ASTM C1477-06
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Isotopic Abundance Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride and Uranyl Nitrate Solutions by Multi-Collector, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Standard Test Method for Isotopic Abundance Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride and Uranyl Nitrate Solutions by Multi-Collector, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The test method is capable of measuring uranium isotopic abundances of 234U, 235U, 236U and 238U as required by Specifications C 787 and C 996.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the isotopic abundance analysis of 234U, 235U, 236U and 238U in samples of hydrolysed uranium hexafluoride (UF6) by inductively coupled plasma source, multi-collector, mass spectrometry (ICP-MC-MS). The method applies to material with 235U abundance in the range of 0.2 to 6 % mass. This test method is also described in ASTM STP 1344.
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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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: C 1477 – 06
Standard Test Method for
Isotopic Abundance Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride and
Uranyl Nitrate Solutions by Multi-Collector, Inductively
1
Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1477; 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 samples are hydrolysed, diluted and acidified with nitric acid.
Uranic solution samples are diluted and acidified with nitric
1.1 This test method covers the isotopic abundance analysis
234 235 236 238
acid. Subsequently, an internal reference of thorium isotopes is
of U, U, Uand Uinsamplesofhydrolyseduranium
added to each diluted sample.
hexafluoride (UF ) by inductively coupled plasma source,
6
3.2 The samples are contained in polypropylene tubes that
multi-collector,massspectrometry(ICP-MC-MS).Themethod
235
are inserted into the auto-sampler rack of the mass spectrom-
applies to material with U abundance in the range of 0.2 to
eter. Sample details are input to the computer and the instru-
6 % mass. This test method is also described in ASTM
ment is prepared for measurement. The automatic measuring
STP 1344.
sequence is initiated.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.3 Uranium Isotopic Reference Materials (UIRMs) are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
used to calibrate the instrument. Each UIRM is prepared in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
aqueoussolution(acidifiedwithnitricacid)andspikedwiththe
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
same internal reference as the samples. This calibration solu-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion is measured and a mass bias parameter is calculated that is
2. Referenced Documents
stored and subsequently imported into each of the sample
4
2
measurements to correct the measured uranium isotopic ra-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tios.
C 761 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric,
3.4 Measurements of isotopic ratios in the calibration solu-
Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of
tion and the subsequent samples are initiated by customised
Uranium Hexafluoride
230 232
software. Using the Th / Th ratios (that are acquired
C 787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrich-
234 238 235 238 236 238
simultaneously to the U/ U, U/ U and U/ U
ment
ratios) and the mass bias parameter imported from the calibra-
C 996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to
235
tion, the mass bias factor is computed. The mass bias factor is
Less Than 5 % U
234 238 235 238
then used to correct the measured U/ U, U/ U
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
236 238
and U/ U ratios in “real time.” The abundances are
2.2 Other Document:
expressed as % atomic. Details of the mass bias correction are
STP 1344 Applications of Inductively Coupled Plasma-
presented in Appendix X1.
Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to Radionuclide Determi-
3
nations
4. Significance and Use
3. Summary of Test Method 4.1 The test method is capable of measuring uranium
234 235 236 238
isotopic abundances of U, U, U and U as required
3.1 Samples are received either in the form of uranium
by Specifications C 787 and C 996.
hexafluoride (UF ) or aqueous uranic solution. The UF
6 6
5. Interferences
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
5.1 Mass Bias—Electrostatic repulsion between uranium
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
ions causes a so-called “mass bias” effect. Mass bias is
Test .
Current edition approved July 1, 2006. Published August 2006. Originally
observed as an enhancement in the number of ions detected at
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as C 1477 – 00.
the collectors from the heavier uranium isotopes relative to the
2
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
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
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the ASTM website. Theuraniumisotopicmeasurementprecision,limitofdetectionanduncertainty
3
Available from ASTM Headquarters. of measurement are listed in Section 15, Section 16 andAppendix X1 respectively.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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C1477–06
lighter uranium isotopes. A calibration procedure is used to 7. Reagents
correct the mass spectrometer for mass bias.
7.1 Purity of Water—Demineralised
...
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