurement of the alpha-activity ratio of Pu and Pu + Pu. The isotopic
238
analysis of plutonium for the Pu isotope requires the prior separation of potentially interfering species. After dissolution of the
sample (see Practice C1168), the plutonium is separated from interferences by purification techniques such as given in this test
method or in Practices C1411 or C1816.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved June 1, 2014June 1, 2018. Published July 2014July 2018. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20072014 as
C1415 – 01a (2007).C1415 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/C1415-14.10.1520/C1415-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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C1415 − 18
4.2 In this test method, nitric acid (HNO ) is used to adsorb the plutonium fraction on the resin. Interfering ions, principally
3
uranium and americium, are not adsorbed. The plutonium is then eluted with dilute HNO (0.1 M).
3
238 239 240
4.3 This determination method involves the measurement of the alpha-activity ratio of Pu and Pu + Pu. The isotopic
238
analysis of plutonium for the Pu isotope requires the prior separation of potentially interfering species. After dissolution of the
sample (see Practice C1168), the plutonium is separated from interferences by an anion
...
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