ASTM C1346-02

Standard Practice for Dissolution of UF₆ from P-10 Tubes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Uranium hexafluoride is a basic material used to prepare nuclear reactor fuel. To be suitable for this purpose the material must meet criteria for uranium content, isotopic composition, metallic impurities, hydrocarbon, and partially substituted halohydrocarbon content in Specification C 787. This practice results in the complete dissolution of the sample for uranium and impurities analysis, and determination of isotopic distribution by thermal ionization mass spectrometry as described in Test Methods C 761. Highly volatile impurities should be determined directly on UF6.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the dissolution of UF 6 from a P-10 tube to provide solutions for analysis.
1.2 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. For specific safeguard and safety precaution statements, see Section 8.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jan-2002
• ICS: 27.120.30 - Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1346-96 - Standard Practice for Dissolution of UF₆ from P-10 Tubes
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM C1346-08 - Standard Practice for Dissolution of UF₆ from P-10 Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM C1771-19 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Boron, Silicon, and Technetium in Hydrolyzed Uranium Hexafluoride by Inductively Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometer After Removal of Uranium by Solid Phase Extraction
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1880-19 - Standard Practice for Sampling Gaseous Uranium Hexafluoride using Alumina Pellets
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1267-17(2022) - Standard Test Method for Uranium by Iron (II) Reduction in Phosphoric Acid Followed by Chromium (VI) Titration in the Presence of Vanadium
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1287-18 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Nuclear Grade Uranium Compounds by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C761-18 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1413-18 - Standard Test Method for Isotopic Analysis of Hydrolyzed Uranium Hexafluoride and Uranyl Nitrate Solutions by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1052-20 - Standard Practice for Bulk Sampling of Liquid Uranium Hexafluoride
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002

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:C1346–02
Standard Practice for
1
Dissolution of UF from P-10 Tubes
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This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1346; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers the dissolution of UF from a P-10
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tube to provide solutions for analysis.
1.2 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 appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
safeguard and safety precaution statements, see Section 8.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 761 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric,
Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of
NOTE 1—This figure is from page 10 of the reference in Footnote 4.
2
Uranium Hexafluoride
FIG. 1 P-10 Sample Tube
C 787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrich-
2
ment
halohydrocarbon content in Specification C 787. This practice
results in the complete dissolution of the sample for uranium
3. Summary of Practice
and impurities analysis, and determination of isotopic distribu-
3.1 UF samples intended for analysis are packaged in P-10
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tion by thermal ionization mass spectrometry as described in
tubes to prevent sublimation and reaction with moisture in the
Test Methods C 761. Highly volatile impurities should be
air. The P-10 tube assembly (Fig. 1) consists of a fluorothene
determined directly on UF .
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tube containing the UF , a fluorothene gasket to cover the
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tube’s opening, and a Monel nut and plug to seal the gasket to 5. Apparatus
the tube.
5.1 Steam bath, in a hood, if optional step 9.2.13 is used.
3.2 The UF tube is weighed, cooled in liquid nitrogen, and
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5.2 Vacuum oven, if option 2 of 9.2.16 is used. The oven
quickly opened and immersed in ice-cold water for dissolution.
should be adjustable to 80°C at a pressure of -29 in. of Hg.
The pieces of the tube’s assembly are removed from the
5.3 Dewar flask, wide-mouth.
resulting solution, rinsed, dried, reassembled, and weighed.
5.4 Vise, small lab-bench model or similar type of holder.
The solution is dried for gravimetric conversion to U O,or 15
3 8
5.5 Wrench, ⁄16 in.
diluted to an appropriate concentration for dispensing into
5.6 Plastic clamping forceps, 12 to 13 cm long, with a
aliquants for subsequent analysis.
claw-like bent tip, to securely hold the cylindrical fluorothene
tube.
4. Significance and Use
NOTE 1—These forceps are not commercially available. Bend the ends
4.1 Uranium hexafluoride is a basic material used to prepare
of a straight-tip forceps by heating over a moderate flame, shaping, and
nuclearreactorfuel.Tobesuitableforthispurposethematerial
maintaining the shape until cool.
must meet criteria for uranium content, isotopic composition,
5.7 TFE-fluorocarbon-coated spatula, 0.5- to 1-cm wide at
metallic impurities, hydrocarbon, and partially substituted
its flat end, optional.
5.8 Platinum or fluorothene rod, optional.
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5.9 Platinum dishes, large enough to contain a completely
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
submerged P-10 tube.
Test.
5.10 Copper wires, optional. The wires should be flexible
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2002. Published April 2002. Originally
and looped at one end to loosely fit around the fluorothene tube
published as C 1346–96. Last previous edition C 1346–96
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.01. without allowing the Monel flare nut to pass through.
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C1346
5.11 Desiccator. optional. where there may have been inhalation or contact with HF or
5.12 Balance,$100-g capacity, readable to at least 0.1 mg, UF . Water soluble UO F , when inhaled or ingested in large
6 2 2
preferably 0.01 mg. quantities, is toxic to the kidneys.
8.5 Use gloves designed for use with cryogenic substances,
NOTE 2—Use of a balance with lower sensitivity will negatively impact
and wear goggles or a face shield when handling bulk
on sampling error.
quantities of liquid nitrogen.
6. Interferences
9. Procedure
6.1 The weight of the fluorothene tube is affected by
atmospheric humidity. Keep the P-10 tube assembly in a
9.1 Preparation:
desiccator between weighings until constant weight is attained.
9.1.1 Check the appearance of the UF P-10 tube. R
...