ASTM E385-11

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 under 10 μg/g to over 500 mg/g, 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 SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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-Oct-2011
• ICS: 27.120.30 - Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology
• Technical Committee: E10 - Nuclear Technology and Applications
• Drafting Committee: E10.05 - Nuclear Radiation Metrology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E385-07 - Standard Test Method for Oxygen Content Using a 14-MeV Neutron Activation and Direct-Counting Technique
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011

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 − 11
StandardTest 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 E170Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and
Dosimetry
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of oxygen
E181Test Methods for Detector Calibration andAnalysis of
concentrationinalmostanymatrixbyusinga14-MeVneutron
Radionuclides
activation and direct-counting technique. Essentially, the same
E496Test Method for Measuring Neutron Fluence and
system may be used to determine oxygen concentrations
3 4
Average Energy from H(d,n) He Neutron Generators by
ranging from under 10 µg/g to over 500 mg/g, depending on
Radioactivation Techniques
the sample size and available 14-MeV neutron fluence rates.
2.2 U.S. Government Document:
NOTE 1—The range of analysis may be extended by using higher
4
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10,Part 20
neutron fluence rates, larger samples, and higher counting efficiency
detectors.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method may be used on either solid or liquid
samples, provided that they can be made to conform in size,
3.1 Definitions (see also Terminology E170):
shape,andmacroscopicdensityduringirradiationandcounting
3.1.1 accelerator—a machine that ionizes a gas and electri-
to a standard sample of known oxygen content. Several
cally accelerates the ions onto a target.The accelerator may be
variants of this method have been described in the technical
based on the Cockroft-Walton, Van de Graaff, or other design
literature.Amonograph is available which provides a compre-
types (1). Compact sealed-tube, mixed deuterium and tritium
hensive description of the principles of activation analysis
gas, Cockcroft-Walton neutron generators are most commonly
2
using a neutron generator (1).
used for 14-MeV neutron activation analysis. However,
“pumped” drift-tube accelerators that use replaceable tritium-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
containing targets are also still in use. Reviews of operational
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
characteristics, descriptions of accessory instrumentation, and
standard.
applications of accelerators used as fast neutron generators for
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
activation analysis are available (2,3).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.2 comparator standard—a reference standard of known
−1
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
oxygencontentwhosespecificcountingrate(countsmin [mg
−1
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau- of oxygen] ) may be used to quantify the oxygen content of a
tions are given in Section 8.
sample irradiated and counted under the same conditions.
Often, a comparator standard is selected to have a matrix
2. Referenced Documents
composition, physical size, density and shape very similar to
3
the corresponding parameters of the sample to be analyzed.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.3 14-MeV neutron fluence rate—the areal density of
neutrons passing through a sample, measured in terms of
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE10onNuclear
−2 −1
neutrons cm s , that is produced by the fusion reaction of
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
deuterium and tritium ions accelerated to energies of typically
E10.05 on Nuclear Radiation Metrology.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011. Published November 2011. Originally
150 to 200 keV in a small accelerator. Fluence rate has been
approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E385–07. DOI:
commonly referred to as “flux density.” The total neutron
10.1520/E0385-11.
fluence is the fluence rate integrated over time.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the text.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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, Washington, DC 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E385 − 11
3 4 16
3.1.3.1 Discussion—The H(d,n) He reaction is
...

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:E385–07 Designation:E385–11
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
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
fromover50%under10µg/gtoabout10µg/g,orless,over500mg/g,dependingonthesamplesizeandavailable14-MeVneutron
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.Amonograph is available which provides a comprehensive description of
2
the principles of activation analysis using a neutron generator (1).
1.3The 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.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and Dosimetry
E181 Test Methods for Detector Calibration and Analysis of Radionuclides
3 4
E496 Test Method for Measuring Neutron Fluence and Average Energy from H(d,n) He Neutron Generators by Radioacti-
vation Techniques
2.2 U.S. Government Document:
4
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 20
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1See also Terminology Definitions (see also Terminology E170.
3.1.2):
3.1.1 accelerator—amachinethationizesagasandelectricallyacceleratestheionsontoatarget.Theacceleratormaybebased
on the Cockroft-Walton, Van de Graaff, or other design types (1). Compact sealed-tube, mixed deuterium and tritium gas,
Cockcroft-Walton neutron generators are most commonly used for 14-MeV neutron activation analysis. However, “pumped”
drift-tube accelerators that use replaceable tritium-containing targets are also still in use. A review Reviews of operational
characteristics, descriptions of accessory instrumentation, and applications of accelerators used as fast neutron generators is given
in Reffor activation analysis are available (2,3) .
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E10.05
on Nuclear Radiation Metrology.
Current edition approved JuneNov. 1, 2007.2011. Published July 2007.November 2011. Originally approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 20022007 as
E385–90(2002).E385–07. DOI: 10.1520/E0385-07.10.1520/E0385-11.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of the text.
3
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book ofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
4
Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E385–11
3.1.3
−1
3.1.2 comparator standard—a reference standard of known oxygen content whose specific counting rate (counts min [mg of
−1
oxygen] ) may be used to quantify the oxygen content of a sample irradiated and counted under the same conditions. Often, a
comparator standard is selected to ha
...