ASTM D5411-10(2015)

Standard Practice for Calculation of Average Energy Per Disintegration (¯E) for a Mixture of Radionuclides in Reactor Coolant

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice is useful for the determination of the average energy per disintegration of the isotopic mixture found in the reactor-coolant system of a nuclear reactor (1).4 The E value is used to calculate a site-specific activity limit for the reactor coolant system, generally identified as
where
   K  =   a power reactor site specific constant (usually in the range of 50 to 200).  The activity of the reactor coolant system is routinely measured, then compared to the value of Alimiting. If the reactor coolant activity value is less than Alimiting then the 2-h radiation dose, measured at the plant boundary, will not exceed an appropriately small fraction of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, part 100 dose guidelines. It is important to note that the measurement of the reactor coolant system radioactivity is determined at a set frequency by use of gamma spectrometry only. Thus the radionuclides that go into the calculation of E and subsequently Alimiting  are only those that are calculated using gamma spectrometry.  
5.2 In calculating E, the energy dissipated by beta particles (negatrons and positrons) and photons from nuclear decay of beta-gamma emitters. This accounting includes the energy released in the form of energy released from extra-nuclear transitions in the form of X-rays, Auger electrons, and conversion electrons. However, not all radionuclides present in a sample are included in the calculation of E.  
5.3 Individual, nuclear reactor, technical specifications vary and each nuclear operator must be aware of limitations affecting their plant operation. Typically, radioiodines, radionuclides with half lives of less than 10 min (except those in equilibrium with the parent), and those radionuclides, identified using gamma spectrometry, with less than a 95 % confidence level, are not typically included in the calculation. However, the technical requirements are that the reported activity must account for at least 95 % of the activity af...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice applies to the calculation of the average energy per disintegration (E) for a mixture of radionuclides in reactor coolant water.  
1.2 The microcurie (µCi) is the standard unit of measurement for this standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2015
• ICS: 27.120.30 - Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.04 - Methods of Radiochemical Analysis

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: D5411 − 10 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Practice for
¯
Calculation of Average Energy Per Disintegration (E) for a
1
Mixture of Radionuclides in Reactor Coolant
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5411; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This practice applies to the calculation of the average 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
¯
practice, refer to Terminology D1129.
energy per disintegration (E) for a mixture of radionuclides in
reactor coolant water.
4. Summary of Practice
1.2 The microcurie (µCi) is the standard unit of measure-
¯
4.1 The average energy per disintegration, E (pronounced E
ment for this standard. The values given in parentheses are
bar), for a mixture of radionuclides is calculated from the
mathematical conversions to SI units, which are provided for
¯
information only and are not considered standard. known composition of the mixture. E is computed by calcu-
lating the total beta/gamma energy release rate, in MeV, and
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
¯
dividing it by the total disintegration rate. The resultant E has
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
units of MeV per disintegration.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5. Significance and Use
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- 5.1 This practice is useful for the determination of the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- average energy per disintegration of the isotopic mixture found
4
¯
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
in the reactor-coolant system of a nuclear reactor (1). The E
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
value is used to calculate a site-specific activity limit for the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
reactor coolant system, generally identified as
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
¯
A 5 K/E
limiting
where
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
K = a power reactor site specific constant (usually in the
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
range of 50 to 200).
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
The activity of the reactor coolant system is routinely
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
measured, then compared to the value ofA . If the reactor
limiting
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
coolantactivityvalueislessthanA thenthe2-hradiation
limiting
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control
dose, measured at the plant boundary, will not exceed an
of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
appropriately small fraction of the Code of Federal
2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
Regulations, Title 10, part 100 dose guidelines. It is important
3
10 CFR 100 Reactor Site Criteria
to note that the measurement of the reactor coolant system
radioactivity is determined at a set frequency by use of gamma
spectrometry only. Thus the radionuclides that go into the
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and
¯
calculation of E and subsequently A are only those that
limiting
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical
are calculated using gamma spectrometry.
Analysis.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2015. Published December 2015. Originally
¯
5.2 In calculating E, the energy dissipated by beta particles
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D5411 – 10. DOI:
10.1520/D5411-10R15. (negatrons and positrons) and photons from nuclear decay of
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
beta-gamma emitters. This accounting includes the energy
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 4
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700 The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS. this practice.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5411 − 10 (2015)
¯
released in the form of energy released from extra-nuclear
defect that would alter the E value and affectA . The two
limiting
¯
transitions in the form
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D5411 − 10 D5411 − 10 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Practice for
Calculation of Average Energy Per Disintegration (E¯) for a
1
Mixture of Radionuclides in Reactor Coolant
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5411; 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 practice applies to the calculation of the average energy per disintegration (E¯) for a mixture of radionuclides in reactor
coolant water.
1.2 The microcurie (μCi) is the standard unit of measurement for this standard. The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions to SI units, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
3
10 CFR 100 Reactor Site Criteria
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology D1129.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The average energy per disintegration, E¯ (pronounced E bar), for a mixture of radionuclides is calculated from the known
composition of the mixture. E¯ is computed by calculating the total beta/gamma energy release rate, in MeV, and dividing it by
the total disintegration rate. The resultant E¯ has units of MeV per disintegration.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice is useful for the determination of the average energy per disintegration of the isotopic mixture found in the
4
reactor-coolant system of a nuclear reactor (1). The E¯ value is used to calculate a site-specific activity limit for the reactor coolant
system, generally identified as
¯
A 5 K/E
limiting
where
K = a power reactor site specific constant (usually in the range of 50 to 200).
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical Analysis.
Current edition approved June 1, 2010Dec. 15, 2015. Published December 2010December 2015. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20052010
as D5411 – 05.D5411 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/D5411-10.10.1520/D5411-10R15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this practice.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5411 − 10 (2015)
The activity of the reactor coolant system is routinely measured, then compared to the value of A . If the reactor coolant
limiting
activity value is less than A then the 2-h radiation dose, measured at the plant boundary, will not exceed an appropriately
limiting
small fraction of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, part 100 dose guidelines. It is important to note that the measurement
of the reactor coolant system radioactivity is determined at a set frequency by use of gamma spectrometry only. Thus the
radionuclides that go into the calculation of E¯ and subsequently A are only those that are calculated using gamma
limiting
spectrometry.
5.2 In calculating E¯, the energy dissipated by beta particles (negatrons and positrons) and photons from nuclear decay of
beta-gamma emitters. This accounting includes the energy released in the form of energy released from extra-nuclear transitions
in the form of X-rays, Auger electrons, and conversion electrons. However,
...