ASTM D3442-91(1995)E01

Standard Test Method for Gaseous Tritium Content of the Atmosphere (Withdrawn 2000)

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of total tritium activity in the atmosphere in concentrations greater than 74 mBq/m  (2 pCi/m ). This test method covers sample collection, preparation, and radiometric assay of the sample.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1994
• Withdrawal Date: 09-Mar-2000
• Technical Committee: D22 - Air Quality
• Drafting Committee: D22.03 - Ambient Atmospheres and Source Emissions

Standards Content (Sample)

e1
Designation: D 3442 – 91 (Reapproved 1995) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Gaseous Tritium Content of the Atmosphere
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3442; 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.
e NOTE—Editorial corrections were made to Sections 1 and 9 and Section 16 was added in August 1995.
1. Scope water vapor which is then adsorbed on silica gel with the
ambient water vapor. The water is distilled from the silica gel
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of total tritium
and the tritium activity is measured by liquid scintillation
activity in the atmosphere in concentrations greater than 74
3 3
counting. The volume of air sampled and the total volume of
mBq/m (2 pCi/m ). This test method covers sample collection,
water vapor collected during the sampling period is determined
preparation, and radiometric assay of the sample.
and the tritium activity of the atmosphere is calculated.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
4.2 Both the palladium and copper oxide catalysts have
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
been found satisfactory for sampling where monitoring tritium
only.
in the form of water, hydrogen gas, and heavy hydrocarbon
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
compounds; however, the copper oxide catalyst has low
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
efficiency for oxidizing tritium in forms such as methane.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 This test method is useful for sampling the atmosphere
2. Referenced Documents for tritium activity, in the form of tritiated hydrogen gas (HT or
T ), water, methane, and other gaseous hydrocarbons, and
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
gases that can be oxidized to form water.
D 1071 Test Methods for Volumetric Measurement of Gas-
2 5.2 Tritiated particulate matter will not be collected and
eous Fuel Samples
analyzed.
D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
Atmospheres
6. Interference
D 1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient
6.1 Volatile radioactive particulates and radioiodine can
Atmosphere
4 interfere and when they are expected they can be prefiltered by
D 2476 Test Method for Tritium in Water
a charcoal cartridge or zeolite. Radioiodine and radioactive
D 3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration
particulate matter can be filtered from the air prior to passing
3. Terminology through the tube furnace.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
7. Apparatus
method, see Terminology D 1356.
7.1 Liquid Scintillation Counter. (See Test Method D 2476.)
4. Summary of Test Method 7.2 Tube Furnace (100 mm heating length; range 750°C).
7.3 Low-Volume Leakless Continuous Vacuum Pump, ca-
4.1 Air is pumped at a sampling rate of 100 to 500 mL/min
pacity of 750 mL/min, with flow controller such as a limiting
through a tube furnace packed with palladium catalyst at a
orifice.
temperature of 500°C or a copper oxide catalyst at a tempera-
7.4 Tubes, glass or metal, 30 to 50 mm in diameter and 250
ture of 600° to 650°C for approximately 1 week. Gaseous
to 350 mm long.
tritium present in the airstream is oxidized to form tritiated
7.5 Temperature-Resisting Tubing, to hold catalyst inside
tube furnace.
7.6 Distillation Flask, 1-L, with standard-taper connectors.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-22 on
7.7 Condenser, with connectors to distillation flask, all
Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres, and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee D22.03 on Ambient Atmospheres and Source Emissions.
“standard-taper” joints.
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 1991. Published December 1991. Originally
7.8 Condensate Receiving Vessel, with standard-taper joint.
published as D 3442 – 75. Last previous edition D 3442 – 89.
7.9 Rubber Stoppers.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.05.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 3442
FIG. 1 Apparatus
7.10 Vacuum Tubing, to connect sampling system compo- 11.2 Place a rubber stopper with a plug of glass wool in the
nents. end of the tritium sampling cylinder and fill the cylinder with
7.11 Vials, polyethylene (20- to 25-mL, for liquid scintilla- dried silica gel from 11.1. Close the other end of the cylinder
tion counting). (If sample is to be stored for any length of time with a second plug of glass wool and a rubber stopper.
glass vials should be used.) See Test Method D 2476 for 11.3 Place about 10 g of copper wool or5gof palladium
precautions on type of glass. sponge inside a length of high-silica glass tubing and retain in
7.12 Heating Mantle and Temperature Controller. place with quartz wool. Place this length inside the tube
7.13 Charcoal Cartridge. furnace and fix in place.
7.14 Quartz Wool. 11.4 Place a calibrated limiting orifice for 100 to 500
7.15 Volume Meter, dry, diaphragm type. mL/min flow in its holder and attach with tubing to the vacuum
7.16 Rotameter, ;750 mL/min. pump.
11.5 Attach the combustion tube from 11.3 to the sampling
8. Reagents
point or prefilters and turn on furnace.
8.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be 11.6 Remove the stoppers from the silica gel column at the
used in all tests. All reagents shall conform to the specifications sampling location and insert one
...