Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium by Passive Neutron Multiplicity Counting

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is useful for determining the plutonium content of items such as impure Pu oxide, mixed Pu/U oxide, oxidized Pu metal, Pu scrap and waste, Pu process residues, and weapons components.
Measurements made with this test method may be suitable for safeguards or waste characterization requirements such as:
Nuclear materials accountability,
Inventory verification (7),
Confirmation of nuclear materials content (8),
Resolution of shipper/receiver differences (9),
Excess weapons materials inspections (10, 11),
Safeguards termination on waste (12, 13),
Determination of fissile equivalent content (14).
A significant feature of neutron multiplicity counting is its ability to capture more information than neutron coincidence counting because of the availability of a third measured parameter, leading to reduced measurement bias for most material categories for which suitable precision can be attained. This feature also makes it possible to assay some in-plant materials that are not amenable to conventional coincidence counting, including moist or impure plutonium oxide, oxidized metal, and some categories of scrap, waste, and residues (10).
Calibration for many material types does not require representative standards. Thus, the technique can be used for inventory verification without calibration standards (7), although measurement bias may be lower if representative standards were available.
The repeatability of the measurement results due to counting statistics is related to the quantity of nuclear material, interfering neutrons, and the count time of the measurement (15).
For certain materials such as small Pu, items of less than 1 g, some Pu-bearing waste, or very impure Pu process residues where the (α,n) reaction rate overwhelms the triples signal, multiplicity information may not be useful because of the poor counting statistics of the triple coincidences within practical counting times (12).
For pure Pu metal, pure oxide, or other...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the nondestructive assay of plutonium in forms such as metal, oxide, scrap, residue, or waste using passive neutron multiplicity counting. This test method provides results that are usually more accurate than conventional neutron coincidence counting. The method can be applied to a large variety of plutonium items in various containers including cans, 208-L drums, or 1900-L Standard Waste Boxes. It has been used to assay items whose plutonium content ranges from 1 g to 1000s of g.
1.2 There are several electronics or mathematical approaches available for multiplicity analysis, including the multiplicity shift register, the Euratom Time Correlation Analyzer, and the List Mode Module, as described briefly in Ref. (1).  
1.3 This test method is primarily intended to address the assay of 240Pu-effective by moments-based multiplicity analysis using shift register electronics (1, 2, 3) and high efficiency neutron counters specifically designed for multiplicity analysis.
1.4 This test method requires knowledge of the relative abundances of the plutonium isotopes to determine the total plutonium mass (See Test Method C 1030).
1.5 This test method may also be applied to modified neutron coincidence counters (4) which were not specifically designed as multiplicity counters (that is, HLNCC, AWCC, etc), with a corresponding degradation of results.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

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Publication Date
31-May-2008
Technical Committee
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Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:C1500 −08
Standard Test Method for
Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium by Passive Neutron
1
Multiplicity Counting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1500; 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 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This test method describes the nondestructive assay of
plutonium in forms such as metal, oxide, scrap, residue, or
2. Referenced Documents
waste using passive neutron multiplicity counting. This test
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
method provides results that are usually more accurate than
C1030 TestMethodforDeterminationofPlutoniumIsotopic
conventionalneutroncoincidencecounting.Themethodcanbe
Composition by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
applied to a large variety of plutonium items in various
C1207 Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium
containers including cans, 208-L drums, or 1900-L Standard
in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence
Waste Boxes. It has been used to assay items whose plutonium
Counting
content ranges from1gto 1000s of g.
C1458 Test Method for NondestructiveAssay of Plutonium,
1.2 There are several electronics or mathematical ap-
241
Tritium and Am by Calorimetric Assay
proaches available for multiplicity analysis, including the
C1490 GuidefortheSelection,TrainingandQualificationof
multiplicity shift register, the Euratom Time Correlation
Nondestructive Assay (NDA) Personnel
Analyzer, and the List Mode Module, as described briefly in
2 C1592 Guide for Nondestructive Assay Measurements
Ref. (1).
C1673 Terminology of C26.10 Nondestructive Assay Meth-
1.3 This test method is primarily intended to address the
ods
240
assay of Pu-effective by moments-based multiplicity analy-
sis using shift register electronics (1, 2, 3) and high efficiency
3. Terminology
neutroncountersspecificallydesignedformultiplicityanalysis.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4 This test method requires knowledge of the relative
3.1.1 Terms shall be defined in accordance with Terminol-
abundances of the plutonium isotopes to determine the total
ogy C1673 except for the following:
plutonium mass (See Test Method C1030).
3.1.2 gate fractions, n—the fraction of the total coincidence
events that occur within the coincidence gate.
1.5 This test method may also be applied to modified
neutron coincidence counters (4) which were not specifically 3.1.2.1 doubles gate fraction (f ),n—the fraction of the
d
designed as multiplicity counters (that is, HLNCC, AWCC,
theoretical double coincidences that can be detected within the
etc), with a corresponding degradation of results. coincidence gate (see Eq 1).
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3.1.2.2 triples gate fraction (f),n—the fraction of the
t
theoretical triple coincidences that can be detected within the
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. coincidence gate (see Eq 2).
3.1.3 factorial moment of order, n—thisisaderivedquantity
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
calculated by summing the neutron multiplicity distribution
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
weighted by ν!/(ν – n)! where n is the order of the moment.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.4 induced fission neutron multiplicities (ν , ν , ν ),
i1 i2 i3
n—the factorial moments of the induced fission neutron mul-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
tiplicity distribution.Typically multiplicity analysis will utilize
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.10 on Non
Destructive Assay.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2008.PublishedJuly2008.Originallyapproved
3
in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as C1500 – 02. DOI: 10.1520/ For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
C1500-08. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this standard. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1500−08
239
the data from fast neutron-induced fission of Pu to calculate 5.2 Measurements made with this test method may be
these moments (5, 6). suitable for safeguards or waste characterization requirements
such as:
4. Summary of Test Method
5.2.1
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:C1500–02 Designation: C 1500 – 08
Standard Test Method for
Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium by Passive Neutron
1
Multiplicity Counting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1500; 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 describes the nondestructive assay of plutonium in forms such as metal, oxide, scrap, residue, or waste
using passive neutron multiplicity counting. This test method provides rapid results that are usually more accurate than
conventional neutron coincidence counting.The method can be applied to a large variety of plutonium items in various geometries
incontainers including cans, 208-L drums, or 1900-L Standard Waste Boxes. It has been used to assay items whose plutonium
content ranges from1gto 1000’s1000s of g.
1.2 There are several electronics or mathematical approaches available for multiplicity analysis, including the multiplicity shift
2
register, the Euratom Time Correlation Analyzer, and the List Mode Module, as described briefly in Ref. (1).
240
1.3 This test method is primarily intended to address the assay of Pu-effective by moments-based multiplicity analysis using
shift register electronics (1, 2, 3) and high efficiency neutron counters specifically designed for multiplicity analysis. This test
method requires knowledge of the relative abundances of the plutonium isotopes to determine the total plutonium mass.
1.4This test method may also be applied to modified neutron coincidence counters which were not specifically designed as
multiplicity counters, with a corresponding degradation of results. and high efficiency neutron counters specifically designed for
multiplicity analysis.
1.4 This test method requires knowledge of the relative abundances of the plutonium isotopes to determine the total plutonium
mass (See Test Method C 1030).
1.5 This test method may also be applied to modified neutron coincidence counters (4) which were not specifically designed
as multiplicity counters (that is, HLNCC, AWCC, etc), with a corresponding degradation of results.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards: C859Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
3
C 1030 Test Method for Determination of Plutonium Isotopic Composition by Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy Spectrometry
C 1207 Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting
241
3
C1458Test Method for NondestructiveAssay of Plutonium, Tritium, and Am by CalorimetricAssay 1458 Test Method for
Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium, Tritium and 241Am by Calorimetric Assay
C 1490 Guide for the Selection, Training and Qualification of Nondestructive Assay (NDA) Personnel
C 1592 Guide for Nondestructive Assay Measurements
C 1673 Terminology of C26.10 Nondestructive Assay Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 Terms shall be defined in accordance with Terminology C859C 1673except for the following:
3.2 alpha (a)gate fractions, n—the ratio of the uncorrelated neutron emission rate from (a,n) reactions to the spontaneous
neutron emission rate from a non-multiplying sample (see Ref. (1) for equation).
3.3coincidence gate length (G), n—thetimeintervalfollowingthedetectionofaneutronduringwhichadditionalneutroncounts
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.10 on Non Destructive
Assay.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2002. Published May 2002.
Current edition approved June 1, 2008. Published July 2008. Originally approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as C 1500 – 02.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
3
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 12.01.volume information, refer to the
...

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