ASTM E321-96(2005)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Atom Percent Fission in Uranium and Plutonium Fuel (Neodymium-148 Method)
Standard Test Method for Atom Percent Fission in Uranium and Plutonium Fuel (Neodymium-148 Method)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of stable fission product 148Nd in irradiated uranium (U) fuel (with initial plutonium (Pu) content from 0 to 50 %) as a measure of fuel burnup (1-3).
1.2 It is possible to obtain additional information about the uranium and plutonium concentrations and isotopic abundances on the same sample taken for burnup analysis. If this additional information is desired, it can be obtained by precisely measuring the spike and sample volumes and following the instructions in Test Method E267.
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.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E321–96(Reapproved2005)
Standard Test Method for
Atom Percent Fission in Uranium and Plutonium Fuel
1
(Neodymium-148 Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E321; 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 E267 Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentra-
tions and Isotopic Abundances
1.1 This test method covers the determination of stable
148
fission product Nd in irradiated uranium (U) fuel (with
3. Summary of Test Method
initial plutonium (Pu) content from 0 to 50 %) as a measure of
2 3.1 Fission product neodymium (Nd) is chemically sepa-
fuel burnup (1-3).
rated from irradiated fuel and determined by isotopic dilution
1.2 It is possible to obtain additional information about the
150
mass spectrometry. Enriched Nd is selected as the Nd
uranium and plutonium concentrations and isotopic abun-
isotope diluent, and the mass-142 position is used to monitor
dances on the same sample taken for burnup analysis. If this
for natural Nd contamination. The two rare earths immediately
additional information is desired, it can be obtained by pre-
adjacent to Nd do not interfere. Interference from other rare
cisely measuring the spike and sample volumes and following
142 148
earths,suchasnaturalorfissionproduct Ceornatural Sm
the instructions in Test Method E267.
150
and Sm is avoided by removing them in the chemical
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
purification (4 and 5).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
150 233 242
3.2 After addition of a blended Nd, U, and Pu spike
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
to the sample, the Nd, U, and Pu fractions are separated from
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
eachotherbyionexchange.Eachfractionisfurtherpurifiedfor
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mass analysis. Two alternative separation procedures are pro-
2. Referenced Documents vided.
3
3.3 The gross alpha, beta, and gamma decontamination
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
factors are in excess of 10 and are normally limited to that
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
242 147 241
value by traces of Cm, Pm, and Am, respectively (and
E180 Practice for Determining the Precision of ASTM
106
sometimes Ru),noneofwhichinterferesintheanalysis.The
Methods for Analysis and Testing of Industrial and Spe-
148
4
70 ng Nd minimum sample size recommended in the
cialty Chemicals
procedure is large enough to exceed by 100-fold a typical
E244 TestMethodforAtomPercentFissioninUraniumand
148
natural Nd blank of 0.7 6 0.7 ng Nd (for which a correction
Plutonium Fuel (Mass Spectrometric Method) (Discontin-
4 is made) without exceeding radiation dose rates of 20 µ Sv/h
ued 2001)
(20 mR/h) at 1 m. Since a constant amount of fission products
is taken for each analysis, the radiation dose from each sample
is similar for all burnup values and depends principally upon
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
cooling time. Gamma dose rates vary from 200 µ Sv/h (20
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
mR/h) at 1 m for 60-day cooled fuel to 20 µ Sv/h (2 mR/h) at
Test.
1 m for 1-year cooled fuel. Beta dose rates are an order of
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2005. Published March 2005. Originally
1
approved in 1967 . Last previous edition approved in 1996 as E321 – 96. DOI:
magnitude greater, but can be shielded out with a ⁄2-in.
10.1520/E0321-96R05.
(12.7-mm) thick plastic sheet. By use of such simple local
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to
shielding, dilute solutions of irradiated nuclear fuel dissolver
this test method.
3
solutions can be analyzed for burnup without an elaborate
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
shielded analytical facility. The decontaminated Nd fraction is
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
mounted on a rhenium (Re) filament for mass analysis.
the ASTM website.
4
Samples from 20 ng to 20 µg run well in the mass spectrometer
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
+ +
on www.astm.org. with both NdO and Nd ion beams present. The metal ion is
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E321–96 (2005)
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