ASTM C1207-10
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting
Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is useful for determining the plutonium content of scrap and waste in containers ranging from small cans with volumes of the order of a mL to crates and boxes of several thousand liters in volume. A common application would be to 208-L (55-gal) drums. Total Pu content ranges from 10 mg to 6 kg (1). The upper limit may be restricted depending on specific matrix, calibration material, criticality safety, or counting equipment considerations.
This test method is applicable for U.S. Department of Energy shipper/receiver confirmatory measurements (9), nuclear material diversion detection, and International Atomic Energy Agency attributes measurements (10).
This test method should be used in conjunction with a scrap and waste management plan that segregates scrap and waste assay items into material categories according to some or all of the following criteria: bulk density, the chemical forms of the plutonium and the matrix, americium to plutonium isotopic ratio, and hydrogen content. Packaging for each category should be uniform with respect to size, shape, and composition of the container. Each material category might require calibration standards and may have different Pu mass limits.
Bias in passive neutron coincidence measurements is related to item size and density, the homogeneity and composition of the matrix, and the quantity and distribution of the nuclear material. The precision of the measurement results is related to the quantity of nuclear material, the (α,n) reaction rate, and the count time of the measurement.
For both benign matrix and matrix specific measurements, the method assumes the calibration reference materials match the items to be measured with respect to the homogeneity and composition of the matrix, the neutron moderator and absorber content, and the quantity of nuclear material, to the extent they affect the measurement.
Measurements of smaller containers containing scrap and waste are generally more accurate than m...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the nondestructive assay of scrap or waste for plutonium content using passive thermal-neutron coincidence counting. This test method provides rapid results and can be applied to a variety of carefully sorted materials in containers as large as several thousand liters in volume. The test method applies to measurements of 238Pu, 240Pu, and 242Pu and has been used to assay items whose total plutonium content ranges from 10 mg to 6 kg (1).
1.2 This test method requires knowledge of the relative abundances of the Pu isotopes to determine the total Pu mass (Test Method C1030).
1.3 This test method may not be applicable to the assay of scrap or waste containing other spontaneously fissioning nuclides.
1.3.1 This test method may give biased results for measurements of containers that include large amounts of hydrogenous materials.
1.3.2 The techniques described in this test method have been applied to materials other than scrap and waste (2, 3).
1.4 This test method assumes the use of shift-register-based coincidence technology (4).
1.5 Several other techniques that are often encountered in association with passive neutron coincidence counting exist These include neutron multiplicity counting (5, 6, Test Method C1500), add-a-source analysis for matrix correction (7), flux probes also for matrix compensation, cosmic-ray rejection (8) to improve precision close to the detection limit, and alternative data collection electronics such as list mode data acquisition. Passive neutron coincidence counting may also be combined with certain active interrogation schemes as in Test Methods C1316 and C1493. Discussions of these established techniques are not included in this method.
1.6 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 ...
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Designation: C1207 − 10
Standard Test Method for
Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by
1
Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1207; 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 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method describes the nondestructive assay of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
scrap or waste for plutonium content using passive thermal-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
neutron coincidence counting. This test method provides rapid
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
results and can be applied to a variety of carefully sorted
materials in containers as large as several thousand liters in
2. Referenced Documents
238
volume. The test method applies to measurements of Pu,
3
240 242
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Pu, and Pu and has been used to assay items whose total
2
C986Guide for Developing Training Programs in the
plutonium content ranges from 10 mg to 6 kg (1).
4
Nuclear Fuel Cycle (Withdrawn 2001)
1.2 This test method requires knowledge of the relative
C1009Guide for Establishing and Maintaining a Quality
abundances of the Pu isotopes to determine the total Pu mass
AssuranceProgramforAnalyticalLaboratoriesWithinthe
(Test Method C1030).
Nuclear Industry
1.3 This test method may not be applicable to the assay of
C1030TestMethodforDeterminationofPlutoniumIsotopic
scrap or waste containing other spontaneously fissioning nu-
Composition by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
clides.
C1068Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by
1.3.1 This test method may give biased results for measure-
a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
mentsofcontainersthatincludelargeamountsofhydrogenous
C1128Guide for Preparation of Working Reference Materi-
materials.
als for Use in Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
1.3.2 The techniques described in this test method have
C1133Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Special
been applied to materials other than scrap and waste (2, 3).
Nuclear Material in Low-Density Scrap and Waste by
Segmented Passive Gamma-Ray Scanning
1.4 This test method assumes the use of shift-register-based
C1210Guide for Establishing a Measurement System Qual-
coincidence technology (4).
ity Control Program for Analytical Chemistry Laborato-
1.5 Several other techniques that are often encountered in
ries Within the Nuclear Industry
association with passive neutron coincidence counting exist
C1316Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Nuclear
Theseincludeneutronmultiplicitycounting(5, 6,TestMethod
Material in Scrap and Waste by Passive-Active Neutron
C1500), add-a-source analysis for matrix correction (7), flux
252
Counting Using Cf Shuffler
probes also for matrix compensation, cosmic-ray rejection (8)
C1458Test Method for NondestructiveAssay of Plutonium,
to improve precision close to the detection limit, and alterna-
241
Tritium and Am by Calorimetric Assay
tive data collection electronics such as list mode data acquisi-
C1490GuidefortheSelection,TrainingandQualificationof
tion. Passive neutron coincidence counting may also be com-
Nondestructive Assay (NDA) Personnel
bined with certain active interrogation schemes as in Test
C1493Test Method for Non-Destructive Assay of Nuclear
Methods C1316 and C1493. Discussions of these established
Material in Waste by Passive and Active Neutron Count-
techniques are not included in this method.
ing Using a Differential Die-Away System
C1500Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.10 on Non
3
Destructive Assay. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2010.PublishedJuly2010.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C1207–03. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
C1207-10. the ASTM website.
2 4
Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
this test method. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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C1207 − 10
by Passive Neutron
...
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:C1207–03 Designation:C1207–10
Standard Test Method for
Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by
1
Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1207; 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 test method describes the nondestructive assay of scrap or waste for plutonium content using passive thermal-neutron
coincidence counting. This test method provides rapid results and can be applied to a variety of carefully sorted materials in
238 240
containers as large as 208-L drums.several thousand liters in volume. The test method applies to measurements of Pu, Pu,
242 2
and Pu and has been used to assay items whose total plutonium content ranges from 0.01 10 mg to 6000 g6 kg (1) .
1.2 This test method requires knowledge of the relative abundances of the plutoniumPu isotopes to determine the total
plutonium mass. Pu mass (Test Method C1030).
1.3 This test method may not be applicable to the assay of scrap or waste containing other spontaneously fissioning nuclides.
1.3.1 This test method may give biased results for measurements of containers that include large amounts of hydrogenous
materials.
1.3.2 The techniques described in this test method have been applied to materials other than scrap and waste (2, 3).
1.4 This test method assumes the use of shift-register-based coincidence technology (4).
1.5 Severalothertechniquesthatarerelatedtooftenencounteredinassociationwithpassiveneutroncoincidencecountingexist
These include neutron multiplicity counting (5, 6), add-a-source analysis 6, Test Method C1500), add-a-source analysis for matrix
correction (7), and cosmic-ray rejection , flux probes also for matrix compensation, cosmic-ray rejection (8) . Discussions of
these techniques are not included in this method. to improve precision close to the detection limit, and alternative data
collection electronics such as list mode data acquisition. Passive neutron coincidence counting may also be combined with
certain active interrogation schemes as in Test Methods C1316 and C1493. Discussions of these established techniques are
not included in this method.
1.6 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: C859Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C986 Guide for Developing Training Programs in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle
C1009 Guide for Establishing a QualityAssurance Program forAnalytical Chemistry LaboratoriesWithin the Nuclear Industry
C1030
C1030 Test Method for Determination of Plutonium Isotopic Composition by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
C1068 Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
C1128 Guide for Preparation of Working Reference Materials for Use in Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
C1133 Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Special Nuclear Material in Low-Density Scrap and Waste by Segmented
Passive Gamma-Ray Scanning C1156Guide for Establishing Calibration for a Measurement Method Used toAnalyze Nuclear
Fuel Cycle Materials
C1210 Guide for Establishing a Measurement System Quality Control Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within
the Nuclear Industry
C1215Guide for Preparing and Interpreting Precision and Bias Statements in Test Method Standards Used in the Nuclear
Industry
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.10 on NondestructiveAssay.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2003. Published March 2003. Originally approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as C1207–97. DOI:
10.1520/C1207-03.on Non Destructive Assay.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2010.PublishedJuly2010.Originallyapprovedin1991.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2003asC1207 – 03.DOI:10.1520/C1207-10.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this test method.
3
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of A
...
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