ASTM C1030-10
(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 plutonium isotopic composition by gamma-ray spectrometry is a nondestructive technique and when used with other nondestructive techniques, such as calorimetry (Test Method C1458) or neutron counting (Test Methods C1207, C1316, C1493, and C1500), can provide a wholly nondestructive plutonium assay necessary for material accountancy and safeguards needs.
Because gamma-ray spectrometry systems are typically automated, the routine use of the test method is fast, reliable, and is not labor intensive. The test method is nondestructive, requires no sample preparation, and does not create waste disposal problems.
This test method assumes that all plutonium in the measured item has the same isotopic distribution, often called isotopic homogeneity (see 7.2.4 and 7.2.5).
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.
Americium-241 is a daughter product of 241Pu. The 241Am/239Pu atom ratio can also be determined by means of this test method (assuming a homogeneous isotopic distribution of plutonium and 241Am). The determination of the 241Am/239Pu atom ratio is necessary for the correct interpretation of a calorimetric heat measurement.
The isotopic composition of a given batch or item of plutonium is an attribute of that item and, once determined, can be used in subsequent inventory measurements to verify the identity of an item within the measurement uncertainties.
The method can also measure the ratio of other gamma-emitting isotopes to plutonium assuming they have the same spatial distribution as the plutonium in the item. Some of these “other” gamma-emitting isotopes include isotopes of uranium, neptunium, curium, cesium, and other fission products. The same methods of this standard can be used to measure the isotopic composition of uranium in items containing only uranium (3, 4, 5, 6).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of isotopic abundances in isotopically homogeneous plutonium-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 items containing plutonium masses ranging from a few tens of milligrams up to the maximum plutonium mass allowed by criticality limits.
1.3 Measurable gamma ray emissions from plutonium cover the energy range from approximately 30 keV to above 800 keV. K-X-ray emissions from plutonium and its daughters are found in the region around 100 keV. This test method has been applied to all portions of this broad spectrum of emissions.
1.4 The isotopic abundance of the 242Pu isotope is not directly determined because it has no useful gamma-ray signature. Isotopic correlation techniques may be used to estimate its relative abundance Refs (1) and (2).
1.5 This test method has been demonstrated in routine use for isotopic abundances ranging from 99 to 50 % 239Pu. This test method has also been employed for isotopic abundances outside this range.
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.
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Designation: C1030 − 10
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.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 is applicable to the determination of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
isotopic abundances in isotopically homogeneous plutonium- C697Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and
bearing materials. This test method may be applicable to other Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium
Dioxide Powders and Pellets
plutonium-bearing materials, some of which may require
modifications to the described test method. C698Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and
Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Mixed Ox-
1.2 The procedure is applicable to items containing pluto-
ides ((U, Pu)O )
2
nium masses ranging from a few tens of milligrams up to the
C982 Guide for Selecting Components for Energy-
maximum plutonium mass allowed by criticality limits.
Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Systems (With-
4
drawn 2008)
1.3 Measurablegammarayemissionsfromplutoniumcover
C1207Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium
theenergyrangefromapproximately30keVtoabove800keV.
in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence
K-X-rayemissionsfromplutoniumanditsdaughtersarefound
Counting
in the region around 100 keV. This test method has been
C1316Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Nuclear
applied to all portions of this broad spectrum of emissions.
Material in Scrap and Waste by Passive-Active Neutron
242
1.4 The isotopic abundance of the Pu isotope is not 252
Counting Using Cf Shuffler
directly determined because it has no useful gamma-ray
C1458Test Method for NondestructiveAssay of Plutonium,
241
signature. Isotopic correlation techniques may be used to
Tritium and Am by Calorimetric Assay
2
estimate its relative abundance Refs (1) and (2).
C1493Test Method for Non-Destructive Assay of Nuclear
Material in Waste by Passive and Active Neutron Count-
1.5 This test method has been demonstrated in routine use
239
ing Using a Differential Die-Away System
for isotopic abundances ranging from 99 to <50% Pu. This
C1500Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium
test method has also been employed for isotopic abundances
by Passive Neutron Multiplicity Counting
outside this range.
E181Test Methods for Detector Calibration andAnalysis of
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Radionuclides
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E267Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentra-
standard.
tions and Isotopic Abundances
5
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2.2 ANSI Standards:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ANSI/IEEE Std 325-1996IEEE Standard Test Procedures
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- for Germanium Gamma-Ray Detectors
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- ANSIN15.36MeasurementControlProgram –Nondestruc-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. tive Assay Measurement Control and Assurance
1 3
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC26onNuclear For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.10 on Non contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Destructive Assay. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved June 15, 2010. Published July 2010. Originally the ASTM website.
4
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C1030–03. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/C1030-10. www.astm.org.
2 5
Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
this standard. 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 − 10
3. Summary of Test Method 4.3 This test method assumes that all plutonium in the
measured item has the same isotopic distribution, often called
3.1 The intensities of gamma-rays emitted from a
isotopic homogeneity (see 7.2.4 and 7.2.5).
plutonium-bearing item are determined from a gamma-ray
242
spectrum obtained with a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe)
4.4 The
...
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:C1030–03 Designation:C1030–10
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
1.1ThistestmethodisapplicabletothedeterminationofisotopicabundancesinisotopicallyhomogeneousPu-bearingmaterials.
This test method may be applicable to other plutonium-bearing materials, some of which may require modifications to the
described test method.
1.2The procedure is applicable to sample sizes ranging from a few tenths of a gram up to the maximum sample weight allowed
by criticality limits.
1.3Because
1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of isotopic abundances in isotopically homogeneous plutonium-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 Theprocedureisapplicabletoitemscontainingplutoniummassesrangingfromafewtensofmilligramsuptothemaximum
plutonium mass allowed by criticality limits.
1.3 Measurable gamma ray emissions from plutonium cover the energy range from approximately 30 keV to above 800 keV.
K-X-ray emissions from plutonium and its daughters are found in the region around 100 keV. This test method has been applied
to all portions of this broad spectrum of emissions.
242
1.4 The isotopic abundance of the 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 Pu isotope is not directly determined because it has
no useful gamma-ray signature. Isotopic correlation techniques may be used to estimate its relative abundance Refs (1, 2).)
2
and (2).
1.4This1.5 This test method has been demonstrated in routine use for isotopic abundances ranging from 9699 to 55%<50 %
239Pu. This test method has also been employed for isotopic abundances outside this range.
1.5The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6
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:
C697 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide
Powders and Pellets
C698 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Mixed Oxides ((U,
Pu)O )
2
C982 Guide for Selecting Components for Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Systems
C1207 Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting
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 July 10, 2003. Published August 2003. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as C1030–95(2001). DOI:
10.1520/C1030-03.
Current edition approved June 15, 2010. Published July 2010. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C1030 – 03. DOI:
10.1520/C1030-10.
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
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 ----------------------
C1030–10
C1316 Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Nuclear Material in Scrap and Waste by Passive-Active Neutron Counting
252
Using Cf Shuffler
241
C1458 Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium, Tritium and Am by Calorimetric Assay
C1493 Test Method for Non-Destructi
...
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