Standard Test Method for Oxygen Content Using a 14-MeV Neutron Activation and Direct-Counting Technique

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The conventional determination of oxygen content in liquid or solid samples is a relatively difficult chemical procedure. It is slow and usually of limited sensitivity. The 14-MeV neutron activation and direct counting technique provides a rapid, highly sensitive, nondestructive procedure for oxygen determination in a wide range of matrices. This test method is independent of the chemical form of the oxygen.
This test method can be used for quality and process control in the metals, coal, and petroleum industries, and for research purposes in a broad spectrum of applications.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of oxygen concentration in almost any matrix by using a 14-MeV neutron activation and direct-counting technique. Essentially, the same system may be used to determine oxygen concentrations ranging from over 50 % to about 10 g/g, or less, depending on the sample size and available 14-MeV neutron fluence rates. Note 1 - The range of analysis may be extended by using higher neutron fluence rates, larger samples, and higher counting efficiency detectors.
1.2 This test method may be used on either solid or liquid samples, provided that they can be made to conform in size, shape, and macroscopic density during irradiation and counting to a standard sample of known oxygen content. Several variants of this method have been described in the technical literature. A monograph is available which provides a comprehensive description of the principles of activation analysis using a neutron generator (1).
1.3 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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. Specific precautions are given in Section 8.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
31-May-2007
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM E385-07 - Standard Test Method for Oxygen Content Using a 14-MeV Neutron Activation and Direct-Counting Technique
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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:E385–07
Standard Test Method for
Oxygen Content Using a 14-MeV Neutron Activation and
1
Direct-Counting Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E385; 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 E181 TestMethodsforDetectorCalibrationandAnalysisof
Radionuclides
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of oxygen
E496 Test Method for Measuring Neutron Fluence and
concentrationinalmostanymatrixbyusinga14-MeVneutron
3 4
Average Energy from H(d,n) He Neutron Generators by
activation and direct-counting technique. Essentially, the same
Radioactivation Techniques
system may be used to determine oxygen concentrations
2.2 U.S. Government Document:
rangingfromover50%toabout10µg/g,orless,dependingon
4
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 20
the sample size and available 14-MeV neutron fluence rates.
NOTE 1—The range of analysis may be extended by using higher 3. Terminology
neutron fluence rates, larger samples, and higher counting efficiency
3.1 Definitions (see also Terminology E170):
detectors.
3.1.1 accelerator—a machine that ionizes a gas and electri-
1.2 This test method may be used on either solid or liquid
cally accelerates the ions onto a target.The accelerator may be
samples, provided that they can be made to conform in size,
based on the Cockroft-Walton, Van de Graaff, or other design
shape,andmacroscopicdensityduringirradiationandcounting
types (1). Compact sealed-tube, mixed deuterium and tritium
to a standard sample of known oxygen content. Several
gas, Cockcroft-Walton neutron generators are most commonly
variants of this method have been described in the technical
used for 14-MeV neutron activation analysis. However,
literature.Amonograph is available which provides a compre-
“pumped” drift-tube accelerators that use replaceable tritium-
hensive description of the principles of activation analysis
containing targets are also still in use.Areview of operational
2
using a neutron generator (1).
characteristics, descriptions of accessory instrumentation, and
1.3 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to
applications of accelerators used as fast neutron generators is
be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in
given in Ref (2).
parentheses are for information only.
3.1.2 comparator standard—a reference standard of known
−1
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
oxygencontentwhosespecificcountingrate(countsmin [mg
−1
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of oxygen] ) may be used to quantify the oxygen content of a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sample irradiated and counted under the same conditions.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Often, a comparator standard is selected to have a matrix
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
composition, physical size, density and shape very similar to
tions are given in Section 8.
the corresponding parameters of the sample to be analyzed.
Comparative standards prepared in this way may be used
2. Referenced Documents
directlyas“monitors”(see3.1.4)inordertoavoidtheneedfor
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
monitor-sample calibration plots, in those cases where the
E170 TerminologyRelatingtoRadiationMeasurementsand
usual monitor reference standard is physically or chemically
Dosimetry
dissimilar to the samples to be analyzed.
3.1.3 14-MeV neutron fluence rate—the areal density of
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE10onNuclear neutrons passing through a sample, measured in terms of
−2 −1
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
neutrons cm s , that is produced by the fusion reaction of
E10.05 on Nuclear Radiation Metrology.
deuterium and tritium ions accelerated to energies of typically
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2007.PublishedJuly2007.Originallyapproved
150 to 200 keV in a small accelerator. Fluence rate is also
in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E385–90(2002). DOI:
10.1520/E0385-07.
commonly referred to as “flux density.” The total neutron
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
fluence is the fluence rate integrated over time.
the text.
3
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
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
the ASTM website. Office, Washi
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