ASTM E385-22

Standard Test Method for Oxygen Content Using a 14-MeV Neutron Activation and Direct-Counting Technique

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The conventional determination of oxygen content in liquid or solid samples is a relatively difficult chemical procedure. It is slow and usually of limited sensitivity. The 14-MeV neutron activation and direct counting technique provides a rapid, highly sensitive, nondestructive procedure for oxygen determination in a wide range of matrices. This test method is independent of the chemical form of the oxygen.  
5.2 This test method can be used for quality and process control in the metals, coal, and petroleum industries, and for research purposes in a broad spectrum of applications.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of oxygen concentration in almost any matrix by using a 14-MeV neutron activation and direct-counting technique. Essentially, the same system may be used to determine oxygen concentrations ranging from under 10 μg/g to over 500 mg/g, depending on the sample size and available 14-MeV neutron fluence rates.  
Note 1: The range of analysis may be extended by using higher neutron fluence rates, larger samples, and higher counting efficiency detectors.  
1.2 This test method may be used on either solid or liquid samples, provided that they can be made to conform in size, shape, and macroscopic density during irradiation and counting to a standard sample of known oxygen content. Several variants of this method have been described in the technical literature. A monograph is available which provides a comprehensive description of the principles of activation analysis using a neutron generator (1).2  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific precautions are given in Section 8.  
1.5 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2022
• ICS: 27.120.30 - Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology
• Technical Committee: E10 - Nuclear Technology and Applications
• Drafting Committee: E10.05 - Nuclear Radiation Metrology

Standards Content (Sample)

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: E385 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Oxygen Content Using a 14-MeV Neutron Activation and
1
Direct-Counting Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E385; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
3
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of oxygen 2.1 ASTM Standards:
concentrationinalmostanymatrixbyusinga14-MeVneutron E170Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and
activation and direct-counting technique. Essentially, the same Dosimetry
system may be used to determine oxygen concentrations E181Test Methods for Detector Calibration andAnalysis of
ranging from under 10 µg/g to over 500 mg/g, depending on Radionuclides
the sample size and available 14-MeV neutron fluence rates. E496Test Method for Measuring Neutron Fluence and
3 4
Average Energy from H(d,n) He Neutron Generators by
NOTE 1—The range of analysis may be extended by using higher
Radioactivation Techniques
neutron fluence rates, larger samples, and higher counting efficiency
detectors.
2.2 U.S. Government Document:
4
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10,Part 20
1.2 This test method may be used on either solid or liquid
samples, provided that they can be made to conform in size,
3. Terminology
shape,andmacroscopicdensityduringirradiationandcounting
to a standard sample of known oxygen content. Several 3.1 Definitions (see also Terminology E170):
variants of this method have been described in the technical 3.1.1 accelerator—a machine that ionizes a gas and electri-
literature.Amonograph is available which provides a compre- cally accelerates the ions onto a target.The accelerator may be
based on the Cockroft-Walton, Van de Graaff, or other design
hensive description of the principles of activation analysis
2
using a neutron generator (1). types (1). Compact sealed-tube, mixed deuterium and tritium
gas, Cockcroft-Walton neutron generators are most commonly
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
used for 14-MeV neutron activation analysis. However,
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
“pumped” drift-tube accelerators that use replaceable tritium-
standard.
containing targets are also still in use. Reviews of operational
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
characteristics, descriptions of accessory instrumentation, and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
applications of accelerators used as fast neutron generators for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
activation analysis are available (2, 3).
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.2 comparator standard—a reference standard of known
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to us-
−1
oxygencontentwhosespecificcountingrate(countsmin [mg
e.Specific precautions are given in Section 8.
−1
of oxygen] ) may be used to quantify the oxygen content of a
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
sample irradiated and counted under the same conditions.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Often, a comparator standard is selected to have a matrix
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
composition, physical size, density and shape very similar to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the corresponding parameters of the sample to be analyzed.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.3 14-MeV neutron fluence rate—the areal density of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
neutrons passing through a sample, measured in terms of
−2 −1
neutrons cm s , that is produced by the fusion reaction of
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE10onNuclear
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
3
E10.05 on Nuclear Radiation Metrology. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2022. Published March 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E385–16. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0385-22. the ASTM website.
2 4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
the text
...

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: E385 − 16 E385 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Oxygen Content Using a 14-MeV Neutron Activation and
1
Direct-Counting Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E385; 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
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of oxygen concentration in almost any matrix by using a 14-MeV neutron activation
and direct-counting technique. Essentially, the same system may be used to determine oxygen concentrations ranging from under
10 μg/g to over 500 mg/g, depending on the sample size and available 14-MeV neutron fluence rates.
NOTE 1—The range of analysis may be extended by using higher neutron fluence rates, larger samples, and higher counting efficiency detectors.
1.2 This test method may be used on either solid or liquid samples, provided that they can be made to conform in size, shape, and
macroscopic density during irradiation and counting to a standard sample of known oxygen content. Several variants of this method
have been described in the technical literature. A monograph is available which provides a comprehensive description of the
2
principles of activation analysis using a neutron generator (1).
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific precautions are given in Section 8.
1.5 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
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and Dosimetry
E181 Test Methods for Detector Calibration and Analysis of Radionuclides
3 4
E496 Test Method for Measuring Neutron Fluence and Average Energy from H(d,n) He Neutron Generators by Radioactivation
Techniques
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E10.05
on Nuclear Radiation Metrology.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016Feb. 1, 2022. Published February 2016March 2022. Originally approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 20112016 as
E385 – 11.E385 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/E0385-16.10.1520/E0385-22.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of the text.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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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E385 − 22
2.2 U.S. Government Document:
4
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 20
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions (see also Terminology E170):
3.1.1 accelerator—a machine that ionizes a gas and electrically accelerates the ions onto a target. The accelerator may be based
on the Cockroft-Walton, Van de Graaff, or other design types (1). Compact sealed-tube, mixed deuterium and tritium gas,
Cockcroft-Walton neutron generators are most commonly used for 14-MeV neutron activation analysis. However, “pumped”
drift-tube accelerators that use replaceable tritium-containing targets are also still in use. Reviews of operational characteristics,
descriptions of accessory instrumentation, and applications of accelerators used as fast neutron generators for activation analysis
are available (2, 3).
−1
3.1.2 comparator standard—a reference standard of known oxygen content whose specific counting rate (counts min [mg of
−1
oxygen] ) may be used to quantify the oxygen content of a sample irradiated and counted under the same conditions. Often, a
...