ASTM E1297-18
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Niobium
Standard Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Niobium
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Refer to Practice E261 for a general discussion of the determination of decay rates, reaction rates, and neutron fluence rates with threshold detectors (1-29).3 Refer to Practice E1006, Practice E185 and Guide E1018 for the use and application of results obtained by this test method.(30-32)
5.2 The half-life of 93mNb is 16.1 (2)4 years5(34) and has a K X-ray emission probability of 0.11442 ± 3.356 % per decay (35). The Kα and Kβ X-rays of niobium are at 16.521–16.615 and 18.607–18.9852 keV, respectively (35). The recommended 93Nb(n,n′)93mNb cross section comes from the International Reactor Dosimetry and Fusion File (IRDFF version 1.05, cross section compendium (36), and is shown in Fig. 1. This nuclear data evaluation is part of the Russian Reactor Dosimetry File (RRDF), cross section evaluations (37). The nuclear decay data referenced here are not taken from the latest dosimetry recommended database (33) but are selected to be consistent with the nuclear data used in the recommended IRDFF evaluation.
FIG. 1 RRDF/IRDFF-1.05 Cross Section Versus Energy for the 93Nb(n,n′) 93mNb Reaction
5.3 Chemical dissolution of the irradiated niobium to produce very low mass-per-unit area sources is an effective way to obtain consistent results. The direct counting of foils or wires can produce satisfactory results provided appropriate methods and interpretations are employed. It is possible to use liquid scintillation methods to measure the niobium activity provided the radioactive material can be kept uniformly in solution and appropriate corrections can be made for interfering activities.
5.4 The measured reaction rates can be used to correlate neutron exposures, provide comparison with calculated reaction rates, and determine neutron fluences. Reaction rates can be determined with greater accuracy than fluence rates because of the current uncertainty in the cross section versus energy shape.
5.5 The 93Nb(n,n′)93mNb reaction has the desirable properties o...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring reaction rates by the activation reaction 93Nb(n,n′) 93mNb.
1.2 This activation reaction is useful for monitoring neutrons with energies above approximately 0.5 MeV and for irradiation times up to about 48 years (three half-lives), provided that the analysis methods described in Practice E261 are followed.
1.3 With suitable techniques, fast-neutron reaction rates for neutrons with energy distribution similar to fission neutrons can be determined in fast-neutron fluences above about 1016 cm−2. In the presence of high thermal-neutron fluence rates (>1012cm−2·s−1), the transmutation of 93mNb due to neutron capture should be investigated. In the presence of high-energy neutron spectra such as are associated with fusion and spallation sources, the transmutation of 93mNb by reactions such as (n,2n) may occur and should be investigated.
1.4 Procedures for other fast-neutron monitors are referenced in Practice E261.
1.5 Fast-neutron fluence rates can be determined from the reaction rates provided that the appropriate cross section information is available to meet the accuracy requirements.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 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.
1.8 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
Relations
Buy Standard
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: E1297 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation
1
of Niobium
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1297; 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 mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring
93 93m
reaction rates by the activation reaction Nb(n,n') Nb.
2. Referenced Documents
2
1.2 This activation reaction is useful for monitoring neu-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
trons with energies above approximately 0.5 MeV and for
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
irradiation times up to about 48 years (three half-lives),
E170Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and
provided that the analysis methods described in Practice E261
Dosimetry
are followed.
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods
1.3 With suitable techniques, fast-neutron reaction rates for
E181Test Methods for Detector Calibration andAnalysis of
neutrons with energy distribution similar to fission neutrons
16
Radionuclides
can be determined in fast-neutron fluences above about 10
−2
E185Practice for Design of Surveillance Programs for
cm . In the presence of high thermal-neutron fluence rates
12 −2 −1 93m
Light-Water Moderated Nuclear Power Reactor Vessels
(>10 cm ·s ), the transmutation of Nb due to neutron
E261Practice for Determining Neutron Fluence, Fluence
capture should be investigated. In the presence of high-energy
Rate, and Spectra by Radioactivation Techniques
neutron spectra such as are associated with fusion and spalla-
93m
E262Test Method for Determining Thermal Neutron Reac-
tion sources, the transmutation of Nb by reactions such as
tion Rates and Thermal Neutron Fluence Rates by Radio-
(n,2n) may occur and should be investigated.
activation Techniques
1.4 Procedures for other fast-neutron monitors are refer-
E456Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
enced in Practice E261.
E844Guide for Sensor Set Design and Irradiation for
1.5 Fast-neutron fluence rates can be determined from the
Reactor Surveillance
reaction rates provided that the appropriate cross section
E944Guide for Application of Neutron Spectrum Adjust-
information is available to meet the accuracy requirements.
ment Methods in Reactor Surveillance
E1005Test Method for Application and Analysis of Radio-
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
metric Monitors for Reactor Vessel Surveillance
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E1006Practice for Analysis and Interpretation of Physics
standard.
Dosimetry Results from Test Reactor Experiments
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E1018Guide for Application of ASTM Evaluated Cross
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Section Data File
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3. Terminology
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1 Definitions—The definitions stated in Terminology
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
E170 and E456 are applicable to this test method.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Summary of Test Method
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1 High purity niobium is irradiated in a neutron field
93m 93 93m
producing radioactive Nb from the Nb(n,n') Nb reac-
tion. The metastable state decays to the ground state by the
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE10onNuclear
Technology and Applicationsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
E10.05 on Nuclear Radiation Metrology. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2018. Published August 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E1297–08(2013). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E1297-18. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1297 − 18
virtual emission of 30 keV gam
...
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: E1297 − 08 (Reapproved 2013) E1297 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation
1
of Niobium
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1297; 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
93 93m
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring reaction rates by the activation reaction Nb(n,n') Nb.
1.2 This activation reaction is useful for monitoring neutrons with energies above approximately 0.5 MeV and for irradiation
times up to about 30 years.48 years (three half-lives), provided that the analysis methods described in Practice E261 are followed.
1.3 With suitable techniques, fast-neutron reaction rates for neutrons with energy distribution similar to fission neutrons can be
16 −2 12 −2 −1
determined in fast-neutron fluences above about 10 cm . In the presence of high thermal-neutron fluence rates (>10 cm ·s ),
93m
the transmutation of Nb due to neutron capture should be investigated. In the presence of high-energy neutron spectra such as
93m
are associated with fusion and spallation sources, the transmutation of Nb by reactions such as (n,2n) may occur and should
be investigated.
1.4 Procedures for other fast-neutron monitors are referenced in Practice E261.
1.5 Fast-neutron fluence rates can be determined from the reaction rates provided that the appropriate cross section information
is available to meet the accuracy requirements.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 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.
1.8 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:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and Dosimetry
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E181 Test Methods for Detector Calibration and Analysis of Radionuclides
E185 Practice for Design of Surveillance Programs for Light-Water Moderated Nuclear Power Reactor Vessels
E261 Practice for Determining Neutron Fluence, Fluence Rate, and Spectra by Radioactivation Techniques
E262 Test Method for Determining Thermal Neutron Reaction Rates and Thermal Neutron Fluence Rates by Radioactivation
Techniques
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E844 Guide for Sensor Set Design and Irradiation for Reactor Surveillance
E944 Guide for Application of Neutron Spectrum Adjustment Methods in Reactor Surveillance
E1005 Test Method for Application and Analysis of Radiometric Monitors for Reactor Vessel Surveillance
E1006 Practice for Analysis and Interpretation of Physics Dosimetry Results from Test Reactor Experiments
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear Technology and Applicationsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E10.05 on
Nuclear Radiation Metrology.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2013June 1, 2018. Published January 2013August 2018. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20082013 as
E1297 – 08.E1297 – 08(2013). DOI: 10.1520/E1297-08R13.10.1520/E1297-18.
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
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1297 − 18
E1018 Guide for Application of ASTM Evaluated Cross Section Data File
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—The definitions stated in Terminology E170 and E456 are applicable to this test metho
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.