ASTM C1030-03
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Plutonium Isotopic Composition by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
Standard Test Method for Determination of Plutonium Isotopic Composition by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The determination of isotopic composition by gamma-ray spectrometry is a nondestructive technique and when used with other nondestructive techniques, such as calorimetry (Test Method C 1458) or neutron counting (Test Methods C 1207C 1493C 1500), can provide a totally nondestructive plutonium assay necessary for material accountancy and safeguards needs.
Since gamma-ray spectrometry systems are typically automated, the routine use of the test method is fast, reliable, and is not labor intensive. Since the test method is nondestructive, requiring no sample preparation, it does not create waste disposal problems.
This test method assumes that the isotopic composition of plutonium in the sample being measured is homogeneous (see see 7.2.4 and (5)).
The 242Pu abundance is not measured by this test method and must be estimated from isotopic correlation techniques, stream averages, historical information, or other measurement techniques.
A daughter product of 241Pu is 241Am. The 241Am/239Pu atom ratio can also be determined by means of this test method (assuming a homogeneous isotopic distribution of plutonium and 241Am) and is necessary for the correct interpretation of a calorimetric heat measurement.
The isotopic composition of a given batch or sample of plutonium is an attribute of that sample and, once determined, can be used in subsequent inventory measurements to verify the identity of a sample within the measurement uncertainties.
The method can also measure the ratio of other gamma emiting isotopes to plutonium assuming they have the same spatial distribution as the plutonium in the sample. Some of these “other” gamma-emitting isotopes include isotopes of uranium, neptium, curium, cesium, and other fission products. (The same methods of this standard can be used to measure the isotopic composition of uranium in samples containing only uranium (4–6)).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of isotopic abundances in isotopically homogeneous Pu-bearing materials. This test method may be applicable to other plutonium-bearing materials, some of which may require modifications to the described test method.
1.2 The procedure is applicable to sample sizes ranging from a few tenths of a gram up to the maximum sample weight allowed by criticality limits.
1.3 Because 242 Pu has no useful gamma-ray signature, its isotopic abundance is not determined. Isotopic correlation techniques may be used to estimate its relative abundance (Refs 1, 2).
1.4 This test method has been demonstrated in routine use for isotopic abundances ranging from 94 to 70% 239 Pu. This test method has also been employed for isotopic abundances outside this range.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:C1030–03
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Plutonium Isotopic Composition by
1
Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1030; 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 C698 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and
SpectrochemicalAnalysis of Nuclear-Grade Mixed Oxides
1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of
((U, Pu)O )
2
isotopic abundances in isotopically homogeneous Pu-bearing
C982 Guide for Selecting Components for Energy-
materials. This test method may be applicable to other
4
Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Systems
plutonium-bearing materials, some of which may require
C1207 Test Method for NondestructiveAssay of Plutonium
modifications to the described test method.
in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence
1.2 The procedure is applicable to sample sizes ranging
Counting
from a few tenths of a gram up to the maximum sample weight
C1458 TestMethodforNondestructiveAssayofPlutonium,
allowed by criticality limits.
241
242
Tritium and Am by Calorimetric Assay
1.3 Because Pu has no useful gamma-ray signature, its
C1493 Test Method for Non-Destructive Assay of Nuclear
isotopic abundance is not determined. Isotopic correlation
Material inWaste by Passive andActive Neutron Counting
techniques may be used to estimate its relative abundance
2
Using a Differential Die-Away System
(Refs 1, 2).
C1500 Test Method for NondestructiveAssay of Plutonium
1.4 This test method has been demonstrated in routine use
239
by Passive Neutron Multiplicity Counting
for isotopic abundances ranging from 96 to 55 % Pu. This
E181 TestMethodsforDetectorCalibrationandAnalysisof
test method has also been employed for isotopic abundances
Radionuclides
outside this range.
E267 Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentra-
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
tions and Isotopic Abundances
standard.
2.2 ANSI Standards:
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ANSI N15.35 Guide to Preparing Calibration Material for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NondestructiveAssaySystemsthatCountPassiveGamma
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5
Rays
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Summary of Test Method
2. Referenced Documents 3.1 Relative intensities of gamma-rays from a plutonium
3
sample are determined from a gamma-ray spectrum obtained
2.1 ASTM Standards:
with a high-resolution Ge detector.
C697 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and
3.2 Theatomratio, N/N,forisotopes iand jisrelatedtothe
i j
Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium
relative counting intensities, I and I, for the gamma-rays of
i j
Dioxide Powders and Pellets
energy E and E by:
i j
N I ´
i i j
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
5 C · (1)
ij
N ´ I
j i j
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.10 on Non
Destructive Assay.
Current edition approved July 10, 2003. Published August 2003. Originally 1/2
T B
i j
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as C1030 – 95(2001).
C 5 · (2)
ij
1/2
B
T
i
DOI: 10.1520/C1030-03. j
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this standard.
3 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM on www.astm.org.
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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C1030–03
5.1.1 The germanium detector used for the spectral mea-
where:
surements shall be adequately shielded from other nearby
´ = relative detection efficiency for a gamma-ray at
plutonium sources. Background spectra shall be collected to
energy E,
1/2
T = half-life, and ensure the effectiveness of detector shielding and to identify
B = gamma-ray branching intensity (usually expressed the background radiations.
as the gamma-ray emission probability per disinte-
5.1.2 If fission products are present in the sample being
gration). measured, they will c
...
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